nature of the specialty, the financial burden of attending medical school, arranging multiple away rotations, and applying to and interviewing at a high number of residency programs can prove to be a substantial barrier to entry. Combined with the fact that these students are more likely to come from homes with lower parental income, they may experience increased disadvantages, stress, and fatigue. Recruiting a highly qualified and diverse group of students remains a priority in the field of cardiothoracic surgery. In addition to varied backgrounds, they offer enhanced resilience, emotional intelligence, critical thinking ability, and problem-solving doggedness, all of which are characteristics often seen in successful cardiothoWe congratulate the authors on their thoughtful descriptions and recommendations. Better defining the characteristics and needs of this population, creating scholarship opportunities, adopting a more holistic approach to reviewing applicants, and forming national committees aimed at enrichment of this population are important starting points. As we go forward, it is imperative that the field of cardiothoracic surgery continues to acknowledge these diverse perspectives and take steps to ensure equal opportunities for all of its members for the betterment of our community,
