Choosing other schools when in state options are tough

[somemom]

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If an applicant lives in a state where it is tough to get in, even in state, is there a compilation of the best OOS options? Assume average stats and assume no close proximity or ties to the state come into play (like Utah).

Is there a sticky or a list that would be applicable to most questioners as to which schools to consider adding to the list beyond the state schools with average stats

 

[nontrdgsbuiucmd]

I can definitely state that any such compilation would be primarily a matter of opinion.

anecdotal support per my conversations with each school mentioned: U of Chicago has a large enough adcomm staff to carefully consider candidate aptitude and experiences beyond gpa/mcat; if you have unusual, strong, non-grade related background, this would be a good call. But no clinical experience will knock you out of consideration.

Louisville is looking for people with demonstrable interest in living in that part of the country over grade/gpas. My showing this interest generated an interview invite.

Oregon considers grad school grades in their automatic interview cutoffs -- i.e. someone with lower grad grades but high undergrad grades would not make it into the interviewable OOS "bucket" of candidates. I've never heard of any other school that does this.

Med College of Wisconsin puts similar weight to timing that the app is rec'd and strength of the app -- a strong app received 2 months later (still 3+ months prior to deadline) most likely is DOA.

The reason it's not doable to put together this list is that every school is looking for some commont traits, but also some traits specific to that school -- your comeptitiveness at each school will be slightly different depending on how closely your background matches what that school is seeking.

 

[BJPENNSTATE]

If an applicant lives in a state where it is tough to get in, even in state, is there a compilation of the best OOS options? Assume average stats and assume no close proximity or ties to the state come into play (like Utah).

Is there a sticky or a list that would be applicable to most questioners as to which schools to consider adding to the list beyond the state schools with average stats

i think u live in cali, so...

buy a MSAR..its only 30 bucks...since u say ur stats are "average"..basically, just look at MSAR and narrow down schools that admit 30% or higher OOS students..i think thats a good percentage..10-20% OOS schools usually admit students with higher than "average" stats..

also if u have "average" stats, dont apply to those ivy league schools..about 8 or so, and dont apply to top tiers like duke, mayo, hopkins etc.

there's about a good number of schools with avg 3.6 and 30-32 MCATs that accept more than 30% OOS..about 30-40 schools

 

[DrMidlife]

Get a look at the MSAR for OOS percentages. My metric is to look only at schools that have well over 10% OOS, and then you need to be rigorous about researching what an individual school considers OOS. Public schools like UWash and W. Virginia only look at neighboring states for OOS. Hawaii requires old, heavy ties to the state. Oregon, Vermont and Ohio want evidence that an OOS will stay and serve rural populations. Even some private schools have a mandate to support instaters.

Public schools that are reasonable about OOS, assuming you have a strong app: Vermont, Michigan, Penn State, Ohio State, everything in Virginia, Oregon, Cincinnati, Toledo, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Maryland, Colorado and Buffalo.

Also watch out for OOS tuition rates, which can put cost of attendance up over $80k per year. Again, even private schools subsidize instaters.

Best of luck to you.

 

[BJPENNSTATE]

Get a look at the MSAR for OOS percentages. My metric is to look only at schools that have well over 10% OOS, and then you need to be rigorous about researching what an individual school considers OOS. Public schools like UWash and W. Virginia only look at neighboring states for OOS. Hawaii requires old, heavy ties to the state. Oregon, Vermont and Ohio want evidence that an OOS will stay and serve rural populations. Even some private schools have a mandate to support instaters.

Public schools that are reasonable about OOS, assuming you have a strong app: Vermont, Michigan, Penn State, Ohio State, everything in Virginia, Oregon, Cincinnati, Toledo, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Maryland, Colorado and Buffalo.

Also watch out for OOS tuition rates, which can put cost of attendance up over $80k per year. Again, even private schools subsidize instaters.

Best of luck to you.

agree..but 10%OOS is a little to low...30% is better

off the subject..drmidlife...u are an inspiration...i read ur mdapps and ur going into medicine after surviving breast cancer at the age of 43! what a great story