Background: The demographics of medical schools reveal a growing trend towards greater gender and underrepresented in medicine (UIM) representation among students, yet surgical residency lags behind. This study explores the demographics of first-year medical students (M1s) and their initial career interests.
Methods: A panel of faculty physicians and fourth-year medical students in surgical and nonsurgical specialties was held for M1s during orientation week. Demographic differences and career interests were collected.
Results: Fifty-six M1s, 31 (55%) female and 13 (24%) UIM, attended the event. While 35 students (62.5%) reported interest in surgery, only 7 (20%) identified as UIM and 16 (46%) as female.
Conclusion: Initial interest in surgery is comprised of mostly male and non-UIM students. Throughout medical school, this pattern persists, with current match rates into surgery not reflecting the population of students. Focusing on initial interest to surgery is crucial as it is the foundation for the pipeline of diversifying future surgeons.
Keywords: medical education; pre-clinical students; surgical education.
© The Author(s) 2025.