I believe that syrinx/GopherBrain/most of this board are just about "right on the money" with their rankings.
Here's my "subjective/in-my-eyes" tiering (on places to go for neurology residency - based on strength of program, success of residents, location, and happiness of residents):
TOP TIER (seven - in order. These are the elite programs, and everyone knows it - with Hopkins-Penn-Mayo being very closely matched together.):
1. MGH/Partners
2. UCSF
3. Columbia
4. Hopkins
5. Penn
6. Mayo Clinic
7. Cleveland Clinic
NEXT TIER (ten - in order. All of these programs are outstanding in their own right and many are interchangeable; putting aside rivalry and insecurity of some colleagues in our field, you will be very highly regarded as a graduate from any of these programs and be competitive with the top tier.):
8. WashU
9. UCLA
10. BI
11. Cornell
12. Stanford
13. Yale
14. U of Washington
15. Emory
16. Baylor
17. Duke
ANOTHER TIER (sixty-five - in order. Yes - I am going overboard here, and I have probably forgotten a number of decent programs. In my opinion, the first few programs of 18. Mt. Sinai through 23. Virginia are the cream of this crop and have the potential of being intermixed with the above group.):
18. Mount Sinai
19. Michigan
20. U of Rochester
21. UCSD
22. U of Chicago
23. Virginia
24. Rush
25. Oregon
26. Miami
27. USC
28. Albert Einstein
29. Case Western
30. Tufts
31. Colorado
32. Brown
33. UIC
34. North Carolina
35. UAB
36. Thomas Jefferson
37. Northwestern
38. NYU
39. Arizona
40. Utah
41. Pittsburgh
42. George Washington
43. Cincinnati
44. UT Southwestern
45. U of Florida
46. Drexel
47. Vanderbilt
48. Iowa
49. UMass
50. Barrows Institute/Arizona
51. Georgetown
52. Boston U
53. Tulane
54. UMDNJ
55. Mayo/Scottdale
56. UTexas/Houston
57. Maryland
58. Minnesota
59. Wake Forest
60. Saint Louis
61. UC Irvine
62. Wisconsin/Madison
63. UC Davis
64. Henry Ford
65. Mayo/Jacksonville
66. Loyola
67. LSU
68. Cleveland Clinic/Weston
69. Michigan State
70. Indiana
71. Long Island Jewish
72. Dartmouth
73. St. Vincents/NY
74. Kentucky
75. Loma Linda
76. Temple
77. Medical College of Georgia
78. SUNY/Syracuse
79. UConn
80. Ohio State
81. New Mexico
82. SUNY/Buffalo
When I was applying for neurology residency in 2000/01, it seemed only natural to get a feel for the rank lists of other people - especially residents and fellows. I know that a 82-program list is far too lengthy, but I feel that it helps have a certain "perspective" of the grander "playing field" rather than a snap-shot of the top 5 programs.
Having known people graduating/currently at a number of programs and having personally interviewed in all four main sections of the states (15 programs - way too many ... but great for seeing new cities with the help of a moderate-sized loan) ... take it or leave it, this is my list; I tried to be as unbiased as possible, and I tried to make my list appropriate for 2005 (ie. Miami is losing Dr. Bradley as chairman and, thus, bumps them down a number of spots, and USC appears to be getting Damasio from Iowa, albeit having had Leslie Weiner recently step down as chair). IMO, when graduating and obtaining jobs, even if you're going into private practice, most recruiters/practices will prefer the resident from MGH (more 'academic') over the resident from Tufts (clinically strong) - excluding connections/etc. Also, in order to create more formality to the list, I didn't make "notes/comments" next to any of the programs. Nonetheless, it's evident that everyone has their own particular favorites (one should realize that I am in a larger program on the East Coast and may - inadvertently - have some bias), dislikes, and specific interests and family/relational obligations. The key is making the flight and deciding for yourself. Best of luck in the 2005 match!
*ADDENDUM: (I hope that this also helps some of you ...)
There's obviously no sure-fire way to make/weight/create your match list, and every individual is different. For me: when I was deciding on a neurology residency program, I found it helpful to look at a long list and make sure that I was "not missing out" on a program. Thereafter, I placed things into a pre-interview and post-interview rank list based on (not in particular order):
[1] strength of program (It's evident that there are a multitude of great programs to chose from. Don't let someone quickly defame another program for you. As in many academic fields, physicians have a lot of pride, and they usually believe that what they have is the best. Not to 'call anyone out,' but - for examle - the New York programs are quite notorious for unnecessarily putting down other programs; considering that there is a high degree of competition and close proximity of the NYC programs, this should not come as a surprise; it simply comes with the territory.)
[2] ability for residents to match a strong fellowship/go academic/go private (I've noticed that it's important for programs to not only do well at placement in strong fellowships such as EMG/neurophysiology and support residents staying on at 'home' fellowships and as attendings, but to also advocate for residents going private and residents who would prefer to go to another city/program for fellowship rather than stay on; in my opinion, flexibility and chairman/program director advocacy for 'what the residents want' are the keys.)
[3] location (As you know, you will be there for 3-4 years.)
[4] stability of program (ie. Are the program director and chairman staying and how long have they been there?)
[5] happiness and satisfaction of the residents (It is true that each residency has its own culture, which may or may not be apparent on an interview. While interviews and meeting the residents is helpful, we all know that these impressions can be made by good/bad chance and timing; things are very subjective and - on the interview trail - one should stay wary - considering that both false defamation and misplaced praise are rampant.)
[6] one's impression of the program director and chairman (They are the 'faces' of the program and, as in most semi-vertical structures, personalities/attitudes/daily activities tend to come from those in leadership positions such as the program director. They are also the ones writing your letters of recommendations for future jobs/changing positions and will - hopefully - be spending some time with you at future meetings.)
Everyone has their own criterion and likes/dislikes, and these are simply mine. From what I have seen, it's evident that these are the primary factors that go into most people's decisions. Call-backs from programs and other factors are a program's ploy to have you rank them higher. Rather than biting for their 'carrot,' perhaps you can try to move yourself up their list by simply doing a second look and/or writing them a message telling them how much you appreciate their program (if you truly do feel this way). Also, I wouldn't waste time in writing every program, and ranking a program that you do not like (however low that you may rank them) is a mistake that you may pay for. In whichever manner that you chose your match lists ... take care, and best of luck. I sincerely hope that you all get what you are wishing for.
*FOOTNOTE: I originally had a "42-program list"; thanks to PhineasGage for calling me out on forgetting about Stanford - an outstanding program in a beautiful location. As a matter of fact, with input from others on this board, I have realized that I missed a number of other programs and created this "82-program list." (Considering that I have encroached on the age of 30, my neurons have become more prone to misfiring! I want to take this moment to not only ask for forgiveness of my OCD qualities, but also to extend my sincerest apologies to the Stanford Cardinal.) Thanks to all for suggestions in potential ammendments to this list; your input is very valuable.
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