Where will I end up?

I just submitted by ERAS application. That is the Electronic Residency Application Service, it's what is used to apply for residency. So far I have programs in Chicago, Scottsdale AZ, Rochester MN, Minneapolis, Boston, Seattle, Portland ME, and New York City. I will probably add a few more in the next day or two, I just need to do some more research into the programs first. It's a huge relief to finally have this done. Now I just get to wait for interview requests. The fun never ends!

Part of me really wants to stay here in the midwest. The vast majority of my family and friends are right here. I grew up here and have spent the past 3 years away for medical school. I finally made it back for the 4th and final year. Part of me also thinks that this would be the perfect time to go someplace else. I'm single so I have no committments keeping me here. The only problem is randomly moving someplace else knowing that I will be there for at least 3 years. That makes the move just a little distressing. I also have to take into consideration that some areas will be more gay friendly than others. I don't want to end up in some rural area as a single gay man. I'm not going to have that much free time, but when I do have some, I want to be able to actually do something. Portland and Rochester are the only cities that I can see having any trouble with at the moment.

I'm really pretty excited for this entire process. Even if I don't end up at these places for residency, hopefully I'll at least get interviews there. At a minimum I'll get to visit a few cities I haven't been to yet.