The purpose of this study was to determine which preadmission data best identified those students who would have problems in a physical therapy professional program. Predictors were variables currently used in student selection (overall and science/mathematics preprofessional gradepoint averages [GPAs], essay scores, and interview ratings), Scholastic Aptitude Test verbal and mathematics scores, and two main scale scores from the Personal Orientation Inventory (POI). Results of t tests showed significant differences (p < .05) in overall GPA, essay scores, and self-directed POI scores between students who had problems and those who did not. Discriminant analyses using three different variable combinations correctly classified over 65% of all students and over 70% of students with problems. Analysis of misclassified students revealed greater difficulty identifying students who decelerated or withdrew from the program for nonacademic reasons than identifying those with academic problems. Students with an extensive background in a health-related field who did well in the program were also misclassified. Interview ratings were not significantly different between the two groups, nor did the interview rating significantly correlate with any discriminant function, suggesting that interviews are not helpful in identifying students who will develop problems.
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Susan Roehrig (1990) studied this question.