I have interviews at both of these programs. How do they compare? Which one would you rank higher?

Thanks for your input! :)

That is an excellent question...I'm wanna know as well!

I have interviews at both of these programs. How do they compare? Which one would you rank higher?

Thanks for your input! :)

UCLA-SFVP.
Which one would you rank higher?

UCLA-SFVP.

But with the Cedars-Sinai/UCLA-VA merger, wouldn't that make the VA program a little bit stronger/more desirable?

thanks!

if you think that merging with cedars would be so desirable, perhaps you should have applied/interviewed at cedars in the first place. maybe the merger will make the program stronger/more desirable, but until that happens and the transition period is over, i would rather just judge the merits of each program on their own. the positives i keep hearing about the VA program are: its location and the ample time to do research. while those are nice points, i think there is more to look for in a program. the population at the VA is constrictive and i question the breadth of pathology that one would see there. that may not be important to you but i think that of the two program that you mentioned, UCLA-SFVP offers a more complete training experience.

of course this debate is quite academic and you'll get a feeling for what program is right for you after you visit both programs.

ps-VA didn't fill their program last year, and to me that should raise many questions during the interview.
But with the Cedars-Sinai/UCLA-VA merger, wouldn't that make the VA program a little bit stronger/more desirable?

thanks!

Hi bof,

Thanks so much for your input. Although UCLA-SFVP is not my top choice, I have heard alot of good things about their program, but was a little unclear as to how it would stack up against UCLA-VA now that it is merging with Cedars. Cedars is actually my top choice but I would like to place UCLA SFVP and VA on my rank list as well.

Thanks again!

Things to consider:

Academics & teaching:
UCLA students (who rotate at UCLA, Olive View, VA, and Cedars) have consistently given the best teaching evaluations to their rotations at Olive View.

Location:
Of the UCLA programs, Olive View probably has the worst location. Cedars is PRIME. UCLA and UCLA VA are pretty close and nicely located in Westwood.

Patient Diversity:
Being a county hospital, you'll probably find the largest diversity at Olive View.

Fellowships:
Well, UCLA is UCLA. But everyone on the East Coast thinks that UCLA-VA and UCLA-Olive View are the same as UCLA. UCLA-VA has some really impressive fellowship placement - sounds like they really encourage and provide opportunities for research.

Others:
I remember that Olive View provides something like $20.00 a day for food for their residents in its cafeteria. Pretty darn impressive. As for the merger between VA and Cedars...well, there might be some rough edges during the first year of the transition.


Disclosure: I ranked Cedars, Olive View, and UCLA-VA in my top 5. But I didn't end up at any of those programs now...

Here's how I ranked them: Cedars then Olive View then UCLA VA

Things to consider:

Academics & teaching:
UCLA students (who rotate at UCLA, Olive View, VA, and Cedars) have consistently given the best teaching evaluations to their rotations at Olive View.

Location:
Of the UCLA programs, Olive View probably has the worst location. Cedars is PRIME. UCLA and UCLA VA are pretty close and nicely located in Westwood.

Patient Diversity:
Being a county hospital, you'll probably find the largest diversity at Olive View.

Fellowships:
Well, UCLA is UCLA. But everyone on the East Coast thinks that UCLA-VA and UCLA-Olive View are the same as UCLA. UCLA-VA has some really impressive fellowship placement - sounds like they really encourage and provide opportunities for research.

Others:
I remember that Olive View provides something like $20.00 a day for food for their residents in its cafeteria. Pretty darn impressive. As for the merger between VA and Cedars...well, there might be some rough edges during the first year of the transition.


Disclosure: I ranked Cedars, Olive View, and UCLA-VA in my top 5. But I didn't end up at any of those programs now...

Here's how I ranked them: Cedars then Olive View then UCLA VA

Thank you for your input. How would you rank USC compared to UCLA Olive View and VA? I know USC is an academic program, but is third tier at best (also, their pass rates for the boards aren't very high, somewhere in the 80's)

Mediocre, if you don't mind me asking, was Cedars your first choice?

how would you rank the following with regards to getting a cards fellowship in California

Cedars
UCD
UCI
USC
Mayo Rochester

how would you rank the following with regards to getting a cards fellowship in California

Cedars
UCD
UCI
USC
Mayo Rochester

Where would you put Harbor UCLA and UCSD on this list? I know UCSD would be ranked above these other programs, but could someone compare it to Harbor UCLA. I've heard very different things about Harbor UCLA including it is the best program in Southern California vs. it is a mediocre program. Thanks.

harbor-ucla is quite different from ucsd and attracts different types of residents. harbor is more hands on, resident driven, county-type of a hospital. if that floats your boat, it may be the program for you. you will probably receive the best clinical training at harbor and be ready for anything after you come out. their fellowship list is quite impressive so i don't think that you will have problems getting a cards fellowship coming from there. i think that in the end it will all boil down to what you want from a program, resident autonomy vs. fellow driven programs, etc.

Where would you put Harbor UCLA and UCSD on this list? I know UCSD would be ranked above these other programs, but could someone compare it to Harbor UCLA. I've heard very different things about Harbor UCLA including it is the best program in Southern California vs. it is a mediocre program. Thanks.

This topic actually was brought up by the associate director during the Cedars Sinai interview day. She noted that the merger is a possibility for next year, not for the incoming residents. And those that get into the VA UCLA program this year, will end up receiving a VA UCLA degree three years later even if the two hospitals merge next year. So yes, I think the merger will increase the opportunities for fellowship and more importantly, will dramatically increase the diversity of the patients exposed to during residency training.

Hi bof,

Thanks so much for your input. Although UCLA-SFVP is not my top choice, I have heard alot of good things about their program, but was a little unclear as to how it would stack up against UCLA-VA now that it is merging with Cedars. Cedars is actually my top choice but I would like to place UCLA SFVP and VA on my rank list as well.

Thanks again!


Why is Cedars your top choice? is it because you did not interview at better programs in LA or the inland empire or because you think the program fits you best amongst all the top LA programs?

Why is Cedars your top choice? is it because you did not interview at better programs in LA or the inland empire or because you think the program fits you best amongst all the top LA programs?
Hi shock,

I would say Cedars is among my top 5 choices, namely because I am looking to stay in the LA area. However, it is not my first choice.

Does anyone know if USC is worth placing on my rank list (as compared to UCLA Olive View?) I'm thinking of dropping UCLA VA as well. (Note: I am interested in heme/onc fellowship)

Any input appreciated! :)

Cedars is actually my top choice but I would like to place UCLA SFVP and VA on my rank list as well.

So if Cedars is not your "first choice," what is?

I wouldn't be hasty to drop the VA if you are interested in fellowship. One of our recent graduates is doing heme/onc-geri at UCLA and one of our R3's is doing Heme/Onc at UCLA next year. So you can certainely achieve your future goals from this program. However, your choice should be based on much more than just fellowship placement. It depends on what is important to you. If you have any personal questions about the VA program you can PM me.


Hi shock,

I would say Cedars is among my top 5 choices, namely because I am looking to stay in the LA area. However, it is not my first choice.

Does anyone know if USC is worth placing on my rank list (as compared to UCLA Olive View?) I'm thinking of dropping UCLA VA as well. (Note: I am interested in heme/onc fellowship)

Any input appreciated! :)