Medically underserved areas?

[C. Ronaldo]

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Some medical schools say something like this on their websites "Special consideration is given to individuals who desire to serve in medically underserved areas of Arizona.".

So during the interview if you harp on about how you wish to serve medicine in areas that are underserved, will they say "Oh really, your in then." or have quite a few people got this strategy in mind?

 

[hypersting]

They aren't dumb.

They look for previous evidence of such work, as well as if you grew up or have lived in such an area. To be a researcher from a typical suburb will not be believable (even if you really want to do it).

 

[jlee9531]

exactly. they arent dumb.
i have a strong desire to work in medically underserved areas and have grown up in poor areas as i was growing up.
but for example...a school like drew didnt even send me a secondary.

they will not take an underqualified applicant just because you say you want to serve the poor.

 

[Lochmoor]

Some medical schools say something like this on their websites "Special consideration is given to individuals who desire to serve in medically underserved areas of Arizona.".

So during the interview if you harp on about how you wish to serve medicine in areas that are underserved, will they say "Oh really, your in then." or have quite a few people got this strategy in mind?

That's just completely wrong ethically. If you dont want to work in underserved areas but say so, it's a complete lie. Someone who does that does not deserve to be and should not be in medicine.

 

[bearpaw]

i think most schools that do that sort of thing are state schools, right? i think they will just see where you're from. if you're from an underserved area, they might lower the bar or whatever because you're probably not lying, but otherwise i don't think they will care.

i think that goes for anything schools are "looking for". they check your application, not what you say. if they only asked, my mcat would have a 42 and harvard would be the perfect match for my intellectual, social, and career goals. somehow, if you looked at my transcript or the blank spot on my amcas under the word "activities", that would be somewhat unbelievable.

 

[Gleevec]

Some medical schools say something like this on their websites "Special consideration is given to individuals who desire to serve in medically underserved areas of Arizona.".

So during the interview if you harp on about how you wish to serve medicine in areas that are underserved, will they say "Oh really, your in then." or have quite a few people got this strategy in mind?

You have to demonstrate that you want to practice in an underserved community, otherwise you will get destroyed in your interview.

 

[raom_dtpi]

Which areas are considered medically underserved? Is it within the US and is there a specific list? Just curious...

 

[jlee9531]

Which areas are considered medically underserved? Is it within the US and is there a specific list? Just curious...

just look around you. you can pretty much tell for the most part if you live in a medically underserved area. is the area you live in pretty poor? is there a high rate of crime? etc...

 

[flighterdoc]

just look around you. you can pretty much tell for the most part if you live in a medically underserved area. is the area you live in pretty poor? is there a high rate of crime? etc...

The government actually has a list - and it's a LOT of places you wouldn't think of. Like my home of Santa Clarita, CA - I guess it's the county clinic thats actually outside of town that counts.

Check the NHSC website at http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/jobs/search_form.cfm for the medically underserved areas.