I'm trying to decide whether to rank BPEI or Wills as #1. I liked the atmosphere at Wills better, and felt I would fit in better there...but BPEI is BPEI. Would there be any significant advantage to graduating from BPEI as opposed to Wills? Any advice would be appreciated from those in the know. Thanks!

Bascom! Name means so much in a small field like ours...and Miami is so much warmer than Philly. Congratulations on having a great choice to make, and good luck to you!

Both are big names, and both tend to get people where they ultimately want to go. It's not like you're deciding between BP and Arkansas State A&M. I'd go where you feel it's best for you. If you're married, it's also nice to take your spouse into consideration.
From what you've said, if it were me, I would lean towards Wills.

Every is high on Miami at this time of year. They do have that little yearly hurrican problem. And have you ever been there in August/September. It's hard to keep your nice clothes nice if you start sweating the second you leave your place. I also happen to like seasons, but that's just me.

Dave

congratulations tictoc22 on being stuck between a soft spot and another really soft spot.

the only thing i have to add is sometimes general overall happiness can contribute to your motivation and what you actually do and who you impress while you're in a particluar place over the course of three years.

if you feel more excited about going to wills i'm sure you'll continue on your path of success and you'llstill be coming from a world renowned place where you can do whatever you want afterwards.

all the best.

Both are top notch programs. However, there are a
couple of things that you should consider.

Number one is that the surgical and laser experience at
Bascom is far superior to the experience at Wills.
I've known people who had done no focal laser and little
PRP during their residency at Wills, while first year
Bascom residents do those lasers in great numbers.
Also, Wills sends few (I think 4) of their residents to Arizona
to get more cataracts. I remember their numbers not
being as good if they didn't get to go to AZ. In addition
to cataracts, the number of other surgeries (pars
plana vitrectomies, glaucoma procedures etc) you get
at BP is far greater.

Of course you have to consider more than the number of
surgeries you get at a program. Just because those numbers
are greater at BPEI, doesn't mean Wills residents are not trained well.
It's just nit-picking when you have an opportunity to
choose btwn 2 such great programs.

I think personally, it comes to your geographic preference and your style of learning. Both are great programs.. and both have different styles oflearning. Wills being more guided learning and Bascom being more autonomous style. Alot comes down to what you personally are looking for.

Didn't interview at Wills, and I can't say I've been everywhere, but the procedural aptitude of the BPEI graduates would appear to be second to none. They do a ton of surgeries, not just phacos.

I would say BPEI has the edge. Most would agree that Miami is a nicer place to live. Both are great clinical programs but BPEI has much more research dollars and is probably slighter more prestigeous.

Miami is a hell hole. The only thing I neglected during my interview prep was a knife for self defense when walking around the area by my hotel and hospital. Miami is not what is portrayed on TV. I'm ranking BPEI in the middle b/c I refuse to get shot during training. The residents said there is an area around the hospital called the gauntlet where you have to fight off the homeless. Thanks but no thanks.

I have spent a lot of time in Miami. Like any big city, there are areas that are unsafe at night, but the majority of the city is gorgeous and it is a very nice place to live. Unfortunately, because of its popularity, housing prices have gone up considerably in the most desirable areas to live. My family love it there and they say they will never move.

True that there are some shady areas near BPEI.
Still, safety is not a concern there at all. The eye institute
is located within the medical campus and there was
never a time where I was concerned about safety,
even when I was walking to my car at night.

Most of the residents live in nice areas in Miami Beach,
Coconut Grove etc. Miami was a fun and exciting
place to live for me.

Bar none, the best surgical training program I've come
across.