I'm currently on a BS/MD track in a small institution that lets me apply out to other schools. I'm thinking about applying to schools outside of my home institution because I want more opportunities to do the research I am interested in (better facilities, more funding, more interdisciplinary collaboration etc.) that my home institution just doesn't have. As such I will be applying only to schools which I think will offer more than my current institution (a US MD school), which honestly is still excellent for clinical training, has good match rates etc. This means that really, I will only be applying to so-called "reach" schools, because I don't have to think about a safety option.
For these "top" research schools (think top 20), how does being in this track affect the admissions process? Will they take my application less seriously because I already have a place in a medical school?
My understanding is that adcoms will treat me just like any other applicant, but honestly the decision to apply out was a difficult one since I've built a lot of great relationships here already. Should I communicate this within the application process, or would it look bad since I'm backing out?
I talked to my advisors but they don't really have an idea because the program is pretty new, and I haven't been able to find any answers elsewhere. I was hoping you guys could help. Thanks so much, I appreciate it!
