Predictors of academic success and failure in a pharmacy professional program

Objectives. This study was conducted to determine which admissions criteria are valuable in selecting pharmacy students by determining which criteria are significant predictors of success or failure. Methods. A statistical analysis was conducted on the retrospective data of 309 students. Academic probation was used as an indication of academic failure. Academic success was measured by first-professional year grade point average (GPA) in pharmacy courses. Results. Predictors of failure included ACT composite score, average grade in organic chemistry courses, and gender. Predictors of success included ACT score, average grade in organic chemistry courses, grades in math and science prepharmacy courses, and prior attainment of a bachelor's degree. Conclusion. Academic predictors of success and failure shared common variables, but there were predictors of success that were not predictors of failure. It may be useful for selection committees to consider both sets of predictors as part of the screening processes.