Medical students from natural science and nonscience undergraduate backgrounds. Similar academic performance and residency selection
R. L. Dickman, R. E. Sarnacki, F. T. Schimpfhauser and L. A. Katz
The majority of matriculating US medical students continue to major in the
natural sciences as college undergraduates in the belief that this will
enhance their chances of admission to and their performance in medical
school. The present study compared the academic performance and residency
selection of natural science and nonscience majors in three separate
medical school classes at the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Statistical analysis of grades in the first two years of medical school,
clinical performance in the third year, and part I and part II National
Board Medical Examination scores revealed no significant differences across
three class replications. Residency selection among graduating seniors was
also independent of undergraduate major. It is suggested that admissions
committees, premedical advisors, and students reconsider their attitudes
about the necessity of concentration in the natural sciences before
entering medical school.
