Selection of medical students--a follow-up study

The attributes of 1,026 medical students admitted to university on academic criteria and by interview between 1980 and 1983, and the characteristics of 822 of them who graduated between 1985 and 1988, were analysed. There were 133 students (13%) who failed and were excluded, 99 (10%) repeated 1 or more years of study, 67 (7%) voluntarily withdrew, 42 (4%) completed a B.Sc. degree during their medical training, and 675 graduated in the minimum time. The admitted and graduated students were mainly white (85%), male (67%) and had no academic experience other than matriculation (69%). During the review period the proportion of 'non-whites', women and applicants with university experience increased. Students who voluntarily withdrew had significantly low interview scores; applicants with university experience and applicants who subsequently failed had significantly high interview scores. It is concluded that the interview is useful, that the demographic characteristics of the classes are changing, and that traditional academic standards have been maintained.