Residency in different Location

[brewmeistervi]

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Does it matter where the medical school location in the US from which you graduate when you are deciding location of residency. I'm going to a school in the southeast, but I would love to do a residency in the midwest. Some people tell me that you do your residency where you go to school and where you plan to practice. Anyone have any feedback?

-brew

 

[jennyboo]

Does it matter where the medical school location in the US from which you graduate when you are deciding location of residency. I'm going to a school in the southeast, but I would love to do a residency in the midwest. Some people tell me that you do your residency where you go to school and where you plan to practice. Anyone have any feedback?

-brew

Unless you are going to an "elite" residency, doing the residency in the general geographic location where you want to practice when you're done with residency is usually a good move. You will get to know the area better, have time to figure out where you want to buy real estate if you want to, and you will get a foot in the door in terms of getting a local job after finishing residency.

If you are going to an "elite" residency, it might override the "local foothold" factor in choosing a local residency.

Where you went to medical school doesn't really matter, except for the same reason -- to get your foot in the door for a local residency. However, if you don't want to stay local, then suck it up and apply to midwest programs -- you don't have to remain southeast.

Bottom line -- go where you want to, and don't feel obligated to stay where you are.

 

[mlw03]

i too am at a southeast school and plan to leave the region for residency. aside from the fact that a lot of people will have never heard of my school (although i'm hoping we have a decent college football season and get on sportscenter a bit - yes, i think that stuff really matters somewhat), i don't think it's that big a deal what part of the country you go to med school in. that's why we have standardized exams like USMLE and shelf exams. somebody from the northeast may think they're poop smells better than mine, but there's no arguing with my board scores.

i agree with the statement that one should apply to residency in places you'd want to settle - statistics show this is likely to happen and it just makes sense when you think about where you are in life when you're in residency (late 20s, getting married, maybe having kids start school, etc).