Question about OOS bias on my school list

[Awesome Sauceome]

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So I have my school list. The thing is I am becoming increasingly aware that many of them have regional biases, especially the ones along Appalachia. Any schools that have roughly 85% in-state I have just taken off my list. My problem is that I am hoping to go back east after currently living (for my wife's schooling) in Wisconsin. I will have lived in Wisconsin for a little bit over a year when the application comes around. I previously had lived in Maryland (along the border of WV) for 23 years.

So for instance I know VCOM and CUSOM are definitely more regionally biased, so me living in Wisconsin is going to be a turn off for them. So how do I get the schools to see that I am trying to get back to Appalachia - closer to family and to where I want to eventually practice? Because otherwise all they are going to see on my application is my current address right? I mean if it means I have to go to school here in the midwest, I will do it, there are some great schools here. But for the sake of being closer to family and to an area that makes me happy (mountains), I was hoping to find a way to express to the schools my extremely strong interest in that area.

 

[DocWinter]

Perhaps use a local address (parents?) for your home address and your WI address for your current mailing address?

They just see your AACOMAS application, you won't get an opportunity get that across them otherwise.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Just state your case in your application. They read it, you know?

 

[Goro]

Do some actual work there, instead of just giving lip service to it.

So for instance I know VCOM and CUSOM are definitely more regionally biased, so me living in Wisconsin is going to be a turn off for them. So how do I get the schools to see that I am trying to get back to Appalachia - closer to family and to where I want to eventually practice? Because otherwise all they are going to see on my application is my current address right? I mean if it means I have to go to school here in the midwest, I will do it, there are some great schools here. But for the sake of being closer to family and to an area that makes me happy (mountains), I was hoping to find a way to express to the schools my extremely strong interest in that area.[/quote]

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Perhaps use a local address (parents?) for your home address and your WI address for your current mailing address?

They just see your AACOMAS application, you won't get an opportunity get that across them otherwise.

I mean my address in currently in wisconsin? Like I filed my state and federal taxes with this address... Would seem kind of dishonest if I put my folke's maryland address on it.

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Do some actual work there, instead of just giving lip service to it.

So for instance I know VCOM and CUSOM are definitely more regionally biased, so me living in Wisconsin is going to be a turn off for them. So how do I get the schools to see that I am trying to get back to Appalachia - closer to family and to where I want to eventually practice? Because otherwise all they are going to see on my application is my current address right? I mean if it means I have to go to school here in the midwest, I will do it, there are some great schools here. But for the sake of being closer to family and to an area that makes me happy (mountains), I was hoping to find a way to express to the schools my extremely strong interest in that area.

[/quote]

What do you mean by that? Almost all of my application has ECs from Maryland (volunteer, work as an MA, research etc) if thats what you mean?

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

I am just saddened by this new info I am finding about the regional bias. Because its like... this move to Wisconsin was only supposed to be temporary. I definitely want to go back close to where I spent my entire life at and where I hope to spend my days as a practicing physician.

 

[Goro]

Yup...that's exactly what I meant! Although there's a difference between the Chesapeake and the mountainous west of the state....so make sure ot play up the rural angle.

What do you mean by that? Almost all of my application has ECs from Maryland (volunteer, work as an MA, research etc) if thats what you mean?[/quote]

 

[Stoptheclot]

I mean my address in currently in wisconsin? Like I filed my state and federal taxes with this address... Would seem kind of dishonest if I put my folke's address on it.

I did this for identical reasons. You pretty much "pick" your residency for your app, obviously with good reasons because you will have to prove it to the schools. I grew up in IL, moved to IN for 4 years for undergrad, and currently in 2 years of postbacc research in MN - all the while I was a "resident" of Illinois (drivers license, voting, car registration, permanent address, LoRs, several ECs were all IL.) It's easy to claim temporary address in another state (in your case, WI) due to educational purposes.

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Yup...that's exactly what I meant! Although there's a difference between the Chesapeake and the mountainous west of the state....so make sure ot play up the rural angle.

What do you mean by that? Almost all of my application has ECs from Maryland (volunteer, work as an MA, research etc) if thats what you mean?

[/quote]

I mean my house is like 20 min from the mountains and the college I went to was like 30 mins away (where like 90% of my ECs were gained). I wouldnt say I grew up necessarily rural, but its not exactly a city either. So you think that they definitely take notice to the fact that my college was in MD, almost all of my ECs were in MD, that I mentioned MD in my personal statement. Think thats about the best that I can do?

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

I did this for identical reasons. You pretty much "pick" your residency for your app, obviously with good reasons because you will have to prove it to the schools. I grew up in IL, moved to IN for 4 years for undergrad, and currently in 2 years of postbacc research in MN - all the while I was a "resident" of Illinois (drivers license, voting, car registration, permanent address, LoRs, several ECs were all IL.) It's easy to claim temporary address in another state (in your case, WI) due to educational purposes.

The difference is that YOU were in IN for educational purposes. I am not.
When you go to school in another state you dont become a resident (heck if I was to have taken a single course this year is Wisconsin, then I would not be considered for residency to the two allopathic schools here).

I have been working here. Thats it. Schooling usually does not change the definition of where you are a resident unless you become independent and its reported that way to the government. Thats been the very strong impression that I have received when speaking to adcoms within the state about it anyways.

 

[Stoptheclot]

The difference is that YOU were in IN for educational purposes. I am not.
When you go to school in another state you dont become a resident (heck if I was to have taken a single course this year is Wisconsin, then I would not be considered for residency to the two allopathic schools here).

I have been working here. Thats it. About 16 months from now I will be moving to wherever I get into school.

Ah, I see, this is true but I still believe you have a valid argument, being that you left the state for your wife's schooling. I guess it would be important to contact the schools you're most interested in and ask them specifically?

Really, I'm rooting for you - I'm a homebody myself, nothing quite like it!

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Ah, I see, this is true but I still believe you have a valid argument, being that you left the state for your wife's schooling. I guess it would be important to contact the schools you're most interested in and ask them specifically?

Really, I'm rooting for you - I'm a homebody myself, nothing quite like it!

Seriously... when I moved up here I had schools all over the US on my list. But now after a few months of being away. I just sort of miss being home. I love exploring new places, but its definitely hard missing graduations, birthdays, births etc. Even within like 6 hours drive is better than the current 12-16 depending on snow and traffic heh)

But hopefully my ECs and everything else can really show the schools I want to practice there. If I can get to an interview I feel like I am golden haha!

 

[Goro]

Saucy, I think you'll definitely do well in applying to these schools! Don't forget VCOM and VCOM-SC as well.


I mean my house is like 20 min from the mountains and the college I went to was like 30 mins away (where like 90% of my ECs were gained). I wouldnt say I grew up necessarily rural, but its not exactly a city either. So you think that they definitely take notice to the fact that my college was in MD, almost all of my ECs were in MD, that I mentioned MD in my personal statement. Think thats about the best that I can do?[/quote]

 

[DocWinter]

Not suggesting anything dishonest, I had a similar situation, but it was rather moot as I lived in MA while applying but owned a home in NY. Had a NY address when I submitted the app, was MA address a month after. Hence a separate mailing and residence address. Did me no favors, regardless, in where I got accepted.

If your drivers license, car reg, home ownership, or other important documents still reflect your hometown, it's a valid argument, esp. seeing its in the best interest of schools you mentioned like CUSOM and VCOM who have in state preference - they would prefer you over someone who is really from WI! Best of luck

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Saucy, I think you'll definitely do well in applying to these schools! Don't forget VCOM and VCOM-SC as well.



I mean my house is like 20 min from the mountains and the college I went to was like 30 mins away (where like 90% of my ECs were gained). I wouldnt say I grew up necessarily rural, but its not exactly a city either. So you think that they definitely take notice to the fact that my college was in MD, almost all of my ECs were in MD, that I mentioned MD in my personal statement. Think thats about the best that I can do?

[/quote]

Yea both the VCOMs are definitely on my list. I would say generally my list would go (in order of wanting to go there)
1) PCOM (just because of the awesome rotations and my wife went to undergrad in phili, plus its honestly the closest DO school to my home)
2) CUSOM/MUCOM - both seem awesome for new schools. CUSOM has the win for location and distance from home, MUCOM has the win for rotations. Its a coin toss
3) UMDNJ (same reason as phili)
4) VCOMs, either are solid, though VC is much closer to MD obviously
5) The other 7 schools on my list that are mostly in the midwest

 

[Goro]

I think you're set!


Yea both the VCOMs are definitely on my list. I would say generally my list would go (in order of wanting to go there)
1) PCOM (just because of the awesome rotations and my wife went to undergrad in phili, plus its honestly the closest DO school to my home)
2) CUSOM/MUCOM - both seem awesome for new schools. CUSOM has the win for location and distance from home, MUCOM has the win for rotations. Its a coin toss
3) UMDNJ (same reason as phili)
4) VCOMs, either are solid, though VC is much closer to MD obviously
5) The other 7 schools on my list that are mostly in the midwest[/quote]

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Not suggesting anything dishonest, I had a similar situation, but it was rather moot as I lived in MA while applying but owned a home in NY. Had a NY address when I submitted the app, was MA address a month after. Hence a separate mailing and residence address. Did me no favors, regardless, in where I got accepted.

If your drivers license, car reg, home ownership, or other important documents still reflect your hometown, it's a valid argument, esp. seeing its in the best interest of schools you mentioned like CUSOM and VCOM who have in state preference - they would prefer you over someone who is really from WI! Best of luck

nope everything shows WI now sadly. My wife and I were super excited (got married and then two weeks later started our life together and moved to Wisconsin), so we sort of jumped the gun and got everything switched over. I did not think about this issue at the time, we just figured it was the "adult" thing to do to and sort of symbolized us being on our own I guess haha... It is what it is heh

 

[DocWinter]

Bummer..

Punctuate your PS with your homestate and local names; they'll pick up on your background and perhaps hope it leads to your future locally.

 

[Jazzy G]

VCOM is definitely regionally biased (or I assume from not ever hearing back) but CUSOM not as much. I will be attending from over 2,000 miles away. In my "small group" activity at accepted students day last weekend only 2/6 were from NC (ironically, 2/6 were from Maryland).

 

[gocougs339]

So I have my school list. The thing is I am becoming increasingly aware that many of them have regional biases, especially the ones along Appalachia. Any schools that have roughly 85% in-state I have just taken off my list. My problem is that I am hoping to go back east after currently living (for my wife's schooling) in Wisconsin. I will have lived in Wisconsin for a little bit over a year when the application comes around. I previously had lived in Maryland (along the border of WV) for 23 years.

So for instance I know VCOM and CUSOM are definitely more regionally biased, so me living in Wisconsin is going to be a turn off for them. So how do I get the schools to see that I am trying to get back to Appalachia - closer to family and to where I want to eventually practice? Because otherwise all they are going to see on my application is my current address right? I mean if it means I have to go to school here in the midwest, I will do it, there are some great schools here. But for the sake of being closer to family and to an area that makes me happy (mountains), I was hoping to find a way to express to the schools my extremely strong interest in that area.

I was in a similar situation when I applied. I lived in the WA state for 8 years (highschool and undergrad) and then moved to NY for the last 2. When I applied to PNWU and COMP-NW, I interviewed at both school's first interview days. Almost everyone at PNWU that first day was from a northwestern state, and those that weren't were like me and had lived there before. Comp-nw had a few more out of region people but most of them also had connections to the NW. Got into both schools. You'll be alright just make sure it's clear that you're from Maryland in your app.

As for CUSOM, I can assure you that while they have some region bias it's not that strong. I was just at accepted students day and I met people from Cali, Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Indiana, Florida, etc..

 

[Stephanopolous]

How do you find out if a school has regional bias?

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Look at the accepted and matriculation statistics for each school. Some even say outright on their websites that they accept X % from in-state. Otherwise will implicitly express that they prefer a certain region (such as VCOM saying "we are trying to produce physicians to provide care for rural Appalachia" within their mission statement). Stuff like that.

 

[medickdb]

I was in a similar situation when I applied. I lived in the WA state for 8 years (highschool and undergrad) and then moved to NY for the last 2. When I applied to PNWU and COMP-NW, I interviewed at both school's first interview days. Almost everyone at PNWU that first day was from a northwestern state, and those that weren't were like me and had lived there before. Comp-nw had a few more out of region people but most of them also had connections to the NW. Got into both schools. You'll be alright just make sure it's clear that you're from Maryland in your app.

As for CUSOM, I can assure you that while they have some region bias it's not that strong. I was just at accepted students day and I met people from Cali, Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Indiana, Florida, etc..

I agree with gocougs339. I attended Accepted Students Day at CUSOM this past Saturday as well. There were students from all over the country in attendance. The school even had a board up with everyone's picture, educational institutions attended, and hometown. If there is a bias, it's not too strong.

 

[Stephanopolous]

Thanks!

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

I agree with gocougs339. I attended Accepted Students Day at CUSOM this past Saturday as well. There were students from all over the country in attendance. The school even had a board up with everyone's picture, educational institutions attended, and hometown. If there is a bias, it's not too strong.

Fantastic! It is definitely up there as one of my top schools. And thankfully because it is still relatively new I actually feel I have a shot at it. Here's to big hopes!