title: Quantitative analysis of a Māori and Pacific admission process on first-year health study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Universities should provide flexible and inclusive selection and admission policies to increase equity in access and outcomes for indigenous and ethnic minority students. This study investigates an equity-targeted admissions process, involving a Multiple Mini Interview and objective testing, advising Māori and Pacific students on their best starting point for academic success towards a career in medicine, nursing, health sciences and pharmacy.
  
  
  METHODS
  All Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme (MAPAS) interviewees enrolled in bridging/foundation or degree-level programmes at the University of Auckland were identified (2009 to 2012). Generalised linear regression models estimated the predicted effects of admission variables (e.g. MAPAS Maths Test; National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) Rank Score; Any 2 Sciences; Followed MAPAS Advice) on first year academic outcomes (i.e. Grade Point Average (GPA) and Passes All Courses) adjusting for MAPAS interview year, gender, ancestry and school decile.
  
  
  RESULTS
  368 First Year Tertiary (bridging/foundation or degree-level) and 242 First Year Bachelor (degree-level only) students were investigated. NCEA Rank Score (estimate 0.26, CI: 0.18-0.34, p< 0.0001); MAPAS Advice Followed (1.26, CI: 0.18-1.34, p = 0.0002); Exposure to Any 2 Sciences (0.651, CI: 0.15-1.15, p = 0.012); and MAPAS Mathematics Test (0.14, CI: 0.02-0.26, p = 0.0186) variables were strongly associated with an increase in First Year Tertiary GPA. The odds of passing all courses in First Year Tertiary study was 5.4 times higher for students who Followed MAPAS Advice (CI: 2.35-12.39; p< 0.0001) and 2.3 times higher with Exposure to Any Two Sciences (CI: 1.15-4.60; p = 0.0186). First Year Bachelor students who Followed MAPAS Advice had an average GPA that was 1.1 points higher for all eight (CI: 0.45-1.73; p = 0.0009) and Core 4 courses (CI: 0.60-2.04; p = 0.0004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MAPAS admissions process was strongly associated with positive academic outcomes in the first year of tertiary study. Universities should invest in a comprehensive admissions process that includes alternative entry pathways for indigenous and ethnic minority applicants.
authors.affiliation: Te Kupenga Hauora Māori, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92015, Auckland, New Zealand. e.curtis@auckland.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Elana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Curtis
authors.affiliation: Te Kupenga Hauora Māori, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92015, Auckland, New Zealand. e.wikaire@auckland.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Erena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wikaire
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92015, Auckland, New Zealand. y.jiang@auckland.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Yannan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92015, Auckland, New Zealand. louise.mcmillan@auckland.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McMillan
authors.affiliation: Te Kupenga Hauora Māori, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92015, Auckland, New Zealand. r.loto@auckland.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Loto
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Human, Social and Educational Development, Thompson Rivers University, Thompson, BC, Canada. airini@tru.ca.
authors.lastname: Airini
authors.affiliation: Te Kupenga Hauora Māori, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92015, Auckland, New Zealand. p.reid@auckland.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Papaarangi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Reid
mesh_terms: D003099:College Admission Test; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004522:Educational Status; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000193:education; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D012570:School Admission Criteria / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012576:Schools, Health Occupations / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult