2018-2019 SDN Anesthesia Rank Order List Anonymous Form

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Dr.Jekyll75

Dr.Jekyll75

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2018-2019 SDN Anesthesia Rank Order List Anonymous Form

Hopefully, this is Decent, will post responses as soon as people do it

EDIT: Guys remember this thread is to help others or to get insight into why others rank programs on certain spots.
- DO NOT JUST ATTACK PEOPLE IF THEY SAY SOMETHING ABOUT A PROGRAM YOU LIKE OR MAYBE A CURRENT MEMBER OF, GIVE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM PLEASE.
-Please continue the responses coming i usually upload them within 4 hours
Members don't see this ad.
 
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I will put submissions down the following Way:

User Name:
License:
Region:
Pubs:
Step 1:
Step 2:
Level 1:
Level 2:
PE/CS:
Programs:
 
Members don't see this ad :)
User Name: Left Blank
License D.O
Region: Midwest
Pubs:1
Step 1:230s
Step 2: 240s
Level 1: 600-650
Level 2: 550-600
PE/CS: Pass
Programs:

1.KUMC-Felt comfortable and a great fit

2.UNMC-Great program, could be my #1

3.UMKC-Hidden gem, Could potentially be my #1 or 2

4.Tulane-Great city, great PD, quality residents; not fond of HCA as many of our clerkships are at
HCA hospitals and see first hand how they operate (not a fan) and OR paper charting

5.Minnesota-Great city, very nice PD; Got sort of a "meh" feeling but could still see myself training here and think its a good program

6.Iowa-Incredible program; struggle with the idea of living in IA city

7.Maine med center-People are super nice and tons to do in Portland and New England; wasn't fond of the whole private practice thing and worried about education quality; residents were awesome

8.SLU-It was okay. The interview day was unnecessarily long and didn't get the feeling it was a strong program

9.Advocate masonic Chicago-Other than loving Chicago, this place sucked (my opinion). Felt like the chair was a used car salesman and was super arrogant and full of himself. Weird interview day, group interviews where they put you on the spot. Tried to sell the place as the greatest program in Chicago which I highly doubt

10.SUNY Brooklyn-Brooklyn is sweet but COL is super expensive, felt like a below average program, tons of FMG/IMG and felt very workhorse-ish with minimal education. PD was a dick

Recommendations for future Applicants

Get a travel credit card during third year. Apply broadly as 2018-2019 was rather competitive.
 
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User Name: Brozolamide
LicenseD.O
Region:Midwest
Pubs:1
Step 1:220s
Step 2:230s
Level 1:650-700
Level 2:550-600
PE/CS😛ass
Programs:
1.IU-Felt like a good fit, strong program, good exposure,
the downside is they usually take IU students in past, low fellowship matches

2.Henry Ford Detroit- Great fellowships, Cheap living, good pay, amazing exposure to all kinds of patients , great perks, long work hours , previous workhorse program, have to park far away and wait on a shuttle

3.Cooper- Great educational experience, lots of trauma, sketchy living area, newer program so fellowship match is weak,

4.SLU- good sports city, cheap living, decent hours, residents are actually friends, great peds exposure, low fellowship match, Big brother washU next door gets the better transplants unless its trauma

5.DMC- decent community program,takes their own for fellowship, good regional and trauma exposure, ob heavy,free parking. LONG hours, residents were not the happiest, losing alot of attendings, Newer attendings aren't as skilled but like to teach. New PD wants to make wellness changes and change education curriculum through, the lowest paid hospital in the city.

6.Texas Tech: good program with pd changing things quickly. Great moonlighting opportunities, great cases, lots of trauma. PD is well connected and wants everyone in a fellowship. Very affordable housing. Per resident " if you are a single male, you won't be for long". Tech is in the middle of nowhere and hard to get to, outside the city its all farm but inside the city its great.

7.Rutgers Newark: Pd is great and down to earth, great diversity in patients. Residents are all happy and usually get out by 5. Will be losing a rotation site but are getting a new one this year, Expensive city to live in (most residents live in Jersy City), traffic is slow.

8.Wayne State- Newer program in a cheap city, free parking, newer hospital, and good food stipend. The program requires you to do research and will help you get some. Felt like a workhorse program, residents did not seem happy, 5+ calls a month, didn't connect with pd or APD at interview. Just not my fit

9.SEMC: Expensive are to live in, residents told me they work long hours with minimal breaks. New pd

Recommendations for future Applicants

Apply broadly as 2018-2019 was competitive, add prelims early, DO bias is real
 
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username: blank
LicenseD.O,
Region: Midwest
Pubs:0
step 1: 215-220,
Level 1: 550-560,
Step 2: 240-245,
Level 2: 700-710.
PE/CS: Pass

1. Kentucky
2. Indiana
3. Louisville
4. UT San Antonio
5. Albany
6. UF Jacksonville
7. Texas Tech
8. Case Western UH
9. Buffalo
10. DMC
11. Wayne state
 
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User Name:Blank
License😀.O
Region: South East
Pubs: 0
Step 1:230s
Step 2:250s
Level 1:600-650s
Level 2:600-650s
PE/CS: PASS
Programs:
1.
UAB - location close to family and residents were very cool
2.VCU
3.CCF - Florida
4.UK
5.Rush
6.Advocate
7.CWRU - MetroHealth
8.Allegheny
9.Geisinger

Recommendations for future Applicants

D.O.s: I would do always and apply more broadly
 
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Dr.Jekyll75 said:
7.Maine med center-People are super nice and tons to do in Portland and New England; wasn't fond of the whole private practice thing and worried about education quality; residents were awesome
Click to expand...

No interest in Maine Med...that said, your bad vibe association with PP there may be a bit naive....seek clarity with some grown ups....
 
User Name:Booboothefool
LicenseD .O
Region:South East
Pubs:0
Step 1:220s
Step 2:230s
Level 1:500-550s
Level 2:500-550s
PE/CS: PASS
Programs:
1.University of Florida. Pros: Top 20 program, good class size, one call a month, good intern year. Cons: Far from family

2.University of Arkansas. Pros: Near family. Nice people. Cons: residents don't hang out, they've had people fail boards

3.University of Missouri. Pros: Attentive attendings, nice people, best gym in nation, amazing health insurance (basically free everything if you stay with their hospital system). Cons: small program, you have to pay for parking

4.University of West Virginia. Pros: Gorgeous hospital, amazing gym, high ITE scores, they throw so much money at residents. Cons: You have to live in West Virginia

5.University of Cincinnati. Pros: Great city. Nice people. People usually stay after residency to work there. PDs who care.

6.University of Louisville. Pros: Residents are close. Cheap cost of living. Cons: Losing their cardiac rotation at another hospital

7.Mayo Clinic: Jacksonville. Pros: Gorgeous hospital/resident lounge, best support for research. Cons: Only 4 residents per class because of low case load, have to leave hospital often for rotations

8.Georgia College of Medicine. Pros: Seems like PD really wants to listen to residents. Cons: Everyone seemed really weird.

9.Louisiana State University: Shreveport. Pros: good research, high chance of getting in if you're IMG. Cons: Old, disgusting hospital. Have to draw your own blood and walk it to lab. Residents don't seem happy

Recommendations for future Applicants

Do a critical care rotation as well as anesthesia
 
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User Name: Blank
License:USMD
Region: South East
Pubs:2-5
Step 1:210s
Step 2:230s
Level 1:-
Level 2:-
PE/CS:-
Programs:
1.OHSU
2.Georgetown
3.NYU
4.Wake Forest

Recommendations for future Applicants

Left Blank
 
User Name:NiceTryZuckerboi
License: USMD
Region: Non Given
Pubs:1
Step 1:210s
Step 2:240s
Level 1:-
Level 2:-
PE/CS: PASS
Programs:
1.Wake Forest
Pros -Wife liked it the most -Thoughtful and structured curriculum -Emphasis on strong clinical skills -Most genuine and easy to talk to residents on the interview trail
Cons -Admitted ICU weakness compared to other programs

2.University of Alabama :
Pros- Weather Moonlighting starts Oct 1 CA-1, MANY options Fellowships galore Relieved by 3pm Actual perioperative house 6 months ICU TTE and TEE cert available Master in Health Admin without extending residency ($30,000) Free Parking Pancreas and small bowel transplants Dedicated librarian and curriculum developer
Cons - Start last week of June 7am start time in OR 3-4 days of call a month during CA-1 $300/month family insurance

3.University of Florida:
Pros - Fellowships Moonlighting “Easy” intern year Good exposure Health Insurance covered for the entire family Cost of Living Weather
Cons- Parking Costs Not the best OB exposure Florida Man

4.Ohio State:
Pros- Fellowships Good exposure Retirement contribution Cost of Living Some moonlighting but seniors get preference
Cons -Weather

5.UTSW:
Pros-Weather Cheap Flights All fellowships High base pay Tertiary referral center Best training exposure Well funded department Strong board prep TEE rotations Continue to support residents when they fail, no one left behind Full oral board simulation Vapor camp Mix of academic and private hospital exposure Lots of ICU Cons -Dallas cost of living Limited moonlighting During CA-1 have 1 month of in house 24 hour call at VA ICU Dallas traffic

6.Utah:
Pros- Good exposure Rare research and startup opportunities/exposure ECHO certification Moonlighting after 5pm
Cons -Work closer to 65ish hours by one residents estimate Cost of Living Air Quality

7.LSU New Orleans:
Pros-Good exposure Hours (out by 3pm) No nights or weekends Weather (ish) Can moonlight with permission Publications Pain fellowship Most reasonable program director ever
Cons-Location Cost of living CRNAs in the way Have some months away for hearts

8.University of Arkansas:
Pros -Tertiary referral center Stand alone peds Pain fellowship Research Cheap cost of living
Cons -Moonlighting forbidden

9. University of Vermont
Pros- Good exposure Friendly staff Pain Fellowship
Cons -Intern year is half surgery have internal medicine Long hours High cost of living in Burlington Issue meeting case req for hearts until they find new surgeon Healthy people

10.SLU
Pros- Reasonable hours Warmer weather
Cons- Overshadowed by WashU No fellowships St louis isn't that interesting of a city if you don't like sports

11.Beaumont
Pros- Well connected PD and Chair Great regional exposure 55 hrs a week average
Cons -Private practice hospital Small program

12.Case Western Metro Health
Pros - Gym in the hospital
Cons- Cleveland Worst program in the city Small Boast about trauma Long hours

13. Detroit Medical Center
Pros: None Given
Cons 60-70 hours a week average Terrible hospital New PD Losing teaching staff Miserable residents

Recommendations for future Applicants

Do at least 2 rotations in anesthesia, one in a smaller size county program and one at a big academic center to get a real feel which style will best support your needs and learning style during residency. Send out LOI by Oct 15 to your top 8-10 programs that you have not yet heard from. Going to ASA can get your foot in the door for interviews or at least help by getting your application looked at, something I wish I would have done myself.
 
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User Name: Left Blank
License: USMD
Region:Midwest
Pubs:0
Step 1:220s
Step 2:240s
Level 1:-
Level 2:-
PE/CS: Pass
Programs:
1.Cleveland Clinic

2. Case Western

3.Cinci

4. U florida

5.U Arizona

6. IU

7.oschner

8.LSU

9.Oklahoma

10.Downstate

11.Jackson

Recommendations for future Applicants

Apply broadly
 
User Name: Left Blank
License: D.O.
Region:Midwest
Pubs:0
Step 1:230s
Step 2:240s
Level 1:600-650
Level 2:650- 700+
PE/CS😛ass
Programs:
1-2. Nebraska/umich-Training would be similar from what ive seen- ancillaries better at nebraska (better food allowance, parking, COL). CBY seems more chill at UNMC,nebraska/umich-Umich has better name recognition/fellowship opportunity.

3.UMKC-Good training, cardiac numbers, KC would be a good place to be.

4.UTMB-Great training, great people, great program- 4th 2/2 prefering midwest over TX. Good options for CBY year and internal moonlighting.

5.UTSA-Workhorse but good training and got friendly-ish vibes from the residents, seemed like a close-knit group. Good internal moonlighting.

6.Rush- Workhorse but good program and residents seemed friendly albeit somewhat more looking out for themselves. Training is very good. Down on ROL because chicago is not ideal to live IMO.

7.Wayne/DMC- Seemed strong and the people were nice. The APD had lofty goals for the program which I appreciate. Rather live in Detroit than chicago but the paper charting weirded me out.

8.SLU- Would be 3 or 4 but their accreditation problems worry me.

9.Loyola- Weird vibes from interview, again not big on chicago. Would prefer over not matching.

10.New Mexico- Got really weird vibes at the interview- one of the interviews was borderline hostile. Would prefer this to not matching though.

Recommendations for future Applicants

Apply broadly...it's gonna get more competitive over the next few years. Good luck.
 
User Name:Bootspork
License: D.O.
Region: South East
Pubs: 1
Step 1:230s
Step 2:230s
Level 1:550-600
Level 2:600-650
PE/CS: Pass
Programs:
1.MUSC: strong well rounded program in a beautiful city. Great program perks and moonlighting. Residents do well here going into PP but have previously had great fellowship matches. Tons of MUSC alumni stay. Safe, and great for family, but slightly on the expensive side. Weather is great, food is great, and with beaches and family nearby I feel this program is an excellent first rank for my situation.

2.Penn State: strong well rounded program in a more rural location. The program has several fellowship options, and the department is well funded. Good mix of PP and fellowship matches. Centralized hospital system that contains everything in house. Safe, great for family. Great program perks, but no moonlighting. Cold weather.

3. MCW: strong, well rounded. Case load seems high, possibly too high leading to some resident burnout. Tons of MCW alumni stay, even coming back after fellowship to stay on staff. Hospitals networked together through tunnels so most rotations are centralized. Cheap living. Cold weather.

4.UMKC: strong clinical program. Class sizes are small. Cheap cost of living. Cold weather.

5.UConn: strong clinical program with PP. Residents strongly favor regional anesthesia here, many go into fellowship. Residents rotate through 5 hospitals spread apart geographically. Cold weather.

6.UF Jacksonville: very cushy program but it's relatively new and therefore has not established a record of producing great residents, and has a tiny class sizes. The program is also advanced with a guaranteed surgery prelim match for now. They are starting to build their categorical program (IM intern year). The city is beautiful and great for family and food.

7. UArk: some red flags with board failures, and a seeming disconnect between residents and faculty. Tons of UArk alumni stay. CRNAs appear to be malignant in this area of the country, and recently attempted complete takeover of a nearby private hospital. Chair is incredibly intelligent...possibly psychotic. PD is a great guy. Cost of living cannot be beat. Ice storms.

8.Rush: some red flags with board failures. I think it's a great program clinically, but the PD/chair seemed robotic and residents sounded rehearsed. All of previous year's class went into fellowship despite saying they were well prepared for PP. It appears that the PD believes anesthesia residents should all be doing fellowships to secure their jobs. A complete melting pot of personalities. I did not click with Chicago. Cold weather, relatively expensive, dangerous city.

9.MCG-Augusta University: word of mouth from other students. Multiple residents, staff, even some faculty say don't come here unless it's your absolute last option. Lots of IMGs and previous surgery residents give this program the appearance of a dumping ground. Great weather, great cost of living. Hospital is ugly.

Recommendations for future Applicants

DOs: Do aways at residency programs, apply as broadly as possible, and send letters of interest early in the interview season to as many programs as you can. I got my #1 program interview invite directly from a LOI to the coordinator late in the cycle. It appears geography is a strong determinant of interviews based on other applicants feedback, stronger than any 'DO bias' or board scores this year, so apply around your school's address on ERAS. Quality of interviews appears to correlate to board scores, but number of interviews is anyone's guess; 80-100 applications is not too many for average DO applicants looking to get to 10 IIs. Set aside $10k for interview season and expect to spend half of that. Be genuine during interviews and know your application back to front. Read last season's spreadsheet to get a good idea of some great programs.
 
Dr.Jekyll75 said:
User Name: Blank
License:USMD
Region: South East
Pubs:2-5
Step 1:210s
Step 2:230s
Level 1:-
Level 2:-
PE/CS:-
Programs:
1.OHSU
2.Georgetown
3.NYU
4.Wake Forest

Recommendations for future Applicants

Left Blank
Click to expand...


Those are some quality interviews with lousy board scores.....but maybe not enough to match.
 
Dr.Jekyll75 said:
User Name:Bootspork
License: D.O.
Region: South East
Pubs: 1
Step 1:230s
Step 2:230s
Level 1:550-600
Level 2:600-650
PE/CS: Pass
Programs:
1.MUSC: strong well rounded program in a beautiful city. Great program perks and moonlighting. Residents do well here going into PP but have previously had great fellowship matches. Tons of MUSC alumni stay. Safe, and great for family, but slightly on the expensive side. Weather is great, food is great, and with beaches and family nearby I feel this program is an excellent first rank for my situation.

2.Penn State: strong well rounded program in a more rural location. The program has several fellowship options, and the department is well funded. Good mix of PP and fellowship matches. Centralized hospital system that contains everything in house. Safe, great for family. Great program perks, but no moonlighting. Cold weather.

3. MCW: strong, well rounded. Case load seems high, possibly too high leading to some resident burnout. Tons of MCW alumni stay, even coming back after fellowship to stay on staff. Hospitals networked together through tunnels so most rotations are centralized. Cheap living. Cold weather.

4.UMKC: strong clinical program. Class sizes are small. Cheap cost of living. Cold weather.

5.UConn: strong clinical program with PP. Residents strongly favor regional anesthesia here, many go into fellowship. Residents rotate through 5 hospitals spread apart geographically. Cold weather.

6.UF Jacksonville: very cushy program but it's relatively new and therefore has not established a record of producing great residents, and has a tiny class sizes. The program is also advanced with a guaranteed surgery prelim match for now. They are starting to build their categorical program (IM intern year). The city is beautiful and great for family and food.

7. UArk: some red flags with board failures, and a seeming disconnect between residents and faculty. Tons of UArk alumni stay. CRNAs appear to be malignant in this area of the country, and recently attempted complete takeover of a nearby private hospital. Chair is incredibly intelligent...possibly psychotic. PD is a great guy. Cost of living cannot be beat. Ice storms.

8.Rush: some red flags with board failures. I think it's a great program clinically, but the PD/chair seemed robotic and residents sounded rehearsed. All of previous year's class went into fellowship despite saying they were well prepared for PP. It appears that the PD believes anesthesia residents should all be doing fellowships to secure their jobs. A complete melting pot of personalities. I did not click with Chicago. Cold weather, relatively expensive, dangerous city.

9.MCG-Augusta University: word of mouth from other students. Multiple residents, staff, even some faculty say don't come here unless it's your absolute last option. Lots of IMGs and previous surgery residents give this program the appearance of a dumping ground. Great weather, great cost of living. Hospital is ugly.

Recommendations for future Applicants

DOs: Do aways at residency programs, apply as broadly as possible, and send letters of interest early in the interview season to as many programs as you can. I got my #1 program interview invite directly from a LOI to the coordinator late in the cycle. It appears geography is a strong determinant of interviews based on other applicants feedback, stronger than any 'DO bias' or board scores this year, so apply around your school's address on ERAS. Quality of interviews appears to correlate to board scores, but number of interviews is anyone's guess; 80-100 applications is not too many for average DO applicants looking to get to 10 IIs. Set aside $10k for interview season and expect to spend half of that. Be genuine during interviews and know your application back to front. Read last season's spreadsheet to get a good idea of some great programs.
Click to expand...

Attempted CRNA takeover at local private hospital in Ark? Sounds like quite a story behind that one.
 
User Name: Left Blank
License:USMD
Region:Midwest
Pubs:2-5
Step 1:230s
Step 2:220s
Level 1:
Level 2:
PE/CS:left blank
Programs:
1.UCLA
2.Columbia
3.Beth Israel
4.USC
5.UC Davis
6.UChicago
7.Utah
8.Emory
9.UT-houston
10.Yale
11.Tufts
12.Montefiore

Recommendations for future Applicants

Apply broadly and write down your impressions after interviews. Be merry.
 
UnoMas said:
Those are highly sought after programs- many applicants will rank them high on their lists and those programs might rank other applicants higher than that student.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Those publications probably are what saved him along with any aways


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gasmasked said:
Agreed. Those publications probably are what saved him along with any aways


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Click to expand...

Long time lurker, first time poster. OP of the rank list everyone seems suspicious of given low board scores. I'm a US MD at a good school with a good anesthesia program. NO AWAYS; not an ethnic minority. Only posted my top 4 because that's where I'm hoping to land but I did get 14 interviews, went on 11 so I should be fine. I'm honestly shocked I got some of those places too; it honestly feels like a mistake at times. I think the biggest thing going for me is that I have strong, unique life experiences that I don't think many other people can say. I think that made me stand out to some of these recruitment committees despite my low board scores. Perhaps my LORs were strong too but no one has ever mentioned them so idk. Unlikely I'll match at any of the 4, but hey a kid can dream right? The chair at one of programs did email me saying he hopes to see me come June! If I'm fortunate enough to match at one of those 4, I might do a writeup for future applicants saying what made me stand out despite my low scores. Cheers.

PS. chromuffin, you doing right? Haven't seen you post in awhile.
 
Kevin Durant said:
That actually pisses me off that someone can slack off and not study, or just do poorly on Step 1, and still get into top program based on the color of their skin. It means someone else who studied 14 hours a day and crushed Step 1 got shafted from their dream program.
Click to expand...

Who knows how they ended up there but color of skin may not be the reasons maybe they rotated there or have family connections. Hell of my classmates fathers is a PD in optho and is good friends with a derm pd. The girl has below a 550 and no step and will likely match derm cuz of it. I understand your frustration but I don’t think skin color was it.


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Mona nucleosis said:
One of the residents at Columbia had a 205 on step 1. Nothing special on their application beside the possible boost of URM

You never know who can end up where
Click to expand...

Yep. Family and other connections get some sub par applicants into competetive residencies. Happens all the time.
 
Dr.Jekyll75 said:
Who knows how they ended up there but color of skin may not be the reasons maybe they rotated there or have family connections. Hell of my classmates fathers is a PD in optho and is good friends with a derm pd. The girl has below a 550 and no step and will likely match derm cuz of it. I understand your frustration but I don’t think skin color was it.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
Click to expand...
It's bull**** either way whether you're right or I'm right. I used to think the medical field was a meritocracy, what a joke. It's just as bad as other fields...
 
Kevin Durant said:
It's bull**** either way whether you're right or I'm right. I used to think the medical field was a meritocracy, what a joke. It's just as bad as other fields...
Click to expand...

I figure if I were a CRNA I'd constantly be reminded about how life is unfair, even despite making significantly more money than other nurses and even some physicians. It's a privilege to get to be a physician, and one would hope more CRNAs would think they're privileged too.
 
Kevin Durant said:
It's bull**** either way whether you're right or I'm right. I used to think the medical field was a meritocracy, what a joke. It's just as bad as other fields...
Click to expand...
I literally can’t think of a single profession that is a pure “meritocracy” if you define meritocracy as standardized test scores exclusively.

Connections matter. Being likeable matters. You could have a 300 step but if you’re annoying to work with no one cares you know how to treat snake bites or any of the more obscure topics on step.

If you show up early, work hard, are clinically proficient in the real world, and are passionate about the field, who cares?
 
User Name: -
License:USMD
Region: South East
Pubs:1
Step 1:250s
Step 2:260s
Level 1:-
Level 2:-
PE/CS:-
Programs:

1.UTSW Pros: exceptional clinical training, stellar faculty, all fellowships available, new facilities, great starting salary, Dallas is a nice place to live, medium sized residency class
Cons: little if any moonlighting opportunity, a lot of work with q24 call, more expensive cost of living, less resident bonding due to dispersement across many hospitals

2.UAB
Pros: moonlighting best in country, very family friendly and pro-resident atmosphere, great training, great cost of living Cons: living in Birmingham, weak in peds

3.Brigham
Pros: excellent clinical training, the “Brigham brand” can take you anywhere you want after residency, great vibes from residents and faculty that are very pro resident life, phenomenal fellowship matches, Boston is a cool city to live in
Cons: cost of living in Boston, larger resident class size, somewhat expected to participate in research

4.UPMC
Pros: arguably the best program in the country in regards to balancing pro-resident training and well-being, excellent clinical training, great board scores, great fellowship matches, super chill intern year devoted to anesthesia
Cons: living in Pittsburgh

5.Baylor
Pros: great clinical training, PD was probably the nicest I met on the trail and very pro-resident and supporting, program geared towards academic career, great resident camaraderie, phenomenal fellowship matches, Houston is nice area to live in
Cons: heavier CA-2 year, chair just left, uncertainty regarding Baylor med school, cost of living

6.Vanderbilt
Pros: great clinical training and fellowship matches, Nashville is a cool city, residents all seemed really nice and close-knit Cons: put off by PD a little bit who mentioned many faculty being from Harvard

7.UT-Houston
Pros: great clinical training with very early autonomy, residents are all super close, access to Texas medical center, all fellowships available, Houston is nice city to live in
Cons: somewhat of a workhorse program, chair seemed more interested in research than residents, cost of living

8.Cleveland Clinic
Pros: excellent clinical training with superb faculty, awesome facilities, great fellowship matches, great training for cardio
Cons: living in Cleveland, Cleveland sports teams

9.Temple
Pros: amazing resident camaraderie, faculty and PD are legimately friends with residents, super cheap cost of living (most residents own houses), access to their stellar pain fellowship, great moonlighting opportunities
Cons: clinical training not as strong as many others on this list, have to live in temple

10.UTMB
Pros: island vibe and laid back atmosphere, cheaper cost of living, residents all super friendly, great access to research, access to Shriner’s burn hospital
Cons: living in Galveston, intern year seemed too chill, feel like you lose bigger cases to Houston

11.UT San Antonio
Pros: great clinical training, good resident camaraderie, San Antonio is a nice place to live, PD is very pro resident
Cons: only 2 residents at dinner, seemed like a workhorse program

12.UPenn
Pros: stellar clinical training, especially in regards to peds and cardio; access to leading anesthesia faculty
Cons: very elitist vibe to me on Interview day, no moonlighting opportunities, residents seemed overworked, living in Philly (I’m a cowboys fan)

Recommendations for future Applicants

Enjoy your interviews, they truly are the best part of the process, especially getting to know your future anesthesia colleagues that are in this with you! Also, be confident in yourself. You’ve gotten this far; you’re going to be a great doctor and anesthesiologist.
 
Dr.Jekyll75 said:
User Name:Bootspork
License: D.O.
Region: South East
Pubs: 1
Step 1:230s
Step 2:230s
Level 1:550-600
Level 2:600-650
PE/CS: Pass
Programs:
1.MUSC: strong well rounded program in a beautiful city. Great program perks and moonlighting. Residents do well here going into PP but have previously had great fellowship matches. Tons of MUSC alumni stay. Safe, and great for family, but slightly on the expensive side. Weather is great, food is great, and with beaches and family nearby I feel this program is an excellent first rank for my situation.

2.Penn State: strong well rounded program in a more rural location. The program has several fellowship options, and the department is well funded. Good mix of PP and fellowship matches. Centralized hospital system that contains everything in house. Safe, great for family. Great program perks, but no moonlighting. Cold weather.

3. MCW: strong, well rounded. Case load seems high, possibly too high leading to some resident burnout. Tons of MCW alumni stay, even coming back after fellowship to stay on staff. Hospitals networked together through tunnels so most rotations are centralized. Cheap living. Cold weather.

4.UMKC: strong clinical program. Class sizes are small. Cheap cost of living. Cold weather.

5.UConn: strong clinical program with PP. Residents strongly favor regional anesthesia here, many go into fellowship. Residents rotate through 5 hospitals spread apart geographically. Cold weather.

6.UF Jacksonville: very cushy program but it's relatively new and therefore has not established a record of producing great residents, and has a tiny class sizes. The program is also advanced with a guaranteed surgery prelim match for now. They are starting to build their categorical program (IM intern year). The city is beautiful and great for family and food.

7. UArk: some red flags with board failures, and a seeming disconnect between residents and faculty. Tons of UArk alumni stay. CRNAs appear to be malignant in this area of the country, and recently attempted complete takeover of a nearby private hospital. Chair is incredibly intelligent...possibly psychotic. PD is a great guy. Cost of living cannot be beat. Ice storms.

8.Rush: some red flags with board failures. I think it's a great program clinically, but the PD/chair seemed robotic and residents sounded rehearsed. All of previous year's class went into fellowship despite saying they were well prepared for PP. It appears that the PD believes anesthesia residents should all be doing fellowships to secure their jobs. A complete melting pot of personalities. I did not click with Chicago. Cold weather, relatively expensive, dangerous city.

9.MCG-Augusta University: word of mouth from other students. Multiple residents, staff, even some faculty say don't come here unless it's your absolute last option. Lots of IMGs and previous surgery residents give this program the appearance of a dumping ground. Great weather, great cost of living. Hospital is ugly.

Recommendations for future Applicants

DOs: Do aways at residency programs, apply as broadly as possible, and send letters of interest early in the interview season to as many programs as you can. I got my #1 program interview invite directly from a LOI to the coordinator late in the cycle. It appears geography is a strong determinant of interviews based on other applicants feedback, stronger than any 'DO bias' or board scores this year, so apply around your school's address on ERAS. Quality of interviews appears to correlate to board scores, but number of interviews is anyone's guess; 80-100 applications is not too many for average DO applicants looking to get to 10 IIs. Set aside $10k for interview season and expect to spend half of that. Be genuine during interviews and know your application back to front. Read last season's spreadsheet to get a good idea of some great programs.
Click to expand...

For "Bootspork" or any other applicants reading, just a comment on what you said regarding uconn and how they strongly favor regional. A program that sends a large amount of residents into a regional fellowship typically means they had a subpar regional experience as a resident, so be wary of that.
 
Last edited:
resiroth said:
I literally can’t think of a single profession that is a pure “meritocracy” if you define meritocracy as standardized test scores exclusively.

Connections matter. Being likeable matters. You could have a 300 step but if you’re annoying to work with no one cares you know how to treat snake bites or any of the more obscure topics on step.

If you show up early, work hard, are clinically proficient in the real world, and are passionate about the field, who cares?
Click to expand...

That's not what we're talking about here, those are all things you can control and improve. You can't change your daddy's friends, what hospital your uncle works at, or the color of your skin (unless you want to pull a reverse Michael Jackson). Last thing I'll say regarding this topic. Back to the rank lists.
 
User Name: Blank
License: USMD
Region:Midwest
Pubs:0
Step 1:210s
Step 2:230s
Level 1:-
Level 2:-
PE/CS: PASS
Programs:
1.Case Western UH - location
2.WVU - lifestyle
3.Louisville
4. Vermont
5. Toledo
6. Stony Brook
7.Metro Health

Recommendations for future Applicants

Having a solid PS and LOR helps! Also recommend doing Critical Care experience.
 
User Name: Blank
License:USMD
Region: South East
Pubs:1
Step 1: Prefer not to answer
Step 2😛refer not to answer
Level 1:-
Level 2:-
PE/CS: PASS
Programs:
1. Baylor
Pros: Big academic name, reasonable intern year, great work-life balance, PD was awesome, residents are nice and handle business, texas medical center is amazing
Cons: Chief just left, but maybe for the better

2. UT-Houston
Pros: Texas medical center, residents are awesome and normal people, great clinical training, great trauma, get paid after 5 Cons: Hours are long especially intern year, huge new trauma center being built and I take that to mean that volume aka work is going to increase (i.e., U chicago)

3.Stanford
Pros: Palo alto is gorgeous, brand new hospital about to be finished, unmatched case variety, automatic lifelong respect afterwards (for whatever that's worth)
Cons: Would want to go the prelim-advanced route because the intern year is horrendous. Long ways away from home. Kind of ready to be done with the whole prestige grind and anesthesia as a specialty isn't really about that

4. UT Southwestern
Pros: Great case complexity, big name, Dallas is fun and a great place to live, beautiful facilities
Cons: Very hard work especially intern year, UTSW has a culture that I really don't see myself enjoying for 4 years

5.UTMB
Pros: Nice faculty and residents, literally a repeat 4th year instead of intern year, good private practice readiness, nice new hospital, good work-life balance
Cons: Gavleston is old and I wouldn't like to live there on a resident salary

6.UT San Antonio
Pros: Get paid after 3:30, affordable growing city, residents are chill
Cons: Administration in flux, longer hours of the places I saw

7.University of Chicago
Pros: Facilities are out of this world, big name
Cons: Really long hours with new level 1 trauma center, chicago is expensive and cold and I don't know anyone there

8.Beth Israel
Pros: Part of the Harvard medical system and all the resources that come with that, really nice facilities, likeable residents who handle their business and like to have fun
Cons: Way too much OB, Boston is expensive and cold and I don't know anyone there, kind of the 3rd fiddle to the other 2 HMS programs

9.Baylor Scott and White
Pros: Really nice, easy-going residents, great faculty and culture, growing medical center, good side-pay deals
Cons: Location

10.Tulane
Pros: Small tight-knit program, PD was awesome
Cons: Old facilities, HCA-owned, New Orleans would get old

11.Arkansas Pros: Really nice and relatable PD, little rock is a really nice place
Cons: Tough intern year and long hours, old facilities, didn't get along with residents, lots of recent board failures (left out board pass rates from interview powerpoint), new chair who is focusing more on research than improving the program
 
User Name: Dan-Trolene
License: D.O.
Region:south west
Pubs:2-5s
Step 1:210s
Step 2:230s
Level 1:500-550
Level 2:550- 600
PE/CS😛ass
Programs:
1.UT Houston

2. Tulane

3.UCincinnati

4.St. Elizabeths

5.UOklahoma

6.Louisville

7.Medical College of Georgia

8. LSU Shreveport

9. UMass Baystate
 
Dr.Jekyll75 said:
User Name: Dan-Trolene
License: D.O.
Region:south west
Pubs:2-5s
Step 1:210s
Step 2:230s
Level 1:500-550
Level 2:550- 600
PE/CS😛ass
Programs:
1.UT Houston

2. Tulane

3.UCincinnati

4.St. Elizabeths

5.UOklahoma

6.Louisville

7.Medical College of Georgia

8. LSU Shreveport

9. UMass Baystate
Click to expand...

St. E’s is a workhorse program like no other.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
I am not sure if this is a strange request, but could people post programs that sent a favorable response to our love letters to our #1 program?
 
Wow... I literally have the same board scores and almost identical rank list as someone above...
 
User Name:-
License: USMD
Region: South west
Pubs:2-5
Step 1: 210s
Step 2: 230s
Level 1:-
Level 2:-
PE/CS: Pass
Programs:
1.Harbor UCLA
2.U of Arizona
3.UTSW
4.UTMB
5.Tulane
6.U of New Mexico
7.Albany Medical Center
8.Maine Medical Center
 
User Name:Blockafterblock
License: USMD
Region: South East
Pubs:0
Step 1: 230s
Step 2: 240s
Level 1:-
Level 2:-
PE/CS: Pass
Programs:
1.Beth Israel
2. UIC Chicago
3.Omaha
4.UK
5.KU
6.Oklahoma City
7.Arkansas
8.Augusta
 
User Name:NiemannPick
License: USMD
Region: Midwest
Pubs:5+
Step 1: 240s
Step 2: 240s
Level 1:-
Level 2:-
PE/CS: Pass
Programs:
1.Northwestern
Pros: Exceptional clinical training, beautiful location in Streeterville, Chicago. Amazing resident benefits with massive revamping since 2016. Transparency and honesty from the clinical staff. Close to friends and family.
Cons: I think that it has a private practice vibe. Some residents complained about midwest gossip culture but I'm from here so whatever lol

2. UW (Seattle)
Pro: Exceptional clinical training, but not as good as NW. I loved the city of Seattle, this is my location pick. 8-10 days off per month. 55 hours per week or so. Works a little less than NW from what I saw. Unbelievable scenery.
Cons: Costly to live there. The morning presentation did not describe the program well. On warning from the ACGME for lazy reporting of their attendings' credentials. Has a malignant reputation but I didn't see that. You HAVE TO BE A SELF STARTER to do well in this program. There is no hand holding. There is not a lot of dedicated study time. You gotta be a self-sufficient person.

3.UCLA -
Pro: As above, exceptional clinical training. Perfect weather. Nationally recognized as one of the best programs in the country. Cons - have to drive an hour to a lot of the rotations. Cost of living is absolutely bat **** insane - residents had to unionize. You get paid more at NW than you do here. The department "cares" about residents but chooses to pay them less than midwest places. Hot as **** in the summer and I have a high metabolism to begin with so I'm not planning on sweating through my scrubs on my walk to work every day.

4.Hopkins
Pros- best clinical training in the country, hands down. Best PD in the country, hands down. Best didactics in the country, hands down.
Cons - you have to live in Baltimore. That was enough for me to drop it to #4.

5.NYU
Pros- New York CITTAAAYYYY baby. So ****ing fun. They work the least amount of hours in NY. Great clinical training but not comparable to my top 4. Good name. It doesn't hold a candle to Cornell or Columbia in those aspects though.
Cons - on my interview day I interviewed with the PD and Chair but I noticed that other applicants did not lol. So a lot of people payed like 500-1k to not even talk to the chair or PD. dinguses. Also cost of living is highest in the country. No open space. Not my vibe.

6. Denver
Pros- from here on out I won't do a huge breakdown. If you have more questions you can go to reddit and PM me - NiemannPick

7.OHSU
8.Michigan
9.Cedars-Sinai
10.Minnesota
11.LSU
12.Yale

Recommendations for future Applicants

Apply more broadly than you would expect. Get your CK and CS in before applications are submitted. Be open minded - you never know what program will surprise you. NW and UW were #7 and #8 on my preliminary rank list. They shot right up to the top after my interviews there. Have fun and make some friends on the trail. Making connections now will pay dividends when you are in residency and beyond.
 
User Name:-
License: USMD
Region: Midwest
Pubs:0
Step 1: 240s
Step 2: 250s
Level 1:-
Level 2:-
PE/CS: Pass
Programs:
1.UMichigan: Top 10 reputation, did an away here and loved everything about it. The department is always on their game, cares for residents, and is receptive to change. Residents are unionized and get great benefits and salary. The hospitals are top notch and the equipment is all updated due to the chair being into tech stuff.

2.Northwestern: Residents seemed to really enjoy being here. The new(er) PD is very nice and seems down-to-earth. It's in the heart of Chicago and the hospitals are exceptional so that's another huge plus.

3.UPMC: Really difficult not to rank it #2 but the only drawback is the city of Pittsburgh itself. There are absolutely no cons about the program itself. The residents all love it, hours are very good (55-60), intern year is chill and anesthesia-centered.

4.UChicago: Pros/reasons same as Northwestern. It was the only interview day with weird questions I've had out of 16. The inclusion of trauma and the location are the only two drawbacks.

5.Columbia: Incredible reputation and a great location. Residents work hard and I've heard that the nurses won't do you any favors at all.

6.Cleveland Clinic: Positives include the facilities, faculty, happy residents, and reputation. Intern year, according to the residents, is fairly nice. Hours are typical (55-65). Drawbacks: it's in Cleveland.

7.UWisconsin: Very very tempting to put Wiscy in my top 5. Madison is a gorgeous city with lovely people. The program is very well balanced. Even though the PD is new, everyone seems to love him and the direction he's taking the program. Residents' happiness was very evident on interview day.

8.OSU: The PD is amazing; very driven and has lofty goals for the program. Residents aren't worked to death; average hours around 60-65. Drawbacks: I don't like the Buckeyes and it's in Ohio🙁

9. Rush: I wasn't too impressed with Rush, seems like a workhorse program.

10.MCW: I've gotten a weird vibe from the residents on my interview day. They all seemed tired and unenthusiastic to either be in the hospital or talk to us

11.Dartmouth: I was very impressed with this program. The faculty are all very friendly and supportive, the residents are happy. The facilities are also top notch. The location is beautiful but too secluded for my liking. If this program was somewhere in the midwest, I'd rank it higher.

12.Umaryland
13.Henry Ford
14. Beaumont
15.Montefiore
16.Stonybrook
 
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