I conducted this study to determine if rural scholars faced unique challenges as applicants to medical schools. I created a 34-question, novel survey, "Challenges of Medical School Applicants," and broadly distributed it to medical schools across the country. I collected and analyzed a total of 178 responses. Rural and urban cohorts were delineated based on high school zip codes, as well as self-perception of being an urban or rural person. Descriptive statistics and statistical tests including t tests, chi-square, and Fisher Exact test compared demographics, experiences, and outcomes. Rural participants in my sample were older, more likely to be married, and have children. Shadowing rural physicians required traveling greater distances. Rural applicants participated in more medically related volunteer work and accessed a wider array of MCAT preparation resources. Admissions committees of medical schools should take comfort in knowing how prepared rural applicants are for medical school. I found rural applicants proved highly qualified yet faced unique barriers like geographical remoteness. Medical schools should continue striving to recruit rural scholars through outreach and accommodating life stage differences. Rural physicians must also be encouraged to mentor aspiring rural students. Further researchers should expand the sample and assess rejected or non-completing applicants. Overall, rural students demonstrated tenacity in gaining experiences and performed competitively in medical school applications. Through this study, I illuminated remaining disparities and considerations for nurturing diverse, promising medical school applicants. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]