High Impact Practices and Professional School Acceptance in Health Science Concentrations

Graduate-level professional health care programs have a highly selective admissions process. Applicants can distinguish themselves by participating in High Impact Practices (HIPs) to enhance their undergraduate experience and academic and professional success. The variables analyzed in this study included acceptance, grade point average (GPA), minor attainment, items from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), and HIPs. Results of the analysis indicate a significant positive association between professional school acceptance and GPA, minor attainment, and capstone course completion. Data analysis suggests specific HIPs correlate with admission to desired graduate programs, and implications for advising students with this goal are discussed.