Will school location help residency chances?

[falcor]

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I'm currently deciding between a few acceptances. I know that the location of the school can have all kinds of pros and cons but really the only thing I ultimately care about is whether the school will provide any advantage on getting the residency I want. I'm leaning heavily towards orthopedics.

How much does the location of the school I choose affect my chances of matching?

For example, the state of Pennsylvania has four ortho programs each with around 20 spots, California has less than half that amount and Georgia has none at all.

http://opportunities.osteopathic.or...essionid=f0305722d60d841e96373153574b373b864d


Should this factor into which school I decide to attend?

Lets say I choose a school in Pennsylvania. Even if my school didn't rotate through each of the associated hospitals how much would just being in the area help?

Do program directors look favorably on someone whose been in the area?

Is there only an advantage if, by being in the area, I'm able to meet and make a good impression on someone in a position to influence who matches?

I know board scores and class rank will have a bigger influence but I'm curious if anyone can shed some light on my questions.

Thank you!!!!

 

[FrkyBgStok]

It can help a little. You have a chance to do more rotations in penn being from there. Plus it is more likely that alumni will be working in your area. so it does matter, but it won't necessarily save an app.

 

[LesBois88]

If being in the area will provide you with an opportunity to rotate at locations where you'd like to do your residency, then absolutely yes it makes a difference.

 

[YiSheng]

But if you ended up in a different school, perhaps you could try to do your away rotations at your preferable location...that should help too.

 

[DocEspana]

It can help a little. You have a chance to do more rotations in penn being from there. Plus it is more likely that alumni will be working in your area. so it does matter, but it won't necessarily save an app.

The most true answer

If being in the area will provide you with an opportunity to rotate at locations where you'd like to do your residency, then absolutely yes it makes a difference.

This is the core of it though.

Basically having alumni, connections, school teaching staff, and general name recognition in the area does a good amount for getting you into places that you normally wouldnt be able to get into. But connections only count for so much. They boost you, they do not make you. Still, the area near a school will be much more full of those who may be able to hook you up, than an area far away from your school.... so the area of the school does matter if you intend to utilize the "indirect" resources of a school: aka connections.

 

[falcor]

Thank you all for your feedback. Very helpful.

There is a lot I need to learn about the process of the match. How much influence does the school have on who matches. For example, residency program number 127067 (LECOM/Pinnacle Health Community General Osteopathic Hospital - Orthopedic Surgery Residency)

Is this run by LECOM? As in, is it the administration at LECOM who decides on the students matching or is it faculty at Pinnacle Health Community General Osteopathic Hospital?

thanks again for all the input!