Similarities and differences prior to, during, and after medical school between 3,541 men and 1,121 woman graduates of Jefferson Medical College were investigated. Gender comparisons were made on examination scores, admissions interview ratings, competence ratings in residency, specialty choice, board certification, income estimates, and academic appointments. Results indicated that prior to medical school, women scored higher on verbal tests, whereas men outscored women on quantitative and science tests. During medical school, men performed better than women in the basic science examinations, but not in the clinical science examinations. Men and women had similar postgraduate competence ratings except that women were rated higher than men in the socioeconomic aspects of patient care. Women had lower board certification rates, expected less income, and had a higher proportion offaculty appointments than did men. Gender differences in specialty choices, faculty appointments, and estimated income could have important implications for health care manpower
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