Got into medical school, not excited about the location. Does this really matter in medical school?

[mafiacat8]

Hello everyone,

I recently got accepted into medical school and its in the middle of nowhere. I am honored to finally be a med student and excited to start my career in healthcare, but the only school I got accepted into is in a rural location. I would like some opinions from those who were/or are in my situation. Did you have a hard time liking your experience or did you take little weekend trips outside of the area to recuperate? I am especially concerned about my SO who will be moving with me (and is not a student anymore) about the lack of options surrounding us. For those of you in rural or very suburban settings, do you find yourself trapped, or unhappy with your situation? Or were you so busy that you didn't even notice the difference? How did your SO's fare?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[LebronManning]

At the end of the day it's not really a choice. If it's the only med school you got into, you have to go there. Not going to med school at all just because the one you got into is in a non desirable location would probably make you the stupidest person on earth, so I'm sure you're not considering that.

Any location in the US can be enjoyed if you have the right attitude. Plus, you get to pretty much choose where you go for residency.

 

[mafiacat8]

At the end of the day it's not really a choice. If it's the only med school you got into, you have to go there. Not going to med school at all just because the one you got into is in a non desirable location would probably make you the stupidest person on earth, so I'm sure you're not considering that.

Any location in the US can be enjoyed if you have the right attitude. Plus, you get to pretty much choose where you go for residency.

Yes of course I am going to the school. But what I am asking is for opinions and experiences of people who are in a similar situation and if it really matters in medical school. And I am also asking, what they have done to keep things interesting, or how their SO's handle it as well.

That's true, I do have residency to choose a cool city too.

 

[el_duderino]

It matters, sure. It's four years of your life. But you'll be OK.

 

[togaedere]

I did not go to school in a rural location, but I have to say that it doesn’t matter for school. The challenge as you surmise is going to be keeping your SO busy—but that entirely depends on what your SO likes to do, how social they are, and how willing you both are in exploring things that may be off the beaten path.

Anyone with a good attitude can make the best of any situation. You got into a med school which is an achievement that should be celebrated. Your SO will have some work to do to discover what they may be doing in the time when you will be busy, as it’s going to be a bad situation if your SO gets bored and starts putting pressure on you to entertain them during times when it may not be a good idea for you to take the time away from studying. This doesn’t mean that you won’t have time to spend with them at all, but it certainly helps for them to be pretty self sufficient.

Ways to get by in areas without much of a night scene involve making good friends at school and taking time to hang out with them in groups. Go out for outings together (rural areas are often known for the scenery). There’s almost always a local watering hole, get to know a few people from town. Maybe get involved in local volunteering or politics if that’s an interest. Join an activity or group that sounds interesting. Start at the public library for ideas. Sounds dumb maybe but if I was moving to a rural place, that’s where I would start.

Congrats on your acceptance!

Yes of course I am going to the school. But what I am asking is for opinions and experiences of people who are in a similar situation and if it really matters in medical school. And I am also asking, what they have done to keep things interesting, or how their SO's handle it as well.

That's true, I do have residency to choose a cool city too.

 

[Redpancreas]

Hello everyone,

I recently got accepted into medical school and its in the middle of nowhere. I am honored to finally be a med student and excited to start my career in healthcare, but the only school I got accepted into is in a rural location. I would like some opinions from those who were/or are in my situation. Did you have a hard time liking your experience or did you take little weekend trips outside of the area to recuperate? I am especially concerned about my SO who will be moving with me (and is not a student anymore) about the lack of options surrounding us. For those of you in rural or very suburban settings, do you find yourself trapped, or unhappy with your situation? Or were you so busy that you didn't even notice the difference? How did your SO's fare?

No point thinking about it now. You got accepted and you have to go otherwise you’re a huge red flag denying an MD acceptance if you decide to reapply. Hopefully others advise you about the rural location and significant other.

 

[Treebeard]

I don't particularly like the location I go to school in, I think it's "just ok". That said, it really doesn't matter that much. I'm usually busy, and when I'm not busy all I really need to be happy is a handful of bars/restaurants and the occasional concert or outdoor activity.

I should mention, I like the school itself alot, which helps, and my qualm is that it is very suburban, which means a more urban area is reasonably close.

 

[Crayola227]

Then I don't know why you're complaining. You'll be so busy and downtrodden soon, this will all seem like a sad joke.

 

[Chelsea FC]

You will be busy and downtrodden but having a nice location to be miserable in can make a world of difference, also having a very young/exciting location for school is nice when you do have time to blow off steam. So yes I do feel that the location of my school played a big part in my happiness but I was willing to go to Penn state which is in the middle of nowhere (hershey pennsylvania)if it was the only school I got into.

 

[Kgizzle]

It will be harder for your SO than for you... you will have your classmates and school to keep you busy... don't worry about location not that important.

 

[Ho0v-man]

I go to a rural school. Kinda great tbh. Low COL is cool when you have no money. Wife stays at home and we rent a cheap place. It’s very good for starting a family in school if you’re one of those crazy people who would like to do that to yourself.

If we were in a high COL area my wife would be working full time, we’d live in a smaller. Sure there’d be all this cool stuff to do nearby but it’s not like I could afford it anyway.

Biggest downside: no interesting restaurants.

 

[Microshaft]

dude if they have fast internet you're good

 

[jhamaican]

no

 

[flapjack3d]

NoT as a bit a deal as it was for college, imo. I thought I'd be let down by the location of my med school too, but even as an m1 with abundant free time I find that having friends and a couple things to do around town/outdoors is all I need for my leisure time.

 

[JP2740]

It matters but the less you spend outdoors the better med student you’ll be

 

[DrDude2004]

Hello everyone,

I recently got accepted into medical school and its in the middle of nowhere. I am honored to finally be a med student and excited to start my career in healthcare, but the only school I got accepted into is in a rural location. I would like some opinions from those who were/or are in my situation. Did you have a hard time liking your experience or did you take little weekend trips outside of the area to recuperate? I am especially concerned about my SO who will be moving with me (and is not a student anymore) about the lack of options surrounding us. For those of you in rural or very suburban settings, do you find yourself trapped, or unhappy with your situation? Or were you so busy that you didn't even notice the difference? How did your SO's fare?

Rural school makes for great house parties and closer friends

 

[AsianPersuasion]

It matters for like the first couple of weeks, after that, you're so busy and stressed out that it's really difficult to even try to enjoy anything outside too often. This is coming from someone who goes to school right in Boston.

 

[futuremdforme]

Double post!

 

[futuremdforme]

You'll be fine. Just make sure to find time for your SO so they don't divorce you out of resentment... And make a point to aim for a residency in a place your SO would want to live since it sounds like this is NOT it at all.

 

[campfiredoughnut22]

It is four years of your life (three if you consider that you can do external rotations your fourth year). You will be incredibly busy with school work and even the smallest of towns have things to do! After every exam I take short weekend trips whether they be to nearby cities or different states (woohooo expedia points!) As for your significant other, he/she may have a more rough time than you. However, it is certainly better than long distance

 

[welp18]

Hello everyone,

I recently got accepted into medical school and its in the middle of nowhere. I am honored to finally be a med student and excited to start my career in healthcare, but the only school I got accepted into is in a rural location. I would like some opinions from those who were/or are in my situation. Did you have a hard time liking your experience or did you take little weekend trips outside of the area to recuperate? I am especially concerned about my SO who will be moving with me (and is not a student anymore) about the lack of options surrounding us. For those of you in rural or very suburban settings, do you find yourself trapped, or unhappy with your situation? Or were you so busy that you didn't even notice the difference? How did your SO's fare?

Yes and no. Obviously a more interesting, dynamic location can be nice when you're sick of studying and just want to go do something interesting or want to immerse yourself in something that has absolutely nothing to do with medicine. It's sort of a double edged sword, though, in that being in a really cool place can supply a lot of distractions from med school...which depending on your level of discipline and obsession with med school can affect your grades. I go to med school in a kind of run down, small city and often wish I could be in NYC or LA. But that's because I really, really like big, fun cities and because I don't really feel much connection to my class. In the end, I think your feelings about your classmates and the relationships you have with them are probably more important than location. If you don't feel connected to them you may, like me, yearn for a bigger, more interesting location. If you're lucky and feel a lot of affection for your classmates it probably won't matter so much.

 

[VivaLilSebastian]

i live in LA and i can't afford to do anything as a med student, so maybe it'll be better to be where the COL is lower

 

[MD-2021]

Hello everyone,

I recently got accepted into medical school and its in the middle of nowhere. I am honored to finally be a med student and excited to start my career in healthcare, but the only school I got accepted into is in a rural location. I would like some opinions from those who were/or are in my situation. Did you have a hard time liking your experience or did you take little weekend trips outside of the area to recuperate? I am especially concerned about my SO who will be moving with me (and is not a student anymore) about the lack of options surrounding us. For those of you in rural or very suburban settings, do you find yourself trapped, or unhappy with your situation? Or were you so busy that you didn't even notice the difference? How did your SO's fare?

I was you last year. My school is in Scranton, a place known for two things: a dead coal industry, and The Office. I thought I'd hate it.

Well, the place isn't so bad. Most modern comforts are easily reached by car. A lot of nice grocery stores and restaurants I'd previously overlooked. Very multicultural. Cheap rent is now something I really appreciate.

Also as a medical student, it turns out you don't really have enough time to roam around your school's surrounding locales anyway.

 

[Goro]

Hello everyone,

I recently got accepted into medical school and its in the middle of nowhere. I am honored to finally be a med student and excited to start my career in healthcare, but the only school I got accepted into is in a rural location. I would like some opinions from those who were/or are in my situation. Did you have a hard time liking your experience or did you take little weekend trips outside of the area to recuperate? I am especially concerned about my SO who will be moving with me (and is not a student anymore) about the lack of options surrounding us. For those of you in rural or very suburban settings, do you find yourself trapped, or unhappy with your situation? Or were you so busy that you didn't even notice the difference? How did your SO's fare?

Four years goes by very quickly. You'll get used to it.

 

[AsianPersuasion]

I was you last year. My school is in Scranton, a place known for two things: a dead coal industry, and The Office. I thought I'd hate it.

Well, the place isn't so bad. Most modern comforts are easily reached by car. A lot of nice grocery stores and restaurants I'd previously overlooked. Very multicultural. Cheap rent is now something I really appreciate.

Also as a medical student, it turns out you don't really have enough time to roam around your school's surrounding locales anyway.

TCMC? I was so close to going there but got accepted to my top choice.

 

[bumpy]

TCMC? I was so close to going there but got accepted to my top choice.

Lol this is such a med student thing to say. Reeks of comparing and finding a way to subtly throw shade at someone else to make yourself feel a little better. Maybe that wasn't your intention but LOL.

 

[el_duderino]

I dunno what these people saying you won't have time for anything are doing in school. I understand some people have to study more than others, and I'm sure I could have gotten better grades if I had studied more, but I've had plenty of time to be active. I even got married during med school.

I understand wanting to do as well as you can, but burnout is real and depression is real. You have to have more in your life than just school. Be active in your community, go cycling, or whatever.

Where you live matters, but simply going to med school matters more. And living a life you find worth living is far more important than either of those things.

 

[DokterMom]

Either you or your SO will need to learn how to cook if you want good food. But there's nice scenery and the cost of living is low. You'll survive it --

 

[AsianPersuasion]

Lol this is such a med student thing to say. Reeks of comparing and finding a way to subtly throw shade at someone else to make yourself feel a little better. Maybe that wasn't your intention but LOL.

Wow...reading between the lines are we. Listen bruh, if the shoes fit, go for it!

to the other poster I previously quoted, I thought TCMC was amazing! But my heart was set on my state's university, which again, happened to be my top choice and I picked to go to my top choice and I'm not sorry about say that. But if the scenario were different, I would've gone to TCMC

 

[DocFluffy]

Choosing a school base just it's location is like choosing a porn movie just for the story line.

 

[williameb23]

Nah you'll be too busy studying to make too much of it. Make sure to take care of your mental health though - if you're not used to rural, the lack of activities/aesthetics when you do have time can start to take a toll on your emotional well being. But also make the most of it. Rural communities provide unending opportunities for helping those who truly need it (elementary schools, shelters, etc). We have a couple >90% free- or reduced-lunch and essentially segregated elementary schools in my community where some of my best memories during school have been made. Until you can step foot in the clinic, these are the places where you start to make a difference.

 

[It's lupus!]

I go to a rural school. Kinda great tbh. Low COL is cool when you have no money. Wife stays at home and we rent a cheap place. It’s very good for starting a family in school if you’re one of those crazy people who would like to do that to yourself.

If we were in a high COL area my wife would be working full time, we’d live in a smaller. Sure there’d be all this cool stuff to do nearby but it’s not like I could afford it anyway.

Biggest downside: no interesting restaurants.

How do you manage to go to school while your wife doesn't work?! Seriously, I'd love to pick your brain in regards to finance management and realistic expectations.

 

[Ho0v-man]

How do you manage to go to school while your wife doesn't work?! Seriously, I'd love to pick your brain in regards to finance management and realistic expectations.

It only seems feasible to me in a low COL area as mentioned above. It involves taking advantage of government programs and the availability varies by state. I’ll lay down how it works in my state, but it might be different for you.

First off, I have to take out the max COL loans which isn’t very desirable long term. But if your spouse doesn’t have a very high earning potential, you might as well.

Secondly, this is one of the few times in my life that having a child saved money. Because of this, we very quickly qualified for Medicaid. In my state, it doesn’t matter if you or your spouse have no income, able bodied people who don’t work don’t qualify. But throw a kid in the mix and they approve quickly. When we first moved here we only qualified for a fat Obamacare subsidy because we still had income that month. A month or two later Medicaid came through. I’d recommend talking to a specialist who helps with healthcare.gov application. When I did it myself I qualified for nothing. They know what’s legal and what’s okay to put on your app. Your school should be able to set you up with a specialist and it’s free. Sadly, the system is set up to really hurt you for trying to earn anything. I don’t remember exactly, but I think if my wife earns more than ~8k per year, we lose Medicaid so between that and taxes it’s really not worth it for your spouse to work unless he/she has a decent earning potential.

In some states it seems like claiming zero income is enough to qualify for ebt. Here, someone in your household has to have income. A loophole here is that work study counts as income and it’s so little that you’ll qualify for ebt. You’ll have to sit down and do the math yourself to see if that’s what you want to do. If your work study reduces your loan amount by 3,000 but your only getting 1000 in ebt, it might be too much of a hit for you to do this.

Once you get a few miles from school, you’ll see a steep drop off in the cost of housing. Some of my classmates are literally paying 50-100% more in housing than I am just to be a two minute walk from campus instead of a ten minute drive like me. That’s for the same amount of space too.

Don’t have a car payment. Don’t have credit card debt. EAT AT HOME. If your spouse can’t cook, it’s time to learn. It’s not possible to eat out multiple times per week on a tightly fixed budget.

Look at how much you can afford each month. For my family of 3, we spend about 80-100 bucks a week on food. Spaghetti once a week. End up only needing ~ 60% of my COL loans for bills and food. The rest is for clothes or saved up for trips home.

That’s about it. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[It's lupus!]

It only seems feasible to me in a low COL area as mentioned above. It involves taking advantage of government programs and the availability varies by state. I’ll lay down how it works in my state, but it might be different for you.

First off, I have to take out the max COL loans which isn’t very desirable long term. But if your spouse doesn’t have a very high earning potential, you might as well.

Secondly, this is one of the few times in my life that having a child saved money. Because of this, we very quickly qualified for Medicaid. In my state, it doesn’t matter if you or your spouse have no income, able bodied people who don’t work don’t qualify. But throw a kid in the mix and they approve quickly. When we first moved here we only qualified for a fat Obamacare subsidy because we still had income that month. A month or two later Medicaid came through. I’d recommend talking to a specialist who helps with healthcare.gov application. When I did it myself I qualified for nothing. They know what’s legal and what’s okay to put on your app. Your school should be able to set you up with a specialist and it’s free. Sadly, the system is set up to really hurt you for trying to earn anything. I don’t remember exactly, but I think if my wife earns more than ~8k per year, we lose Medicaid so between that and taxes it’s really not worth it for your spouse to work unless he/she has a decent earning potential.

In some states it seems like claiming zero income is enough to qualify for ebt. Here, someone in your household has to have income. A loophole here is that work study counts as income and it’s so little that you’ll qualify for ebt. You’ll have to sit down and do the math yourself to see if that’s what you want to do. If your work study reduces your loan amount by 3,000 but your only getting 1000 in ebt, it might be too much of a hit for you to do this.

Once you get a few miles from school, you’ll see a steep drop off in the cost of housing. Some of my classmates are literally paying 50-100% more in housing than I am just to be a two minute walk from campus instead of a ten minute drive like me. That’s for the same amount of space too.

Don’t have a car payment. Don’t have credit card debt. EAT AT HOME. If your spouse can’t cook, it’s time to learn. It’s not possible to eat out multiple times per week on a tightly fixed budget.

Look at how much you can afford each month. For my family of 3, we spend about 80-100 bucks a week on food. Spaghetti once a week. End up only needing ~ 60% of my COL loans for bills and food. The rest is for clothes or saved up for trips home.

That’s about it. Let me know if you have any questions.

I'll get around to sending you a pm. I will be moving to a low col area. No car or credit debt either.