How to predict the size of the medical school applicant pool for the future Essay

Many approaches can be used to predict the size of medical school applicant pool. To predict the size of the medical pool, several techniques can be used to address the problem. However, the results of the different techniques may vary from one to another. Thus, one should identify the proper technique to be used in the said scenario. Based on the problem background, the predicting technique the can be used to address predicting the size of medical school applicant pool is regression analysis. Regression analysis is statistical technique which has a goal of predicting, modeling and characterizing a problem. Regression analysis was chosen as a technique to predict the applicant pool because regression analysis rely on factors that can affect the result of the prediction model. Regression analysis can be used to identify factors that have great influence on the dependent variable being predicted. In this case, one can use regression analysis to predict applicant pool size depending on the factors that can influence the variable. Being able to determine factors that have great influence on the predicted variable means that the regression model created will give a better prediction of the variable being predicted (Cohen, Cohen, West, & Aiken, 2003). Several variables are considered to have an influence on the medical school applicant size. Some of the variables considered include seats given for incoming first year medical students and the quality of the applicants based on their GPA and MCAT results. Other factors can also be included in order to predict the applicant pool size such as the applicant-to-matriculant ratio. The ratio is an important factor identified as it is an indicator of whether medical schools are capable of filling their classes (Garrison, Matthew & Jones, 2007). With the use of regression analysis, one can identify factors given above that have great influence on the size of medical school applicant pool. Identifying such influential factors can create a better model that can predict medical school applicant pool. Thus, regression analysis can be used to address the problem of predicting size of medical school applicant pool.