Southern IL U. Question

[THE Croupier]

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I really like SIU and will have an interview there soon... have questions on the "Mandate" of SIU to assist and serve the folks of central and southern IL... does SIU expect all its graduates to return and service residents of central and southern IL? Are there any students at SIU currently from Chicago and wishes to return to Chicago for practice? I am from Chicago and was wondering what the expectations are from SIU admission folks in terms of future geographical area of practice, and for those students whom are from chicago and wishes to return to chicago, how did you go about your interview when the interviewers asked you of your future practice plans?

Thanks

 

[critters]

I really like SIU and will have an interview there soon... have questions on the "Mandate" of SIU to assist and serve the folks of central and southern IL... does SIU expect all its graduates to return and service residents of central and southern IL? Are there any students at SIU currently from Chicago and wishes to return to Chicago for practice? I am from Chicago and was wondering what the expectations are from SIU admission folks in terms of future geographical area of practice, and for those students whom are from chicago and wishes to return to chicago, how did you go about your interview when the interviewers asked you of your future practice plans?

Thanks

I interviewed at SIU this year and I'm from Chicago. No one explicitly demanded that I return to southern/central IL to practice, but they take their mandate very seriously. I was asked repeatedly about why I wanted to go to med school in southern/central IL (not just the typical "why this med school as opposed to other med schools?" questions) and if I had personal connections downstate. I didn't get any specific questions about where I expected to practice, but I think they were assuming that if I had family/friends downstate, I'd be more likely to remain there after graduation. Feel free to PM me if you want more details! Good luck!

 

[godawgs39]

I really like SIU and will have an interview there soon... have questions on the "Mandate" of SIU to assist and serve the folks of central and southern IL... does SIU expect all its graduates to return and service residents of central and southern IL? Are there any students at SIU currently from Chicago and wishes to return to Chicago for practice? I am from Chicago and was wondering what the expectations are from SIU admission folks in terms of future geographical area of practice, and for those students whom are from chicago and wishes to return to chicago, how did you go about your interview when the interviewers asked you of your future practice plans?

Thanks

I'm from north of Chicago and don't have any southern IL connections either. When are you interviewing and on which campus? I'm scheduled for 11/10 at Springfield.

 

[PBMaxx]

While the mandate is serious, this doesn't 100% preclude SIU from accepting Northern IL residents. I'm from Chicago, with no significant ties to Southern IL. I made no promises to stay here after graduation, and was accepted. In fact, most medical schools know that it is where you do your internship/residency/fellowship that will most likely determine the geography of your practice.
The mandate is really for the school and its clinical affiliates as a whole; it is not simply an "admissions manifesto;" warning those of us who live north of I-80 to beware, or "apply elsewhere city-boy." They fulfill their mandate by encouraging us to be active community members while we are here, and the SOM is dedicated to community service as well. If we stay in the area, then so be it.

PBM
MS1
SIU SOM