title: Preparing Postbaccalaureates for Entry and Success in Biomedical PhD Programs.
abstract: Certain racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds remain underrepresented (UR) in the biomedical sciences. This underrepresentation becomes more extreme at each higher education stage. To support UR scholars during the critical transition from baccalaureate to PhD, we established an intensive, 1-yr postbaccalaureate training program. We hypothesized that this intervention would strengthen each participant's competitiveness for leading PhD programs and build a foundation of skills and self-efficacy important for success during and after graduate school. Scholar critical analysis skills, lab technique knowledge, and Graduate Record Examination scores all improved significantly during the program. Scholars reported significant confidence growth in 21 of 24 categories related to success in research careers. In 5 yr, 91% (41/45) of scholars transitioned directly into PhD programs. Importantly, 40% (18/45) of participating postbaccalaureate scholars had previously been declined acceptance into graduate school; however, 17/18 of these scholars directly entered competitive PhD programs following our training program. Alumni reported they were "extremely well" prepared for graduate school, and 95% (39/41) are currently making progress to graduation with a PhD. In conclusion, we report a model for postbaccalaureate training that could be replicated to increase participation and success among UR scholars in the biomedical sciences.
authors: Office of Graduate Education, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 jdhall@unc.edu.
authors: Joshua D
authors: JD
authors: Hall
authors: Office of Graduate Education, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.
authors: Jessica R
authors: JR
authors: Harrell
authors: Strategic Evaluations, Inc., Durham, NC 27707.
authors: Kimberley W
authors: KW
authors: Cohen
authors: Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.
authors: Virginia L
authors: VL
authors: Miller
authors: Professional Development and Career Office, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205.
authors: Patricia V
authors: PV
authors: Phelps
authors: Office of Graduate Education, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.
authors: Jeanette G
authors: JG
authors: Cook
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000193:education*; D004500:Education, Graduate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000193:education; D015397:Program Evaluation