How do you respond if an interviewer asks you about a state you have no ties to/don't really know about?

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For example, let's say I have an interview in a state I have no ties to and do not really know much about. Let's also assume the state isn't cali, ny, or any of the famous states. If the interviewer asks me why this state, how should I respond? What if the school's mission names the state and I have no ties to the state?
 
Tenk said:
Google.com
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I get that part lol, but wouldn't it be a bit insincere to say you want to live and practice medicine in a state you've never been to before because you learned about whatever online?
 
kintaro said:
I get that part lol, but wouldn't it be a bit insincere to say you want to live and practice medicine in a state you've never been to before because you learned about whatever online?
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Everyone knows the game. You shouldn't lie, but you can find SOMEthing you like about a state and embellish on it:

Nevada - deserts seem nice and the tourist population probably leads to some interesting cases at the hospitals
Illinois - I really like corn
Tennessee - Southern hospitality and Nashville
Georgia - peaches are delicious
Florida - Floridaman seems like a cool guy to hang out with
 
notsobabydoc said:
Then why did you apply there?
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It's a competitive process and stat-wise some schools were good targets. I would attend if they were my only acceptance rather than wait a year and try for a better school. In the end I want to become a doctor and could care less about which school I go to. But I doubt adcoms wanna hear that lol
 
kintaro said:
It's a competitive process and stat-wise some schools were good targets. I would attend if they were my only acceptance rather than wait a year and try for a better school. In the end I want to become a doctor and could care less about which school I go to. But I doubt adcoms wanna hear that lol
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tell that to the school and see if you will get in. so yeah come up with some better answer.
 
kintaro said:
It's a competitive process and stat-wise some schools were good targets. I would attend if they were my only acceptance rather than wait a year and try for a better school. In the end I want to become a doctor and could care less about which school I go to. But I doubt adcoms wanna hear that lol
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you can’t think of or find any reason why you would like to attend that school or live in that state? Then you shouldn’t interview there. Spend 5 min on google and find something. What state is it? Maybe we can help you compile a list.
 
You can figure something out. Google is your friend. If all else fails see if you can visit the school and ask the medical students why they picked that school. 😛
 
curbsideconsult said:
Nevada - deserts seem nice and the tourist population probably leads to some interesting cases at the hospitals
Illinois - I really like corn
Tennessee - Southern hospitality and Nashville
Georgia - peaches are delicious
Florida - Floridaman seems like a cool guy to hang out with
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Seriously?
 
Cornfed101 said:
you can’t think of or find any reason why you would like to attend that school or live in that state? Then you shouldn’t interview there. Spend 5 min on google and find something. What state is it? Maybe we can help you compile a list.
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It's Iowa. I like the school, it has good opportunities, it's just the state that is stumping me tbh. Their mission is "to inspire and educate world class health care providers and scientists for the people of Iowa and our global community."

I have no ties there.

Some googling tells me Iowa:
  • Has a low cost of living
  • Is very safe
  • 4 seasons (not really a pro for me since I dislike winter, but I guess I can spin it as one)
But I don't know if these are compelling enough reasons. I would attend the school no doubt and honestly am the type of person who is not too concerned about the state I live in as I think I can get used to things and am more intersted in the people around me if that makes sense.
 
kintaro said:
It's Iowa. I like the school, it has good opportunities, it's just the state that is stumping me tbh. Their mission is "to inspire and educate world class health care providers and scientists for the people of Iowa and our global community."

I have no ties there.

Some googling tells me Iowa:
  • Has a low cost of living
  • Is very safe
  • 4 seasons (not really a pro for me since I dislike winter, but I guess I can spin it as one)
But I don't know if these are compelling enough reasons. I would attend the school no doubt and honestly am the type of person who is not too concerned about the state I live in as I think I can get used to things and am more intersted in the people around me if that makes sense.
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Those are good, and you can say you like the other 3 seasons. Otherwise I would just have good reasons for the school specifically.
 
I applied to a state I had zero ties to, and got in. When asked why [school], I elaborated on the mission of the school, the growing economy of the area, and the excellent local school district for my kids.

There was an offhand comment about my home weather and the new locale’s weather bring different, so I was enthusiastic about the prospect of snow (we don’t get any where I came from), 4 real seasons, outdoor activities, etc.
 
LizzyM said:
Do you want to practice in Iowa? If not, say that you want to be educated at a world class facility in order to be a physician who serves the global community... and Iowa seems like the perfect place for someone with those goals.
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Thanks for the advice. I think I will take that approach. I might practice in Iowa if I end up liking it there over my 4 years (assuming I'm accepted) but I don't know at the moment.
 
You should know a bit about Iowa. The largest city has a population of about 210,000 and the population of the entire state is a little over 3 million. There are cities in the US with larger populations that all of Iowa.

It is 90%white, 72% of those living in Iowa were born there, and just 1% of the population identify with non-Christian based faiths. The vast majority of the population speak only English.

Iowa has a shortage of physicians providing patient care and ranks about 46th in the country in number of physicians providing patient care per 100,000 population.

You might like that population and decide to spend your life there. Iowa is counting on people who will.
 
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