Increasing Diversity in Increasing Diversity in MedicineMedicine

Using the Admissions ProcessUsing the Admissions Process

Erin A. Quinn, Ph.D., M.Ed., M.P.A.Erin A. Quinn, Ph.D., M.Ed., M.P.A.Associate Dean for AdmissionsAssociate Dean for Admissions

Keck School of MedicineKeck School of MedicineUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Increasing Diversity in Increasing Diversity in MedicineMedicine

Keck School of Medicine- A working Keck School of Medicine- A working modelmodel

Constructing an Admissions Process Constructing an Admissions Process to Promote Diversityto Promote Diversity

Profiles of Keck School GraduatesProfiles of Keck School Graduates Issues to ConsiderIssues to Consider

How We Did It How We Did It

• Clarity in Mission and Philosophy – from the Clarity in Mission and Philosophy – from the Top DownTop Down

• Changed the Admissions ProcessChanged the Admissions Process• In One Year Increased Enrollment of URM In One Year Increased Enrollment of URM

students by 100%students by 100%• Over 100 URM/UIM Student Physicians in Over 100 URM/UIM Student Physicians in

Keck School of MedicineKeck School of Medicine• Applied, Interviewed, Admitted, Applied, Interviewed, Admitted,

MatriculatedMatriculated 707 120 57 24707 120 57 24

The Admissions ProcessThe Admissions Process

• Screening Screening

• Interview – Know Your InterviewersInterview – Know Your Interviewers

• Develop Support from FacultyDevelop Support from Faculty

• The Committee ProcessThe Committee Process

• Develop a Committee with Sensitivity Develop a Committee with Sensitivity and Understanding – Use Students and Understanding – Use Students

• Predicting SuccessPredicting Success

Screening – What to Look Screening – What to Look ForFor Non-quantitative factorsNon-quantitative factors Look for potential – ability to overcome adversityLook for potential – ability to overcome adversity Check Educational level of parents - languageCheck Educational level of parents - language High School BackgroundHigh School Background Paid Employment vs. Volunteer WorkPaid Employment vs. Volunteer Work Trend of ImprovementTrend of Improvement MCAT and GPA – Use as a baseMCAT and GPA – Use as a base Leadership and Commitment to the CommunityLeadership and Commitment to the Community

Keck StudentsKeck Students

Cristina - Cristina -

MIT 2.9 CSUF MIT 2.9 CSUF

MPH 3.8 Orosi CA, V7,P9,B8 MPH 3.8 Orosi CA, V7,P9,B8

Spanish first language, primary schoolSpanish first language, primary school

FarmworkerFarmworker

Resident in Internal MedicineResident in Internal Medicine

Keck StudentsKeck Students

Denia – Denia –

Cal Poly Pomona, 3.5 GPA, V8, P8,B9 Cal Poly Pomona, 3.5 GPA, V8, P8,B9

Baldwin Park, Parents Grade 6 EducationBaldwin Park, Parents Grade 6 Education

Work Experience Health Organization Work Experience Health Organization D.C., LeadershipD.C., Leadership

Worked full timeWorked full time

Resident in PediatricsResident in Pediatrics

Keck StudentsKeck Students

• JoseJoseBerkeley, MCAT 8,9,10, GPA 3.13Berkeley, MCAT 8,9,10, GPA 3.13Science GPA 2.8 (failed O-Chem Twice)Science GPA 2.8 (failed O-Chem Twice)Junior and Senior year 3.7Junior and Senior year 3.7Family SituationFamily SituationMED-Cor Student, Troy CampMED-Cor Student, Troy CampLeadership and Communication SkillsLeadership and Communication SkillsInterviewed and Accepted UCLA and USCInterviewed and Accepted UCLA and USCMS II UCLAMS II UCLA

Issues To ConsiderIssues To Consider

Medical School Rankings are Based Medical School Rankings are Based on MCAT Scores and GPAon MCAT Scores and GPA

California Schools - # of slotsCalifornia Schools - # of slots Our role in training the leaders who Our role in training the leaders who

will provide leadership in Health Care will provide leadership in Health Care ReformReform

Barriers to DiversityBarriers to Diversity

• Standardized Test PerformanceStandardized Test Performance

– Advantaged Students have access to Advantaged Students have access to expensive test preparation and devoted expensive test preparation and devoted time to study.time to study.

– Disadvantaged Students cannot afford Disadvantaged Students cannot afford to spend $1200 - $1500 for test to spend $1200 - $1500 for test preparation nor devote 3 months of preparation nor devote 3 months of study without having to workstudy without having to work

Constructing an Admissions Constructing an Admissions Process to Promote DiversityProcess to Promote Diversity

• Educate Your Deans and Faculty to Educate Your Deans and Faculty to the Issue– Top Down Influencethe Issue– Top Down Influence

• Build an Admissions Committee with Build an Admissions Committee with understanding and Sensitivityunderstanding and Sensitivity

• Include UIM Students on the Include UIM Students on the Committee Committee

• Build Community Build Community

Constructing an Admissions Constructing an Admissions ProcessProcess

• Use Interviewers who are socio-Use Interviewers who are socio-culturally sensitiveculturally sensitive

• Know Your InterviewersKnow Your Interviewers