Predictive Value of Three Different Selection Methods for Admission of Motivated and Well-Performing Veterinary Medical Students

Abstract

In search for valid and reliable selection methods that predict applicants' study motivation and academic performance during the 3-year bachelor's program at the Dutch Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FVM), this study aimed to (1) examine the predictive value of the three FVM selection methods for study motivation and academic performance (i.e., direct admission and weighted lottery based on secondary school grade point average [GPA], and selection based on non-cognitive criteria), and (2) examine whether type and level of study motivation could be of value regarding selection of well-performing students. Data from two cohorts at the FVM ( n = 186) were obtained, including mean summed scores on study motivation (using the Academic Motivation Scale [AMS] and additional items) and several academic outcome measures; among others, analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) were performed to examine differences between the three admission groups. Spearman's correlations and linear regression were applied to examine the relationship between study motivation and academic performance. Lottery-admitted students demonstrated a stronger extrinsic motivation than selected students ( p < .05). Directly admitted students outperformed students from the other two admission groups on several academic outcome measures ( p < .05). Only the level of motivation was related to academic performance ( p < .05). According to the results, direct admission based on a high secondary school GPA in particular has predictive value for good academic performance during the 3-year bachelor's program of the veterinary course. The type of motivation seems to be of no value regarding selection of well-performing students, whereas level of motivation might be a useful criterion for this purpose.