Does a Pre-Med's State of Residence Matter?

[ambhoo]

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Hi, I was wondering whether the state which a pre-med applicant is from makes any difference at all within the admissions process. Specifically, does coming from a state with a lot of applicants (eg New Jersey) or one with much fewer applicants (eg Mississippi) affect an applicant (either positively or negatively) at all? Do private med schools have a general quota/minimum with relation to the number of individuals they accept from a state?

 

[armybound]

At a large number of schools, state of residence may be one of the most important factors considered in looking at an application.

 

[just one]

Hi, I was wondering whether the state which a pre-med applicant is from makes any difference at all within the admissions process. Specifically, does coming from a state with a lot of applicants (eg New Jersey) or one with much fewer applicants (eg Mississippi) affect an applicant (either positively or negatively) at all? Do private med schools have a general quota/minimum with relation to the number of individuals they accept from a state?

If the school receives any kind of state funding, then of course residency matters. Most state schools have a maximum % of OOS they can accept. Many schools try to prepare physicians to work in the surrounding communities, especially if a shortage is present. Private top-ranked (whatever that means, of course that is a whole different debate) that are research heavy may be different. I didn't apply to any of those so I can't say with first hand knowledge.

 

[ambhoo]

It makes sense that state-funded med schools strongly consider state of residence, though I wonder whether private med schools pay attention also. I ask because it seems that many private undergraduate universities tout the fact that their student body comes from each state/multiple countries, etc. I wonder whether this quest for geographic diversity extends to top private med schools.

 

[mspeedwagon]

School either prefer kids from their own state or they have no preference between in and out of state applicants. Rarely, if ever, are medical schools trying to have every state represented in their student body. This is something undergrad institutes do, but medical school do not. It will help you the most to be from the state the medical school is located in.

Read this thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=750849

It makes sense that state-funded med schools strongly consider state of residence, though I wonder whether private med schools pay attention also. I ask because it seems that many private undergraduate universities tout the fact that their student body comes from each state/multiple countries, etc. I wonder whether this quest for geographic diversity extends to top private med schools.

 

[Electronegative]

Edit: delted, I got outposted by mspeedwagon about the other thread

 

[DrTroll]

A lot of the state schools favor in-state residents b/c they got public funding. Like Texas schools have to matriculate 90% from in-state by Texas state law.

 

[LizzyM]

Although it is nice to have geographic diversity and the novelty of an applicant from a far off state may spark some interest, for the most part, schools are interested in interviewing and admitting applicants who are likely to matriculate if offered admission. Private schools in Philly and the NYC area may actually hope that they have a shot getting NJ residents who want to attend med school relatively close to home in comparison to applicants who are from far away.

 

[LuciusVorenus]

Although it is nice to have geographic diversity and the novelty of an applicant from a far off state may spark some interest, for the most part, schools are interested in interviewing and admitting applicants who are likely to matriculate if offered admission. Private schools in Philly and the NYC area may actually hope that they have a shot getting NJ residents who want to attend med school relatively close to home in comparison to applicants who are from far away.

I hate California.

 

[DaisyBuchanan]

I hate California.

Word. Being a Californian makes this whole process a tad more difficult.

 

[Krak]

I agree, a lot of californians think they're some hot **** ... unbelievable. I mean they got Awnold Schwarzegibberish as their governor... if that doesn't tell you something about Californians nothing will.

 

[mspeedwagon]

I'm going against the trend. CA is awesome. I would love to stay on the Golden Coast the rest of my life.

 

[DaisyBuchanan]

I don't actually hate CA, I just hate it in the applications process because it's difficult to get into our state schools. I think Lucius might have meant the same thing. I would absolutely love to stay in CA.

 

[mspeedwagon]

I know what you meant. Few positives:
UC - Riverside and UC - Merced.

I'm still dreaming of the UC - Santa Cruz School of Medicine though. Surfs up every one.

I don't actually hate CA, I just hate it in the applications process because it's difficult to get into our state schools. I think Lucius might have meant the same thing. I would absolutely love to stay in CA.

 

[ModernAlchemist]

I loved California until I realized how much it would hurt my chances of going to med school. I feel like med schools are doing themselves a disservice when they don't look at OOS applicants. There are many extremely qualified applicants from California that should be considered.

Also, I know we get the rep of being arrogant, but in light of the high competition there are some of us who work hard if not harder than people from other states to get into medical school and do so with humility.

 

[LizzyM]

There is no shortage of matriculants from California at my school and I'd guess that the other top tier, private schools have the same situation.

 

[morning]

I know what you meant. Few positives:
UC - Riverside and UC - Merced.

I'm still dreaming of the UC - Santa Cruz School of Medicine though. Surfs up every one.

I think that Scripps Institute is trying to start a med school, too. That would be in the San Diego area, right?

 

[ambhoo]

Do you think that going to undergrad near the actual med school (like in the general Northeast US area) would make up for being from far away like california?

 

[bookfreak89]

I think that Scripps Institute is trying to start a med school, too. That would be in the San Diego area, right?

Yes.

 

[anfleisch]

Pretty much no school has "no preference" and overall it could be considered the most important factor when considering acceptance or not, but it will not have as much of an huge effect at the top schools. Applicants from some states like NJ or Cali need to just be so much better to even get a single acceptance.

 

[SweetRain]

Absolutely!
Especially in the great state of Texas.

Higher chance of acceptance, high-tech facilities, and dirt cheap tuition.
Can't beat that 🙂

 

[gp14]

Absolutely!
Especially in the great state of Texas.

Higher chance of acceptance, high-tech facilities, and dirt cheap tuition.
Can't beat that 🙂

wut

 

[LuciusVorenus]

I don't actually hate CA, I just hate it in the applications process because it's difficult to get into our state schools. I think Lucius might have meant the same thing. I would absolutely love to stay in CA.

The only reason I hate California is because I love California 🙁. I would love to stay in this state so much but the schools really make it difficult...

I know what you meant. Few positives:
UC - Riverside and UC - Merced.

I'm still dreaming of the UC - Santa Cruz School of Medicine though. Surfs up every one.

Which open up the year I apply 😀

There is no shortage of matriculants from California at my school and I'd guess that the other top tier, private schools have the same situation.

Hope!

I think that Scripps Institute is trying to start a med school, too. That would be in the San Diego area, right?

Here's the weird thing about Scripps though; I read that it's a 5 year med school that includes 1 year of research? That'd be pretty interesting...