Purpose
Stress plays a significant role in medical student well-being and academic performance, with Low SES students facing additional challenges. This study investigates the evolution of stress resilience in Low SES students as they transition from the preclinical phase (P1) to the career exploration phase (P3), comparing their stress trajectory with that of non-Low SES students. The goal is to identify key stress patterns and offer insights for tailored wellness interventions to better support Low SES students.

Methods
Data were analyzed from cohorts at the University of Las Vegas, Nevada Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine (UNLV) between 2022 and 2027. Stress P1 and Stress P3 scores were used to examine stress changes from preclinical education to career exploration. Paired t-tests assessed differences in stress levels for Low SES and Non-Low SES students.

Results
The analysis showed that Low SES students experienced a significant change in stress levels from P1 to P3 (t = 2.52, p = 0.015), reflecting a shift in their stress responses during key phases of training. Non-low SES students also demonstrated a significant change (t = 4.83, p < 0.0001) with a larger overall difference in stress levels between phases. This greater variability in Non-Low SES students may be linked to transitional or environmental factors, while the stress trajectory in Low SES students appears more stable but may reflect the impact of chronic challenges.

Conclusions
These findings underscore that Low SES students experience significant changes in their stress levels between the preclinical and career exploration phases of medical school. This highlights the unique stress-related challenges faced by Low SES students and the need for personalized wellness interventions to promote stress resilience. Developing targeted strategies, such as stress management workshops and peer mentorship programs, can help mitigate the impact of stress, ensuring that Low SES students succeed academically and emotionally throughout their training.