Does a school's location really matter?

[carolinablue]

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So i just got accepted into a school...which i am extremely happy about...i didnt think i would get in anywheree, but my stars just lined up and it happened.
im happy i got in...BUT...i have some concerns..
mainly, the location of the school is in a VERY VERY small town in the south. Its about 3.5 hours from where i currently live, but this town is extremely small...I live in a city of about 500,000....and the city of the school is about 50,000....so as you can see, its a huge difference. I feel like im going to be bored out of my mind being there. Some people say it doesn't matter where you are because the first two years your going to be soo damn busy that when you do have free time you just wanna sleep and visit your home...
but others have told me that you actually do have more free time in med school than most people think, and living in a cool city like in NY, Ft. Lauderdale, or in California makes going to med school easier since you have a great place to relax and let loose a bit.

ALthough i am extremely blessed to get in to a school...a part of me still wishes i got into a school in NY, Florida, California, or maybe Texas...DC...i dunno..some place with some ENERGY....my brother went to NOVA and could visit miami whenever he wanted...should I just man up and deal with a crappy town for two years or maybe wait and get into a school that's in a more energetic city?

 

[kgelfen]

So i just got accepted into a school...which i am extremely happy about...i didnt think i would get in anywheree, but my stars just lined up and it happened.
im happy i got in...BUT...i have some concerns..
mainly, the location of the school is in a VERY VERY small town in the south. Its about 3.5 hours from where i currently live, but this town is extremely small...I live in a city of about 500,000....and the city of the school is about 50,000....so as you can see, its a huge difference. I feel like im going to be bored out of my mind being there. Some people say it doesn't matter where you are because the first two years your going to be soo damn busy that when you do have free time you just wanna sleep and visit your home...
but others have told me that you actually do have more free time in med school than most people think, and living in a cool city like in NY, Ft. Lauderdale, or in California makes going to med school easier since you have a great place to relax and let loose a bit.

ALthough i am extremely blessed to get in to a school...a part of me still wishes i got into a school in NY, Florida, California, or maybe Texas...DC...i dunno..some place with some ENERGY....my brother went to NOVA and could visit miami whenever he wanted...should I just man up and deal with a crappy town for two years or maybe wait and get into a school that's in a more energetic city?

I will give you my two cent on it.
1. Congrats on getting in
2. I share similar view on living in a small town, so i understand the concern.
3. I had a choice between smaller town (and about 5k cheaper) school and the school i will be attending WesternU in Cali, i went with Cali for that main reason that its bigger city and that's what i am used
4. In your position i would just go to the school you got in and not wait any longer. Here is why: DO NOT WASTE ANY TIME, get in and get out!!!! (my view on it), yes you will be very busy and you will have no time to use what big city has to offer. Here is another big reason: Now that i am going to big city and decent DO school, i still wish i got in other place that i like more, and that is often the case.
5. My advise, go and be happy you got in. Think of the people that got rejected and would kill for your spot!!!! (probobly about 3000 - 4000 applicants)
6. The only REAL education benifit of big city school (in MY opinion) are the rotation sites, but even that can be argued. Many people will say that in smaller places the doctors will let you do more and you might learn more then someone at Big name school where there is a huge chain of command (attending, resident, intern, and so on)......

Again CONGRATS, i would go and just target big city for your residency!!! It's only 2 to 4 years and you might save money on rent and etc....

Good Luck!!!

 

[Colbare]

Go where you get in! There are no guarantees next cycle also consider rewriting all the essays, paying all the primary/secondary fees, traveling expenses, possibly getting new LORs, and the general stress of the entire drawn out process. Just put yourself back in that mindset before you sent your primary apps where you'd be so excited just to get an interview. You would definitely make somebody's day if you dropped your seat though 😀

 

[carolinablue]

kgelfen, thanks for your response. you are right, once you get in somewhere you like you only wish for something else..the grass is always greener on the other side.
whats funny is that Western U in Cali was my TOP choice!! (besides Nova)
I spent about a month in LA in Feb and fell in loveee with cali and could easily see myself living in pomona, or whatever that city is called. I was actually in the process of writing them a letter of interest until i read on another thread on here that their class is already full 🙁
Your lucky, your only an hour or so from LA...but then again, we are ALL lucky to be even IN a school to begin with....the big plus to my school is that its literally 3 hours from my parents house...about 3 hours from my college (where i can hopefully watch some good bball games next season..harrison barnes anyone??)

Actually a 4th from the school i'm potentially going to said that because the rotation site hospitals are kind of smaller, she was able to do so much more sincere there were literally no residents there with her...Having more opportunities to shine does seem like a big plus so i guess i'll just wait and see.
but i also hear that the students around you are what really influence how your life style is going to be.

 

[carolinablue]

Go where you get in! There are no guarantees next cycle also consider rewriting all the essays, paying all the primary/secondary fees, traveling expenses, possibly getting new LORs, and the general stress of the entire drawn out process. Just put yourself back in that mindset before you sent your primary apps where you'd be so excited just to get an interview. You would definitely make somebody's day if you dropped your seat though 😀

applying this year was the biggest bitch ever....so many obstacles...so much unnecessary bs that came along the way...my school messed up my transcript, i had to re-take a final exam from a year ago...i couldn't get a DO to write me a letter of rec...all the essays...i remember in Janurary I told my brother-in-law...if i just get an interview i would be soooo happy...even if i didnt get in, just having an interview would give me pride and self-respect. its funny how quick we forget how far we've come isnt it? haha...this is actually the closest school i got into to my home, and with my parents getting older and older i suppose its for the best.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

Yeah, I'd just go to that school. I'd just try hard and get a residency in a big city, it'll be worth the few years in a small rural area.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Attend the school you got accepted too. Re-applying next cycle is idiotic for multiple reasons including the fact that you might not get in next cycle and you'd be half way done with living in the rural location by the time you could get an acceptance. Not to mention you lose a whole year's worth of potential income.

 

[MJB]

1. 50K isn't that small

2. You won't be bored during MS.

3. 500K isn't exactly a huge city.

 

[carolinablue]

i dont think i would ever really not go there because of that...but perhaps im just hoping to go in with a more positive attitude...i strongly believe that going into anything with a negative outlook will strongly hinder performance...a happy student is an A student...or maybe that's just some mumbo-jumbo i made up to make myself feel okay for wanting a bigger city, who knows.

yes, i have also been told by family members that i should just look to get a residency in a big city that i would love...but i was always under the impression that you have NO time to live life in residency....and that it is in RESIDENCY where the CITY doesnt matter at all....in med school your a bit younger, probably single and more free before residency too hahaha...
but is it true that you can still enjoy being in a nice city even with the crazy hours of Residency life?? if thats the case than i dont mind the wait...i would love to be in school here in a small town and then in 4 years be able to live in LA...that would be really cool

ALSO...the rotations for my school are also all in tiny cities...is it possibe to apply for rotations somewhere else? Like if im in the carolinas, and want to do a rotation in New York...would it be possible at all???
thanks guys, i really appreciate your responses.
🙂

 

[Badgers326]

ALSO...the rotations for my school are also all in tiny cities...is it possibe to apply for rotations somewhere else? Like if im in the carolinas, and want to do a rotation in New York...would it be possible at all???
thanks guys, i really appreciate your responses.
🙂

Most schools have time for electives during their fourth year where you can rotate in other places besides your school's sites.

 

[carolinablue]

so if my rotation sites are also in tiny little towns...im pretty much stuck in the country till 2015...😱

 

[Total180]

ALSO...the rotations for my school are also all in tiny cities...is it possibe to apply for rotations somewhere else? Like if im in the carolinas, and want to do a rotation in New York...would it be possible at all???
thanks guys, i really appreciate your responses.
🙂

If the school you got into is VCOM-CC it is definitely not a rural town. It is right next to Greenville which is one of the fastest growing cities in South Carolina. My boyfriend is from there, and it is actually a really nice place. Also, you can probably check online what the 3rd and 4th year rotations look like. I know at DCOM there is a lot of time 3rd and 4th year to do away rotations wherever you want and in whatever specialty. This is really important also when you are thinking about where you want to do your residency because you will most likely want to do an audition rotation at that hospital. DEFINITELY go to the school you got into....I would NOT want to go through this process again.

 

[carolinablue]

If the school you got into is VCOM-CC it is definitely not a rural town. It is right next to Greenville which is one of the fastest growing cities in South Carolina. My boyfriend is from there, and it is actually a really nice place. Also, you can probably check online what the 3rd and 4th year rotations look like. I know at DCOM there is a lot of time 3rd and 4th year to do away rotations wherever you want and in whatever specialty. This is really important also when you are thinking about where you want to do your residency because you will most likely want to do an audition rotation at that hospital. DEFINITELY go to the school you got into....I would NOT want to go through this process again.

hmm...thank you 🙂

 

[munchymanRX]

So i just got accepted into a school...which i am extremely happy about...i didnt think i would get in anywheree, but my stars just lined up and it happened.
im happy i got in...BUT...i have some concerns..
mainly, the location of the school is in a VERY VERY small town in the south. Its about 3.5 hours from where i currently live, but this town is extremely small...I live in a city of about 500,000....and the city of the school is about 50,000....so as you can see, its a huge difference. I feel like im going to be bored out of my mind being there. Some people say it doesn't matter where you are because the first two years your going to be soo damn busy that when you do have free time you just wanna sleep and visit your home...
but others have told me that you actually do have more free time in med school than most people think, and living in a cool city like in NY, Ft. Lauderdale, or in California makes going to med school easier since you have a great place to relax and let loose a bit.

ALthough i am extremely blessed to get in to a school...a part of me still wishes i got into a school in NY, Florida, California, or maybe Texas...DC...i dunno..some place with some ENERGY....my brother went to NOVA and could visit miami whenever he wanted...should I just man up and deal with a crappy town for two years or maybe wait and get into a school that's in a more energetic city?

Location's a huge concern. In fact, it's the main concern for most med students when choosing a school. That being said, you go where you're chosen. Beggars can't be choosers, and the up side of most DO programs (not so at NOVA, btw) is that you're able to do elective rotations pretty much wherever u damn well please (within reason) starting your third year. Muscle through your classes and when you're on rotations or starting your residency a year early, you'll be thanking yourself.

Medicine's one of those fields that can definitely have you moving all over the damn place. You'd be wise to learn to adapt to new environments the best you can.

 

[carolinablue]

true..and true.....i love positivity...i hate negativity...HATE HATE HATE HATE IT....and i tended to stay away from pre-med students in college since they would always complain about school and mcat problems...what a drag...i really dont wanna be one of those bitter and cynical med students who sees the glass as half empty...im hoping to be positive, and am really really happy i got in to a school. 😀 It really is a blessing i got in, i didnt think i would make it.
god has a plan for all of us, perhaps it was in his plan to place me here
thanks yall

 

[carolinablue]

.

Medicine's one of those fields that can definitely have you moving all over the damn place. You'd be wise to learn to adapt to new environments the best you can.

haha true....i took my mcat in detroit...wrote my personal statement in new york..and sent me secondary info in LA....i thoroughly enjoy moving around so im looking forward to it 😀

 

[whyrishiwhynot]

So i just got accepted into a school...which i am extremely happy about...i didnt think i would get in anywheree, but my stars just lined up and it happened.
im happy i got in...BUT...i have some concerns..
mainly, the location of the school is in a VERY VERY small town in the south. Its about 3.5 hours from where i currently live, but this town is extremely small...I live in a city of about 500,000....and the city of the school is about 50,000....so as you can see, its a huge difference. I feel like im going to be bored out of my mind being there. Some people say it doesn't matter where you are because the first two years your going to be soo damn busy that when you do have free time you just wanna sleep and visit your home...
but others have told me that you actually do have more free time in med school than most people think, and living in a cool city like in NY, Ft. Lauderdale, or in California makes going to med school easier since you have a great place to relax and let loose a bit.

ALthough i am extremely blessed to get in to a school...a part of me still wishes i got into a school in NY, Florida, California, or maybe Texas...DC...i dunno..some place with some ENERGY....my brother went to NOVA and could visit miami whenever he wanted...should I just man up and deal with a crappy town for two years or maybe wait and get into a school that's in a more energetic city?

don't forget rent will probably be much cheaper in a small town. add that up over 2 years (plus interest) and you're looking at a moderate sum... obviously rent ain't a make or break factor but it's another positive for the small town.

 

[aspiringOSTEO]

1

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

Ok, a bit of perspective here: 50k isn't exactly small, but it isn't large either. 500k isn't exactly large, but it isn't small either. I am (obviously) in MN, grew up and went to college in a city of ~50k (total area maybe 100k), it was 'small' and safe. You could generally walk down 90% of the streets at night in relative safety, and very violent crimes are extremely rare (and usually not random). So, now I have lived in a town of 500k (same state, you can guess) and its NOT the same, you can't walk down 90% of the streets at night in relative safety (esp as woman), and violent crime is much more common. There are more places to eat, more places to shop, etc in larger cities than smaller, this is a numbers game. However, a city of 50k should give you enough to do outside of school when you have time to do it. Also, I assumed VCOM was your school as well, and that area seems pretty busy, my coworker is an MS1 there right now.... I think you'll be fine, remember, you'll be busy, and 30 mins away is another area...

 

[ShyRem]

It's 2 years. Take the acceptance. You have weekends and vacations to get your big city fix.

 

[carolinablue]

im sending my acceptance note today....feeling great guys...thank you 🙂

is it true you can apply for residencies anywhere in the country???
i mean, i could potentially apply for a residency in california right?
either way im so happy to be starting class this august...so blessed..😀

 

[fiznat]

is it true you can apply for residencies anywhere in the country???

lol its amazing to me you've made it this far and don't know that yet, but the answer is yes: you can (and should) apply all over the country as far as residency goes.

 

[prone2xl]

it's funny that last year I would have killed for a spot absolutely anywhere, and this year I found myself with 4 interviews and 4 acceptances and deciding where to go to school was the absolute hardest decision I think I've made. I loved each and every school that I interviewed at and have nothing but great things to say about them all. I joked to some of my friends that I wished I could do 1 year at all 4 schools for my med school education!

I think what it boils down to is that you've come this far, invested all this energy, time, and MONEY especially! (LORD knows I've spent a TON this year and last applying) and the moment is HERE! I'm still on cloud NINE and thought I'd be retaking the MCAT and going through this another year, but I think regardless of where you go to school, or where you interview, you're always going to wonder about the other places. I did for awhile and then it dawned on me that all these schools are going to prepare me to be a great physician no matter where the location. I ultimately chose one that was almost the closest to my family, and where my best friend from college lives since I haven't gotten to spend much time with them since undergrad and moving to TX.

short answer: TAKE THE ACCEPTANCE ! good luck- I sent you a PM

 

[ShyRem]

Yes, you can apply to residency anywhere in the country. I went to UNE and am in residency in Michigan. Applied in Virginia, Ohio, Arizona, among other places.

 

[SFO-IST]

true..and true.....i love positivity...i hate negativity...HATE HATE HATE HATE IT....and i tended to stay away from pre-med students in college since they would always complain about school and mcat problems...what a drag...i really dont wanna be one of those bitter and cynical med students who sees the glass as half empty...im hoping to be positive, and am really really happy i got in to a school. 😀 It really is a blessing i got in, i didnt think i would make it.
god has a plan for all of us, perhaps it was in his plan to place me here
thanks yall

My reply is all the more relevant given what you say above. I got in to Western and I'm going here. I was able to choose this place amongst other schools, so obviously for me there was a net benefit. However, let me tell you how crappy it is that rent for a 2 bedroom apartment in this giant complex with UNDERGRADS is $1600. That sucks. Another school had similar apartments for rent for only $600. That's like 2 ipads every single month! I could lease a BMW Z4 while in med school for that much money. Holy smokes man, big cities are expensive. Now that i think about it, it may have been a closer call if I imagined being able to go to Alaska, Hawaii, or Paris once a month with all the money I saved just in rent at other schools.

 

[carolinablue]

lol its amazing to me you've made it this far and don't know that yet, but the answer is yes: you can (and should) apply all over the country as far as residency goes.

i try to take it one day at a time lol...first it was pre-med classes...then shadowing..then volunteering...then mcat..then letters of rec..then research...then applications..then secondaries..then an interview.....i gotta take it step by step otherwise ill just get overwhelmed and pass out. its all part of the adventure tho 😀

 

[carolinablue]

My reply is all the more relevant given what you say above. I got in to Western and I'm going here. I was able to choose this place amongst other schools, so obviously for me there was a net benefit. However, let me tell you how crappy it is that rent for a 2 bedroom apartment in this giant complex with UNDERGRADS is $1600. That sucks. Another school had similar apartments for rent for only $600. That's like 2 ipads every single month! I could lease a BMW Z4 while in med school for that much money. Holy smokes man, big cities are expensive. Now that i think about it, it may have been a closer call if I imagined being able to go to Alaska, Hawaii, or Paris once a month with all the money I saved just in rent at other schools.

that is insane....well i was staying with a friend in his studio apartment last month. He lives on sunset blvd, right by the laugh factory...walking distance from the chinese theater...hes paying 800. I think if you really look hard enough you can find a good rate...1600 is wayyy too high, but then again you look outside your windows and see mountains and california weather 😉

 

[DocEspana]

that is insane....well i was staying with a friend in his studio apartment last month. He lives on sunset blvd, right by the laugh factory...walking distance from the chinese theater...hes paying 800. I think if you really look hard enough you can find a good rate...1600 is wayyy too high, but then again you look outside your windows and see mountains and california weather 😉

Didnt really read this thread much, so I dont know if this is helpful to anything but the quoted comment: but I'm going to back up what is said here. If you look you *will* find great deals. I pay $800 a month and live in midtown manhattan with one other guy in a decently sized 2 bedroom apartment. Specifically in Columbus Circle, a few minutes walking distance from Times Square and a block away from Central Park. I tell incoming students that if they live in manhattan (Where everyone pays out the ass) they should never have to pay more than $1200 for an apartment no matter where it is. At least at the student level. Almost all of my friends pay $900-~1,000. I looked harder than most to pay $800 for midtown, but my friends who settled on a place quickly are still mostly paying about 1k per month for a midtown apartment.

 

[carolinablue]

Didnt really read this thread much, so I dont know if this is helpful to anything but the quoted comment: but I'm going to back up what is said here. If you look you *will* find great deals. I pay $800 a month and live in midtown manhattan with one other guy in a decently sized 2 bedroom apartment. Specifically in Columbus Circle, a few minutes walking distance from Times Square and a block away from Central Park. I tell incoming students that if they live in manhattan (Where everyone pays out the ass) they should never have to pay more than $1200 for an apartment no matter where it is. At least at the student level. Almost all of my friends pay $900-~1,000. I looked harder than most to pay $800 for midtown, but my friends who settled on a place quickly are still mostly paying about 1k per month for a midtown apartment.

thats a really good find...any bed bugs?? 😛

 

[DocEspana]

thats a really good find...any bed bugs?? 😛

Thankfully its pretty clean, so no bed bugs on me.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNlt0D_xba4[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Mahliah]

Go to where you're accepted. Smaller towns usually equal less cost of living, and you can always drive to the city.

Weather would definitely be a bigger deciding factor for me. If I was accepted to Mayo & my state school, I would honestly pick my state school.I hear the winters are harsh in Rochester

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Go to where you're accepted. Smaller towns usually equal less cost of living, and you can always drive to the city.

Weather would definitely be a bigger deciding factor for me. If I was accepted to Mayo & my state school, I would honestly pick my state school.I hear the winters are harsh in Rochester

I'd have invest in a fur coat the day after the acceptance letter arrived.