I can't comment on VCU or Albany since I only interviewed at them. But, since I'm a resident at Penn State I can give you an idea of how it runs there.
Four year program rocks. You get lots and lots of anesthesia training in your first year which really is a huge advantage. I'm a current CA-1 and by the end of last year I was doing major traumas, some peds and lots of complex cases. They restructured the schedule and now you start your specialty rotations in the CA-1 year. This means that you get CT, peds, and neuro in the first year. I don't know of any other programs where you are doing bypass cases in the CA-1 year (but, then again I only know residents at some programs).
The moral is good. We have a new PD, who was our old vice-PD. She is amazing. She is very pro-resident and really cares about us.
We rotate off service during the first two years (to fullfill the intern requirement). Generally, when you are on those services you will be treated with a great deal of respect.
The surgical-anesthesia relationship is also very good. Of course there are certain surgeons who are jerks but, for the most part our department is respected.
Most days you will work 11-12 hours. Call is generally once a week and 1-2 weekends a month. It's very much hit or miss. Sometimes you get sleep, sometimes you don't. It all depends on what rolls through the door.
We are a level one trauma center. Mostly blunt injuries, not much penetrating. You will get enough trauma experience.
So, thats our program in a nutshell.