FSU College of Medicine 2017 annual report 2017 Annual Report - FSU College of Medicine | Page 26

M E D I C A L
E D U C A T I O N
Q U A L I T Y
24
NUMBERS DON’T ALWAYS ADD UP IN ADMISSIONS
The College of Medicine deliberately and carefully looks prior to administration of the examinations.” Students who
beyond numbers when looking for medical students who are do not receive an initial passing score on the exams are not
a good fit for the school’s mission. able to continue in their progression until they retake (and
Which raises an obvious question: If we don’t think
numbers are important, why share them on these pages?
“The answer is fairly simple – because these numbers
pass) the exams.
Unfortunately, medical schools and residency programs
are often judged not on their students’ demonstration of
illustrate that MCAT scores don’t have to be the be-all and knowledge based on meeting the proficiency requirements
end-all of medical school admissions,” said Alma Littles, of the exams – and their ability to compassionately and
senior associate dean for medical education and academic competently care for patients – but on their students’ average
affairs. “College of Medicine students chosen as much for USMLE scores.
what’s in their heart as for their intellectual prowess and
That places pressure on those programs to focus on other
academic pedigree have always performed on national, standardized exams, such as MCAT scores, when deciding
standardized exams on par with medical students elsewhere.” whom to admit to medical school.
All students at accredited M.D. programs in the U.S.
As a result, medical school applicants perfectly capable
and Canada are required to take the United States Medical of performing well academically, and who have the often
Licensing Exam (USMLE) – Step 1 before entering the difficult-to-teach skills for compassion and empathy with
intensive clinical-training phase of their studies and Step 2 patients, routinely are overlooked in the admissions process.
after required clinical rotations have begun. Step 3 is given
during the first year of residency training.
According to the USMLE, “Passing results are based on
“The good news, as the results seen on these pages indicate,
is we don’t have to sacrifice one for the other,” Littles said.
“Our students are smart – and compassionate.”
achievement of specified levels of proficiency established
COMPARED WITH STUDENTS AT OTHER U.S. AND CANADIAN M.D. PROGRAMS
FIRST-TIME
TAKERS
CLASSES
*
*
* - National Step 2 scores not available at press time.