On our selection: predictors of medical school success

To review predictors of academic success in one Australian medical students with predictors rated retrospectively.

Success and involvement in academic and non-academic pursuits over the final two school years and at university, as well as study and external employment variables.

Superior performance over the medical course was predicted by younger age and by being involved in debating in the final school year, immediate entry to the course, having English as a first language, completing school in Australia, having a higher Higher School Certificate (or equivalent) English score, as well as leadership responsibilities in the last year at school, with the first two variables remaining significant in a multiple regression analysis. English and communication skills were two of the five predictors of success for students who did not have English as their first language. For students who had English as their first language, the important predictors were younger age and having debated in the final high school year.

These results, considered with some other recent reports, suggest that academic success in a medical course is predicted to a surprisingly high level by competence in English. Both the importance of communication skills to the practice of medicine, and their assessment in those seeking entry to medical schools, are considered.