Evaluating the long-term impact of a preclinical surgical education course on medical students’ preparedness for surgical rotations and specialty choice

This study demonstrates participation in the SEC was associated with increased surgical preparedness, strong participant endorsement, and a high rate of application to General Surgery. Additionally, our outcomes suggest a preclinical surgery elective may enhance students’ experiences in surgery while fostering community that supports diversity within the field. Future course development should incorporate structured mentorship and career advising to further strengthen course impact.