Final Authority of the Admissions Committee Policy

PURPOSE
To outline the authority of the Admissions Committee.

AUDIENCE
Prospective applicants and all faculty, staff, students, and other representatives participating in the School’s admission process

LCME STANDARD
10.2 Final Authority of Admissions Committee

POLICY

  1. The Admissions Committee has the final responsibility for setting admission criteria and accepting students into the School. (UC Davis School of Medicine Bylaws and Regulations, Article 4.2222)
  2. The Admissions Committee members represent the diversity of the School of Medicine, including faculty from the basic and clinical sciences, Senate and non-Senate faculty, volunteer clinical faculty, and trainees, and is in accordance with UC Davis School of Medicine Bylaws and Regulations, Article 4.2221.

PROCEDURE

  1. The Admissions Committee annually reviews and approves the admissions criteria.
  2. The admissions criteria are based on the School's mission and priorities established by the Faculty Executive Committee.
  3. In addition to premedical requirements, selected applicants should possess the academic qualities required for successful progression through the curriculum.
  4. Selected applicants should also possess the personal attributes and character necessary to develop into a skilled and empathic physicians; these include the ability to communicate effectively with patients and members of the health care team. 
  5. The committee seeks to admit students who are representative of the diverse communities UC Davis serves as a public healthcare institution.
  6. The committee considers a myriad elements of diversity including geographic origin (e.g., growing up in a rural setting) and distance traveled.
  7. The committee encourages diversity of thought, opinions, backgrounds, cultures, life, and physical experiences, including and welcoming those who are differently abled.
  8. All admissions decisions are made without consideration of gender, sexual orientation, race, color, creed, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or marital status.
  9. A holistic review process is used. A holistic review considers coursework, academic and extracurricular experiences, unique talents, background, attributes, and career goals. The committee considers each applicant’s entire packet rather than focusing on select parts such as GPA or test scores.
  10. Expectations of the Admissions Committee
    1. Members are required to attend orientation, review and attest to conflict of interest and other relevant policies, and complete online implicit bias training annually.
    2. Review, revise (if needed), and approve the selection criteria and requirements annually.
    3. Annually distribute an admissions report to members and to the following parties:
      1. Dean of the School 
      2. Faculty Executive Committee
      3. Department Chairs
      4. Dean’s Council
      5. Education Council
      6. Committee on Educational Policy
      7. Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
      8. Participants in the admissions process
    4. Make the final decision to select candidates, including those from the waitlist, for admission to the School. 
    5. Adhere to procedures outlined in the Admissions Committee and Selection Process Handbook.
  11. Principles and Practices of the Admissions Committee
    1. The selection of students for admission is not influenced by political or financial factors.
    2. The committee determines the most effective methodology for evaluating applications and potential students, informed by best practices in the field.
    3. The committee is responsible for assuring compliance with Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), and other regulatory policies and practices.
    4. The committee chair represents the committee and advises the Associate Dean for Admissions on matters related to policy. 
    5. As part of a continuous improvement process, the committee annually reviews the admissions policies and premedical requirements, other relevant policies (e.g., technical standards, conflict of interest, etc.), the admissions website, and other published admissions materials.
    6. The committee prepares an annual report for the Faculty Executive Committee detailing their efforts, outcomes, and outstanding issues.
    7. The committee, in conjunction with the Office of Student and Resident Diversity, prepares an annual report on diversity policies, practices, and outcomes.

For information specific to the applicant selection process, see the Admissions Committee Student Selection Policy.

RESPONSIBILITY
Admissions Committee

REFERENCES

School of Medicine Bylaws and Regulations, Bylaws Articles 4.2221 and 4.2222, and Regulation 50

RELATED POLICY/POLICIES
Admissions Committee Student Selection Policy
Conflict of Interest Policy
Premedical Requirements Policy
Technical Standards Policy

POLICY OWNER
Admissions Committee

REVIEWED BY
Admissions Committee*

REVIEWED DATE and REVIEW CYCLE
July 2024, annual review cycle

* indicates the Policy Owner