Evaluation of a physician assistant student admission plan that considers race neutral factors

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate race-neutral admissions criteria for PA applicants in order to make an impact on increasing the number of underrepresented minority (URMs) applicants to Wichita State University’s PA Program. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed admissions policies utilized in 2003, 2004, and 2005 in the PA Department at WSU. This project targeted applicants and matriculates into the WSU PA Program. Specifically, the study measured the relationship between minority matriculates and different admission policies for the class of 2005 (paper-based applicant criteria heavily weighted toward GPA), classes of 2006 and 2007 (expanded criteria with race-neutral factors, still heavily weighted toward GPA), and class of 2008 (expanded criteria with race-neutral factors, with equalization of GPA with other factors). Results: Overall the classes of 2005 and 2008 had more minority applicants than matriculates. The classes of 2006 and 2007 had more minority matriculates than applicants. Conclusion: To date, the WSU-PA Program’s admission plan that considered race neutral factors did not have a significant impact on increasing the number of URMs accepted into the PA Program.