Exploring Wonder in Medical School Admissions: Correlations with Admissions Decisions
Background:The capacity for wonder (CfW), which has been proposed as an important personal disposition for clinicians, may provide a meaningful picture of medical school applicants. The purpose of our study was to explore experiences of wonder among applicants and their association with components...
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University Library System, University of Pittsburgh
2025-03-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Medical Students |
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| Online Access: | http://ijms.info/IJMS/article/view/3040 |
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| author | Eojin Choi Maria W. Merritt Gail Geller |
| author_facet | Eojin Choi Maria W. Merritt Gail Geller |
| author_sort | Eojin Choi |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Background:The capacity for wonder (CfW), which has been proposed as an important personal disposition for clinicians, may provide a meaningful picture of medical school applicants. The purpose of our study was to explore experiences of wonder among applicants and their association with components of the admissions process.
Methods:The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine asks applicants to submit an essay about a time they experienced wonder in their everyday life. Among applicants who were interviewed in the 2021-2022 cycle, we analyzed an anonymized 50% random sample of essays (n = 224). Essays were coded using the validated CfW scale and categorized by topic. Standard bivariate statistical tests were used to assess whether the extent of wonder was associated with admissions decisions and interview scores.
Results: Among applicants who were admitted, 80% had scores reflecting “high wonder,” 62% had “medium wonder” scores, and 27% had “low wonder” scores. Applicants’ extent of wonder was significantly associated with their admissions decisions (p < 0.0002), mean interview scores (p = 0.00025), and mean scores in research portfolio (p < 0.0001). Six broad essay topics were identified: connecting with others, engaging in art, experiences in nature, engaging in wellness, the pursuit of knowledge, and sports/exercise.
Conclusion: Applicants’ capacity for wonder may be a relevant consideration in the admissions process. Future research should verify our findings at other institutions, investigate other components of the medical school application that may be associated with the capacity for wonder, and explore interventions to cultivate wonder throughout medical education.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-54ec81c08d844d1eb49a7700c68d7a11 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-6327 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | University Library System, University of Pittsburgh |
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| series | International Journal of Medical Students |
| spelling | doaj-art-54ec81c08d844d1eb49a7700c68d7a112025-08-20T02:54:14ZengUniversity Library System, University of PittsburghInternational Journal of Medical Students2076-63272025-03-01Exploring Wonder in Medical School Admissions: Correlations with Admissions Decisions Eojin Choi0Maria W. Merritt1Gail Geller2Third-year Medical Student. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.PhD. Berman Institute of Bioethics and Bloomberg School of Public Health (Department of International Health), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. ScD, MHS. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Berman Institute of Bioethics, Baltimore, MD. Background:The capacity for wonder (CfW), which has been proposed as an important personal disposition for clinicians, may provide a meaningful picture of medical school applicants. The purpose of our study was to explore experiences of wonder among applicants and their association with components of the admissions process. Methods:The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine asks applicants to submit an essay about a time they experienced wonder in their everyday life. Among applicants who were interviewed in the 2021-2022 cycle, we analyzed an anonymized 50% random sample of essays (n = 224). Essays were coded using the validated CfW scale and categorized by topic. Standard bivariate statistical tests were used to assess whether the extent of wonder was associated with admissions decisions and interview scores. Results: Among applicants who were admitted, 80% had scores reflecting “high wonder,” 62% had “medium wonder” scores, and 27% had “low wonder” scores. Applicants’ extent of wonder was significantly associated with their admissions decisions (p < 0.0002), mean interview scores (p = 0.00025), and mean scores in research portfolio (p < 0.0001). Six broad essay topics were identified: connecting with others, engaging in art, experiences in nature, engaging in wellness, the pursuit of knowledge, and sports/exercise. Conclusion: Applicants’ capacity for wonder may be a relevant consideration in the admissions process. Future research should verify our findings at other institutions, investigate other components of the medical school application that may be associated with the capacity for wonder, and explore interventions to cultivate wonder throughout medical education. http://ijms.info/IJMS/article/view/3040medical educationPremedical studentsMedical SchoolProfessional Burnout |
| spellingShingle | Eojin Choi Maria W. Merritt Gail Geller Exploring Wonder in Medical School Admissions: Correlations with Admissions Decisions International Journal of Medical Students medical education Premedical students Medical School Professional Burnout |
| title | Exploring Wonder in Medical School Admissions: Correlations with Admissions Decisions |
| title_full | Exploring Wonder in Medical School Admissions: Correlations with Admissions Decisions |
| title_fullStr | Exploring Wonder in Medical School Admissions: Correlations with Admissions Decisions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring Wonder in Medical School Admissions: Correlations with Admissions Decisions |
| title_short | Exploring Wonder in Medical School Admissions: Correlations with Admissions Decisions |
| title_sort | exploring wonder in medical school admissions correlations with admissions decisions |
| topic | medical education Premedical students Medical School Professional Burnout |
| url | http://ijms.info/IJMS/article/view/3040 |
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