Just wondering what applicants/prior interviewees/people in the region have to say about Stanford (beside the nice weather and pleasant locale)

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=54164
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=72770

have some information.

also, given stanford is so strong in research in general, it is surprising that the entire dept has just one NIH/NEI grant.

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/award/rank/MedSchool_Departments.cfm?Department=OPHTHALMOLOGY

Here are my thoughts on the Stanford program.

Pros:
- Excellent surgical training. You ALWAYS operate with very experienced faculty (this is one of the benefits of having no fellows at Stanford (except 1 glaucoma fellow)). Good numbers and good variety (130+ cataracts, you can do vitrectomies)

- You spend 1/3 of the time at county hospital (high volume, lots of autonomy), VA hospital, and university clinic (learn directly from faculty)

- Big name faculty in certain fields: retina (blumenkranz), cornea (manche, ta), glaucoma (singh). All of this equals great fellowship placement.
Also, I know that these people will go to bat for you and are very supportive.

- Environment. Very friendly and supportive.

- $$ - probably the highest pay in the country, $3000 moving allowance, and educational $$ every year.

Cons:
- Small program (only 3 per class)

- Not much research going on in the department. 2-3 basic science projects. A handfull of clinical projects.

- no fellows (a pro and a con) - i've gotten some great teaching from the fellows at my program, but I would also say that a faculty member interested in teaching (this is key) will teach you even more than a fellow can


Bottom line: I really liked the program (even though I am not there) and ranked it very highly. PM me if you want more info.