ANTICIPATING SUCCESS IN VETERINARY MEDICAL EDUCATION AT PURDUE UNIVERSITY (PREDICTION, PROFESSIONAL, INDIANA)

BRUCE ALAN LINDVALL, Purdue University

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine what relationships existed between selected predictor variables and specified measures of academic success in a veterinary medical education setting. The population of this study included all Purdue University veterinary medical students in the five classes that began in the fall semesters of 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, and 1983. Six grade point averages at different intervals of the D.V.M. program were used as dependent variables. Twenty-nine variables were collected and used as independent variables. Pearson correlations were computed between the independent variables and each of the dependent variables. All but eight of the independent variables had significant positive correlations with one or more of the dependent variables. Overall Preveterinary GPA, Science GPA, Required GPA, Last Year GPA, Chemistry GPA, and VAT-Reading Comprehension had significant positive correlations with the six dependent variables. The VAT-Combined Score had significant positive correlations with the first five dependent variables. All possible subsets regression combined several independent variables to enhance the predictability of academic success. Regression equations for the first five dependent variables included three components: at least one GPA, at least one VAT score, and an academic maturity factor measured by semesters completed, total hours completed, or total years of college study. The regression equation for Clinical GPA did not include VAT scores. There were no significant differences in the academic performance between male and female students or between those students with a bachelor's degree and those without a bachelor's degree. There were significant differences in the academic performance of in-state and out-of-state students. Lower VAT-Reading Comprehension score was the only significant difference found in the incoming characteristics of those students who failed to complete the D.V.M. program.

Degree

Ph.D.

Subject Area

Higher education

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