Steps: 230s, EM: HP/H, EM research (no pub), traditional applicant, some cool volunteering gigs, great ERAS pic
1) Duke (+: Energetic PD, interesting tracks...not all residents participate, family in the area, mild winters while still having all 4 seasons, work Duke bball games!; -: Medicine ward month, unsure of: how fun Durham is for a single guy/any hidden shortcomings of EM being a division under Sx/implications of having UNC so close by/peds experience)
2) UPenn (+: Great resources, fun PD & residents, CHOP experience, numerous electives to tailor your experience; -: 4 yrs, 12h shifts all of PGY1&2 + some of PGY3, no longitudinal peds first 2 yrs)
3) UMass (+: Very approachable PD/receptive to resident-feedback, Hawaii, great conf funding, excellent U/S exp, great research opportunities; -: Man, Worcester is kind of a drabby cold place...although Beantown's 40mins away...but again its cold and may lead to seasonal affective d/o lol)
4) Christiana (+: Some of the friendliest residents I've met, tons of procedures 2/2 not having every specialty under the roof, I've had residents at other interviews mention how awesome xtiana is!; -: Not the biggest fan of Delaware.
5) UVA (+: Fun residents, tracks, Charlottesville is a total college town-- kinda secluded but beautiful; -: Unsure how fun Charlottesville is...although I do hear there's tons of outdoorsy stuff to do, PD was a hybrid of cool/awkward, ED condition bit subpar...new ED won't be completed till 2017, ?send PGY1 & 2s to SAEM+ACEP unlike most places where seniors go)
6) Maine (+: Good seafood, great program, awesome outdoorsy stuff like white water rafting, moose-tipping, etc.; -: Kinda secluded/no family around, not a fan of harsh winters)
7) UF-Gainesville (+: Very positive interview experience, fun residents, work Gator games; -: Can't think of any besides maybe long & humid summers?)
8) Temple (+: Trauma-city if thats your calling, very friendly/supportive faculty and residents, probably the best EM program in Philly; -: Not much patient diversity, not a big fan of North Philly)
9) Robert Wood (+: New program energy, New Brunswick's a cool town with tons of bars/restaurants + Rutgers students around, good U/S exposure; -: 12h shifts)
10-13 (in no particular order): Penn State, MUSC, Dartmouth, Geisinger
Not listing last two...
Top 5 order varies day-to-day. Would love to hear perspectives of others considering same progs/residents at these progs.