Objective To investigate the current status of self-identity among medical students in lower grades.Methods 430 freshmen and sophomore students from a medical college were selected by random stratified cluster sampling and were asked to do anonymous questionnaires of Ochse and Plug self-identity scales.Results282（65.6%）students had lower levels of self-identity

73（17.0%）students were at the average level of selfidentity

and 75（17.4%）had higher levels of self-identity.The difference of self-identity between boys and girls was not statistically significant（P=0.260）;the difference between rural and urban students was not statistically significant（P=0.867）;the difference of self identity between freshmen and sophomore students was statistically significant（P=0.001）;the difference between medical and non-medical students was statistically significant（P=0.002）;the difference of self-identity between only child and non-only child students was statistically significant（P=0.004）;and there is a correlation between academic achievement and self-identity（P=0.011）.Conclusion Most of the medical students in lower grades are still in the formation of self-identity

and there are differences of self-identity among students in different grades

majors and whether they are the only child or non-only child in their family;that is

the level of self-identity of sophomore is higher that that of freshmen

medical students higher than non-medical students

the only child students higher than the non-only child students.In addition

their academic achievement and self-identity are correlated

that is to say students with higher self-identity make better academic achievement.