138 - Academic Health Sciences Librarians Serving on the Medical School Admissions Committee

Background: The Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine's Admission Committee is composed of current and retired faculty, alumni, medical students, and since 2016 academic health sciences librarians from the medical library. Initial screening of applicants is done by the admissions department’s staff. Applicants that pass initial screening are scheduled for an interview by a member of the admissions committee. After the interview a review of the applicant’s application by another member of the committee is undertaken. The applicant’s application, Interview and review notes are forwarded to the committee which then deliberates and votes on the admission of the applicant to the medical school.

Description: In response to the increasing need for physicians RowanSOM greatly expanded its class size over the last 10 years, and needed volunteers to conduct interviews and review applicants to the school. In 2016 the Assistant Dean of Admissions asked if librarians from the health sciences library would be interested in serving on the committee to conduct applicant interviews and reviews. The librarians eagerly volunteered. The librarians received instruction on admission criteria, diversity, equity, and inclusion training, and at first conducted interviews with other committee members before conducting interviews on their own. At admissions committee meetings librarians answer questions pertaining to applicants they interview or review and participate in deliberations regarding applicants to the medical school.

Conclusion: The admissions committee performs an important function at any college or university. Placing Individuals in the class whose goals and attitudes are consistent with the school’s philosophy and mission. Initially academic health sciences librarians were placed on the admissions committee as non-voting members, but are now full voting members of the committee. The admissions committee saw the value of making the librarians voting members and realized the librarians add to the diverse makeup of the committee, and bring different viewpoints and perspective to the committee’s deliberations and decisions.