Admissions Holistic Review of Socioeconomic Factors Fosters Diversity in a Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Abstract

Background and Purpose. Holistic admissions practices may be used to increase diversity in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs by consideration of race and ethnicity, educational disadvantaged background, low socioeconomic status, and for persons from geographically underrepresented areas. This study describes the holistic review practices in the DPT program at California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) reports the profile of socioeconomic disadvantage (SED), race, and ethnicity; analyzes the relationships between SED and racial identity; and reports acceptance rates by race and SED. The purpose of this study was to strengthen the evidence-based inclusion practices in the program's admissions processes and to offer a model to DPT programs that are seeking to assess and utilize admissions practices to increase the racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity of the physical therapy profession. Case Description. The holistic review process at CSUS included weighting 4 Skills and Background Characteristics (SBCs) in determining admissions rankings that encompass the socioeconomic variables of the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy's definition of underrepresented minorities (URMs): 1) second language skills, 2) economic background, 3) educational background, and 4) environmental background. Admissions data were collected on all matriculated students in the first 8 years of the program and all qualified applicants in the last 3 years. Retrospective data analyses explored the relationships between SBC scores, race/ethnicity, and acceptance into the DPT program. Outcomes. Nearly 1 in 3 matriculants were the first in their family to graduate from college, and nearly 40% claimed a race/ethnicity other than White alone. Total SBC scores were found to be statistically significantly associated with racial identity and for underrepresented racial minorities (URRMs). Economic, educational, and environmental disadvantages were statistically significantly associated with URRMs. Acceptance into the program was found to be significantly associated with fluency and all SED variables. Discussion and Conclusion. Admissions weighting of SBC factors led to increased linguistic, socioeconomic, and racial diversity. Methods used in this study may serve as a model to other US Doctor of Physical Therapy programs that are seeking to offset the disadvantages that URMs have in gaining acceptance into physical therapist education programs. The expanded use of data-driven holistic admissions practices may contribute to the racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity of the physical therapy profession.