Impact of diversity/life experience scores on the demographic makeup of pharmacy students

The University of Houston College of Pharmacy (UHCOP) implemented a diversity and lifestyle experience score for use in its admission process. The goal of this research was to evaluate changes in the demographic makeup of individuals that interviewed, matriculated, and progressed before and after implementation of this diversity scoring tool.

This was a retrospective study of student data from UHCOP in academic years 2016/2017 (pre-tool) and 2018/2019 (post-tool). Individuals ≥18 years who submitted UHCOP supplemental and Pharmacy College Application Service (PCAT) applications were eligible for inclusion. Exclusion criteria were individuals with incomplete applications, who did not meet minimum coursework requirements, or were missing component(s) of the PCAT, letters of reference, or volunteer service. Student demographic data and information collected from the life experience and diversity scores were compared across students invited to interview, interviewed, admitted, and that progressed after the first year at UHCOP. The chi-square test and analysis of variance followed by post hoc analyses was used to analyze results.

First-generation and socioeconomically disadvantaged students significantly increased in those who applied, interviewed, received offers, and matriculated when comparing 2016 and 2017 admissions cycles with 2018 and 2019 cycles (P < .05).

Use of a standardized holistic score that includes a life experiences and diversity scoring tool during the admissions process supports admission of a diverse student population.