The characteristics and experiences of minority freshmen committed to biomedical and behavioral science research careers

This study examines the characteristics and pre-college experiences of African American/Black, Latina/Latino, and American Indian students who demonstrate an interest in pursuing a major in a biomedical or behavioral science field as well as an interest in pursuing a career in scientific research at college entry. Using data from the Cooperative Institutional Research Program, the study explores factors that contribute to the career aspirations of racial/ethnic minority populations. Logistic regression analyses on a national sample of 71,000 students reveal that coursework and experiential learning in the sciences during high school as well as having a parent who is employed in a scientific field are important contributors to early interest in pursuing a scientific research career.