While the assumptions can be questioned, the causality mechanism must exist in some manner that explains why specialized health science majors have the lowest acceptance rate
Perhaps, but I am not completely clear on your point.
I do agree w/ other points you've made earlier--family, other non-trad factors that may be included.
Personally, I believe the majority of those in allied health and nursing are sufficiently satisfied in their roles, with regard to both income and work, such that adding in family other personalized factors, they just aren't willing to finish jumping through all the other hurdles to be considered top candidates for ms.
Add to that the relative ease with which they may pursue becoming midlevel provides, and it becomes a much simpler choice for them. I dare say, most people in health sciences may begin w/ a notional of medical school, but having been to the "circus" so to speak, and having seen the "show," they ultimately may choose to not give it their best effort, as compared to those that are traditional students, who fantasize about the "realities of medicine." There is a clear financial "BOOM" of reality that factors in as well.
Once you have the realities of family responsibilities on your plate, you may need to make certain concessions. Some people can overcome such obstacles if their drive is great enough, and if they have a solid base from which they are secure with say a spouse sufficiently meeting the family needs.
When you toss in family, however, there is no question that things become more complicated. Those individuals that do ms, w/ little to no support from a spouse or former spouse, but still jump through all the hurdles, well, I personally give them special accolades.
But there is also another reason why non-trade with settled family situations--kids are bit older and can fend more so for themselves hopefully and have enough survival support may make even more excellent candidates for medical school. These are those w/ great passion for medicine, and to dissuade them simply b/c of age is a terrible mistake. They are more sure many times that this is what they want to do for the rest of their lives--my God, especially if they are nurses, RRTs, or other allied health. If they are willing to do the hoops at this point in their lives, they usually mean serious business--and the seriousness of it all has a much more realistic and less fantasy-filled perspective.
