Wanted to offer my advice for anyone considering MGH for residency. I love the place fyi and would love to give you my honest, mildly-biased opinion. ask anything...

hey william osler, thanks for the offer! I am strongly considering making the trek to boston (if MGH will have me!). could you elaborate on what you like so much about the program? where do you and most other residents live? Do you find your salary adequate in Boson?

I suppose this is an invitation for you to free associate.

hi s1q3t3,
i love alot about the program, but the particular strengths are first the quality of the people both attendings and co-residents who are spectacular and supportive, the commitment to clinical excellence at all levels, the quality of the nursing staff is unparalleled anywhere, the diverse network of MGH'rs who populate the medical world, the leadership that starts with Hasan Bazari, the excellent location of the hospital, and the food! I can expand on those if you like, but its a wonderful place to train.

Most residents live in Beacon Hill or Cambridge. Some live in the "MGH dorms" that are called the West End.

Salary is about 52k for first year which is more than adequate for rent.

Do you feel overworked? I definitely did not get that impression, but when I tell people that MGH is my first choice they keep saying things like "why?", "you'll get worked to death", etc. I discount it as mostly jealousy, but could use a little reassurance! Thanks!

I was just wondering what kind of feedback should I expect after the interview. There is some talk about phone calls from the chair of the panel after the interview. I had my interview 3 weeks ago and no response so far to any of my Thank you mails.


Also, it is kind of imperative for me to know, because I am a foreign grad and am looking at some out of match positions elsewhere, although MGH would be my first choice by far!

I was just wondering what kind of feedback should I expect after the interview. There is some talk about phone calls from the chair of the panel after the interview. I had my interview 3 weeks ago and no response so far to any of my Thank you mails.


Also, it is kind of imperative for me to know, because I am a foreign grad and am looking at some out of match positions elsewhere, although MGH would be my first choice by far!

Then put MGH first!!

am i less likely to match if i did not get a call? there is nothing else i need to know about the program bc i am ranking it first, but i definitely did not get a call. i'd like to be prepared for match day disappointment.

I discount it as mostly jealousy, but could use a little reassurance!

Sounds like you'd fit right in at the MGH.

How far does one have to live from MGH in order to get subsidized (or is it free?) parking at MGH?

Also, where do the majority of your colleagues live if they are not in Beacon Hill or Back Bay?

In terms of workload, I think the way to think about it is twofold- how many hrs do the residents work and how much stress/hr? At MGH, you'll work probably less than alot of other top places like BWH for example (i really never broke 80 except for micu month), but I think while you are at work there's slightly more autonomy so it may feel like a bit more work than other places where you dont make as many decisions.

To get subsidized parking right next to MGH (whole foods like 5 mins away) you have to live out of the mgh zipcode and out of the beacon hill zipcode. If you live in cambridge, north end, south end, or backbay you'll easily get that 5 mins away spot. Otherwise, i live in beacon hill and have parking at gov center which is about 12-15 mins walk. Both not bad and great for 90/month. People off the street pay 300/month for those spots. My gov center spot is prime location next to north end/celtics stadium/faneuil hall/etc.

I dont know much about how they're giving feedback, so cant help much there. sorry!

hope this helps.

Hi SWO,
First, thanks for offering to answer questions. I am intrigued by what you said about MGH residents working less hard than Brigham residents. I am considering both programs very seriously, and although I know in many ways they are very different (and in many ways they are very similar) at this point I'm looking to find all the differences I can. What makes you say BWH people work harder? Another poster had also mentioned that he thought BWH gives a "hard sell" on its interview day....any thoughts on this?

Thanks for posting and offering advice on the forum!

I'm a third year and trying to figure out where to apply. I wash hoping you may able to help tease apart the various harvard affiliated hospital training programs? Or if you know of a site that compares them? MGH, BW, Deaconess, Cambridge Health Alliance?

Thanks!

Hi Sir William Osler, thanks for volunteering your thoughts on MGH.

Would you please comment a bit on the atmosphere? Prior to the interview day I wondered if MGH had a negative, pressure-cooker environment, but I was impressed by the down to earth faculty members and residents on interview day. I got the sense that the program leadership tried to dispel any rumors that MGH was malignant (in terms of attitude).
I expect rigorous training, but do you feel that the environment is mostly a positive and constructive one rather than a place where the interns are constantly belittled?

Secondly, I'm applying to both primary care and categorical tracks. Do you feel the quality of the ambulatory experience is high despite a small number of ambulatory blocks?

Thanks for your time!

to Mem141:
Let me redirect you away from how hard the programs work. You'll get plenty of support at most residency programs. BWH and MGH support their residents very well and pay close attention to the 80hr work week. MGH has more efficient call schedules,etc which allows residents to work a few hrs less on estimate. I wouldn't let that be in any part a decision-maker.

In terms of the "hard sell", BWH is very good at selling their program. Their product, however, is very good as well. I think MGH is starting to try alot harder to sell the MGH product because back in the day residents chose based on reputation and less on the actual interview day. Now, MGH and BWH are very competitive in trying to lure their most wanted candidates.

to IM28:
The atmosphere is collegial. Its a very positive atmosphere. It is a rigorous clinical training program but has a ton of support and that component is growing by the year. Primary care is good, but I haven't had the experience to truly compare the ambulatory component to other programs. My experience at my clinic has been quite enjoyable. If you have more specific questions I'd be happy to ask, but in general I'd say at MGH, you won't have to worry about collegiality or atmosphere issues.

To Jhrugger:
try doing a search. The comparison has been done in prior years i believe. you have alot of time to gather info on that comparison.

I've heard repeatedly that BWH is somewhat malignant and every year they give someone a hard time, and try to force them out. This is from people I know who trained there and are now attendings elsewhere.

BWH is not malignant from what I gather.

I've heard repeatedly that BWH is somewhat malignant and every year they give someone a hard time, and try to force them out. This is from people I know who trained there and are now attendings elsewhere.

Ha ha! Sorry for laughing, but that is DEFINITELY not true. Maybe eons ago, but definitely not now. I don't think you can find a more friendly program anywhere. MGH'ers like to call us Brighamites softies (in a friendly bashful way, of course), because it's all about being nice to each other over here. No one has quit the program in my (almost) 2 years here.

Hello, Osler thanks for the great info. I was wondering if you know if DO students have been or would have a chance getting into the program? The program director said they are looking for about a 90 on step one and I have that. I am trying to set up a rotation there but it is taking a while. Also, if you did not got MGH what would have been you second choice? Thanks again I appreciate it.