Official Interview Feedback Thread 2006-2007

That makes sense, thanks for the clarification. One thing that had confused me was that when attendings and program directors from other programs speak of high power research institutions, Brown never comes up. However, according to the info provided on my interview day, it was clear that Brown perceives itself as such, and that research is definitely emphasized within the residency program.

Here is the website where I got my numbers: http://www.residentphysician.com/Psychiatry_rankings.htm

I misquoted the ranking, it's 51, not 41. But I guess it would be much higher than that if this number does not include all of its affiliated hospitals, as well as the fact that these numbers are 5 years old....

grishko2007 said:

That makes sense, thanks for the clarification. One thing that had confused me was that when attendings and program directors from other programs speak of high power research institutions, Brown never comes up. However, according to the info provided on my interview day, it was clear that Brown perceives itself as such, and that research is definitely emphasized within the residency program.

Here is the website where I got my numbers: http://www.residentphysician.com/Psychiatry_rankings.htm

I misquoted the ranking, it's 51, not 41. But I guess it would be much higher than that if this number does not include all of its affiliated hospitals, as well as the fact that these numbers are 5 years old....

Click to expand...

Yeah, it must be that very issue b/c $2.7M (the number quoted on that list) is very low for Brown. In 2002, it was slightly over $25M. It makes sense that the numbers would be so off, as the majority of PIs in Brown psychiatry are hospital-based.

Incidentally, Harvard has the same issue as Brown - without a true university hospital, some of the grant money will be "Harvard money," while the majority of the money will be hospital-based and managed through McLean, MGH, Brigham & Women's, etc.

UC-Davis: Great child psych opportunities with the MIND institute. Inpatient psych done at county-type facility...a free-standing 100-bed hospital that was surprisingly nice. This hospital is blocks from the university hospital and the psych outpatient facility, making travel between minimal. Most call is home call. Residents seemed very happy overall. Most purchase homes, but at $300-400,000 to live in the middle of a cornfield, it seems a bit pricey. A few hours to Tahoe, San Fran and wine country. Can replace one medicine month with peds heme/onc. Many moonlighting opps.

Dartmouth: Perfect place if you dig the outdoors and don't mind the cold. Boston is the closest big airport but there is a shuttle that runs there from Dartmouth (2 hours away; $20 or so each way). Most of the residents are very outdoorsy or willing/able to make their own fun when not working. Dartmouth-Hitchcock hospital is beautiful. Expensive to live in Hanover, but other areas closer to the hospital are more reasonable. Some sites during years 2-3 are up to an hour's drive away. No opportunity to do inpatient child psychiatry as a general psych resident. Moonlighting available but you must drive a bit to get to sites. Fairly homogenous patient base from an ethnic standpoint (read: white). Program director seems like a fun and supportive character. Research opps are slightly limited but Dartmouth does a lot with quality research and the public health school.

Brown: Great place if you thrive in multiple settings, as there are many clinical sites to familiarize yourself with... Butler is a beautiful (in a haunted looking way) stand-alone psych hospital. There is also a freestanding child psych facility (the only of its kind in the US) where general psych residents do 4 months during year 2 (so if you do not at least enjoy working with kids in psych, this may be a bit of a pain). Internal moonlighting abounds and can begin once rotations in those particular areas are done second year. During year 3, some residents pay to take courses at Boston's Psychoanalytic Institute. Both the program director and research director for residents are women. The program is encouraging clinical research among residents. Parking is free. Pager must be with you and on 24/7 in this program, which the residents swear is not a big deal. Providence is a bit rough around the edges, but with some charm and a great location near NYC, Boston and the Cape.

UNC: Medicine months done at the state psych facility. Call is q4 throughout year 1 (although only until 10pm when at the University Neuropsych Hosp). No opportunity to do peds in lieu of medicine. Very strong child psych fellowship. Many internal residents (i.e. med students from UNC). Most residents live in Durham (about a 10 minute drive to UNC hospitals), as it is much, much cheaper than Chapel Hill. The area feels very suburban...lots of woods and strip malls. Eating disorders unit at the Neuropsych hospital. The state hospitals run by UNC and Duke are combining next year and will be in a brand new facility (planned date of Jan 2008). Internal moonlighting limits weekend calls for first year residents and provides extra $$$ after first year.

MUSC: This is the only program where 2 residents said that they could not in good conscience recommend their program to me. Apparently, there has been a lot of turnover of faculty since the last chair left. Recent hires are new grads of MUSC's residency so there is a bit of an inbred feel. Didactics were described as "pathetic." Nightfloat is done in lieu of most call, which is nice (and night float consists of 15 or so shifts for the month so it is pretty painless). I was told that the child fellowship is only so-so. Research track is through an addictions grant and allows residents involved to apply for loan repayment via the NIH program. Charleston not very affordable (on the peninsula); most residents commute about 45 minutes so that they can afford to buy housing. Moonlighting exists but usually requires a few hours' drive.

Things I didn't: the program really sells itself as a world class research institution, and it was stated a few times that Brown is ranked 5th in the world in terms of funding. However, they are 51st in terms of 2002 NIH dollars (based on my own research). Most of the residents do research, and I got the impression that there's some pressure to do this since everyone is apparently doing it in one form or another.

The other thing to keep in mind, is that not all funding is federal. Don't forget about state and private funding-- especially that "dirty" drug money we all will be craving ("we all" being future researchers).

duneclimber said:

UC-Davis ... Dartmouth ... Brown ... UNC ... MUSC

Click to expand...

Thanks for reviewing a couple of Southeast programs. I've been waiting for someone to do that.

speaking of brown, has anyone gotten any post interview feedback from them? or any word at all? ive heard they are very tight lipped...

have not heard from Brown.

I heard from Brown, but they're the only one I've heard from to date, other than a couple of thanks for interviewing letters/cards from places. Brown seemed like a very nice program. Honestly I have not seen happier residents at any other program I visited, and I think that really speaks to something.

I agree. The Brown residents were the happiest I saw along the interview trail.

While we're talking about Brown, I'll add what hasn't necessarily been stated already.

I thought brown was an interesting place. Very Friendly PD and residents. It seemed pretty laid back for being an Ivy. If you like research but aren't quite sure what you want to do, this is a great place. They have a very active head of the department of research (or something like that), whose sole purpose is to connect residents with researchers. They have lots of opportunities for non-traditional research topics, as well . For example, One resident was doing a project on resident education on dealing with Drug Reps.

The private, stand alone psych buildings do create an interesting learning environment-- though they also have an average, run-of-the-mill, state hospital to round out the education. (By the way, they do NOT have the nations only stand-alone child psych hospital-- I found one in New Mexico, and I think Yale, and some other places as well) Intersting cultural millieu with strong Hispanic, Portugese, and Russian infuences, and the town is run by the mafia (recently deposed mayor, infact).

Anyway, I thought it was a good program, with great food and art in the area. And they light the river on fire several times each summer, dress up in dark robes, and pipe in accordian music through out the town. What else could you want?

and no feedback so far

Chewbacca Jung said:

(By the way, they do NOT have the nations only stand-alone child psych hospital-- I found one in New Mexico, and I think Yale, and some other places as well)

Click to expand...

I know there's one in Missouri and have heard of one in NY.

tonyrob said:

I agree. The Brown residents were the happiest I saw along the interview trail.

Click to expand...

As for happy residents, I think New Mexico and Colorado had the happiest ones I saw-- of course this could be from the solar-induced hypomania (which I hear is a hidden perk of the programs-- good for residency) Dartmouth and Vermont were also pretty content, and even exited to be in their respective programs.

Despite the big move to Fitzsimmons and any pains that may come with it, I was impressed with Colorado (more than I expected to be). They have solid research, a great chair, diverse training. Being the only psych program for a large area means getting to work in a variety of settings, although lots of commuting comes along with it. It sounds like they have worked out alot of the kinks in the call schedule that people noted as a negative in the past and the PD seems genuinely devoted to making the curriculum, didactics, etc. cohesive and relevant. Fitzsimmons will be quite a campus once it is complete, although that may not happen until after our class has finished residency. Oh yeah, residents did seem quite happy and I heard interns talking about things like having time to learn how to snowboard, enjoy Denver, etc.

and the Rockies are at your doorstep...

i posted the below in the wrong thread. would love some 2nd opinions on this almost unheard of gem.

as i have been reading a lot of reviews i thought it would be great to give back a l'il. as i have been to 38 interviews so far i will post mainly ones i haven't seen on here. bear in mind my reviews may be short as my memory is blurred with the other places.

thomas jeff is an great location in philly. it is a safe trendy somewhat expensive area. it is walkin distance to south street and old philly. however outside the 10 block area maybe not so nice. the proram is light on call to the point it is not an issue. only pgy-1 psych inpatient is somewhere between 4-6 a month. no night calls on medicine nor neuro. after that it is q15 or better. the program has a sleep clinic and a pain clinic. also there is come clinical research and teaching opportunities. it seems to cover psychotherapy well. the residents seemed nice and happy.

as i am an img who likes nyc and has peeps over there this had the added benefit of only being about 2 hours bus ride from philly (1.25 hours train/ 1.5 hours drive.) i can easily go to nyc 2 weekends a month.

pd seemed nice. the hospital facilities were excellent and 5 star. you do get diverse patient exposure.

if any1 else knows more of this program, please comment. i feel as an img this is an excellent program. it is much better than all those nyc sweatshops i have been to.

just curious if people have received any type of feedback from Duke after their interviews?

Neurotica said:

just curious if people have received any type of feedback from Duke after their interviews?

Click to expand...

Grace Thrall often writes handwritten cards/notes with favorable feedback.

-AT.

atsai3 said:

Grace Thrall often writes handwritten cards/notes with favorable feedback.

-AT.

Click to expand...

Ah thanks very much AT!

Hello Everyone!

I'm wondering if anybody has any feedback about WVU in Morgantown? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!🙂