Boston programs

[Dep.Weigel]

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So I have already done the obligatory search on past threads for info on Boston programs and there is of course plenty of posts about MGH, some on Brigham but fewer on BID, BU or Tufts/ NE medical center. Can someone enlighten me on their impressions on the other programs such as strengths, weaknesses, working conditions, and (to the extent to which is it possible) competitiveness?

Background: I am applying this year and GREATLY desire to be in the Boston area. I grew up there and now for family reasons it is time to return. Good step 1 (240), good amount of honors but by no means across the board. Under consideration for AOA but unlikely. Good school, (not top ten). Oh, and NO RESEARCH EXPERIENCE. However, should have strong rec letters.

thanks!

 

[quant]

So I have already done the obligatory search on past threads for info on Boston programs and there is of course plenty of posts about MGH, some on Brigham but fewer on BID, BU or Tufts/ NE medical center. Can someone enlighten me on their impressions on the other programs such as strengths, weaknesses, working conditions, and (to the extent to which is it possible) competitiveness?

Background: I am applying this year and GREATLY desire to be in the Boston area. I grew up there and now for family reasons it is time to return. Good step 1 (240), good amount of honors but by no means across the board. Under consideration for AOA but unlikely. Good school, (not top ten). Oh, and NO RESEARCH EXPERIENCE. However, should have strong rec letters.

thanks!

Id be curious to know too.....

 

[yaah]

BID is a good program but suffers a bit by being in the same city as Brigham and MGH. For GI path (and maybe heme), BIDMC holds their own if not surpassing MGH and Brigham (at least in the opinion of some). They work hard, similar hours to MGH and Brigham. Residents more likely to be private practice, but not necessarily. Fairly competitive - they interview a lot of people. Some residents told me they were a bit overworked, others not so much. They have a crappy cafeteria. Residents are also given "teaching appointments at Harvard medical school" although according to some they are too far away from Harvard to really do much. But it's a nice perk for your resume if that kind of thing is important to you, which it often is to many for some bizarre reason.

BU and Tufts are much smaller, less competitive places. Volume is smaller as well. I don't really know much about them.

 

[Nilf]

BID is a bit smaller than the other two Harvard programs--we got 7 new first year residents. GI, breasts and skin are the big here. The specimen volume has been increasing steadily about 2-3% per year for the past several years, and from what I've heard, this trend will continue. The number of autopsies suddenly increased last year--we think it's because new IM-intern-proof autopsy forms 😉

According to senior residents, the quality of teaching improved tremendously over past several years--we get more unknown, specialty-based conferences, more didactics, etc.

From what I've heard, work hours are similar or a little better than at BWH and Brigham, but I cannot confirm that. First year was busy though.

Hope this helps.

BID is a good program but suffers a bit by being in the same city as Brigham and MGH. For GI path (and maybe heme), BIDMC holds their own if not surpassing MGH and Brigham (at least in the opinion of some). They work hard, similar hours to MGH and Brigham. Residents more likely to be private practice, but not necessarily. Fairly competitive - they interview a lot of people. Some residents told me they were a bit overworked, others not so much. They have a crappy cafeteria. Residents are also given "teaching appointments at Harvard medical school" although according to some they are too far away from Harvard to really do much. But it's a nice perk for your resume if that kind of thing is important to you, which it often is to many for some bizarre reason.

BU and Tufts are much smaller, less competitive places. Volume is smaller as well. I don't really know much about them.