Lessons learned from a non-traditional application process: Integrating user experiences to inform admission...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Admissions Processes
• Health Professions Education

Background:

• Dental school admissions are competitive and complex.
• A user-centered approach can enhance the applicant experience.
• Understanding applicant perspectives is crucial for improving admissions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To gather applicant expectations and perspectives during a pilot dental school application process.
• To inform future admissions practices using a user-centered approach.
• To provide insights for dental programs broadly.

Main Methods:

• A pilot electronic application was developed and launched for a new dental school.
• 303 applicants completed a survey on application decisions and experience.
• Applicant satisfaction was measured using a Net Promoter Score.

Main Results:

• The optional Dental Admissions Test requirement was the most influential factor for 43% of applicants.
• Applicants desired a human-centered process valuing experiences over numerical metrics.
• Most applicants were "promoters" (68%), with a Net Promoter Score of 62, indicating high satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• Collecting applicant feedback is vital for developing user-centered admissions processes.
• Admissions committees can benefit from understanding user expectations.
• A focus on applicant experience can improve overall satisfaction and program perception.