In December of 2012 administrators for the University of Texas (UT) System announced a proposed merger of University of Texas-Brownsville and the University of Texas-Pan American "with an eye toward securing increased state funds and potentially building a medical school." The status of University of Texas at Brownsville (UTB) and…

Based on a successful five-week summer program, we constructed an online alternative to prepare Hispanic students to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). We used input from student premed advisors, students, a faculty mentor, a Verbal Reasoning coach, and the program administrator. Online activities were provided to support the student…

This study examines the impact of affirmative action bans in six states (California, Washington, Florida, Texas, Michigan, and Nebraska) on the matriculation rates of historically underrepresented students of color in public medical schools in these states. Findings show that affirmative action bans have led to about a 17% decline (from 18.5% to…

While research has shown the statistical significance of high school grade point averages (HSGPAs) in predicting future academic outcomes, the systems with which HSGPAs are calculated vary drastically across schools. Some schools employ unweighted grades that carry the same point value regardless of the course in which they are earned; other…

Recent work in cognitive psychology has shown that repeatedly testing one's knowledge is a powerful learning aid and provides substantial benefits for retention of the material. To apply this in a human anatomy course for medical students, 39 fill-in-the-blank quizzes of about 50 questions each, one for each region of the body, and four about the…

Seventeen state-sponsored residential math and science schools have been created across the country to direct talented teens toward STEM careers. Admission is selective, based on competitive grades, standardized test scores, and references. Most of the schools also require preadmission interviews. However, selection interviews may be challenged as…

While the relationship between academic variables and admission into medical school has been well documented, the relationship between socioeconomic background and admission has not been extensively examined. In 2001, the Texas Legislature passed HB 1641, which allowed for the use of socioeconomic variables in the admission of graduate and…

Systems-based practice (SBP) is rarely taught or evaluated during medical school, yet is one of the required competencies once students enter residency. We believe Texas A&M College of Medicine students learn about systems issues informally, as they care for patients at a free clinic in Temple, TX. The mandatory free clinic rotation is part of…

With increasing national and international support for the development of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) curricula in American medical schools, it is essential to measure what learners know and believe about CAM in order to assess outcomes of new teaching efforts. This paper describes the development and initial results of a survey…

This document evaluates data and opinion concerning medical education presented to the Coordinating Board and proposes recommendations to the legislature for enlarging medical opportunities in the state during the next decade. The bulk of the report contains appended reports, proposals, statistics, and discussions. Source material includes…

This report summarizes special item funding for public universities, health-related institutions, technical colleges, and community colleges in Texas for fiscal years (FYs) 1996 and 1997, as provided by House Bill 1, 74th Legislature (General Appropriations Act). "Special items" are defined as appropriations made to selected institutions…

This report presents statistics on Fall enrollments at institutions of higher education across Texas for Fall 1994 and compares them with 1993 figures. The enrollment figures are based on a preliminary count of the 12th class day enrollments reported by the institutions. The first table gives an overview of headcount enrollments for both years and…

This report of statistical data concerning Texas institutions of higher education begins with a list of the institutions, including public universities, public health-related institutions, public community colleges, the public technical college system, independent senior colleges and universities, independent health-related institutions, and…

Statistical data are presented from Texas institutions of higher education, including both public and independent universities; medical, dental, and allied health units; junior colleges; and technical institutes. The scope of the data includes: (1) student enrollments from 1985-1989, enrollment by ethnic origin and sex, resident and nonresident…

Regulatory cost impacts for 11 Texas colleges and universities for the 1977-78 academic year are presented as part of a continuing effort to assess the costs and impact of federally mandated social regulations. The 11 institutions are representative of each of the types previously reviewed as groups. For each institution, data are presented on the…