title: Sustained Increased Entry of Medical Students into Surgical Careers: A Student-Led Approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether a surgical interest group run entirely by preclinical students can influence medical students to enter general surgery residency programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Matriculation rates into general surgery and affiliated subspecialties from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons residency match lists were compared to National Residency Match Program data for all U.S. senior students from 2006 to 2014.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After establishing the interest group, entrance rates into general surgery programs tripled from the early 2000s to more than 12% of 2006 Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons graduates. After 8 years, our data illustrate sustained results, with more than 8% of students entering surgical residencies, significantly higher than the National Residency Match Program's average (p < 0.025).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgical interest groups spark early and lasting interest in surgery that may influence residency decisions. Moreover, these programs can be successfully run entirely by preclinical students and implemented in other institutions.
authors.affiliation: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City, New York. Electronic address: mps2191@cumc.columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salna
authors.affiliation: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City, New York.
authors.forename: Tiffany
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sia
authors.affiliation: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City, New York.
authors.forename: Griffith
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Curtis
authors.affiliation: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City, New York.
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leddy
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Downstate Medical Center, State University of New York, Brooklyn, New York.
authors.forename: Warren D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Widmann
mesh_terms: D002321:Career Choice; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States
keywords: Interpersonal and Communication Skills; Practice-Based Learning and Improvement; Professionalism; interest group; medical education; medical student; surgical matriculation