Letters of rec and Rural/underserved

[neuroiscool42]

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I have two unrelated questions and it would be much appreciated if someone could help me out.

1. Since I'm not applying to med school for ~2 more years(currently a 3rd year), how should I ask for letters of recs from professors if I don't have a personal statement yet since some professors ask for that. Should I create a list of things about myself and have descriptions of each piece of information?

2. Some med schools emphasize the underserved/rural population, but would it be a deal breaker without experiences with these populations. And how would you answer prompts/questions without said experience. I know it seems like a no-brainer kind of question, but I want to see other people's take on this.

 

[libertyyne]

I have two unrelated questions and it would be much appreciated if someone could help me out.

1. Since I'm not applying to med school for ~2 more years(currently a 3rd year), how should I ask for letters of recs from professors if I don't have a personal statement yet since some professors ask for that. Should I create a list of things about myself and have descriptions of each piece of information?

2. Some med schools emphasize the underserved/rural population, but would it be a deal breaker without experiences with these populations. And how would you answer prompts/questions without said experience. I know it seems like a no-brainer kind of question, but I want to see other people's take on this.

1. Write the personal statement draft.
2. Cities have underserved populations as well.

 

[starspells]

2. Some med schools emphasize the underserved/rural population, but would it be a deal breaker without experiences with these populations. And how would you answer prompts/questions without said experience. I know it seems like a no-brainer kind of question, but I want to see other people's take on this.

It would be hard to answer these questions without relevant experiences to back it up. Did you grow up in a rural area? You could mention that. But I think having service to those communities would help you. You have two years until you apply so why not try to get some?

I think almost everyone says they want to serve the underserved but I can't imagine any school taking an applicant seriously if they have not shown commitment through their experiences.

 

[Fluffy123]

1. I wrote the first rough draft of my personal statement in 1.5 hours. The final draft was completely different but still relayed the same message across. It would be in your best interest to have a personal statement done and have ~5 people look it over including some English majors (my university has a writing center where English and honors students help people with their essays) utilize this if you have it.

2. Not every community is rural but every community will have an underserved population of some kind. Find some volunteering opportunities and get started with that.

 

[ScottTenorman54]

2. Some med schools emphasize the underserved/rural population, but would it be a deal breaker without experiences with these populations. And how would you answer prompts/questions without said experience. I know it seems like a no-brainer kind of question, but I want to see other people's take on this.

Schools know that applicants will say whatever they think adcomms will want to hear. You stand out from the crowd by showing that you can walk the walk. You could always waffle on about some unrelated volunteering experience and how it'll help you serve those communities in the future, but if I were in that position, I just wouldn't bother submitting an app to those schools.