Hey everyone,
For those looking to learn more about bassett (no, it's not just a "rural med" program), I really recommend reading some of the student testimonials found here:
http://www.columbia-bassett.org/students.php. I'm not in Bassett, but I thought I'd assuage a few misconceptions in case anyone is on the fence about applying.
Misconception 1: Bassett is a Rural Med Program.
False. You do a lot of work in cooperstown, but the emphasis is on physician leadership training, quality improvement, and developing longitudinal relationships with patients.
Misconception 2: Everyone in Bassett does Family Med.
Nope. I know several bassett peeps who wanna do surgery. Again, Basset really is more about leadership training and system's theory and quality improvement than it is a family med thinktank.
Misconception 3: Bassett is, like, totally separate from P&S #outsiders
All basset students take the first 1.5 years of class with "regular" med students. We do all the same things, join all the same clubs, go to all the same bars, live in the same dorm (unless you're too cool for bard, which you're totally not don't even start with me). Basset students may have a few "extra" seminars and requirements on the side, but it's nothing super demanding, and it certainly doesn't pull you away from the rest of the class.
Also if you get into bassett, you get like an annual grant of $30,000. So that's pretty swell.
Again, not in Bassett. Just thought y'all might benefit from some extra info. Enjoy yo' weekend!