Impact of pre-matriculation course withdrawals on first year pharmacy school success

Authors

Sean P. Kane, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Rd, North Chicago, IL 60064. Electronic address: sean.kane@rosalindfranklin.edu.
Jacy D. Dagenhart, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois. Electronic address: jacy.dagenhart@my.rfums.org.
Danielle M. Candelario, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois. Electronic address: danielle.candelario@rosalindfranklin.edu.
Khyati Patel, Advocate Aurora HealthFollow
Christie M. Bertram, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois; Department of Pharmacy, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois. Electronic address: christie.bertram@rosalindfranklin.edu.
Ted Gavlin, College of Pharmacy, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois. Electronic address: ted.gavlin@rosalindfranklin.edu.

Recommended Citation

Kane SP, Dagenhart JD, Candelario DM, Patel K, Bertram CM, Gavlin T. Impact of Prematriculation Course Withdrawals on First Year Pharmacy School Success. Am J Pharm Educ. 2023;87(11):100595. doi:10.1016/j.ajpe.2023.100595

Affiliations

Advocate Aurora Medical Center, Kenosha

Abstract

Objective:Determine the impact of pre-matriculation course withdrawals on first year pharmacy school (P1) success, defined as on-time progression to the second (P2) year without remediation.

Methods:A retrospective review of students matriculating to a four-year private institution from 2018 to 2021 was conducted. Potential predictors of P1 year success including age, sex, highest degree achieved, pre-matriculation grade point average (GPA), and course withdrawals were collected.

Results:Bivariate analysis indicates that age, cumulative GPA, science GPA, and pre-matriculation course withdrawals were significantly different between students who were successful versus unsuccessful in the first year of pharmacy school. Out of 220 students analyzed, 40.9% (n=90) were unsuccessful in the first year. Of those 90 P1 students, 52% did not progress to the P2 year, and 48% progressed but required course remediation. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that independent predictors of P1 success included cumulative GPA and having less than two pre-matriculation course withdrawals. In addition, the number of pre-matriculation course withdrawals, cumulative GPA, and having a bachelor's degree or higher were independent predictors of P1 GPA.

Conclusion:Pre-matriculation course withdrawal was an independent predictor of both P1 success and P1 GPA. Students with less than two pre-matriculation course withdrawals were more likely to be successful during the first year of pharmacy school. College of pharmacy admission committees may consider pre-matriculation course withdrawal frequency when making admission decisions or to identify students that may need additional academic support during the first year of pharmacy school.

Document Type

Article

PubMed ID

37778702