Differences in predictors of academic success using multi- and individual year student admissions data

Introduction: Schools of pharmacy continually focus on improving methods used to admit successful students. This study evaluated multi-year and individual year admissions data to assess predictors of student success. Methods: Three years of student admissions data were compared to selected student outcomes to identify predictors of student success. Pearson correlation coefficients and regression analyses were used. Results: Data of 417 students were evaluated. Pre-pharmacy cumulative and science grade point averages (GPA) were the strongest predictors of final pharmacy cumulative (FPC) GPA and individual grades in science and therapeutic courses for all multi-year and individual class analyses (r=0.41-0.55, p<0.001). The Pharmacy College Admissions Test composite and chemistry scores correlated with FPC GPA and course grades for all analyses (r=0.19-0.49, p<0.05). Predictors of passing the North American Pharmacy Licensure Exam varied. Correlations differed when evaluating multi-year and individual year data. Conclusion: Schools should conduct both multi-year and individual year analyses to determine predictors of academic success.