Effectiveness of a premedical postbaccalaureate program in improving medical college admission test scores of underrepresented minority and disadvantaged students

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to share the procedures used to strengthen the Medical Pathways (MEDPATH) premedical postbaccalaureate program (PBP) to increase the chances of its students successfully graduating from medical school in four years. METHODS: Subjects included students who matriculated into medical school between 1991-1999 (N = 72) following successful completion of the 12-month MEDPATH premedical PBP. Students who had passed the USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt were defined as successful and were compared to those who did not pass on their first attempt. Programmatic changes were implemented based on these findings, and outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in total MCAT scores between pre-2003 (PBP entry year) participants (Mn = 20.73, SD = 3.10, N = 117) and post-2003 (PBP entry year) participants (Mn = 25.27, SD = 2.96, N = 37) (t = 7.86, df = 152, p < 0.001). MEDPATH premedical PBP coursework grade-point averages improved from 3.48 to 3.67 over the same time intervals. Diversity of program participants was maintained. CONCLUSION: The enhanced MEDPATH premedical PBP appears to be producing underrepresented minority and disadvantaged medical students who are better prepared to succeed in medical school.