Corri Wolf1,2,3,4, Anoma Zehra Ahmed1,2,3,4, Gordon Schmidt1,2,3,4, Sara Winter1,2,3,4. 1. Corri Wolf, MS, PA-C, RD, is an associate professor, and Interim Program Chair in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at the New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York. 2. Anoma Zehra Ahmed, MBBS, MS, PA-C, is an assistant professor and the Director of Admissions in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at the New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York. 3. Gordon Schmidt, PhD, is a professor and dean of the School of Health Professions at the New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York. 4. Sara Winter, MS, PA-C, is an assistant professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at the New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Students can be admitted to a physician assistant program via an accelerated bachelor of science/master of science (BS/MS) track or by a postbaccalaureate track. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of student attrition based on differences in modes of admission. METHODS: Student admissions and retention data were collected for 277 students in the physician assistant program at the New York Institute of Technology from the graduation years 2016 to 2020. A t-test was used to analyze differences among admissions methods for the following variables: age, cumulative grade point average (GPA), science GPA, and patient contact hours. RESULTS: A total of 10.4% (n = 29) of students from the total enrollment left the program for academic reasons. These students had a significantly lower cumulative GPA (3.54 vs. 3.71) and science GPA (3.45 vs. 3.68), and fewer patient contact hours (951 vs. 1720) at admission (p < .05). Furthermore, 44 students entered via the BS/MS track, and 41% (n = 18) were dismissed for academic reasons. This group of 18 BS/MS students comprised 62% of all students dismissed for academic reasons over the past 5 years. When considering only BS/MS students, those who left for academic reasons had a significantly lower science GPA (3.37 vs. 3.62, p < .05) than those who successfully completed the program. CONCLUSIONS: Having dual tracks of entry resulted in varying degrees of academic preparation and, for our institution, a disproportionate number of students from the accelerated track being dismissed despite meeting published admissions criteria.
PURPOSE: Students can be admitted to a physician assistant program via an accelerated bachelor of science/master of science (BS/MS) track or by a postbaccalaureate track. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of student attrition based on differences in modes of admission. METHODS: Student admissions and retention data were collected for 277 students in the physician assistant program at the New York Institute of Technology from the graduation years 2016 to 2020. A t-test was used to analyze differences among admissions methods for the following variables: age, cumulative grade point average (GPA), science GPA, and patient contact hours. RESULTS: A total of 10.4% (n = 29) of students from the total enrollment left the program for academic reasons. These students had a significantly lower cumulative GPA (3.54 vs. 3.71) and science GPA (3.45 vs. 3.68), and fewer patient contact hours (951 vs. 1720) at admission (p < .05). Furthermore, 44 students entered via the BS/MS track, and 41% (n = 18) were dismissed for academic reasons. This group of 18 BS/MS students comprised 62% of all students dismissed for academic reasons over the past 5 years. When considering only BS/MS students, those who left for academic reasons had a significantly lower science GPA (3.37 vs. 3.62, p < .05) than those who successfully completed the program. CONCLUSIONS: Having dual tracks of entry resulted in varying degrees of academic preparation and, for our institution, a disproportionate number of students from the accelerated track being dismissed despite meeting published admissions criteria.