[2016-2017] Emergency Medicine Rank Order List Thread

[witzelsucht]

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[KinesiologyNerd]

Big, if true

 

[gutonc]

Big, if true

Kind of medium...and completely true. They are not planning to match a class this year.

 

[gamerEMdoc]

I guess I just don't see this as consistent policy. If you say, "this won't affect your ROL position, but come for yourself if you want," and then maybe move a few people up a few spots because they came, I think that's disingenuous.

It's not disingenuous if you are honest. I tell students its unlikely to help them. That's the truth. Does it help a small minority, sure. Does it hurt a small minority, maybe. But it almost always never makes a difference and that's what I tell them. So my adivce to students is that they should only schedule it if its going to help them make their decision. There is no "wink, wink this won't help you but it really will". I'm flat out honest about the situation. The problem with a no-second look policy is, then it really does hurt the students that genuinely want to go back and see how a place is run. Maybe that helps them decide between their top 3 programs. Maybe some students don't need that, maybe some do. No reason to just tell students they can't, as long as you make it clear that its only for their information, and if they think that its going to drastically help their chances, they shouldn't waste their time.

Maybe I just don't think this is a big deal because we rarely get second looks. Only 2-3 a year despite interviewing 100. Likely because I truly do tell people the honest truth about it not making a big difference when they ask during an interview.

 

[deleted109597]

If I were a PD, I would totally have a policy of "no second looks, no thank-you's, no post interview communication." If you like them and they like you, this will be reflected in the match day result. In my opinion, anything other than this places undo pressure on the applicant to jump through further hoops, and contaminates the spirit of the match.

When you become one, you can do this. But until then, they're people. They have egos. And even though nobody knows their ROL but them, they still feel a need to "not go too far down the list" for whatever reason. So rather than ranking all their reaches at the top, they try to game it a little more. At least, the many I've known do.
And yeah, sorry, but more interactions are better. The logical extension of your argument is "no away rotations" and many other things. The world just isn't fair. We can't make it that way by hoping.

 

[doggydog]

Submitted anonymously, via Google Form.

Applicant Summary:
DO student. COMLEX 1 - 440s COMLEX II - 590; No USMLE
EM rotations: P, HP, H, (grade still pending)
Medical school region: Middle America
Anything else that made you more competitive:
Almost all honors MS3 (after a pretty below average MS1-2), was told I had a good personal statement, great SLOE (from my P rotation?)

Main Considerations in Creating this ROL:
geography (new england), "fit", strength of program, SO job-prospects, CC focus

Not sold on my 4-6 rank...

1) Albany
Pros - location is ideal. Incredibly strong didactics. Great group of people. Got along well with faculty/residents. Strong CC. Great pathology. The BEST program coordinator. Longitudinal and concentrated peds. Great moonlighting.

Cons - Albany isn't the nicest?

2) Baystate (Had a really hard time deciding between here and albany)
Pros - Location. Great PD. Got along well with residents. Wonderful area (outside of springfield). Longitudinal and concentrated peds. great pathology. BEAUTIFUL department.

Cons- springfield?

3) UBuffalo
Pros - they brought us to the zoo on interview day 🙂 Best night out I had with residents. Faculty and residents were all really great. Different hospitals offer a large variety of pathology and settings. Great tracks in the program.

Cons - Buffalo. all the different hospitals could get old after a while

4) Kent in RI
Pros - 5 minutes from the ocean. location. Wonderful group of people. Away rotations are at big name places and of quality. Really seemed like a family. Great PD. Some of the best benefits.

Cons - 4 years. small hospital.

5) Hackensack
Pros - hospital seemed really invested in program. only residency officially in hospital. amazing SIM lab. I was surprised at how much I liked this program.

Cons - newish program. location is right outside NYC. cost of living is not ideal.

6) Einstein in Phili
Pros - very strong program within hospital. great structure of program with tracks. Loved Phili. Got along well with residents. Great pathology. Left with warm+fuzzies.

Cons - 4 years. residents seemed to work a lot. financial support from hospital is uncertain (rumors?)

7) Allegheny
Pros - solid program. great faculty. residents seemed happy. great pathology.

Cons - location. looooong interview day. no warm+fuzzies

8) Dartmouth
Pros - great support from university. prestigious name. LOCATION!!!!! residents were great.

Cons - volume is a problem. No involvement in traumas - go to shock for trauma. Didn't jive with faculty at all. Not much peds.

9) Mercy St. Vincent
Pros- program was great! faculty and residents all got along great. life flight program is a cool opportunity.

Cons - location kills it - Toledo, Ohio...

10) Conemaugh
Pros - great group of residents and faculty. very unique and strong didactics. Great EMS/life flight opportunities.

Cons - so much heroin in the area. Location sucks. Too many trump signs.

11) Memorial Hospital in Marietta,OH
Pros - everyone was nice. one of 3 residencies in hospital.

Cons - everyone was married with kids (not my scene) and location sucks. felt some tension between PD and residents.

Rest of List:
Applied to 3 pre-lim IM back-ups

 

[doggydog]

Submitted anonymously, via Google Form.

Applicant Summary:
Step 1: 201-210, Step 2: 231-240
EM rotations: P/H/H
Medical school region: Mid-Atlantic
Anything else that made you more competitive:
Strong extracurriculars in the real world, older non-traditional student, 1 average and 2 strong SLOEs

Main Considerations in Creating this ROL:
Location, proximity to family, vibe from residents

1) VCU
Pros: Feels like an up and coming program, relatively recent addition of a PD who was APD at U Michigan and Emory. Richmond is awesome, great outdoor activities, bar and restaurant scene. Diverse patient population with varied pathology.

Cons: Cost of living is higher than others where I interviewed; further from my family.

2) WVU
Pros: Great volume for such a small city like Morgantown, large catchment area including parts of southern PA, western MD, even into eastern OH.

Cons: Patient population is not very diverse (WV is 94% white). Limited penetrating trauma.

3) LSU-Shreveport
Pros: Chair and PD very involved with the program. I didn't interview anywhere where the chair had as much involvement in the interview process. Lots of the hospital administration is prior EM faculty, so EM seems to have some pull with getting what they need to succeed.

Cons: Recently off probation, Shreveport isn't very exciting as a city.

4) ECU
Pros: Huge catchment area, tremendous volume (120k/year). No ortho or anesthesia residencies.

Cons: Tremendous volume, could be overwhelming with only 10 residents per year. Residents say the hours are long.

5) Memorial Health System
Pros: Unopposed residency in the hospital. PD seems to have it together, making progress with the program. Cheap cost of living. Closest proximity to my family.

Cons: Newly accredited by ACGME this year, previously established in 2011 as osteopathic only program. Marietta, OH is tiny with not much going on.

6) Crozer Chester Medical Center
Pros: Good amount of pathology for a community hospital. Residents all seem happy, PD has lots of expereience, previously APD at Drexel.

Cons: Incoming class will only be the second class. Still working out the kinks with other services (surgery, anesthesia). Some recent attending staff turnover is concerning.

7) Drexel
Pros: High volume, lots of penetrating trauma, diverse patient population.

Cons: Downtown Philly. Currently on probation. Residents said all the right things (mostly), but I didn't get a good vibe that they were sincere or actually happy. Shifts are said to be fairly long.

 

[EM2Be2017]

I'm looking for last minute advice. I'm having a lot of second thoughts, so I'm hoping some of you might have gone/be going through the same thing. I have a group of programs that I felt I clicked with so its been incredibly hard trying to decide between them. One of the problems is I'm not 100% sure what I want for the future. I feel I'll most likely go community, but I enjoy a lot of the aspects of academic medicine so I don't want to close any doors. One thing I do know I want is to see a lot of sick patients and be able to handle anything.

UCLA: Seems like they have a good reputation and are able to place graduates wherever they want. Maybe too academic in that there are a lot of other residencies and subspecialties, but you have the county experience too.

UCSD: Low volume and maybe lower acuity main ED, but rotate at a lot of different hospitals to get a feeling for different settings. Mercy Air experience seems amazing. PD he strives to get his residents whatever job they want.

Orlando: High acuity and high volume. Really liked the faculty and residents. Curriculum seems tailored to emergency med. maybe not academic enough? Not 100% sure I want to do paper charting for H&Ps since I won't be doing this as an attending. Does anyone know if emergency medicine residents rotate get to run the traumas and do procedures (when they aren't on the trauma rotation)? I got the impression surgery kinda runs the show.

Carolinas: great reputation. Well known for happy residents and faculty. Off-services seem very old school, but residents seem to like them. Good trauma experience.

Any thoughts on these programs? I guess one of my questions is how much does the reputation of your residency matter if you decide later to go into academics? I just want to make sure I get the best training and have options for the future. Thanks for any advice!

 

[Dr Mantis Toboggan]

All well respected programs. You would have no trouble going into academics from any of them.

 

[coachB]

All good programs. I wouldn't overthink the details. And even if you were 100% sure what you wanted to do with your life, that would probably change many times through residency. As a wise program director told me when I was making this decision, "go with your gut."

 

[rolark]

I'm looking for last minute advice. I'm having a lot of second thoughts, so I'm hoping some of you might have gone/be going through the same thing. I have a group of programs that I felt I clicked with so its been incredibly hard trying to decide between them. One of the problems is I'm not 100% sure what I want for the future. I feel I'll most likely go community, but I enjoy a lot of the aspects of academic medicine so I don't want to close any doors. One thing I do know I want is to see a lot of sick patients and be able to handle anything.

UCLA: Seems like they have a good reputation and are able to place graduates wherever they want. Maybe too academic in that there are a lot of other residencies and subspecialties, but you have the county experience too.

UCSD: Low volume and maybe lower acuity main ED, but rotate at a lot of different hospitals to get a feeling for different settings. Mercy Air experience seems amazing. PD he strives to get his residents whatever job they want.

Orlando: High acuity and high volume. Really liked the faculty and residents. Curriculum seems tailored to emergency med. maybe not academic enough? Not 100% sure I want to do paper charting for H&Ps since I won't be doing this as an attending. Does anyone know if emergency medicine residents rotate get to run the traumas and do procedures (when they aren't on the trauma rotation)? I got the impression surgery kinda runs the show.

Carolinas: great reputation. Well known for happy residents and faculty. Off-services seem very old school, but residents seem to like them. Good trauma experience.

Any thoughts on these programs? I guess one of my questions is how much does the reputation of your residency matter if you decide later to go into academics? I just want to make sure I get the best training and have options for the future. Thanks for any advice!

This TED talk helped me a ton: . It's awesome!

 

[alpinism]

I'm looking for last minute advice. I'm having a lot of second thoughts, so I'm hoping some of you might have gone/be going through the same thing. I have a group of programs that I felt I clicked with so its been incredibly hard trying to decide between them. One of the problems is I'm not 100% sure what I want for the future. I feel I'll most likely go community, but I enjoy a lot of the aspects of academic medicine so I don't want to close any doors. One thing I do know I want is to see a lot of sick patients and be able to handle anything.

UCLA: Seems like they have a good reputation and are able to place graduates wherever they want. Maybe too academic in that there are a lot of other residencies and subspecialties, but you have the county experience too.

UCSD: Low volume and maybe lower acuity main ED, but rotate at a lot of different hospitals to get a feeling for different settings. Mercy Air experience seems amazing. PD he strives to get his residents whatever job they want.

Orlando: High acuity and high volume. Really liked the faculty and residents. Curriculum seems tailored to emergency med. maybe not academic enough? Not 100% sure I want to do paper charting for H&Ps since I won't be doing this as an attending. Does anyone know if emergency medicine residents rotate get to run the traumas and do procedures (when they aren't on the trauma rotation)? I got the impression surgery kinda runs the show.

Carolinas: great reputation. Well known for happy residents and faculty. Off-services seem very old school, but residents seem to like them. Good trauma experience.

Any thoughts on these programs? I guess one of my questions is how much does the reputation of your residency matter if you decide later to go into academics? I just want to make sure I get the best training and have options for the future. Thanks for any advice!

Based on the above you can take off UCSD. The rest of the programs are very similar in terms of acuity and pathology.

Unless things have changed at ORMC recently EM primarily manages the airway on trauma patients.

 

[job103d]

still not sure where to rank UC Riverside... any random thoughts out there? I liked the people, I like that it's new, but no idea about location.

 

[EM2Be2017]

Thank you all for your responses!

Based on the above you can take off UCSD. The rest of the programs are very similar in terms of acuity and pathology.

Unless things have changed at ORMC recently EM primarily manages the airway on trauma patients.

Do you think not being involved in running the traumas/doing procedures would hurt your training? They do two months intern year doing trauma, one of which is nights where you just respond to traumas and do procedures. And apparently you run all pediatric traumas when you are in the peds ED. My fear would be not getting much continued trauma experience during my second and third year and losing competency in those procedures.

 

[coachB]

Thank you all for your responses!
ing the traumas/doing procedures would hurt your training? They do two months intern year doing trauma, one of which is nights where you just respond to traumas and do procedures. And apparently you run all pediatric traumas when you are in the peds ED. My fear would be not getting much continued trauma experience during my second and third year and losing competency in those procedures.

If you think you want a career in a place like LAC-USC or Denver Health, then train at a place like that. Otherwise, I don't think it makes much difference. Trauma is not hard. You will be well trained to handle whatever comes your way.

 

[doggydog]

Been quiet lately.

If anyone has any last-minute questions re: programs, you have two days.

 

[EM_Reality_2017]

.

 

[bananasinpijamas]

.

 

[MrBrightside167]

Any thoughts on UConn?? Seemed like a solid program when I interviewed.

 

[EM17ThrowAway]

Not to pile on, but I'm in a glass case of emotion. Penn (name/opportunities outside the ED) or Temple (love the people/better within the ED)? I see my future in academics/education if that helps.

 

[GardenState17]

Hey I know nothing helps solidify a rank list like opinions and rumors from anonymous people on the internet but I'm willing to listen to anything at this point haha. Advocate vs Northwestern. I know they have very different vibes but I guess I can't quite decide whether I really want to end up in academics or not. I'm also fully aware that going to Advocate is probably not really going to hurt me if I want to go into academics down the road(esp if I do fellowship).

Given that, I'm just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on their respective reputations from and attending/hiring perspective that they would be willing to share. If not I'll just flip a coin. Thanks everybody!

 

[Apollyon]

Not to pile on, but I'm in a glass case of emotion. Penn (name/opportunities outside the ED) or Temple (love the people/better within the ED)? I see my future in academics/education if that helps.

Best attending I had in residency was a Temple grad. Bar none, superior, possibly the best doc I've ever known (and that includes Andy Jagoda). There is no hyperbole there.

 

[savemyprecious]

Deleted.

 

[alpinism]

Thank you all for your responses!



Do you think not being involved in running the traumas/doing procedures would hurt your training? They do two months intern year doing trauma, one of which is nights where you just respond to traumas and do procedures. And apparently you run all pediatric traumas when you are in the peds ED. My fear would be not getting much continued trauma experience during my second and third year and losing competency in those procedures.

In my opinion yes.

 

[alpinism]

Pretty set on my top 3 and my bottom ones, but everything in between is a struggle. Any help in comparing these programs would be appreciated:

UC Davis (closer to home, scribes, community experience is strong) vs Maricopa (fun place to work, far from family and friends). What did people think of UCD socials/residents?

USC vs Harbor UCLA (both county and both with equally likable residents, same city and size of program, same low pay compared to almost any other program). Not sure on what the hours look like at USC, they kept mentioning how it's better now?

Opinions on whether 3 vs 4 year is advisable in this situation. I am happy to do a 4 year residency if given the resources and opportunities for international work, but both the county programs ain't very good at funding those, so not sure if those 4th years could be used towards my goals. :/

Doing a 4 year program will not help you get more international opportunities.

Nearly every 3 year program has opportunities for international electives during 3rd year. In addition you can always do an IEM fellowship after you graduate.

 

[EM_Reality_2017]

Pretty set on my top 3 and my bottom ones, but everything in between is a struggle. Any help in comparing these programs would be appreciated:

UC Davis (closer to home, scribes, community experience is strong) vs Maricopa (fun place to work, far from family and friends). What did people think of UCD socials/residents?

USC vs Harbor UCLA (both county and both with equally likable residents, same city and size of program, same low pay compared to almost any other program). Not sure on what the hours look like at USC, they kept mentioning how it's better now?

Opinions on whether 3 vs 4 year is advisable in this situation. I am happy to do a 4 year residency if given the resources and opportunities for international work, but both the county programs ain't very good at funding those, so not sure if those 4th years could be used towards my goals. :/

Regarding your last point, I struggled for a while too thinking that an extra year of mentorship would justify the length of training. But I changed my mind because I'd rather seek mentorship on attending salary. Global health is different because it's less structured than other niches (tox, for example), so training depends more on your passion than a preset curriculum. Go for 3yr. You'll have more liberty to do what you like as an attending.

 

[doggydog]

Submitted anonymously, via Google Form.

Applicant Summary:
Step 1: 240s, Step 2: 240s
EM rotations: H/H
Medical school region: West Coast

Main Considerations in Creating this ROL:
Location (have to stay in CA for family reasons), county/underserved exposure

1) University of California *** program --
Prefer not to state for now. Rotated here, excellent fit with the residents, perfect for me in terms of location/patient population. Established program.

2) Highland --
Absolutely loved this program. I thought they had the coolest residents and I just got good vibes all around from the interview day. Definitely a big county program with a family feel. Unquestionably good training and opportunity here.

3) Kaweah Delta --
50% Location, 50% fit. Similar population to my number one, high volume, fit in well with the residents. Very non-pretentious, laid back kind of place. I was surprised I liked it here, was expecting to rank it towards the bottom but the interview day blew me away. 3 year program is also a bonus.

4) UCSF --
I like the county/academic split but just didn't vibe well with the residents. It would be an awesome place to live, and certainly I feel like I would have good training and opportunities here, but it just wasn't my favorite. Definitely struggled with 3 vs 4 in terms of reputation vs fit, but ultimately I felt I would be happier at Kaweah.

5) USC/LAC --
I loved this program, and if I had any desire to move back to Los Angeles I would rank it higher. I was also a little hesitant to commit to 12s for all four years, and I'm not super enthusiastic about it's malignant/burnout reputation.

6) UCSD --
Really liked this place! Honestly though it felt pretty average compared to other programs where I interviewed, nothing really stood out to me as being special and unique. Leans a little more academic/community where I want my focus to be more county/underserved.

7) UC Riverside --
Also enjoyed this program. I felt the PD sold his mission really well and assuaged some of my concerns about going to a new program. However, I'm still somewhat nervous about going somewhere that hasn't had a graduating class yet.

8) Cook County --
I adored this program, thought they had the coolest residents, and would have loved to come here. Residents seemed okay with their trauma experience. If only they could relocate the city of Chicago to somewhere in Northern CA, I might have ranked it #1/#2...

9) Denver Health --
I really wanted to like this place because I liked my time in Denver. I was a little thrown off by the organization of the interview day. I did not feel like I meshed well with the PD or with the residents, and overall just didn't get the feelz from this program.

10) Ohio State --
Another program that I wanted to like based on reputation. Overall I thought that the PD sold the mission of the program really well and has a clear vision for the residency. I liked the gestalt of their intern off-service rotations being primarily learning based (minimal scut, sometimes interns don't write notes apparently?). However, the program was just more academic than I want to commit to for four years. Columbus was not my favorite city on the interview trail.

 

[einstein1990]

Been quiet lately.

If anyone has any last-minute questions re: programs, you have two days.

No judgment on my procrastination - it's how I do life, and it is how I'm doing my rank list. I'll gladly submit my list and stats after tomorrow to help future applicants. Otherwise, could use some help/opinions on my 2-7 (I know, wtf). Also, I'm from the Midwest & somewhat partial to staying around here...my #1 is U of Chi.
Here is how it currently stands (subject to change by the time you read this post)...

2- Regions in St. Paul
- Got a great vibe and was happy when I left. Admin seems to really have the residents backs and take their feedback into account and actually change things.
?: I'm single, my boyfriend is moving with me - however seemed like program was predominantly families? Not sure that would be my vibe. Also, I'm into clinical research, not sure how possible/easy that would be here...

3-UConn
- Got a great vibe again. Loved all the residents and faculty I met. Large program with lots of personalities, all over the board. HUGE volume with plenty of trauma. Great peds. Great sim center.
?: It's in Hartford - how much does that suck? Also, the cons of big program are very real too- they even have limited space.

4-Rush
- Love Chicago. Hospital really supports the program and wants it to succeed. Plenty of other successful and prestigious programs there.
?: Being the first class - turf wars, potential of crappy rotations, other specialties being weary. How do I know if I will get along with whoever my class is? Also, the ED seemed dead on my tour...

5- Iowa (home institution, I'll provide details later but don't need feedback on this)

6- Arkansas
- LOVED the residents and faculty. Left this feeling very happy. Also quite an established program who knows what they are doing.
?: It's in Arkansas... not sure how Little Rock really is. I've heard it is 'hickish.' Also, not strongly an academic program. Smaller ED, too - what is that?

7- Nebraska
- Love Omaha, programs seems pretty solid. High pay. Lots to do. Variety of residents with lots of personality. Solid ED.


Any opinions on any of these programs? I'm a below average applicant, but 'prestige' of my residency program is somewhat important to me, as is a huge alumni network. Any thoughts on this list/programs/etc - I am more than happy to hear it!

 

[doggydog]

6- Arkansas
- LOVED the residents and faculty. Left this feeling very happy. Also quite an established program who knows what they are doing.
?: It's in Arkansas... not sure how Little Rock really is. I've heard it is 'hickish.' Also, not strongly an academic program. Smaller ED, too - what is that?

'Hickish' is to the South as whatever the reputation Midwesterners get is to the Midwest.

What I'm actually trying to say is that I've heard Little Rock is pretty dope city. I'm originally from the south, and yes, it gets 'hickish' pretty quick, but that is certainly not the case in the larger cities. I wouldn't let the city hold you back from ranking it higher, it's not Texarkana or anything.

 

[Emapplicant 2017]

Ive got my top 3 figured out but trying to figure out the next few on my list and any thoughts appreciated (I could easily see matching lower down on my list). Would be happy all of these places, ultimately prob just mostly about personal choice. Likely to end up doing some academics though more on education or crit care than research side, dont really care about 3v4. Important for me to be somewhere where I feel like people are really into and excited about EM, not just trying to get through residency to make money. Prob like Cook and Fresno more but Chicago is cold/hard to have a yard and Fresnos air quality honestly kinda freaks me out...


Cook County – Pros Well known county program with a great focus on teaching, graduated level of responsibility. I loved the feel of the ED. Got the feeling that the APDs are very involved, more than any other program. Used to be a 2-4 program where you did a prelim intern year, now 1-4. Faculty seems very focused on teaching (I really liked every single interviewer), residents seem pretty happy. See a ton of sick patients and get a lot of procedures. PD is very laid back, supportive of residents. Lots of excellent community hospital experiences later on.
Miscellaneous: Trauma and peds experience different from most programs. There are only 4 Ped ED months, but you can see pediatric patients overnight in the Adult ED when the Peds ED closes, and you will see peds patients on the community hospital rotations.. Trauma is only 14 weeks throughout years 2-4, but when you are there all you do is see a disgusting amount of trauma and are heavily involved in managing patients and doing procedures. You will also put that knowledge to use in your community hospital shifts where I was told you get plenty of trauma, and get minor trauma during Adult ED shifts. Sounds like its different but works. I actually prefer medically sick patients so its fine for me. Offservice months sound hit or miss. Two IM floor months. Everyone loves burn ICU month intern year.
Cons: 4 years, Chicago is cold, the trauma and Peds situation may be negative for some. Not much ICU after 1st year. Definite county problems that can be frustrating – Scut, social work, resource poor environment.

UNM Albuquerque - Pros: Very cool program. All the residents seemed super happy, and the pre-interview dinner was super chill with lots of SOs and nurses etc. ABQ is kind of a funky little town. Super easy access to get out of the city into the outdoors. Great county experience/pathology with huuge catchment basin. Most people seem to really like aways here. They do have a boarding problem but they say the critical patients go up to the ICU quick which is nice. Its one thing to board a not too complicated patient and another to board someone you really have to watch. EM-CC faculty are like 2/3 of the STICU and there is a lot of ICU time. Lots of Md/PhDs doing research which isn’t my thing necessarily, but may be attractive for others. 40% going into academics which is pretty high. Darren Braude well known for airway. Unique experience where you can work with RDMS ultrasonographer to get technically proficient. Ortho is ED consult month. 12 residents/year
Cons: Boarding can definitely be an issue. ABQ just feels kinda remote, not sure how well known outside of southwest, didn’t really click with the faculty I met.
Miscellaneous. No PICU but time in NICU receiving from OB for 2 weeks.

UCSF Fresno - My advisor said out of all the places I ranked, this might give me the best pure clinical training, but not so much academically. Incredible pathology, sick patients. Ive never seen more hallways patients. Lots of other services are not available so you do your own ENT/Optho which I see as a strength. For trauma, airway, primary and secondary survey, and there is pretty much always an EM guy on trauma service splitting procedures with ED resident. Strongest program at hospital. Residents all seemed really happy and really loved their program. The interim PD is likely to become the new PD and I really liked how upfront she was about the program. Told us how many people had left the program over the years (very few), the problems with boarding and what they were looking for. Attendings will pick up their own patients – which means they still know what its like to run their own patients. Lots of electives/tracks can be done longitudinally by reducing the amount of EM shifts/month and/or doing EM shifts during other rotations it seems. Next president of EMRA is from here. Seems like increasing EMRAP connection there. *Easy* to get to some of the best outdoors the US has to offer. 10 residents/year
Cons: Air quality was the biggest turnoff for me, have to live for 4 years in Fresno…. Boarding and not like UNM where at least ICU patients go up quickly. Only 2 months ICU but sounds like with boarding you still manage these patients in the ED and get your ICU time there

U of A Tucson, University program Arizona – Pros: Heard from some people I trust its a really strong program. Solid CC, airway and cardiac resuscitation research going on (Apparently good state database.) Very strong critical care/EM connection. Curriculum is EM heavy. Residents were all very happy (though one rubbed me the wrong way very strongly). 2/3rds of the time at the main hospital, 1/3 at the more county South campus (where there is a sister EM residency.) Strong research program for residents: Scholar quest. Can also do subspecialty residency track. Tucson seems to be improving. 15 residents/year not including EM/Peds and South campus who you also work with.
Cons: Can’t do codes until you’ve done anesthesia and trauma rotations PGY1 which sucks if you don’t have them til the end. Hotter than Albuquerque but apparently you can get up into some higher elevation/cooler temps pretty easy when it gets real hot during the summer.
Miscellaneous: One of the few combined EM/Peds programs. Great salary for COL. Work with multiple attendings per shift. They keep the light pollution down at night so the observatories can see the stars – so you can too.

 

[EMapplicant2017]

Your top 3 are (in different order) in my top 4. I had to do a double-take when I saw your username... lol

Resubmitted my list in another post now that it is updated. Figured those following this thread would probably miss it now that we are on a new page.

 

[EM17ThrowAway]

Best attending I had in residency was a Temple grad. Bar none, superior, possibly the best doc I've ever known (and that includes Andy Jagoda). There is no hyperbole there.

Wow high praise. That's pretty much my struggle right there. Familiarity with the program, 3 years, no 12s, and very likely better EM training at Temple. But I struggle to get past nicer location/facilities, broader name appeal, and academic opportunities at Penn. First world rank problems I guess.

 

[Apollyon]

Wow high praise. That's pretty much my struggle right there. Familiarity with the program, 3 years, no 12s, and very likely better EM training at Temple. But I struggle to get past nicer location/facilities, broader name appeal, and academic opportunities at Penn. First world rank problems I guess.

It's only 3 years, dude - you wanna get FILTHY during residency, because you're time limited. Get the best training you can!

 

[alpinism]

No judgment on my procrastination - it's how I do life, and it is how I'm doing my rank list. I'll gladly submit my list and stats after tomorrow to help future applicants. Otherwise, could use some help/opinions on my 2-7 (I know, wtf). Also, I'm from the Midwest & somewhat partial to staying around here...my #1 is U of Chi.
Here is how it currently stands (subject to change by the time you read this post)...

2- Regions in St. Paul
- Got a great vibe and was happy when I left. Admin seems to really have the residents backs and take their feedback into account and actually change things.
?: I'm single, my boyfriend is moving with me - however seemed like program was predominantly families? Not sure that would be my vibe. Also, I'm into clinical research, not sure how possible/easy that would be here...

3-UConn
- Got a great vibe again. Loved all the residents and faculty I met. Large program with lots of personalities, all over the board. HUGE volume with plenty of trauma. Great peds. Great sim center.
?: It's in Hartford - how much does that suck? Also, the cons of big program are very real too- they even have limited space.

4-Rush
- Love Chicago. Hospital really supports the program and wants it to succeed. Plenty of other successful and prestigious programs there.
?: Being the first class - turf wars, potential of crappy rotations, other specialties being weary. How do I know if I will get along with whoever my class is? Also, the ED seemed dead on my tour...

5- Iowa (home institution, I'll provide details later but don't need feedback on this)

6- Arkansas
- LOVED the residents and faculty. Left this feeling very happy. Also quite an established program who knows what they are doing.
?: It's in Arkansas... not sure how Little Rock really is. I've heard it is 'hickish.' Also, not strongly an academic program. Smaller ED, too - what is that?

7- Nebraska
- Love Omaha, programs seems pretty solid. High pay. Lots to do. Variety of residents with lots of personality. Solid ED.


Any opinions on any of these programs? I'm a below average applicant, but 'prestige' of my residency program is somewhat important to me, as is a huge alumni network. Any thoughts on this list/programs/etc - I am more than happy to hear it!

Regions is mostly families however there are usually a few single residents in each class.

Im confused though are you single or do you have a serious boyfriend who's moving with you to a new city for residency?

 

[doggydog]

Regions is mostly families however there are usually a few single residents in each class.

Im confused though are you single or do you have a serious boyfriend who's moving with you to a new city for residency?

Hey, don't hate on someone looking for a little somethin-somethin on the side.

 

[Emapplicant 2017]

Haha nice - looking forward to any other thoughts you have (esp on Cook where you rotated). Funny how lists work out - UCLA OV actually in my top three - love the faculty/focus on teaching and great mix of county and academic/quaternary and of course location....

Your top 3 are (in different order) in my top 4. I had to do a double-take when I saw your username... lol

I'll edit mine later but...

1. UCSF- Fresno

2. U Chicago

3. UNM Albuquerqe

4. Cook (rotated)

5. Vegas

6. Davis

7. Maricopa

8. Mayo

9. Cooper/CMRU

10. Highland

11. UCLA-Olive

12. U of Utah

13. OHSU

14. UT-Nashville/Murfreesboro

 

[einstein1990]

Hey, don't hate on someone looking for a little somethin-somethin on the side.

Ha!!

I should've clarified; I am single, i.e. not engaged or married, but you are correct that my boyfriend (non-med) is moving with me!

 

[alpinism]

Ive got my top 3 figured out but trying to figure out the next few on my list and any thoughts appreciated (I could easily see matching lower down on my list). Would be happy all of these places, ultimately prob just mostly about personal choice. Likely to end up doing some academics though more on education or crit care than research side, dont really care about 3v4. Important for me to be somewhere where I feel like people are really into and excited about EM, not just trying to get through residency to make money. Prob like Cook and Fresno more but Chicago is cold/hard to have a yard and Fresnos air quality honestly kinda freaks me out...


Cook County – Pros Well known county program with a great focus on teaching, graduated level of responsibility. I loved the feel of the ED. Got the feeling that the APDs are very involved, more than any other program. Used to be a 2-4 program where you did a prelim intern year, now 1-4. Faculty seems very focused on teaching (I really liked every single interviewer), residents seem pretty happy. See a ton of sick patients and get a lot of procedures. PD is very laid back, supportive of residents. Lots of excellent community hospital experiences later on.
Miscellaneous: Trauma and peds experience different from most programs. There are only 4 Ped ED months, but you can see pediatric patients overnight in the Adult ED when the Peds ED closes, and you will see peds patients on the community hospital rotations.. Trauma is only 14 weeks throughout years 2-4, but when you are there all you do is see a disgusting amount of trauma and are heavily involved in managing patients and doing procedures. You will also put that knowledge to use in your community hospital shifts where I was told you get plenty of trauma, and get minor trauma during Adult ED shifts. Sounds like its different but works. I actually prefer medically sick patients so its fine for me. Offservice months sound hit or miss. Two IM floor months. Everyone loves burn ICU month intern year.
Cons: 4 years, Chicago is cold, the trauma and Peds situation may be negative for some. Not much ICU after 1st year. Definite county problems that can be frustrating – Scut, social work, resource poor environment.

UNM Albuquerque - Pros: Very cool program. All the residents seemed super happy, and the pre-interview dinner was super chill with lots of SOs and nurses etc. ABQ is kind of a funky little town. Super easy access to get out of the city into the outdoors. Great county experience/pathology with huuge catchment basin. Most people seem to really like aways here. They do have a boarding problem but they say the critical patients go up to the ICU quick which is nice. Its one thing to board a not too complicated patient and another to board someone you really have to watch. EM-CC faculty are like 2/3 of the STICU and there is a lot of ICU time. Lots of Md/PhDs doing research which isn’t my thing necessarily, but may be attractive for others. 40% going into academics which is pretty high. Darren Braude well known for airway. Unique experience where you can work with RDMS ultrasonographer to get technically proficient. Ortho is ED consult month. 12 residents/year
Cons: Boarding can definitely be an issue. ABQ just feels kinda remote, not sure how well known outside of southwest, didn’t really click with the faculty I met.
Miscellaneous. No PICU but time in NICU receiving from OB for 2 weeks.

UCSF Fresno - My advisor said out of all the places I ranked, this might give me the best pure clinical training, but not so much academically. Incredible pathology, sick patients. Ive never seen more hallways patients. Lots of other services are not available so you do your own ENT/Optho which I see as a strength. For trauma, airway, primary and secondary survey, and there is pretty much always an EM guy on trauma service splitting procedures with ED resident. Strongest program at hospital. Residents all seemed really happy and really loved their program. The interim PD is likely to become the new PD and I really liked how upfront she was about the program. Told us how many people had left the program over the years (very few), the problems with boarding and what they were looking for. Attendings will pick up their own patients – which means they still know what its like to run their own patients. Lots of electives/tracks can be done longitudinally by reducing the amount of EM shifts/month and/or doing EM shifts during other rotations it seems. Next president of EMRA is from here. Seems like increasing EMRAP connection there. *Easy* to get to some of the best outdoors the US has to offer. 10 residents/year
Cons: Air quality was the biggest turnoff for me, have to live for 4 years in Fresno…. Boarding and not like UNM where at least ICU patients go up quickly. Only 2 months ICU but sounds like with boarding you still manage these patients in the ED and get your ICU time there

U of A Tucson, University program Arizona – Pros: Heard from some people I trust its a really strong program. Solid CC, airway and cardiac resuscitation research going on (Apparently good state database.) Very strong critical care/EM connection. Curriculum is EM heavy. Residents were all very happy (though one rubbed me the wrong way very strongly). 2/3rds of the time at the main hospital, 1/3 at the more county South campus (where there is a sister EM residency.) Strong research program for residents: Scholar quest. Can also do subspecialty residency track. Tucson seems to be improving. 15 residents/year not including EM/Peds and South campus who you also work with.
Cons: Can’t do codes until you’ve done anesthesia and trauma rotations PGY1 which sucks if you don’t have them til the end. Hotter than Albuquerque but apparently you can get up into some higher elevation/cooler temps pretty easy when it gets real hot during the summer.
Miscellaneous: One of the few combined EM/Peds programs. Great salary for COL. Work with multiple attendings per shift. They keep the light pollution down at night so the observatories can see the stars – so you can too.

If you don't like the fact that Arizona makes you wait to participate in codes then you probably won't like graduated responsibility.

At Cook you don't get to be the resuscitation resident till 3rd year.

At Fresno you aren't allowed to do resuscitations till halfway through 2nd year.

 

[alpinism]

Ha!!

I should've clarified; I am single, i.e. not engaged or married, but you are correct that my boyfriend (non-med) is moving with me!

Gotcha.

Regardless MSP is a fun city and its pretty easy to find things to do on off days.

 

[carbonizedeyesockets]

Not to pile on, but I'm in a glass case of emotion. Penn (name/opportunities outside the ED) or Temple (love the people/better within the ED)? I see my future in academics/education if that helps.

Wow high praise. That's pretty much my struggle right there. Familiarity with the program, 3 years, no 12s, and very likely better EM training at Temple. But I struggle to get past nicer location/facilities, broader name appeal, and academic opportunities at Penn. First world rank problems I guess.

You want to do academics? Then the best thing to do is become a great clinician. Also, it is not how nice the facility is, but the training you get inside of it that matters. There's a name appeal within EM and it doesn't work like it does for IM or surgery. A name that impresses your parents may not impress others in EM.

 

[Emapplicant 2017]

If you don't like the fact that Arizona makes you wait to participate in codes then you probably won't like graduated responsibility.

At Cook you don't get to be the resuscitation resident till 3rd year.

At Fresno you aren't allowed to do resuscitations till halfway through 2nd year.

Ah good point, thanks for pointing that out, hadn't thought of it like that. Honestly, I don't really care about it that much, I prob just wrote it down cause it stuck out in my mind as very specific. I think I'm fine with graduated responsibility, esp if a 4 year program.

I can't remember if Tucson was you can't participate or just can't run them til done with those two rotations.....Assuming run them. If you can meaningfully participate thats fine

 

[alexalex]

No judgment on my procrastination - it's how I do life, and it is how I'm doing my rank list. I'll gladly submit my list and stats after tomorrow to help future applicants. Otherwise, could use some help/opinions on my 2-7 (I know, wtf). Also, I'm from the Midwest & somewhat partial to staying around here...my #1 is U of Chi.
Here is how it currently stands (subject to change by the time you read this post)...

2- Regions in St. Paul
- Got a great vibe and was happy when I left. Admin seems to really have the residents backs and take their feedback into account and actually change things.
?: I'm single, my boyfriend is moving with me - however seemed like program was predominantly families? Not sure that would be my vibe. Also, I'm into clinical research, not sure how possible/easy that would be here...

3-UConn
- Got a great vibe again. Loved all the residents and faculty I met. Large program with lots of personalities, all over the board. HUGE volume with plenty of trauma. Great peds. Great sim center.
?: It's in Hartford - how much does that suck? Also, the cons of big program are very real too- they even have limited space.

4-Rush
- Love Chicago. Hospital really supports the program and wants it to succeed. Plenty of other successful and prestigious programs there.
?: Being the first class - turf wars, potential of crappy rotations, other specialties being weary. How do I know if I will get along with whoever my class is? Also, the ED seemed dead on my tour...

5- Iowa (home institution, I'll provide details later but don't need feedback on this)

6- Arkansas
- LOVED the residents and faculty. Left this feeling very happy. Also quite an established program who knows what they are doing.
?: It's in Arkansas... not sure how Little Rock really is. I've heard it is 'hickish.' Also, not strongly an academic program. Smaller ED, too - what is that?

7- Nebraska
- Love Omaha, programs seems pretty solid. High pay. Lots to do. Variety of residents with lots of personality. Solid ED.


Any opinions on any of these programs? I'm a below average applicant, but 'prestige' of my residency program is somewhat important to me, as is a huge alumni network. Any thoughts on this list/programs/etc - I am more than happy to hear it!

I would probably place rush lower being newer and not well established. Sounds like you really like 6 & 7. Other than the new one, sounds like all good established programs so think about where you would be the happiest and go from there 🙂

 

[zyx189]

How did people feel about Hackensack? I really liked the program and residents... the only thing is that it is a newer program. Been around for 4 years or so and will have 2 graduating classes by this July

 

[EMrez2017]

How did people feel about Hackensack? I really liked the program and residents... the only thing is that it is a newer program. Been around for 4 years or so and will have 2 graduating classes by this July

Really liked the program overall. Super super nice/enthusiastic PD and great overall staff. Great hospital, clean/big/new ED. Residents seem happy overall.
Concerns: Still a new-ish program, seems like they are still developing the teaching staff, no real fellowships yet.

 

['murica]

Ive got my top 3 figured out but trying to figure out the next few on my list and any thoughts appreciated (I could easily see matching lower down on my list). Would be happy all of these places, ultimately prob just mostly about personal choice. Likely to end up doing some academics though more on education or crit care than research side, dont really care about 3v4. Important for me to be somewhere where I feel like people are really into and excited about EM, not just trying to get through residency to make money. Prob like Cook and Fresno more but Chicago is cold/hard to have a yard and Fresnos air quality honestly kinda freaks me out...


Cook County – Pros Well known county program with a great focus on teaching, graduated level of responsibility. I loved the feel of the ED. Got the feeling that the APDs are very involved, more than any other program. Used to be a 2-4 program where you did a prelim intern year, now 1-4. Faculty seems very focused on teaching (I really liked every single interviewer), residents seem pretty happy. See a ton of sick patients and get a lot of procedures. PD is very laid back, supportive of residents. Lots of excellent community hospital experiences later on.
Miscellaneous: Trauma and peds experience different from most programs. There are only 4 Ped ED months, but you can see pediatric patients overnight in the Adult ED when the Peds ED closes, and you will see peds patients on the community hospital rotations.. Trauma is only 14 weeks throughout years 2-4, but when you are there all you do is see a disgusting amount of trauma and are heavily involved in managing patients and doing procedures. You will also put that knowledge to use in your community hospital shifts where I was told you get plenty of trauma, and get minor trauma during Adult ED shifts. Sounds like its different but works. I actually prefer medically sick patients so its fine for me. Offservice months sound hit or miss. Two IM floor months. Everyone loves burn ICU month intern year.
Cons: 4 years, Chicago is cold, the trauma and Peds situation may be negative for some. Not much ICU after 1st year. Definite county problems that can be frustrating – Scut, social work, resource poor environment.

UNM Albuquerque - Pros: Very cool program. All the residents seemed super happy, and the pre-interview dinner was super chill with lots of SOs and nurses etc. ABQ is kind of a funky little town. Super easy access to get out of the city into the outdoors. Great county experience/pathology with huuge catchment basin. Most people seem to really like aways here. They do have a boarding problem but they say the critical patients go up to the ICU quick which is nice. Its one thing to board a not too complicated patient and another to board someone you really have to watch. EM-CC faculty are like 2/3 of the STICU and there is a lot of ICU time. Lots of Md/PhDs doing research which isn’t my thing necessarily, but may be attractive for others. 40% going into academics which is pretty high. Darren Braude well known for airway. Unique experience where you can work with RDMS ultrasonographer to get technically proficient. Ortho is ED consult month. 12 residents/year
Cons: Boarding can definitely be an issue. ABQ just feels kinda remote, not sure how well known outside of southwest, didn’t really click with the faculty I met.
Miscellaneous. No PICU but time in NICU receiving from OB for 2 weeks.

UCSF Fresno - My advisor said out of all the places I ranked, this might give me the best pure clinical training, but not so much academically. Incredible pathology, sick patients. Ive never seen more hallways patients. Lots of other services are not available so you do your own ENT/Optho which I see as a strength. For trauma, airway, primary and secondary survey, and there is pretty much always an EM guy on trauma service splitting procedures with ED resident. Strongest program at hospital. Residents all seemed really happy and really loved their program. The interim PD is likely to become the new PD and I really liked how upfront she was about the program. Told us how many people had left the program over the years (very few), the problems with boarding and what they were looking for. Attendings will pick up their own patients – which means they still know what its like to run their own patients. Lots of electives/tracks can be done longitudinally by reducing the amount of EM shifts/month and/or doing EM shifts during other rotations it seems. Next president of EMRA is from here. Seems like increasing EMRAP connection there. *Easy* to get to some of the best outdoors the US has to offer. 10 residents/year
Cons: Air quality was the biggest turnoff for me, have to live for 4 years in Fresno…. Boarding and not like UNM where at least ICU patients go up quickly. Only 2 months ICU but sounds like with boarding you still manage these patients in the ED and get your ICU time there

U of A Tucson, University program Arizona – Pros: Heard from some people I trust its a really strong program. Solid CC, airway and cardiac resuscitation research going on (Apparently good state database.) Very strong critical care/EM connection. Curriculum is EM heavy. Residents were all very happy (though one rubbed me the wrong way very strongly). 2/3rds of the time at the main hospital, 1/3 at the more county South campus (where there is a sister EM residency.) Strong research program for residents: Scholar quest. Can also do subspecialty residency track. Tucson seems to be improving. 15 residents/year not including EM/Peds and South campus who you also work with.
Cons: Can’t do codes until you’ve done anesthesia and trauma rotations PGY1 which sucks if you don’t have them til the end. Hotter than Albuquerque but apparently you can get up into some higher elevation/cooler temps pretty easy when it gets real hot during the summer.
Miscellaneous: One of the few combined EM/Peds programs. Great salary for COL. Work with multiple attendings per shift. They keep the light pollution down at night so the observatories can see the stars – so you can too.

FYI, Fresno has more than 2 months ICU: 2 months MICU, 2 months TICU, 1 month PICU

 

[gamerEMdoc]

It's only 3 years, dude - you wanna get FILTHY during residency, because you're time limited. Get the best training you can!

Hell yeah what this guy said! Wish everyone thought like you!

Get filthy! Haha


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[doggydog]

Submitted anonymously, via Google Form.

Applicant Summary:
Step 1: 240, Step 2: 228
EM rotations: H/H
Medical school region: Southwest
Any part of your application that made you more competitive?
My SLOEs were apparently very strong according to interviewers. Personal experiences as a patient.

Main Considerations in Creating this ROL:
Program/people fit = city fit = SO views of city > location/outdoors = pediatric training.

I am thinking I will fellowship in PEM so pediatric EM experience was of the utmost importance for the programs; also considering fellowships in EMS, global. Houses with yards affordable in the city are ideal because of dogs.

1) The Ohio State University -
Pros: Large academic medical center in a city that is the perfect size for me. Pediatric experience unparalleled. Hospital has the "pillar of community" feel. Huge focus on resident wellness, supportive PD/APDs. Great things to do in the city. Can live near the hospital, plus bike trails around city that connect very easily. Peds experience is unparalleled at one of the best children's hospitals in the country (Nationwide). SO has family in the area.

Cons: A little bit of a drive to decent outdoor activities although it is fairly reasonable.

2) University of Alabama at Birmingham -
Pros: Rotated here, love the residents, attendings, the city. Program is really a hidden gem, patient population is sick, residents given a lot of autonomy. Overall warm "fuzzy" feelings about UAB. Outdoor stuff around/near Birmingham is good. Overall just fit well here; didn't think any program would compare and throughout I thought UAB was going to be my number 1.

Cons: Cannot live near the medical center in a house as easy as other places (commutes are not bad in Birmingham at all).

3) UCSF - Fresno -
Pros: Strong, well respected, old program. Fresno is my kind of city with ample outdoor stuff nearby, great culture. The residents are more my kind of people than anywhere else I interviewed. Great job opportunities for SO. Pediatric experience is great.

Cons: 4 years and given this SO might need to delay her graduate education (only one NP program in the city).

4) UTHSC at San Antonio -
Pros: This program is a really strong residency that has just started to get its footing; has great leadership, gorgeous new hospital, sick patients. San Antonio is a very livable city, can buy a nicer house near the hospital with a good yard for my dogs. SO has plenty of job opportunities and no safety concerns about the area around the hospital. Residents are my type of people.

Cons: Outdoor stuff is existent but not as good as I would prefer, newer program (has graduated classes though), pediatric experience undergoing some change with the new peds ED in the hospital so residents possibly switching from CHOSA to university hospital (but is and will remain strong)

5) University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences -
Pros: Old established residency. Little Rock is a great city for outdoor stuff, has a great climate for being outside in the winter, couldn't help the feeling that I was in large Colorado mountain town while I was there. Great food, beer in the city. Lots of jobs for SO. Can live next to the hospital in biking/walking distance. Residents very much my kind of people.

Cons: Very few residents pursue fellowship, SO has safety concerns about Little Rock. The name of UAMS seems smaller considering how old the program is. Peds friends have told me the peds residency is weak, but I don’t think this translates to the PEM experience.

6) University of Texas HSC at Houston -
Pros: Old, established, strong residency. MHH is very high volume and acuity, LBJ is a nice community/county hybrid hospital. Residents are cool, faculty seem receptive towards resident input. Houston has a ton of stuff to do, close to the beach. Safe housing near hospital (but pricey for anything with a yard). Lots of jobs for SO and lots of graduate degree schools for her as well. 1 month in TCH PED is a huge plus, the rest of peds in the PED in MHH is high volume and acuity.

Cons: Huge metropolis which is not my style, lack of outdoor stuff nearby however city parks are top notch.

7) University of New Mexico -
Pros: Well respected program, EM has a lot of power within the system. ABQ is a good city for outdoor activities, beer, etc. Residents are great people, attendings are awesome too. EMS is a powerhouse. Safe-ish housing near hospital. EM runs ICUs (not a big deal for me though).

Cons: Huge boarding problems in the ED due to lack of beds upstairs (New adult hospital is at least 4 years away) - EM often has to fight for admissions due to this issue (maybe good learning experience from this). ABQ has a lot of property crime that is diffuse in the city (not confined to one area). Ranked lower because SO and I want to leave the southwest.

8) University of Arizona - South Campus -
Pros: Sick patient population at a county/community hospital with interspersed shifts at the academic center. EM runs the trauma at South (although level 4 designation), great psych experience at South, love the feel of the residents, big under-served population/make a difference vibe which is great. Lots of shift coverage due to the 2 programs being able to cover each other (makes vacation scheduling easy). Peds track with Ped/EM double boarded faculty is a plus

Cons: Affordable and nice housing but not near UMC South. Ranked lower because SO and I want to leave the southwest.

9) John Peter Smith -
Pros: Loved the residents, and faculty. Fort Worth is a safe, clean, friendly city. EM runs JPS, residents see sick patients with procedure numbers through the roof. Affordable and nice housing w/ yards in Fort Worth.

Cons: Less academic of a program in general, commute to Dallas (CHOD) for PEM shifts. Outdoor stuff pretty much non existent. Possibly due to experiences at CHOD residents need PICU in Temple.

10) University of Tennessee at Nashville -
Pros: The faculty are very charismatic and receptive to residents feedback. Residents are really cool people. I like the vibes of Murfreesboro, it's a nice suburban college town with enough to do and only a 30min drive to Nashville. Very close to decent outdoor stuff, and 2 hours from some great stuff.

Cons: Would be 3rd class, trauma is totally up in the air right now as UT-Memphis wasn't working out, now looking at Skyline in Nashville vs another UT site for trauma. Peds is a good volume at base hospital but acuity is lower, so go to UT Chattanooga (1.5hrs away) for PICU.

11) University of Miami - Jackson Health
Pros: Faculty at this program have a vision of creating a POWERHOUSE residency and the patient's/hospital are definitely there to do so. Even though its new everyone in the country has heard of Jackson, I think it will be a big name in 10 years. Really well structured programs, interns are really happy and cool people. Miami would be a fun city to live in. EMS really strong.

Cons: Traffic will not be good for us as to have a house with a yard in a safe area you need to live far-ish from Jackson. COL is higher in Miami than all other places I'm looking at. Outdoor stuff is not what I'm accustomed to, might like it, might not.

12) Rush University
Pros: Rush is an academic center, stronger ties to cook county than most other EM programs in Chicago making the trauma months probably go smoother. Curriculum is designed very EM-centric, and seems like it will minimize not useful off service rotations. PD and APDs are very enthusiastic about the program and creating one that is truly great.

Cons: NEW, being the first class leaves A LOT of unknowns, being at a large academic center like Rush will minimize them though. Chicago is cold, definitely the coldest place on my whole list. High cost of living, poor outdoor access (but good trails in the city for running when it's warm)

13) Louisiana State University - New Orleans
Pros: Gorgeous new hospital, incredible pathology and volume at the center. 50% penetrating trauma. EM runs all trauma. Residents are really cool, PD is enthusiastic and seems incredible. EMS experience/disaster is unparalleled (just watch the show Nightwatch to see what I mean). City would be fun to live in, great vibrant culture.

Cons: 4 years, SO is concerned about safety and there does not seem to be good options for housing with yards near the hospital or even in the city proper (although safe apt complexes are around). Traffic is awful.

14) University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Pros: Great pathology in the hospital, always would have something to do in the city. Outdoor stuff is good.

Cons: Residents and I didn't really jive as well as other places, didn't get the sense that the hospital was a well functioning system, and EM seemed very bottom of the food chain, living in Vegas isn't a great thing for my SO and I as we think it would get old fast. SO vetoes city/leave the southwest.

15) Texas Tech - El Paso
Pros: Patients are sick, good volume to hospital with pathology from Juarez in the mix. Primarily Spanish speaking. Love the culture of the city.

Cons: Did not mesh well with residents or faculty. Faculty felt very intense and residents overall did not seem to like their lives outside of work (work/life balance issues maybe due to some residents comments). El Paso as a city leaves a lot to be desired considering it being a medium sized city. Smoggy city. SO vetoes city/leave the southwest

Other:
Invited but did not interview - UCF, Memorial Health System, Myrtle Beach, LSU-BR

Wait-listed - UWash, UCSD

 

[doggydog]

Submitted anonymously, via Google Form.

Applicant Summary:
Step 1: 239, Step 2: 250
EM rotations: H at home, HP at away
Medical school region: Midwest
Anything else that made you more competitive:
Very well rounded - Very very strong research/academics in ECs

Main Considerations in Creating this ROL:
Location, program fit, i wanted multiple different practice settings and sites

1) UCSD -
Pros: Loved the residents, seemed super laid back and chill, rotate through some cool hospitals. Flight medicine. Every fellowship imaginable, where I want to live (I'm from California) and probably my #2 program in terms of liking the program itself.

Cons: 40k @ Hillcrest, not the best trauma experiences (but its supplemented by some rotations that are procedure heavy)

2) Johns Hopkins -
Pros: Loved this program. Really seemed like the best fit for me program wise, has really good everything. Love what they do with their fourth year. Seems like a good mix of hyper-academic, community, and research. Great fit of a program for me.

Cons: I don't think i really fit in super well with the people they're recruiting. I'm a Californian/Hawaiian kid at heart. Really liked the residents at resident dinner, but didn't feel like I'd be a super good fit for them. I feel they're a good fit for me, but I'm not great for them. Baltimore......

3) UIC (Tied with Downstate, unsure how it'll turn out by tonight) -
Pros: Loved this program. Seems really close knit. Good work/life balance. Really happy residents it seems. I love the different sites. Dr. Snow/Bunney seem like they've got such a good idea of what they want this program to be and what the future looks like for it. Great vibes from this program. 18 10s sounds really nice too! Chicago is great

Cons: Don't really know much about how good of training this is given all I hear about in Chicago are Advocate Christ and Cook County.

4) SUNY Downstate Kings County -
Pros: What a training opportunity. Tons of volume, tons of sick patients, tons of everything. Lots of trauma. Love the mini-fellowships, seems like a cool way to dip your feet into something and learn a lot without necessarily needing to do a fellowship.

Cons: I like New York. I don't know if I "4 years" like New York. NY Nurses... but that doesn't bother me that much since I also want to be super good at simple things like lines and all that. I have no idea what the residents are like since only like 2-3 showed up for the dinner... which I've heard isn't a great sign.

5) UCLA OV -
Pros: What a great bunch of residents. Really cool people that I definitely clicked with super well. Really cool faculty. Love UCLA and have some family history there. Living in Venice area in my 20s would be great. Good training, good mix of bread and butter w/ academics. It's in California, which is big for me to be near family.

Cons: I don't like LA, but it is California... and west LA is way more tolerable than most of LA. I also got a very weird vibe from some of the attendings, really stand-offish. Just have a gut feeling that I don't know how to interpret here. This started as number 2, but has steadily slid down. I don't like the commute to Olive View one bit. I don't like 12s for all four years.

 

[neverclonealone]

I'm finding that over the past week I've been reconsidering my rank list, which I'd felt pretty confident in, partly because I'm now doubting some of the rankings that were strongly influenced by interview-day impressions and returning (regressing?) toward my initial, pre-interview, perceptions of programs. I'm now thinking, you know what, the vibe at that program wasn't so bad—it could be a pretty cool place to train. Or, yeah, that place felt like a great fit, but is it really that impressive a program?

Is anyone else having this experience, where the value you place on interview-day impressions is waning? What are you thinking about it? Do any of you who are farther along in your training have advice on this? Thanks, and good luck to everyone.

 

[DocBeardface]

I'm finding that over the past week I've been reconsidering my rank list, which I'd felt pretty confident in, partly because I'm now doubting some of the rankings that were strongly influenced by interview-day impressions and returning (regressing?) toward my initial, pre-interview, perceptions of programs. I'm now thinking, you know what, the vibe at that program wasn't so bad—it could be a pretty cool place to train. Or, yeah, that place felt like a great fit, but is it really that impressive a program?

Is anyone else having this experience, where the value you place on interview-day impressions is waning? What are you thinking about it? Do and of you who are farther along in your training have advice on this? Thanks, and good luck to everyone.

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