Interviewing at school with rural focus

[sulawesi]

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So, med school applications are still a ways off for me.

I plan on applying to all of my in-state schools (I'm out of state but plan to move back to FL to do my post-bac) and presumably the two I'd have the best shot at would be FSU and FIU which both have stated goals to provide doctors to rural areas in Florida. If I flat out say, if asked, that I do not have any interest in living in a rural area to practice, will I completely ruin my chances of getting in? I don't want to be dishonest.

 

[mtnman12]

I would never say in an interview that you would never do it. If you never would, then there's a reason they probably wouldn't want you there. Just say "I will explore those areas." And don't be dishonest - mean it. Or shadow a few rural docs and see what its like so you can talk about it.

People sometimes say "I'll never do research or etc..." I think in general interviewers want you to explore positive things.

 

[sulawesi]

That's a good take on it. I'll be near some small towns when I'm in Florida so I could definitely do some shadowing there. And I agree that the school has a right to not accept me if I don't fit into their ideals. I guess I'm mostly wondering just how committed these schools are to finding people who will really focus on rural medicine and if I have to enthusiastically affirm that it's my life goal to get in. How many premeds even know that for sure?

 

[BigRedBeta]

How many premeds even know that for sure?

That's the rub right there...and that's all you have to say: "it's hard to know for sure"

Most state schools across the country have the stated goal of providing physicians to underserved areas. Generally, what that really means is that they're going to give you exposure to rural medicine more than a private school in Chicago or NYC is going to provide. That can mean a lot of different things - I know some schools require a 4 week rural elective of their fourth years, others require 4 or 8 weeks of an M3 Family med clerkship to be rural, and other schools offer students the chance to do other rotations away from campus in rural settings.

The other thing that's important is that most students I know who have done rural rotations actually really enjoy them. I did 8 weeks of family med in a town of 2300 people and it was a great experience. There was a lot more freedom there than I would have back at my home hospital...no residents, no fellows, just me. Am I going to end up practicing in a rural location? Hell no, but I learned a lot about being a doctor while I was out there, and I'm glad I was required to go.