The purpose of this study is to examine step‐wise admission to two medical programs with regard to selection effects. By using data from a large‐scale longitudinal project, the influence of background variables on regular and step‐wise admission is estimated. Characteristics of both applicants and those admitted are investigated using descriptive statistics and the probabilities of admission and application are examined using logistic regression analysis. The results indicate that self‐selections were generally greater for the step‐wise groups compared to the regular groups. However, the selections resulting from the procedure were generally lower for the step‐wise groups. The results vary between different step‐wise designs, indicating self‐selections to be dependent upon the type of instrument used in the first step, and selections resulting from the procedure to be dependent on the number of steps and/or, more probably, the type of instruments used and the number of those selected in each step.