Earlier this year, researchers Joseph M. Maciuba, Yating Teng, Matthew Pflipsen, Mary A. Andrews, and Steven J. Durning published findings from early research into the qualitative differences in the AMCAS applications of medical students identified as high performing (via entry into a medical school honor society) and low performing (referred for administrative action). The study’s scope included 61 students who graduated from the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, MD from 2017 to 2019.
The researchers found significant differences in the AMCAS Work and Activities submissions:
The researchers found significant differences in the AMCAS Work and Activities submissions:
- Among the high performing students, seven themes emerged frequently in their Work and Activities submissions: teamwork, altruism, success in a practiced activity, wisdom, passion, entrepreneurship, and perseverance. High performers, on average, referenced the themes 7.86 times per application as compared to the low performers’ 3.81 times.
- High performers also showcased a more diverse array of themes within their applications than low performers. On average high performers referenced 4.5 different themes in their applications, while low performers averaged 2.5.
- The most notable differences between high and low performers occurred in use of “perseverance.” Fifty five percent of high performers referenced the trait (19 percent of low performers).
- 73 percent of high performers included a reference to their success in a practiced activity (38 percent of low performers).
- Among low performing students, common themes emerged as well: Witnessing teamwork (taking a passive versus an active role in a team environment), describing a future event (event that has not yet occurred), and embellishing an achievement.
