Hey kco, I too am torn bt a few programs, Colorado being one of them. I spent a day there talking with different residents and they definitely seem happy there. My impression regarding work hours is that they are around 55-65/week with most weeks being more in the 60-65 range. In fact one of the faculty members told me without prompting that they work "less" than at most programs but probably take more call because it is a smaller program. Seems a bit contradictory to me but not necessarily I guess. Also, I think their hours are picking up because it seems like the case volume is increasing, especially CT bc they just hired a couple of new CT surgeons. They generally have to put in 2 weekends out of the month but occasionally this will only be a single day. Call seems decent as it is 3pm-7am, so you get that prior day off and the following day off. This seems to occur about once per week. Is this consistent with what you've heard? One concern I have about the program is that the majority of their grads stay in Colorado for both pp and fellowship gigs. I am not from there but I also don't know where I want to be 4 years from now so I want the highly coveted "I can go anywhere" after residency option. In talking to the residents and faculty, it seemed like everyone that wanted to leave had no issues, but the majority either have ties there or end up loving the area/program so much that they choose to stay in the region. Of course, I'm a bit skeptical, but I think it has a pretty decent reputation in the academic realm. Not a powerhouse, but I think it is well regarded. I would comment on the other programs you mentioned but I don't know anything about them.
. Seriously though, thoughts about the programs beyond the locations? I know that Charleston's a beautiful place. If I ended up at UTMB, we would live off the island.
