Women optometry students: how qualified?

This study compares the academic and personal qualifications of women and men entering the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO) over a 6-year period, as well as the performance of these women and men throughout 4 years of optometry school. As predicted, women, as a group, presented somewhat higher grade point averages (GPA's) upon application to optometry, whereas men presented higher scores on science, especially physics, and math sections of the Optometry College Admission Test (OCAT). Women also scored significantly higher on an inventory of positive personality traits generally associated with achievement in higher education. Despite these differences, women and men performed at essentially equivalent levels throughout optometry school, both in the classroom and in the clinic. Women were under-represented as dropouts and over-represented as summa cum laude graduates; men received more clinical performance awards. In terms of personality traits, women were more similar to their male peers and female medical students than to college women in general. Strong motivation to achieve, independence, self-confidence, interpersonal skillfulness, and a sensitivity to others--traits generally associated with leadership--typified optometry students, especially women. These findings suggest that the increasing numbers of women graduates will bring to the profession young optometrists who are well qualified, not only to practice optometry, but also to fill positions of leadership in the profession.