Let's get this straight: How much of a bias is there for in-state applicants?

[philosonista]

Hi, all --

And, of course, hi, @Goro @mimelim @LizzyM

I've heard various things: that is is worthless to apply out of state, that's it's a good move to apply out of state and everything in between.

What is the true story?

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[WingedOx]

ummm, with what school? state?

don't be concrete.

 

[ski89]

Just look at MSAR and US News. You don't need to speculate. To answer your question it depends on the state, but it is quite significant. Take colorado for example. They interview about 40-50% of all In state applicants. Meanwhile they invite about 10-15% of OOS applicants.


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[Spinach Dip]

Depends on the school.

/thread

 

[Chansey]

Depends on the school.

For the 2014 entering class:
University of Michigan had 52.6% of it's students from out of state.
UC Davis had 2.9% of it's students from out of state.

The MSAR has this data under the "Acceptance Information" tab for each school.

Generally, higher ranked public schools are more open to out-of-state applicants.

UCSF (Rank 4): 17.6% OOS
UCLA (Rank 12): 11.9% OOS
UC Davis (Rank 40): 2.9% OOS

Also, high-ranked non-California public schools are more OOS friendly than high-ranked California schools

University of Washington (Rank 10): 48.9% OOS
University of Michigan (Rank 12): 52.6% OOS

(Percentages are calculated from 2014 MSAR data, and rankings are US News Research rankings.)

Also, most private schools (Harvard, Stanford, University of Chicago, Columbia, Cornell etc.) have no in-state bias. There are exceptions, like Mercer in Georgia, and Baylor in Texas.

 

[LizzyM]

Please read the fine print with regard to University of Washington. They are very unfriendly to OOS students except those from Alaska, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.

 

[Psai]

Every school's priority is to produce great doctors. State schools want to produce great doctors for their area. So they will be more willing to take people who are more likely to stay and practice in that area. But that won't prevent them from trying to hold on to a potential star over someone homegrown

 

[notbobtrustme]

Every school's priority is to produce great doctors. State schools want to produce great doctors for their area. So they will be more willing to take people who are more likely to stay and practice in that area. But that won't prevent them from trying to hold on to a potential star over someone homegrown

ya, but the OOS tuition might be enough to dissuade them though. UIC charges something like 100k/year for OOS students, unless they are MSTP, in which case school is "free".

 

[Doug Underhill]

It depends on the school. Most state schools like UC Davis have a heavy, heavy in-state bias. Several state schools have no in-state bias, like Ohio State. A few private schools have an in-state bias like USC. Most private schools do not have any in-state bias.

 

[songl4a]

.

 

[sillyrabbit0207]

Pertaining to this question, what constitutes state ties? Is it only residency? What if you display/express a strong desire to practice in that state if accepted? I visit a neighboring state at least 3-4x a year because I have family in it.

i would say strong state ties can mean - doing service in that state when you visit (maybe for the whole summer), going to undergrad there, working there etc..

 

[Goro]

Concur.

Depends on the school.

/thread

 

[Spinach Dip]

Concur.

Thanks.

 

[gyngyn]

It depends on the school. Most state schools like UC Davis have a heavy, heavy in-state bias. Several state schools have no in-state bias, like Ohio State. A few private schools have an in-state bias like USC. Most private schools do not have any in-state bias.

I wouldn't be surprised if the apparent in-state preference were explained by the stats of OOS applicants, though. This is especially true in CA where most applicants (even excellent ones) must leave the state to go to medical school. This year CA had 870 IS matriculants and 1,436 OOS!