A study examined the relationship between undergraduate and medical school achievement, as indicated by a variety of measures, and competence in 18 medical care tasks during early residency. (MSE)

Many students planning to apply to medical school take undergraduate courses covering concepts that are taught within the medical school curriculum. A study to determine whether these students perform better in similar courses in medical school than students without prior exposure is discussed. (Author/MLW)

Changes in behavioral science preparation among applicants to U.S. medical schools and the success of behavioral science majors in being admitted are reported. Data provided by the Association of American Medical Colleges regarding the undergraduate baccalaureate majors of applicants to U.S. medical schools were analyzed. (MLW)

Choices of courses and academic performances of premedical students were investigated at two liberal arts colleges. Four hypotheses were tested related to the areas of science concentration in the students' overall academic programs, breadth of the programs, depth of study in subjects outside science, and the grades achieved in all areas.…

The University of Utah School of Medicine offers a supplemental undergraduate Seniors Honors Program in Surgery. The goals of the program have been to allow students to make more informed career choices, obtain positions in competitive residency programs, and a head start in postgraduate surgical training. (MLW)

The assumptions of the conventional structure of undergraduate medical education are questioned. Available data are reviewed and the need is stressed for reform of the aims, content, and context of medical school learning preceding the clinical years. (Author/MLW)

Faculty members and students of 13 undergraduate colleges in South Carolina were surveyed to learn whether the "premedical syndrome" existed. Premedical students were perceived as being excessively competitive, academically overspecialized, overachieving, more highly motivated, more highly self-disciplined, goal-oriented, and proud of…

A study that investigated whether or not those accepted to medical school distinguish themselves from nonaccepted applicants in regard to selected personal characteristics is reported. The findings indicated that science and nonscience majors did not differ in their academic credentials for medical school. (Author/MLW)

A study comparing Type A behaviors in premedical college students, non-premedical science majors, and other students found that premedical students were no more likely to exhibit Type A behaviors than those aspiring to doctorate-level training in nonmedical fields, but did find some gender differences and behavior changes over time. (MSE)

Four groups of medical school matriculants (B.A. degrees in social sciences, humanities, science, and B.S. degrees in science) were studied. No significant difference was found among the four groups on yearly grade-point averages in medical school or on the examinations of the National Board of Medical Examiners. (Author/MLW)