Predictors of Success In a Dietetic Internship/Master of Science Degree Program

Abstract

Of individuals who applied to a Combined Dietetic Internship (DI)/Masters degree (MS) program between 1988 and 1992, approximately 1/3 (64) participated in the study. Thirty-seven of these applicants attended the program. Data consisted of scores derived from applicant files, a short questionnaire, and grade point averages (GPA) of subjects who attended the program. The predictor variables included every item on a rating form used by a student selection committee. Due to the large number of predictor variables, Principle Factor Analysis was used to group related variables, decreasing the number of variables to be entered into Stepwise Logistic Regression. The four factors identified were Graduate Record Exam-Analytical scores (GRE-A), GRE-Verbal scores (GRE-V), GPA, and Reason for Application. Using Stepwise Logistic Regression, none of the four factors were significantly correlated (p> .05) with the completion of the MS degree. Using the data of subjects who attended the program, the four factors were entered into Correlation Analysis. Two factors were significantly correlated, GRE-A Factor with GPA after the Internship (r =0.33, p=.046) and the MS degree (r=0.61, p=.003) and GRE-V Factor with GPA after MS degree (r=0.45, p=.04). The GPA and Reason factors did not significantly correlate (p>.05) with any of the variables. Current selection criteria may not accurately predict whether an applicant will complete a MS degree program. However, GRE analytical and verbal scores are important criteria since significant correlations were observed between GRE-A with GPA after the DI and MS, and GRE-V with GPA after the MS.