Data compiled over the past 10 years of the Rural Scholars program show that students who participate in rural clerkship experiences earn similar USMLE Step 2 scores and end-of-block clerkship grades as compared to their on-site counterparts.
Find answers to some of our Frequently Answered Questions:
Q: Will my USMLE Step 2 scores or clerkship grades be affected by participating in the Rural Clerkship Program?
A: Data compiled over the past 10 years of the Rural Scholars program show that students who participate in rural clerkship experiences earn similar USMLE Step 2 scores and end-of-block clerkship grades as compared to their on-site counterparts.
Q: Will my letters of recommendation from off-site preceptors prepare me to be competitive for residency applications?
A: Students have repeatedly said their letters of recommendation from off-site faculty are detailed and comprehensive. They attribute this to the fact that students spend a great deal of time with a single preceptor who gets to know them well and, in turn, can write a letter that accurately reflects their true potential.
Q: How do other students manage being away from loved ones for so long?
A: Being away from loved ones is a difficult situation. In our experience, however, the clinical opportunities make up for the time apart. In fact, students have commented that they chose to do only four months because they didn’t want to be away from partners, but in retrospect, they wished they had spent six months off-site. Students can sometimes travel home on weekends to spend time with loved ones and take care of local business.
Q: Are students allowed to request split rotations on the Rural Clerkship Program application?
A: Generally, we like to keep rotations together, but in some circumstances, we have arranged rotations in this way. If you choose to make this type of request, clearly explain your reasons on the application. The Rural Scholars Management Group (RSMG) will consider your reason(s) when they meet to determine placements.
Q: Will I miss out on opportunities occurring back at MU?
A: Although there will be some things you may miss, students who have gone out later in their third-year state that they did not miss as much as they would have expected after experiencing both MU on-site and off-site rotations. The Rural Scholars program staff work diligently to ensure comparable educational experiences and equivalent methods of evaluation across all alternative instructional sites. Our data show that, in general, rural clerkship students see more patients and fulfill their patient log requirements sooner than their on-site counterparts.
Clerkships provide recordings of lectures that occur on-site along with other clerkship resources through Canvas. Medical Education uses ZOOM to provide live stream& and post-viewing opportunities for class meetings and town halls for off-site students.
Q: Should I keep my housing at MU or SCC during my rural clerkship rotations?
A: Yes. Students may need to return to the MU or SCC campus for various reasons during their Rural Clerkship. Also, students may want to return on some weekends to visit with family and friends. The student housing while on rural clerkship rotations is provided at no cost to MU students, thanks to the collaboration between MU, the Missouri AHEC, and the local health systems hosting students. Students bring bedding, towels, clothes, and other personal items, but the housing is fully furnished for student use.
