Convincing rural OOS public school that I want to live and work in a rural area even though I have nothing to show for it

[and 99 others]

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I have lived basically all my life in suburbs and more recently, very urban areas. However, I have an interview at a state school with which I have no ties that is in a rural state. Given that I am OOS and have no background in rural settings, I feel like it is important to prove to the school that I truly want to go to school and work in such a setting. I can definitely see my urban background coming up as a question of why I would want to practice in such a different state. As a physician, I genuinely want to work in and start a family in a rural area. But, I have nothing to back these claims up. If anything, it is through having lived in these urban settings that I know I would prefer rural. How can I present this case convincingly in an interview?

 

[KnightDoc]

I have lived basically all my life in suburbs and more recently, very urban areas. However, I have an interview at a state school with which I have no ties that is in a rural state. Given that I am OOS and have no background in rural settings, I feel like it is important to prove to the school that I truly want to go to school and work in such a setting. I can definitely see my urban background coming up as a question of why I would want to practice in such a different state. As a physician, I genuinely want to work in and start a family in a rural area. But, I have nothing to back these claims up. If anything, it is through having lived in these urban settings that I know I would prefer rural. How can I present this case convincingly in an interview?

It seems to me like you are overthinking it. You have an II, and they know your background and lack of ties, and they still want to bring you in, so I don't think you have to back up anything. Just be sincere and make your case.

You cleared every obstacle (OOS, suburb, urban, etc. -- basically everything it seems they would value), and they still want to meet you; you're their diversity candidate! 🙂 Seriously, I don't think you have to prove something that isn't there in order to be successful.

 

[and 99 others]

It seems to me like you are overthinking it. You have an II, and they know your background and lack of ties, and they still want to bring you in, so I don't think you have to back up anything. Just be sincere and make your case.

You cleared every obstacle (OOS, suburb, urban, etc. -- basically everything it seems they would value), and they still want to meet you; you're their diversity candidate! 🙂 Seriously, I don't think you have to prove something that isn't there in order to be successful.

I suppose you're right. It's just this school has a clear instate bias so I just wanna make sure I make a compelling case. And I will definitely be sincere but that is precisely my worry! That my sincerity will come off as insincere: I totally want to live in a rural setting. But "show don't tell" comes to my mind, and idk what to show haha. But I suppose you're right. I will try to focus on those things in my app that I assume they appreciated!

 

[deleted987519]

I suppose you're right. It's just this school has a clear instate bias so I just wanna make sure I make a compelling case. And I will definitely be sincere but that is precisely my worry! That my sincerity will come off as insincere: I totally want to live in a rural setting. But "show don't tell" comes to my mind, and idk what to show haha. But I suppose you're right. I will try to focus on those things in my app that I assume they appreciated!

WVU?

 

[KnightDoc]

I suppose you're right. It's just this school has a clear instate bias so I just wanna make sure I make a compelling case. And I will definitely be sincere but that is precisely my worry! That my sincerity will come off as insincere: I totally want to live in a rural setting. But "show don't tell" comes to my mind, and idk what to show haha. But I suppose you're right. I will try to focus on those things in my app that I assume they appreciated!

I get the concern (and it's easy for me to say since I am not applying this cycle, but that also gives me a dispassionate perspective with no motive to BS you), but you should just feel really good that you overcame the IS bias to score the II. You can't show what you don't have, so stop obsessing on that.

All you need to do is bring your application to life (after all, they liked it enough to bring you in), and show them you can walk and chew gum at the same time and be someone they would want to welcome to their community. There is no reason to overthink it, and you might shoot yourself in the foot if you end up doing so!

 

[and 99 others]

WVU?

Yep

I get the concern (and it's easy for me to say since I am not applying this cycle, but that also gives me a dispassionate perspective with no motive to BS you), but you should just feel really good that you overcame the IS bias to score the II. You can't show what you don't have, so stop obsessing on that.

All you need to do is bring your application to life (after all, they liked it enough to bring you in), and show them you can walk and chew gum at the same time and be someone they would want to welcome to their community. There is no reason to overthink it, and you might shoot yourself in the foot if you end up doing so!

Ok you're totally right, I feel like I'm already psyching myself out. Thanks so much for the advice!

 

[deleted987519]

Yep

Ok you're totally right, I feel like I'm already psyching myself out. Thanks so much for the advice!

I am in same boat...supposedly they have a reputation for interviewing lots of OOS folks and then just asking at interviews what ties they have to WV....better start thinking of some long-lost cousins out that way

 

[KnightDoc]

Yep

Ok you're totally right, I feel like I'm already psyching myself out. Thanks so much for the advice!

My pleasure! Good luck, and please keep us posted on how it goes!

 

[and 99 others]

I am in same boat...supposedly they have a reputation for interviewing lots of OOS folks and then just asking at interviews what ties they have to WV....better start thinking of some long-lost cousins out that way

hahahaha noooooooo. Ugh this is like the most expensive trip for me thus far too. Im gonna be so pissed if I get there just to have them tell me "oh so you don't even have any connection to WV? lateeeeerrrrrrr"

 

[Cornfed101]

It would be a bad idea to BS a reason for wanting to be a rural physician. Thinking you want to practice in a rural place just because you don’t like urban places isn’t really a good thing to say. Just be honest about your experiences and relate how they would make you a good candidate at WVU. Capitalize on your diversity.

 

[bluemamba7]

I agree with the above posters to not sweat it too much. While you should have REASONS to give about why you can see yourself at this school (having plans to practice rural medicine is a great one), I don't think it's necessary at all to have any "experience" in this specific area besides general clinical volunteering. Think about it, not everyone lives in a rural environment, so experience in this field is impractical for many people who may very well have even better reasons to practice rural medicine than someone with experience. Honestly, if you gave a decent "why medicine" response, I would start up just take your word in that you're interested in rural medicine, I don't really think it's something to proof

 

[and 99 others]

It would be a bad idea to BS a reason for wanting to be a rural physician. Thinking you want to practice in a rural place just because you don’t like urban places isn’t really a good thing to say. Just be honest about your experiences and relate how they would make you a good candidate at WVU. Capitalize on your diversity.

It's not BECAUSE I dislike urban places. But rather that the contrast makes me realize what I dislike about urban cities is what I like about rural.

I agree with the above posters to not sweat it too much. While you should have REASONS to give about why you can see yourself at this school (having plans to practice rural medicine is a great one), I don't think it's necessary at all to have any "experience" in this specific area besides general clinical volunteering. Think about it, not everyone lives in a rural environment, so experience in this field is impractical for many people who may very well have even better reasons to practice rural medicine than someone with experience. Honestly, if you gave a decent "why medicine" response, I would start up just take your word in that you're interested in rural medicine, I don't really think it's something to proof

I suppose the things I learned in urban settings with medically neglected populations applies to rural settings, which is another reason why I want to practice in these areas.

 

[bluemamba7]

I suppose the things I learned in urban settings with medically neglected populations applies to rural settings, which is another reason why I want to practice in these areas.

See? You got this! And congrats on the II, hope I'll be joining the gang soon too!

 

[and 99 others]

See? You got this! And congrats on the II, hope I'll be joining the gang soon too!

Thank you kindly (said in a savannah drawl). See how rural I am?

I hope you join us too! I'll keep an eye out on the school specific thread 😀