How to be a competitive applicant for FM in a specific (urban) location as an OOS?

[Latteandaprayer]

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I just finished M1 year and about to be on the wards next year (1 year preclinical curriculum). Im interested in FM or IM-PCP. Most of my draw to medicine and the experiences I’ve had really make me attracted to primary care, preventive medicine.

Anyway, I want to end up in my home state (Midwest) or in California, preferably near a major city. I’m wondering how to make my application as competitive as possible for FM especially. I’m not terribly interested in research anymore… I was an MSTP and decided my heart doesn’t lie there, so I dropped. I know FM is the easiest to match into, but I don’t want to end up in the middle of nowhere. And I’d love to stay in my current state or go to a major city in Cali, as stated. I have done literally nothing outside of classes except volunteer at the free clinic…

I’m gay and do not want to end up in a rural area out of fear of how my life would be like with my LT boyfriend.

 

[cj_cregg]

If you are a US grad with no red flags you will be totally fine to match in your home state or CA in/near a major city.

Free clinic volunteering is great. FM PDs value commitment to the specialty and interest in their program specifically, professionalism/ethics, clinical evals, leadership and personal characteristics (diversity, distance traveled, etc), and those sorts of things. Research is not such a huge deal for FM. Does your school have a family medicine interest group you can get involved with? Consider attending some conferences through the AAFP or your state academy of family medicine. In particular, I'd recommend the AAFP National Conference as you transition into your fourth year to meet some residency programs. Audition rotations can also be helpful if there's a particular program you're interested in and you're confident you'll leave a good impression.

 

[Latteandaprayer]

If you are a US grad with no red flags you will be totally fine to match in your home state or CA in/near a major city.

Free clinic volunteering is great. FM PDs value commitment to the specialty and interest in their program specifically, professionalism/ethics, clinical evals, leadership and personal characteristics (diversity, distance traveled, etc), and those sorts of things. Research is not such a huge deal for FM. Does your school have a family medicine interest group you can get involved with? Consider attending some conferences through the AAFP or your state academy of family medicine. In particular, I'd recommend the AAFP National Conference as you transition into your fourth year to meet some residency programs. Audition rotations can also be helpful if there's a particular program you're interested in and you're confident you'll leave a good impression.

Thanks for this, puts my heart at ease a bit 🙂 didn’t realize just how low research matters for FM (I heard it but putting some data behind it is comforting)