Submission ID 78315
| Code | OB-2-6 |
|---|---|
| At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: | |
| Category | Medical Education |
| Type | Oral |
| Will the presenter be a: | Graduate Student |
| Title | Reimagining Admission Evaluation Criteria for A Community Health Sciences Graduate Program |
| Background/Purpose | Graduate education is one of the core pillars of the academy, with admissions serving as the both the gateway and pipeline for new talent within and outside of academic institutions. The Community Health Sciences Graduate Program boasts a student body of 175 graduate students, enrolled across 7 specializations. Recent changes to institutional policies and a renewed commitment to EDI has necessitated a revision of our admission processes and evaluation criteria. The purpose of this project was to conduct a needs assessment and engage with stakeholders to identify gaps and best practices in admissions processes. |
| Methods | We conducted an environmental scan of admissions processes in 68 public health/epidemiology, nursing, psychology, and business graduate programs across 20 institutions in Canada and the United States. Data was extracted from websites on admissions criteria, evaluation, and EDI considerations. Data from two focus groups with faculty (n=7) and 4 groups with students (n=13) on admissions was included. Focus groups were analyzed using thematic analysis. |
| Results | The environmental scan demonstrated consistency across programs in admissions criteria. However, many did not publish their evaluation processes and few included EDI considerations in admissions. Focus groups participants reported current admissions practices as lacking transparency and reliability in evaluating applicants, and as biased against international applicants. |
| Discussion | Admissions processes should reflect the core values of graduate training programs. Recommendations to improve evaluation processes, transparency, and bias in the admissions process, as well addressing EDI both prior to and at the point of admission are provided. |
| Keyword 1 | Graduate Health Science Education |
| Keyword 2 | Graduate Admissions |
| Keyword 3 | Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion |
| Abstract content most relevant to: (check all that apply) | Other |
| Abstract Track - First Choice | Admissions |
| Authors | Benedicta Antepim Benedicta Antepim Tolulop Sajobi Elizabeth Oddone Paolucci |
