Purpose
Factors that gravitate medical students toward their desired field of study are important to explore, especially in areas that face physician shortages such as the US-Mexico border. This study investigated such factors for medical students near the US-Mexico border and the effects that COVID-19 had on their selection.

Methods
The study population consisted of current medical students (class of 2025-2029) attending Paul Foster School of Medicine. An electronic Qualtrics survey was used to collect anonymous data including demographics, impact of COVID-19, and future career interests.

Results
The majority of participants claimed the COVID-19 pandemic impacted them personally and professionally. However, of these students, most felt the pandemic had not affected their desire or attitude towards pursuing a career in medicine or their medical school experience. Students with more debt and those more concerned about workload/work flexibility were more likely to choose pediatrics. Students who thought the pandemic affected their experience while in medical school were less likely to choose internal medicine. Students who thought the pandemic changed the factors they prioritize when choosing a field of medicine and those less concerned about a flexible lifestyle were more likely to choose surgery. Students with more years of professional work experience were less likely to choose emergency medicine, and students more concerned about personal or professional support were more likely to choose psychiatry.

Conclusions
The COVID-19 pandemic did not impact medical students’ residency choices near the US-Mexico border. Further research should be conducted to include a broader population to further understand the effect of the pandemic, whether factors are weighed differently in certain regions of the nation, and how these priorities might change throughout training.