Is there such a thing as regional preference

[13132]

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Clearly, we all know that some schools prefer in-state students and in some cases have a quota to fill. My question is whether schools look kindly upon students from the region.

For example, I am an Indiana resident and we only have one medical school in the entire state. Although the class size is large I may want to pursue other options. Do places like University of Cincinnati, University of Louisville, Loyola University, etc show preference for Indiana/midwestern students.

Of course, this discussion can be extrapolated to other regions. I don't mean to direct it only to the midwest.

 

[cdm3413]

Clearly, we all know that some schools prefer in-state students and in some cases have a quota to fill. My question is whether schools look kindly upon students from the region.

For example, I am an Indiana resident and we only have one medical school in the entire state. Although the class size is large I may want to pursue other options. Do places like University of Cincinnati, University of Louisville, Loyola University, etc show preference for Indiana/midwestern students.

Of course, this discussion can be extrapolated to other regions. I don't mean to direct it only to the midwest.

I believe preference is predominant to in-state, then regional.

 

[LizzyM]

Schools want to select applicants who will matriculate as much as the applicants want to select school that will interview and admit them. Having ties to the area, whether in-state or just across the line (within a 3 hrs drive of the school, let's say) does help somewhat, particularly if you went to a school >500 miles from home. While your school might not send many applicants our way (most students at that school may prefer to stay in that region) if you have a reason to "come back" to our area, then we might consider you a good prospect.

 

[fizzgig]

i think some schools even say specifically that states contiguous with the home state will be given extra preference. dont know specifically about indiana.

 

[13132]

I had a ridiculously optimistic though flash through my head. I hoped all schools bordering Indiana had that policy. That is like... 4 states with many med schools.

Too bad...

 

[LizzyM]

I had a ridiculously optimistic though flash through my head. I hoped all schools bordering Indiana had that policy. That is like... 4 states with many med schools.

Too bad...

There are some schools that aren't even friendly to everyone in their own state--- look at Southern Illinois University: city slickers from north of I-80 need not apply, unless they are URM.

 

[2sk0ol4c0ol]

Schools want to select applicants who will matriculate as much as the applicants want to select school that will interview and admit them. Having ties to the area, whether in-state or just across the line (within a 3 hrs drive of the school, let's say) does help somewhat, particularly if you went to a school >500 miles from home. While your school might not send many applicants our way (most students at that school may prefer to stay in that region) if you have a reason to "come back" to our area, then we might consider you a good prospect.

This is good info as I am an Indiana resident too.
It's funny LizzyM but whenever I read your post, I always imagine Jane Lynch in a jump suit sitting across a desk from me in an office full of trophies exchanging advice for my help in the disbandment of the high school Glee club.

 

[startswithb]

There are some schools that aren't even friendly to everyone in their own state--- look at Southern Illinois University: city slickers from north of I-80 need not apply, unless they are URM.

Because everyone is obsessed with Chicago. Seriously, I wonder if they ever had matriculants from Chicago who immediately moved back permanently to the city. I can say that interviewing at the UIC downstate campus was really annoying because everyone was hating on it and desperately vying for a Chicago spot. To each their own..but that doesn't fulfill the mission of the school which was created to produce physicians for downstate IL. Considering the UIC Peoria campus was originally the Peoria School of Medicine founded for that same reason, it's interesting how only 2 students this year stayed in central IL for residency. Most of the downstate physicians come from those who do residencies here, which makes sense. But having zillions of students from OOS does not help. /rant

 

[cbrons]

There is such a thing a regional preference. SIU typically only accepted students who live not only in the state but also south of I-80 (I believe this is the region they look at, but even if I am not exact on this they really try and accept students from a certain part of the state).

 

[cbrons]

Because everyone is obsessed with Chicago. Seriously, I wonder if they ever had matriculants from Chicago who immediately moved back permanently to the city. I can say that interviewing at the UIC downstate campus was really annoying because everyone was hating on it and desperately vying for a Chicago spot. To each their own..but that doesn't fulfill the mission of the school which was created to produce physicians for downstate IL. Considering the UIC Peoria campus was originally the Peoria School of Medicine founded for that same reason, it's interesting how only 2 students this year stayed in central IL for residency. Most of the downstate physicians come from those who do residencies here, which makes sense. But having zillions of students from OOS does not help. /rant

No, I totally understand where you are coming from. I grew up in the city, went to undergrad in a rural town, and the last place I'd want to live or go to school again is in the city of Chicago. I won't go into the reasons and start an argument but suffice it to say I really don't think living and going to school in a large urban area is anything special. In fact, I think living again in the city would be horrible. It is not like I had a bad upbringing there or anything. The only thing that appeals to me about Chicago is the fact that there are so many medical schools and teaching hospitals that you'd probably have more opportunities to pick and choose certain rotations and see a lot of stuff that non-urban med students do not see. And yeah, I don't know of any students accepted at UIC appealing a Chicago placement in favor of one of the 3 Urbana tracks so I know I'm in the minority.

 

[ISUBird100]

No, I totally understand where you are coming from. I grew up in the city, went to undergrad in a rural town, and the last place I'd want to live or go to school again is in the city of Chicago. I won't go into the reasons and start an argument but suffice it to say I really don't think living and going to school in a large urban area is anything special. In fact, I think living again in the city would be horrible. It is not like I had a bad upbringing there or anything. The only thing that appeals to me about Chicago is the fact that there are so many medical schools and teaching hospitals that you'd probably have more opportunities to pick and choose certain rotations and see a lot of stuff that non-urban med students do not see. And yeah, I don't know of any students accepted at UIC appealing a Chicago placement in favor of one of the 3 Urbana tracks so I know I'm in the minority.

Add me to the list as well. Just finished my undegrad at the ilstu, and now I'm back up in the suburbs taking my final pre-req and studying for the MCAT. I couldn't wait to get out of the suburbs for my undergrad. I, too, would love to attend one of the branch campuses at UIC other than Chicago. The city is just way to crowded and congested for me!

 

[phnerd1105]

There is such a thing a regional preference. SIU typically only accepted students who live not only in the state but also south of I-80 (I believe this is the region they look at, but even if I am not exact on this they really try and accept students from a certain part of the state).

This. It's definitely south of I-80 and I know very few that got interviews that didn't live there, much less accepted.

But, I've lived in the Chicago land burbs my whole life and went out of state for school. I would LOVE to be in the city for a few years, or at least really near by.

 

[Avoidthetiger]

I can live in urban or rural. The 'burbs freak me out. haha

But the above statements about SIU are true. I wish our state didn't give them government funding considering over 50% of IL residents lived in Chicagoland last I checked.
*correction. Over 75% of Illinois lives in Chicagoland. 🙁
*but I guess some of I-80 goes through Chicagoland...

 

[mauberley]

There are some schools that aren't even friendly to everyone in their own state--- look at Southern Illinois University: city slickers from north of I-80 need not apply, unless they are URM.

I'm fairly certain that non-Chicagoland residents of Illinois don't consider Chicago to be a part of Illinois. So, I consider the attitude as merely being consistent with their beliefs. [/notsrs]

 

[Avoidthetiger]

I'm fairly certain that non-Chicagoland residents of Illinois don't consider Chicago to be a part of Illinois. So, I consider the attitude as merely being consistent with their beliefs. [/notsrs]

I totally consider Chicago part of Illinois. But I got my southern Illinois roots (go Salukis!) and I pronounce the state funny some how - sweet home Elanoy.

 

[cbrons]

The thing about people wanting to go to school in the city often comes down to, "There is more to do." When I ask some of these people what it is they would do in a big city as opposed to a small town, they usually say restaurants, plays, or something like that. For me, having a wider selection of fast food restaurants and proximity to the aragon ballroom isn't worth the extortionist level of taxes, the unbelievably high cost-of-living in general (rent, food, gas, etc.), and the innumerable areas near some campuses that police wouldn't drive through in a M1 Abrams.

There I said it 🙁 Couldn't help it. Lol... but remember, this is where I grew up so I'm not hating

 

[mauberley]

I totally consider Chicago part of Illinois. But I got my southern Illinois roots (go Salukis!) and I pronounce the state funny some how - sweet home Elanoy.

Everyone knows it's pronounced "illi-noise."

Now, the question is: pronounce "Wisconsin."

The thing about people wanting to go to school in the city often comes down to, "There is more to do." When I ask some of these people what it is they would do in a big city as opposed to a small town, they usually say restaurants, plays, or something like that. For me, having a wider selection of fast food restaurants and proximity to the aragon ballroom isn't worth the extortionist level of taxes, the unbelievably high cost-of-living in general (rent, food, gas, etc.), and the innumerable areas near some campuses that police wouldn't drive through in a M1 Abrams.

There I said it 🙁 Couldn't help it. Lol... but remember, this is where I grew up so I'm not hating

I won't fault anyone for having preferences, even if they're wrong. 😉