title: Multiple Mini-Interview Performance Predicts Academic Difficulty in the PharmD Curriculum.
abstract: Objective. To identify admissions variable prognostics for academic difficulty in the PharmD curriculum to use for admissions determinations and early identification of at-risk students. Methods. Retrospective multivariate analysis of 2008-2012 admission data were linked with academic records to identify students with academic difficulty (ie, those with Ds, Fs, delayed progression). The influence of prepharmacy grade point average (GPA), composite Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) score, multiple-mini interview (MMI) score, age, credit hours, state residence, and prior degree on academic difficulty was estimated using multivariate logistic regression. Results. Students' (n=587) prepharmacy GPA, composite PCAT score, mean MMI score, and age were 3.6, 72.0, 5.5, 22.8 (SD=4.14 years), respectively. Students having a GPA <3.25, PCAT score <60th percentile, or MMI score <4.5, were approximately 12-, 7-, and 3-times more likely, respectively, to experience academic difficulty than those with a GPA ≥ 3.75, PCAT score >90, or MMI score of 5-6. Conclusion. Using GPA, PCAT, and MMI performance can predict academic difficulty and assist in the early identification of academically at-risk PharmD students.
authors.affiliation: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas.
authors.forename: Seth D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Heldenbrand
authors.affiliation: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas.
authors.forename: Schwanda K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Flowers
authors.affiliation: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas.
authors.forename: Bryan J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Bordelon
authors.affiliation: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy, Springfield, Missouri.
authors.forename: Paul O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Gubbins
authors.affiliation: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.affiliation: Sullivan University College of Pharmacy, Louisville, Kentucky.
authors.forename: Cindy D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Stowe
authors.affiliation: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas.
authors.forename: Bradley C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003099:College Admission Test; D003479:Curriculum; D004514:Education, Pharmacy, Graduate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012570:School Admission Criteria; D012580:Schools, Pharmacy; D013339:Students, Pharmacy; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: MMI; academic difficulty; interview; multiple mini-interview; predict