For a California residency, go to medical school in California?

[L. Beethoven]

I’ve read through a number of old threads on the topic, but there are some conflicting thoughts on the matter of how one’s med school location impacts chances of matching in California. I think it’s especially relevant since many of us Californians end up having to go to medical school outside of California.


So it can obviously be difficult to match in some specialties and some regions in California (i.e. LA, OC, SD, Bay Area), but how much does the region you went to medical school play into residency program directors’ selection of residents?


For example, a California student goes to medical school in the South or Midwest, and then wants to match back into a competitive specialty in CA. All things being equal, how does that student compare to a Californian who goes to med school in CA, and wants to match in state?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[gyngyn]

I’ve read through a number of old threads on the topic, but there are some conflicting thoughts on the matter of how one’s med school location impacts chances of matching in California. I think it’s especially relevant since many of us Californians end up having to go to medical school outside of California.


So it can obviously be difficult to match in some specialties and some regions in California (i.e. LA, OC, SD, Bay Area), but how much does the region you went to medical school play into residency program directors’ selection of residents?


For example, a California student goes to medical school in the South or Midwest, and then wants to match back into a competitive specialty in CA. All things being equal, how does that student compare to a Californian who goes to med school in CA, and wants to match in state?

As long as you have the stats, letters and research experiences, you will get interviews.
That's saying something, though!
PD's have the luxury of all the CA applicants and all the ex pats vying for a spot.

 

[L. Beethoven]

As long as you have the stats, letters and research experiences, you will get interviews.
That's saying something, though!
PD's have the luxury of all the CA applicants and all the ex pats vying for a spot.

So it sounds like it would be a bit more difficult coming back from OOS.

I'm especially interested because I'm in the position right now of choosing between acceptances at CA's brand-new school (UCR) versus more well-established schools OOS. I'm wondering if the "newness" of UCR would make it more advantageous to go out of state? They are just starting their first class into 3rd year rotations this fall, and obviously no one has gone through the Match yet at UCR....

 

[L. Beethoven]

For what it's worth, I would assume that going to a top 20 school on the east coast would still provide an advantage for getting into a CA residency over a new school in CA. But I'd be interested to hear other people's opinions too

 

[BillrothI]

For what it's worth, I would assume that going to a top 20 school on the east coast would still provide an advantage for getting into a CA residency over a new school in CA. But I'd be interested to hear other people's opinions too

There really isn't a historical precedent here, as UCR is the only new school in CA in quite some time. However, I have a hunch that opting for the top 20 school would be the better call.

Personally, I would be apprehensive about attending a school that is brand new or one that is in the process of overhauling the curriculum. Others may disagree, but the "Guinea pig factor" is something that you really need to consider (IMO).

-Bill

 

[L. Beethoven]

There really isn't a historical precedent here, as UCR is the only new school in CA in quite some time. However, I have a hunch that opting for the top 20 school would be the better call.

Personally, I would be apprehensive about attending a school that is brand new or one that is in the process of overhauling the curriculum. Others may disagree, but the "Guinea pig factor" is something that you really need to consider (IMO).

-Bill

Thanks for your input! I'm on a couple of wait lists for those top 20 schools so right now it's just hypothetical.

As for being a guinea pig, I know UCR has done years 1 & 2 for decades in partnership with UCLA. So I know the preclinical training would be solid. It's just the clinical training I'm more worried about. Since I probably want to do my residency in CA, I wonder if CA residencies would be concerned about the brand new clinical program, as opposed to a more-established one OOS.

 

[Catalystik]

As long as you have the stats, letters and research experiences, you will get interviews.
That's saying something, though!
PD's have the luxury of all the CA applicants and all the ex pats vying for a spot.

. . . as well as nonCalifornians with a sense of adventure. Seems to me that if a PD has a broader Ca public health perspective, they'd be more likely to select a fair number of OOSers, as many of them will choose to remain in California after residency (I've was told 80%), and most ex pats will come back to practice, too.

 

[gyngyn]

. . . as well as nonCalifornians with a sense of adventure. Seems to me that if a PD has a broader Ca public health perspective, they'd be more likely to select a fair number of OOSers, as many of them will choose to remain in California after residency (I've was told 80%), and most ex pats will come back to practice, too.

PD's will go for the most accomplished (US) candidates they can get, with little regard for geography.
The differentiation is at the interview decision. They may be a bit less likely on the east coast and mid west to interview folks they believe will rank them lower because of geography.

 

[Kelilah]

This is a question I've been meaning to ask for some time:

I am from Ohio, but I did my undergraduate degree in the Bay Area and want to eventually move back there. Unfortunately, none of the medical schools where I have acceptances are anywhere near the West Coast. Will I have a significantly better chance of matching out there if I go to a top 10 school on the East Coast instead of accepting a full tuition scholarship at my state school? Alternatively, if I don't match in California, how difficult will it be to eventually practice in the Bay Area? (If it makes a difference, I have a strong interest in psychiatry and I am considering academic medicine.)

 

[L. Beethoven]

. . . as well as nonCalifornians with a sense of adventure. Seems to me that if a PD has a broader Ca public health perspective, they'd be more likely to select a fair number of OOSers, as many of them will choose to remain in California after residency (I've was told 80%), and most ex pats will come back to practice, too.

PD's will go for the most accomplished (US) candidates they can get, with little regard for geography.
The differentiation is at the interview decision. They may be a bit less likely on the east coast and mid west to interview folks they believe will rank them lower because of geography.

Thanks for the input! It seems to me like going OOS might not be that bad of an options or CA residents who are willing to work hard.

I've read from SDN that it's important to have a school with residencies and clinical departments in the specialties you're interested in, presumably so that you can get to know the physicians , learn from them, and get rec letter(s) from that department. I really don't know what speciality I'll end up in, but I'm most likely interested in internal medicine or maybe a surgical subspecialty like ENT.

UCR will have 5 residency programs by the time I graduate: in IM, Peds, FM, Gen Surgery, and Psych. Is that something I should be concerned about - that they don't have many clinical departments yet, and won't have more than 5 residency programs?

 

[gyngyn]

UCR will have 5 residency programs by the time I graduate: in IM, Peds, FM, Gen Surgery, and Psych. Is that something I should be concerned about - that they don't have many clinical departments yet, and won't have more than 5 residency programs?

I have every reason to believe that UCR will do everything within their power to help you succeed in your goals.

The mission of the school is to increase the number of practicing physicians in the IE. This is not specialty specific.

 

[L. Beethoven]

I have every reason to believe that UCR will do everything within their power to help you succeed in your goals.

The mission of the school is to increase the number of practicing physicians in the IE. This is not specialty specific.

I agree with that for sure! I loved the supportive environment at UCR! I have no doubt that the faculty, staff and students would be excellent people to work and learn with. I hope my posts haven't come off sounding too negative towards the school, because UCR really is an awesome environment. I just want to make sure I ask the tough questions before picking which school I'll attend.

And being interested in a wide range of possibilities for specialty choices, it would be nice to go to a school that will allow me to explore all those options for clinical training. My main concern with going OOS, like many CA students, was matching back into residency in CA