Schools with primary care focus

[pancakes]

If you're asked where you see yourself after graduating by a primary care focused school, is it ok to say you plan on specializing in cardio, ortho, etc, or do they prefer people who are primary care focused?

[MT2PA]

They prefer students who are looking for primary care.  Do yourself a favor and don't apply to those programs or if you already have, don't lie to them.  You'll just end up unhappy.

 

A lot of schools will SAY they are primary care focused (because honestly that's the history of the profession) but some are truly trying to produce PCPs while others embrace specializing.  You can usually tell the difference.

[newton9686]

I would just be honest. My school focuses on primary care, wants us to go into primary care and teaches us primarily from a primary care prospective. That being said they don't expect everyone to go into primary care. Quite honestly I don't know what a school focused on putting out specialist would look like. Specialist knowledge in my opinion comes from work experience and clinical rotations, not class work. I wouldn't put too much stock into whether a school is primary care focused or not. Again just be honest and explain why you would be a benefit to their program even if you speciality minded.  And remember, you are going to change as you progress through the program too. You might think you want to specialize now, but I promise a lot of kids change while in school even those you believe you will never be one.