The adjustment factors: Its validity on the admissions process of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine (UPCM)

Background@#With the purpose of ensuring fairness and a level playing field in the selection process, the new admissions policy of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine (UPCM) has applied adjustment factors (AF) in the computation of the general weighted averages (GWAs) of applicants. @*Objective@#The objective of the study was to the determine the validity of adjustment factors in ensuring fairness in recalibrating GWAs of applicants for admissions. @*Methods@#This study described the mean AF scores of the different pre-medical courses of lateral entrants as well as their historic academic performance such as the mean university predicted grades (UPG), UP College Admissions Test scores (UPCAT) and high school weighted averages (HSWA), National Medical Admissions Test (NMAT) scores, pre-medical general weighted average grades (PMGWAG) and Learning Unit 3 Medicine general weighted average grades (LU3 MGWAG). Correlative analysis was done using Pearson’s correlation between the mean AF scores of the different pre-medical courses and their mean UPG, UPCAT and HSWA and LU3 MGWAG. @*Results@#The study showed that pre-medical courses from UP Manila obtained higher mean AF scores, while those from UP Diliman had better scholastic performance with higher mean UPG, UPCAT HSWA, NMAT, PMGWAG and LU3 MGWAG. Those who obtained a high score in the adjustment factors, namely BS Computer Science in UPM and BS Applied Physics in UPM, ranked lowest in the mean UPG, UPCAT, HSWA and low in NMAT, PMGWAG and LU3 MGWAG. The reverse was also true as those courses that ranked high in the mean UPG, UPCAT and HSWA, namely BS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology UPD, BS Psychology UPD and BS Biology UPD, acquired relatively low mean AF scores. Within statistical significance, inverse correlation was established between mean AF scores of the different pre-medical courses and mean UPG and UPCAT scores. @*Conclusion@#The study invalidated the use of AFs in the admissions process of UPCM. The AF did not guarantee fairness in the selection process, as it merely lowered down the GWAs of those who performed academically well in pre-medical courses. The current formula for the computation of AF is grounded on faulty assumption that high GWAs were all due to grade inflation. It is therefore recommended that implementation of the AF be immediately held in abeyance until its validity issues are resolved.

The determinants of abroad-based practice among UPCM Alumni

Background@#The country's health system is confronted with the potential threats of mass overseas migration and non-equitable distribution of health professionals including physicians. The UP College of Medicine (UPCM), despite being subsidized by the state, has its own share of this problem regarding its graduates. @*Objectives@#The objectives of this study were to look into the geographic distribution of practices among the alumni of UPCM and to identify the predictors of abroad-based practice. The period involved was entirely covered by the Regionalization Program (RP) and partially by the Return Service Obligation Program (RSOP). @*Methodology@#The geographic practice base among the UPCM graduates was determined and correlated through logistic regression with their pre-admission academic profile, namely Pre-Med General Weighted Average Grades (PGWAGs), National Medical Admissions Tests (NMATs), interview scores, entry rank, premed courses, admissions categories, Medicine General Weighted Average Grades (MGWAG), class rank, and board rating. @*Results@#Majority (51.3%) of the UPCM graduates practiced at the National Capital Region (NCR), around a quarter (26.1%) practiced in the province, and approximately one out of ten (11.4%) was based overseas. Associated with higher odds of practicing abroad were those with higher board rating, entry rank, NMAT, %MGWAG, %PMGWAG, class rank, and those admitted through the UP Medical Alumni Association in America (UPMASA) category. Other special categories such as high interview scores and BS Psychology graduates in pre-med lowered the chances of overseas migration and practice. @*Conclusion and Recommendation@#UPCM graduates with superb academic performance both in their premed course and in medicine would most likely establish their geographic practice abroad. In order to minimize the brain drain and overseas migration of UPCM graduates, the admissions policy must be revised towards shifting the focus from purely academic criteria to the non-academic attributes of the applicants.

Predictors of poor academic performance among the medical students of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine

Background@#Despite the rigorous and extremely competitive selection process of medical students at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine (UPCM), a few still performed poorly in academics that resulted in delayed graduation or failure to graduate at all. @*Methodology@#Factors potentially associated with delayed graduation and failure to graduate among UPCM medical students were analyzed using univariate and multivariable logistic regression with their demographic and pre-admission academic profiles, namely, Pre-medical General Weighted Average Grade (PGWAG), National Medical Admission Test Scores (NMATs), interview scores, pre-med courses, the school graduated from, and admissions categories as predictors. @*Objective@#The objective of this study was to identify the factors that predict the likelihood of not graduating and delayed graduation among the medical students of 24 classes of the UPCM. @*Results@#The odds of delayed graduation and failure to graduate were increased by lower PMGWAG, NMAT score, interview score, admission through the special categories, being a non-UP graduate, and with BS Psychology as pre-med course. @*Conclusion@#The predictors of poor academic performance based on delayed graduation and failure to graduate were the PMGWAG, NMAT, interview scores, admissions category, pre-med course, and the school graduated from. It is recommended that the minimum admissions requirements for PMGWAG be increased particularly among the candidates in the special categories. The selection process in the special categories must put some bearing on the PMGWAGs and NMATs of their applicants.

The initial impact of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine new admissions policy: Four years of implementation

Background@#The University of the Philippines College of Medicine (UPCM) revised its admissions policy with the goal of leveling the playing field in the selection of students and ensuring the admission of applicants imbued with the dedication and commitment to serve. @*Objective@#The objective of the study was to determine the initial impact of the newly amended policy on the admissions demographics and academic profile of accepted UPCM students in terms of pre-med courses and colleges, admissions category, Latin honors, pre-med General Weighted Average Grade (GWAG), National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) score, and interview scores, during the four years of its implementation.@*Methodology@#This descriptive study compared the yearly applications and admissions, annual distributions of pre-med courses, colleges graduated from, admissions category, Latin honors, and yearly averages of premed GWAG, NMATs, and interview scores among the accepted UPCM students and determined the trend of the aforementioned variables, from four years prior to four years after the implementation of the new admissions policy (2013 to 2020).@*Results@#Four years of the implementation of the revised admissions policy observed a reduction in the number of applications but an increase in the overall admissions, ratio reversal of admissions between UP Diliman graduates and UP Manila graduates with the latter recently dominating the admissions, a drastic fall in the admissions of BS Psychology graduates, while a steady rise in the admissions of BS Public Health and BS Pharmacy graduates. Also observed was the significant decrease in the yearly average GWAG, NMATs, and Latin honors among accepted UPCM students. The yearly average interview scores increased while the profile based on admissions category remained generally unchanged. @*Conclusion@#These significant changes and impacts were mainly attributed to the adoption and utilization of the Adjustment Factor in the computation of the GWAG.

The comparison of the different adjustment factors for admission to the University of the Philippines College of Medicine

Background@#Among the different criteria, the General Weighted Average Grade (PMGWAG) holds the biggest bearing on admission for the UP College of Medicine. However, GWAs are not comparable across different courses, different batches, different UP units and different schools. An Adjustment Factor is necessary to make PMGWAGs comparable and to level the playing field. @*Objectives@#This study covering a 24-year period aimed to compare various proposed Admission Adjusted Factors of %PMGWAG (Pre-Med GWAG) in terms of Pearson's Correlation, Linear Regression Models and Mean Differences with %MGWAG (Medical GWAG), Class Rank and Board Rating as Outcome variables. @*Methodology@#Various proposed Adjustment Factors were applied to %PMGWAG of medical students from Class 1990 to Class 2014 and Pearson's Correlation, Linear Regression Models and Mean Differences with %MGWAG, Class Rank and Board Rating were derived and analyzed. @*Results@#Adjustment Factor A3 as applied to %PMGWAG correlates best with Board Rating and Class Rank while Adjustment Factor A6 with %MGWAG. On Linear Regression, A3 likewise bested other Adjustment Factors in predicting %MGWAG and %Board Rating while A6 on predicting Class Ranking. Among the various adjustments, A3 exerted the most impact on the outcome variables, based on mean differences. @*Conclusion@#The A3 Adjustment Factor is the preferred and most ideal among the various proposed adjustment factors. Its application on %PMGWAG, correlated best with, most predictive of and most influential to %MGWAG, Board Rating and Class Rating.

The predictors of academic performance of the medical students of upcm: class1990 to class 2013 lateral entrants

Background: The criteria for admission at the University of the Philippine College of Medicine (UPCM) are sixtypercent premed general weighted average grade (PMGWAG), thirty percent National Medical Admission Test(NMAT) scores and ten percent Interview Scores. Through the years, because of the highly competitive natureof the selection process, the admissions cut-offs in PMGWAG and average NMAT has continuously risen.Objectives: This study that covered a twenty four year period, aimed to determine the correlation andpredictive value between the admissions criteria (%Pre-med GWAG, NMAT and Interview Score) withacademic performance parameters (%Med GWAG and Class Ranking) and Board Rating.Methods: The pre-admission and academic records of accepted lateral entrants from Class 1990 to Class 2013were retrieved, reviewed and analyzed. These included the pre-med GWAG (%PMGWAG), NMAT andInterview Scores, Med GWAG (%MGWAG), Class Ranking and Board Rating. Pearsons Correlation and MultipleLinear regression analysis were done.Results: All criteria (%PMGWAG, NMAT, Interview Score) for admissions were correlated with the academicperformance parameters (%MGWAG, Class Rank) and Board Rating. The strongest correlation was observed in%PMGWAG with %MGWAG and Class Rank. Interview score correlated weakly with the academicperformance. Strong correlations between %MGWAG, Class Rank and Board Rating were likewise observed.Rank upon admission also correlated strongly with Class Rank upon graduation. On linear regression analysis,%PMGWAG and NMAT were more predictive of %MGWAG, Class Rank and Board Rating.Conclusion: The weight distribution of the different admissions criteria should be adjusted accordingly.Interview score, a weak predictor of academic performance and a measure of non-cognitive traits, should betreated separately and independently as an admission criteria.