Signficance of NEIGHBORING states to being accepted as an out-of-state applicant?

[jacob42]

A topic I don't see much diccussion on is applying to out-of-state public medical schools when the state is neighboring. MSAR et al often show the strongest OOS acceptances from nearby states. Now, obviously some of that is going to be due to the inherent bias of students wanting to be closer to home and applying more to nearby schools over further ones. However, is there an inherent stronger acceptance bias that schools place onto OOS students who are in nearby states (e.g., because they'd have a higher chance to practice in said state after graduating)?

In my case, I live literally less than five minutes away from the Connecticut border in Mass. Because of this, I've spent a lot of time shopping, visiting attractions, visiting family, etc. in CT throughout my life as a MA resident. Therefore, is it worth it (in terms of having an advantage to other OOS applicants) for me to apply to UConn as a MA resident since I live SO close, have spent much time in CT, have family there, and therefore would naturally have a good chance of working there? Would these be considered "strong ties?"

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[Moko]

A topic I don't see much diccussion on is applying to out-of-state public medical schools when the state is neighboring. MSAR et al often show the strongest OOS acceptances from nearby states. Now, obviously some of that is going to be due to the inherent bias of students wanting to be closer to home and applying more to nearby schools over further ones. However, is there an inherent stronger acceptance bias that schools place onto OOS students who are in nearby states (e.g., because they'd have a higher chance to practice in said state after graduating)?

In my case, I live literally less than five minutes away from the Connecticut border in Mass. Because of this, I've spent a lot of time shopping, visiting attractions, visiting family, etc. in CT throughout my life as a MA resident. Therefore, is it worth it (in terms of having an advantage to other OOS applicants) for me to apply to UConn as a MA resident since I live SO close, have spent much time in CT, have family there, and therefore would naturally have a good chance of working there? Would these be considered "strong ties?"

You should definitely mention your family ties and exposure to CT in your secondaries. This will help show why you may attend their school over a peer, higher ranked, or less expensive school not in the Northeast. Schools with a mission to train physicians that will serve their community are also more likely to be receptive to proximity, while a school like Harvard probably doesn't care as they know people are willing to do anything to attend (including giving up full scholarships elsewhere). Just my thoughts.

 

[LunaOri]

UConn is not at all OOS friendly, but it doesn’t hurt to give it a try.

 

[LunaOri]

UConn is not at all OOS friendly, but it doesn’t hurt to give it a try. They may assume that you are likely to be accepted to UMass, and would turn down UConn in favor of in-state tuition.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Seeking Leverage in “Strong Ties” - SDN

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Have you asked admissions?

I suspect that in your situation (being a border OOS applicant), the enrollment managers wouldn't mind taking your extra tuition money. But domicility rules are set by the state and must be adhered to throughout the public university.

 

[chilly_md]

There are certain schools that are open to this and some explicitly mention it, such at ETSU including a certain radius around the school or North Dakota listing out surrounding border counties as applicants they take into special consideration.

 

[gyngyn]

UConn admitted 27 OOS last year. 7 of these were MD/PhD. The class size is 112.
If you look at the map in the MSAR, you can see that the states from which they come do seem to cluster around CT, but states as far as CA and PR are also represented.
They only interviewed 125 out of 3,421 OOS to matriculate 20 into the MD program. Even though it's a long shot, you know you are going to apply there anyway!