Hi Everyone,
For those of you applying to southern california, here are some hints:
1. UCSD - some problems with the research IRBs and clinical trials in the program per my friends there, so beware. No real strengths in terms of area of endocrinology. You'll be covering 3 hospitals as a fellow. Very research oriented, even though it's a clinical position. Chief studies diabetes, metabolism. Beautiful location though, makes up for what the program may be lacking if you love the beach and no traffic/quieter life.
2. UCLA - 3 spots open, but 2 spots likely to go to a UCLA resident, so you're interviewing really for one spot if you don't go there. Strong in diabetes and thyroid, good pathology but really tough to get in if you're an outsider. Has a strong diabetes center. Department focus is on islet cell research. A lot of zebras since it's a referral center, like insulinomas/pheos. Very proud of their transplant programs and inpatient hyperglycemic service.
3. Cedars - now combined with VA West LA, so better variety of patients, you'll see the VA population too. Nice mix of patients in a smaller hospital. Strong in thyroid, and program director has interest in PCOS/genetics. Neuroendocrine tumors/pituitary surgeries. Located in Beverly Hills across from the Beverly Center.
4. Harbor-UCLA - combined with City of Hope, so you'll have good exposure to thyroid cancer patients and clinical trials. Their chief of endo is interested in reproductive endocrinology, so that shapes the program. Rotations between both hospitals, which are 40+ miles apart, so that can be very annoying to drive. Best of both worlds, county pathology and private hospital specialization.
5. UCI - not very strong in diabetes or thyroid cancer. Their fellows don't get much chance to do FNA of thyroid nodules, though they are changing this and by the time you start should have better program.
6. USC - fairly strong program for diabetes and thyroid, and it's county, so you'll see great pathology. They are known for thyroid, since Peter Singer is faculty there. They have a thyroid disease and pregnancy clinic with Dr. Mestman.
So the lowdown is:
Weak programs: UCI, UCSD
Strong programs: USC, UCLA
moderate (good if you want to be a clinician only, not academics) - Harbor-UCLA, Cedars/VA
if you want to be a researcher, go for USC(academic track), UCLA(STAR program), Harbor(if you're on the academic 3-year track).