Will my school's location affect where I do my residency?

[johnjohn]

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I am a pre-DO student in the middle of filling out my AACOMAS app and living on the west coast. I like it here, but it looks like there aren't too many DO schools out this way. Even if I could get into one of them, I'm not sure they're the best schools for me (based on things I've read on SDN, anyway).

However, I may want to do my residency (and maybe even my 4th year rotations) on or near the west coast. And I probably want to practice medicine in California. I can't guarantee this, since CA is getting so crowded that you can barely drive down the block without sitting in traffic for an hour, but I do want it to be an option.

Will going to a school in the midwest or on the east coast prevent me from doing this, or even just make it really hard? I think I could enjoy settling wherever I go to school, but I have a partner/future spouse to think about, too.

Thanks for any advice.

JJ

 

[ScienceMind]

Hey John,

I do not think that going to a DO school in the east or midwest will be a disadvantage to you when you possibly relocate back to the west for residency/employment. This should be true as long as you are able to do some rotations in your 3rd/4th year in programs that you are interested in out in the west. So the best thing for you do to is find out if potential schools allow you to rotate out in California or any other state you may be iterested in. Besides, many Californians go out of state for med school and end up back in California. Just remember to choose the med school that best serves your antcipated needs. (eg., Family, significant other, or if you have to be by the beach, then don't choose to live in med west).

Good luck with your decision,
Donnell

 

[FS-Pro]

I am a pre-DO student in the middle of filling out my AACOMAS app and living on the west coast. I like it here, but it looks like there aren't too many DO schools out this way. Even if I could get into one of them, I'm not sure they're the best schools for me (based on things I've read on SDN, anyway).

However, I may want to do my residency (and maybe even my 4th year rotations) on or near the west coast. And I probably want to practice medicine in California. I can't guarantee this, since CA is getting so crowded that you can barely drive down the block without sitting in traffic for an hour, but I do want it to be an option.

Will going to a school in the midwest or on the east coast prevent me from doing this, or even just make it really hard? I think I could enjoy settling wherever I go to school, but I have a partner/future spouse to think about, too.

Thanks for any advice.

JJ

I am in basically the same situation as you. I'm from Cali and want to come back to Cali for residency and eventually work as a physician. I'm starting at DMU this August. One reason that I really liked DMU is that I have a lot of freedom for my rotations. So I plan on coming back here for some of my rotations that will help me match into a residency here as well. I would check with the schools rotation schedule to help select which school is best for you. Good luck.