How Rethinking Graduate Admissions Could Save Public Health

by Jon Scaccia September 24, 2024

In the landscape of public health, where the workforce shortage is a growing concern, the way we admit students into graduate programs could hold the key to addressing these challenges. This study from the University at Buffalo sheds light on the factors that predict success for students in public health graduate programs. Surprisingly (or maybe unsurprisingly :-/ ), it turns out that the standardized test scores many programs rely on—the GRE—may not be as valuable as we once thought.

The Workforce Crisis in Public Health

The public health workforce is facing a severe crisis. Local and state health departments, along with federal agencies, have been grappling with a shortage of skilled workers for years. The COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated this issue, highlighting the gaps in our public health infrastructure. Public health programs have a responsibility to prepare students who can fill these gaps and improve the health outcomes of the communities they serve. However, there’s another issue at play: the lack of diversity within the public health workforce.

Despite making up a third of the U.S. population, individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, including Black, Hispanic, American Indian, Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander communities, are significantly underrepresented in the public health workforce. This lack of diversity limits the effectiveness of public health initiatives, as programs often fail to resonate with the populations they are meant to serve. A diverse workforce is crucial for developing and implementing public health strategies that truly address the needs of all communities.

Challenging the Status Quo: The GRE Debate

For years, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) has been a cornerstone of the graduate admissions process. The test is designed to measure verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills. Many public health programs have used GRE scores as a critical factor in determining which students to admit. However, recent research, including the study from the University at Buffalo, challenges the effectiveness of this approach.

The study examined various factors, including undergraduate GPA, GRE scores, and demographic characteristics, to determine which best predicted student success in public health programs. The findings were striking: undergraduate GPA was the most significant predictor of success, while GRE scores had little to no impact.

The results showed that undergraduate GPA explained nearly 7% of the variance in foundational course grades and 29% of the variance in graduate GPA. In contrast, GRE scores explained less than 1% of these outcomes. In other words, a student’s performance in their undergraduate studies was a far better indicator of their potential success in a public health graduate program than their GRE scores.

These findings add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that standardized test scores, like the GRE, may not be reliable predictors of graduate student outcomes. Moreover, the reliance on GRE scores could be creating unnecessary barriers for students from underrepresented and low-income backgrounds, who on average score lower on these tests.

Implications for Public Health Programs

So, what does this mean for public health programs? The study suggests that it’s time to rethink how we evaluate applicants. By continuing to prioritize GRE scores, programs may be inadvertently limiting the number of students they admit, particularly those from diverse backgrounds who might be just as capable of succeeding in their programs.

Removing the GRE as a requirement for admission could have several benefits. First, it could increase the number of students admitted to public health programs, which is crucial for addressing the workforce shortage. Second, it could help diversify the public health workforce by making it easier for students from underrepresented backgrounds to gain admission.

There are already signs that this shift is happening. Some public health programs have started to make the GRE optional or have removed it from their admissions process altogether. For example, after Boston University’s School of Public Health removed the GRE requirement, they saw an increase in enrollment from Black and Hispanic students. This change aligns with the goal of creating a workforce that better reflects the diversity of the U.S. population.

Beyond Test Scores: A Holistic Approach

If GRE scores are not strong predictors of student success, what should admissions committees focus on instead? The answer lies in taking a more holistic approach to evaluating applicants. This means considering a range of factors, including undergraduate GPA, work experience, personal statements, and letters of recommendation.

Undergraduate GPA, as the study shows, is a reliable indicator of a student’s potential to succeed in graduate school. Students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher were found to perform just as well in public health programs as those with higher GPAs. This suggests that students who may not have excelled in standardized testing but have demonstrated consistent academic performance in their undergraduate studies should be given a fair chance.

Moreover, considering factors like work experience and personal statements can provide insight into an applicant’s passion for public health and their ability to contribute to the field. For instance, a student who has worked in a community health center or volunteered in public health initiatives may bring valuable real-world experience that test scores simply cannot capture.

The Road Ahead

As public health programs grapple with the dual challenges of a workforce shortage and a lack of diversity, the findings from the University at Buffalo offer a path forward. By rethinking the admissions process and moving away from an overreliance on standardized test scores, programs can help build a stronger, more diverse public health workforce that is equipped to meet the needs of all communities.

This shift will not happen overnight, but the evidence is clear: to address the public health challenges of tomorrow, we need to start by removing the barriers that are keeping capable, passionate individuals out of the field today.

Join the Conversation

• Have you ever been affected by standardized testing, either positively or negatively? How do you think removing the GRE requirement could impact the diversity and effectiveness of the public health workforce?
• What other factors do you believe should be considered in the graduate admissions process to ensure a strong and diverse public health workforce? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on social media.

Be Part of the Change – Get Weekly Updates!

Stay informed and connected. Subscribe for free and share this blog to make a difference in public health with others. If you liked this blog, please share it! Your referrals help This Week in Public Health reach new readers.

One for the road