Any thoughts on how the training at Stanford is compared to other academic giants like UCLA, UCSF, & UCSD? I have heard that the training for IM is subpar.

just wondering where you heard this.
stanford and ucsf are probably the two most competitive programs in california. while ucla and ucsd are strong im programs, i wouldn't consider them better than stanford.

just wondering where you heard this.
stanford and ucsf are probably the two most competitive programs in california. while ucla and ucsd are strong im programs, i wouldn't consider them better than stanford.

i've heard similar comments from faculty at our school. The main criticisms have been that it's patient population may not be diverse enough, not being in a major city and all, and that it's proximity to UCSF causes it to lose patients to them. Not sure how much of this is true. Research there is supposed to be top notch though. Anyone know how their residents do with fellowships?

Stanford residents 2003-04 and fellowship position:

Cardiology:
BU
Cleveland Clinic
Hopkins
Stanford x 4
UNC

Oncology:
Stanford x 3
UCLA
U of Chicago

GI:
Stanford x 2
U of Chicago

Pulm:
Duke
Stanford x 3

ID;
Stanford
UCSF

Nephrology:
Beth Israel Boston

Endo:
Stanford x 2

Rheum:
Stanford

No matter what anyone tells you, IM training is very much dependent upon the individual. Any of the residents at UCSF,SD,LA or stanford have already been weeded out as successful residents. What you want to ask yourself is this, Where do I want to live?? What kind of people will I be working with??
Will I be prepared to get a decent fellowship?? The fellowship answer is all The top UC programs and stanford will never struggle in getting good fellowships.

just wondering where you heard this.
stanford and ucsf are probably the two most competitive programs in california. while ucla and ucsd are strong im programs, i wouldn't consider them better than stanford.

I'm from a Southern CA program. My attendings at several institutions felt that the general IM training at Stanford is not as good as their fellowship training because of patient population.