Background: Most tertiary education students commonly share motivations to achieve better. However, higher education life, particularly when taking medicine program, is typically more demanding and more competitive, leading some students to experience depression symptoms during this period. Depression can adversely influence studentsâ achievement motivation.   Methods: This was an analytical observational study using cross-sectional approach, conducted in December 2012 at Faculty of Medicine, Sebelas Maret University Surakarta. Ninety medical students at 3rd semester were selected as samples using non-random purposive sampling method, based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Depression scores were measured by Beck Depression Inventory, whereas achievement motivation scores were measured by McClelland achievement motivation questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed by Spearmanâs correlation test.    Results: Depression scores showed normal distribution (p<0,001), but achievement motivation scores were not normally distributed (p=0,063). Result from the Spearmanâs correlation test showed a Ï coefficient of -0,113 (p=0,287).   Conclusion: There was no significant correlation between depression and achievement motivation among 3th semester medical students at Sebelas Maret University Surakarta. Medical students should keep their achievement motivation high.   Keywords: depression, achievement motivation, medical student 
                        
                        
                        
                        
                            
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