Using discriminant analysis to identify the noncognitive characteristics of high-achieving medical students.

Disctiminant analysis was used to differentiate high-GPA medical students from low-GPA medical students on noncognitive characteristics. Medical students were divided on preclinical GPA ( n = 85) and clinical GPA ( n = 82). The noncognitive dependent variables were the Rotter Locus of Control, Adjective Check List, and Student Orientations Survey. Medical students with high preclinical GPAs tended to be less autonomous and assertive and more external in locus of control. Differences in noncognitive characteristics were not found between students with high clinical GPAs and their counterparts with low clinical GPAs.