Hello all,
As the title implies, I have a very great passion for rural healthcare. It’s my main reason for going into medicine, I have a hard time seeing myself practicing in anything other than a rural or rural accessible setting. Growing up in Appalachia in a rural area that was still within reach of the suburbs, I’m very well versed in this healthcare disparity and just how drastic it is and how just one or a few physicians can make a huge difference. I am doing volunteering activities related to rural care and plan on making it a significant theme on my application - it would be disingenuous not to - so, for any school that comes across my application, this interest and commitment would be obvious. Unfortunately, most medical schools with good rural programs are also heavily biased against out of state students. I am particularly interested in FSU, ETSU, UTMB, and UK - all of which I am extremely unlikely to even be considered for admissions as a nonresident without close ties to the state. I’ve heard from several people that showing an interest in rural care to schools who are committed to the issue can lift this out of state barrier - is this true? (Of course, I’m not postulating that I would be held in the same esteem as a state resident, simply that my application would go from an immediate rejection to one that could be considered seriously.) If it helps, I am a PA resident, and I can’t reasonably claim close ties with any other state. Thanks for your responses!
As the title implies, I have a very great passion for rural healthcare. It’s my main reason for going into medicine, I have a hard time seeing myself practicing in anything other than a rural or rural accessible setting. Growing up in Appalachia in a rural area that was still within reach of the suburbs, I’m very well versed in this healthcare disparity and just how drastic it is and how just one or a few physicians can make a huge difference. I am doing volunteering activities related to rural care and plan on making it a significant theme on my application - it would be disingenuous not to - so, for any school that comes across my application, this interest and commitment would be obvious. Unfortunately, most medical schools with good rural programs are also heavily biased against out of state students. I am particularly interested in FSU, ETSU, UTMB, and UK - all of which I am extremely unlikely to even be considered for admissions as a nonresident without close ties to the state. I’ve heard from several people that showing an interest in rural care to schools who are committed to the issue can lift this out of state barrier - is this true? (Of course, I’m not postulating that I would be held in the same esteem as a state resident, simply that my application would go from an immediate rejection to one that could be considered seriously.) If it helps, I am a PA resident, and I can’t reasonably claim close ties with any other state. Thanks for your responses!
