Limited to a specific geographic region while applying to medical school?

[Dewybear]

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Hi,


I was wondering if anybody has been limited to a specific geographic region while applying to medical schools and has successfully been able to get into a school in their specific region. If so how can one go about making sure that they get seen or at least interviewed at the couple surrounding schools? Fortunately for me I have a couple of schools to choose from my state and two other surrounding states. The reason for my limitation is prior obligations and commitments and also financial situations that make it near impossible for me to relocate . That doesn't mean I don't have the required passion for medicine NOT TRUE I'm simply sticking to my promises and my words prior to considering medicine. Does anybody know anyone who was successful in gaining admission despite their geographic limitations? Does anyone have advice on how I should approach the five schools that I'm able to go to? Should I contact the adcom and explain my situation and ask them how I can better package myself as a better applicant? Any advice will be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Exalya]

I only applied to med schools that I would attend, and that meant that I had to at least appreciate the area. I only applied in southern states, didn't do anything special... 2 interviews so far, and since I applied only to places I liked, one acceptance is all I need. There's nothing wrong with being selective, particularly if you're on a budget.

 

[ThaliaNox]

I don't think you can "make sure you're seen or at least interviewed," per say. What you can do is research the schools you plan on applying to thoroughly. Find out what they value, and make sure that you exemplify it. Are they big on serving the underserved? Research? International medicine? Find out, and then beef up your extracurriculars in that direction. You can also spend more time focusing your personal statement towards their mission instead of making it broad, like those applying to many schools. Once your application is in, keep contact with the schools, update them with grades, new activities, etcetera. The only other thing you can do is make sure you are applying with the best numbers possible for your situation.

 

[armybound]

These kinds of situations do come up and (some) adcoms are sympathetic to it if you explain it.

 

[flip26]

Hi,


I was wondering if anybody has been limited to a specific geographic region while applying to medical schools and has successfully been able to get into a school in their specific region. If so how can one go about making sure that they get seen or at least interviewed at the couple surrounding schools? Fortunately for me I have a couple of schools to choose from my state and two other surrounding states. The reason for my limitation is prior obligations and commitments and also financial situations that make it near impossible for me to relocate . That doesn't mean I don't have the required passion for medicine NOT TRUE I'm simply sticking to my promises and my words prior to considering medicine. Does anybody know anyone who was successful in gaining admission despite their geographic limitations? Does anyone have advice on how I should approach the five schools that I'm able to go to? Should I contact the adcom and explain my situation and ask them how I can better package myself as a better applicant? Any advice will be appreciated. Thank you.

I rarely recommend it, but early decision is probably the way for you to go next year if you fail this year.

Plenty of people apply to only their instate schools and get in. Either you are competitive at the 5 schools or you are not. If you are a competitive applicant, and the 5 schools are not all in the Top 20 USNEWs, you may be OK.

What sort of "promise" have you made that ties you to a specific geog area?

And what about residency? You realize that you may have to move away for residency, right?

 

[siliso]

I applied by early decision to the school I could attend. For me it was not a risk, because it wouldn't have mattered if I had gotten into Harvard on full scholarship - I couldn't have gone. I also wrote about my ties and commitments to the local community in my personal statement (there was no secondary), which could work if you don't want to do ED.

No one questioned my dedication to a career in medicine, but I am totally comfortable saying I don't have so much passion for medical school as to be willing to move away from my children.