BU vs. Brown vs. Jeff

[leopanther]

I would really appreciate it if anyone could comment on ranking these 3 programs if I'm interested in cards or heme-onc. I know that BU has a great fellowship match list in pretty much all specialties but I'm concerned about Brown cards prospects and TJ's heme-onc.

Brown cardiology: the numbers matching seem much lower than for other IM programs. Not sure if it's lack of interest or something else.
2010: Brown, Jeff
2009: Brown (2),
2008: Brown, WashU, Wash Hospital Center, RWJ
2007: Brown (2), Beth Israel (NY), MCWisconsin

Jeff Heme-Onc:
Over 3 years: 3 people matched (2 at TJ and 1 at JHU)

Also, I know that intern year is intense at all three (probably BMC>Jeff>Brown) but I'm wondering about second and third year schedules at these programs.

Thank you!

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[mauvespice]

Also, I know that intern year is intense at all three (probably BMC>Jeff>Brown) but I'm wondering about second and third year schedules at these programs.

Thank you!

It is interesting to see that you asked this question because I asked the same one during my interview at BMC. Apparently the workload just gets more familiar during the 2nd and 3rd yrs but does not go down at BMC. They have also started the system of e-coverage (it sounded new, I don't think it was there before) while you are on electives such as research. The e-cov is not namesake and you do get called somewhat often while you are on your elective. If the intern year was the only busy year at BMC, you wouldn't hear as many people talking about it because that is the case at all programs anyway. In fact the fellowships there are equally busy from what I hear, they are just an extension of residency. But some people like that. Sorry I wouldn't be able to comment on Brown or Jeff as I did not interview with them. I would like to invite more BMC people to correct me if my impression from the interview day is wrong.

 

[tarlovcyst]

I would really appreciate it if anyone could comment on ranking these 3 programs if I'm interested in cards or heme-onc. I know that BU has a great fellowship match list in pretty much all specialties but I'm concerned about Brown cards prospects and TJ's heme-onc.

Brown cardiology: the numbers matching seem much lower than for other IM programs. Not sure if it's lack of interest or something else.
2010: Brown, Jeff
2009: Brown (2),
2008: Brown, WashU, Wash Hospital Center, RWJ
2007: Brown (2), Beth Israel (NY), MCWisconsin

Jeff Heme-Onc:
Over 3 years: 3 people matched (2 at TJ and 1 at JHU)

Also, I know that intern year is intense at all three (probably BMC>Jeff>Brown) but I'm wondering about second and third year schedules at these programs.

Thank you!

Brown > Jefferson > BU to answer your particular question.

It's more of a lack of interest, rather than a high unmatch rate.

 

[pedronavaja2005]

Brown > Jefferson > BU to answer your particular question.

It's more of a lack of interest, rather than a high unmatch rate.

I wouldn't say lack of interest but rather that there is a more even representation among all the IM specialities when it comes to the match. Brown has about 40 residents per class and it is highly unusual to see >10 residents applying to cards or GI. In my experience, there is usually around 5 residents each per year (give or take) interested in those fellowships. At Brown, critical care and heme/onc are more popular choices year after year. A good number of the residents also chose to do primary care/private practice/hospitalist. For cards, they usually take 1-3/per year but GI notoriously does not take the Brown residents. For all the other fellowships you pretty much have a free pass if you chose to stay on.
I don't know much about Thomas Jefferson and I've heard very good things about BU. If I were to compare the three, I would put Brown and BU in the same category above Thomas Jefferson. Brown's program is fairly well balanced all 3 years and unlike many other IM programs you actually get 2 months of elective during intern year so you can start making your connections early on. Second year you have a second clinic site where you choose to work with someone in your field of interest (e.g cardiology) in addition to having your regular continuity clinic which is something that can be extremely helpful for your application.
The cardiology matches might at first glance don't seem very strong but it reflects the personal preferences of the applicants (people wanting to stay in RI, new england in general or going back to their home town/state).

 

[theunderdog]

I wouldn't say lack of interest but rather that there is a more even representation among all the IM specialities when it comes to the match. Brown has about 40 residents per class and it is highly unusual to see >10 residents applying to cards or GI. In my experience, there is usually around 5 residents each per year (give or take) interested in those fellowships. At Brown, critical care and heme/onc are more popular choices year after year. A good number of the residents also chose to do primary care/private practice/hospitalist. For cards, they usually take 1-3/per year but GI notoriously does not take the Brown residents. For all the other fellowships you pretty much have a free pass if you chose to stay on.
I don't know much about Thomas Jefferson and I've heard very good things about BU. If I were to compare the three, I would put Brown and BU in the same category above Thomas Jefferson. Brown's program is fairly well balanced all 3 years and unlike many other IM programs you actually get 2 months of elective during intern year so you can start making your connections early on. Second year you have a second clinic site where you choose to work with someone in your field of interest (e.g cardiology) in addition to having your regular continuity clinic which is something that can be extremely helpful for your application.
The cardiology matches might at first glance don't seem very strong but it reflects the personal preferences of the applicants (people wanting to stay in RI, new england in general or going back to their home town/state).

No indeed. In most large residency programs, there are often >8 applicants for GI or Cards EACH. Of course, not everyone gets it. But at Brown, come on now. There has got to be more GI and Cards applicants than CCU and Pulm. Or at least equal. BU is no way higher than Jefferson.

Jefferson > BU. But Brown > Jefferson.

 

[pedronavaja2005]

No indeed. In most large residency programs, there are often >8 applicants for GI or Cards EACH. Of course, not everyone gets it. But at Brown, come on now. There has got to be more GI and Cards applicants than CCU and Pulm. Or at least equal. BU is no way higher than Jefferson.

Jefferson > BU. But Brown > Jefferson.

I know Brown pretty well and can assure you that my comments about the program are pretty accurate.

 

[Scaredshizzles]

Match list wise, BMC blows the other two out of the water...The clinial experience there must be really brutal on the housestaff, that is my only explanation for why it isn't a more highly regarded program...It definitely has a top 20 or better quality match list.

 

[ResidentMD]

Match list wise, BMC blows the other two out of the water...The clinial experience there must be really brutal on the housestaff, that is my only explanation for why it isn't a more highly regarded program...It definitely has a top 20 or better quality match list.

👍
My main worry about BU, besides the rigorous clinical training (which is not exclusive to BU), is whether these excellent matches are when residents apply in PGY2 or PGY3.

 

[pedronavaja2005]

👍
My main worry about BU, besides the rigorous clinical training (which is not exclusive to BU), is whether these excellent matches are when residents apply in PGY2 or PGY3.

One of the SDN forums brought up the possibility that the fellowship mtach will moved to 3rd year....I don't know how definite this is, but it may be a non-issue by the time you are ready to apply if this is placed into effect in the next couple of years. Can you explain your concern about applying as a PGY2 vs. 3? I don't think there is a disadavantage to applying as a third year. You may have more experience and confidence as a senior resident which may be to your benefit. If your concern is not wanting to take a year off in between and you already know what you want to go into all you need to do is to plan a little in advance to schedule the pertinent rotations and research so you can include it in your application. Many people are unsure about what fellowship they want or they don't want the pressure of having to apply for fellowsip after a grueling intern year and decide to put it off to third year. I think more people will be taking this option year after year and take time off (for work) before fellowship....not a bad option at all.

 

[GastroGuy]

I would really appreciate it if anyone could comment on ranking these 3 programs if I'm interested in cards or heme-onc. I know that BU has a great fellowship match list in pretty much all specialties but I'm concerned about Brown cards prospects and TJ's heme-onc.

Brown cardiology: the numbers matching seem much lower than for other IM programs. Not sure if it's lack of interest or something else.
2010: Brown, Jeff
2009: Brown (2),
2008: Brown, WashU, Wash Hospital Center, RWJ
2007: Brown (2), Beth Israel (NY), MCWisconsin

Jeff Heme-Onc:
Over 3 years: 3 people matched (2 at TJ and 1 at JHU)

Also, I know that intern year is intense at all three (probably BMC>Jeff>Brown) but I'm wondering about second and third year schedules at these programs.

Thank you!

How about for someone interested in donig GI after residency? How would you rank these IM programs? I'd do Jefferson = BMC > Brown, but I'm interested in what other people think.

 

[Speculatrix]

No indeed. In most large residency programs, there are often >8 applicants for GI or Cards EACH. Of course, not everyone gets it. But at Brown, come on now. There has got to be more GI and Cards applicants than CCU and Pulm. Or at least equal. BU is no way higher than Jefferson.

Jefferson > BU. But Brown > Jefferson.

Are you joking??? BU >> ALL of those. Did you interview at BU? Their match list is phenomenally superior to both those two. BU vs Brown a little tougher but I'll give it to BU because of the VA affiliation, and the attendings that seem to know each other in town.

 

[IMDoc2010]

Well, in regards to GI matches they are fairly similar.
2009; BU: 5 vs Jefferson: 6-7

And it seems like Jefferson has 5-7 GI matches/year in the last years, while BU has similar numbers around 5 matches/year in the past few years.

Are you joking??? BU >> ALL of those. Did you interview at BU? Their match list is phenomenally superior to both those two. BU vs Brown a little tougher but I'll give it to BU because of the VA affiliation, and the attendings that seem to know each other in town.

 

[leopanther]

Anyone know why Jefferson has only 1 person going into heme-onc every year?

 

[IMhappy]

When I interviewed at jefferson, one of the residents told me Jefferson is great if you want to go into Cards or GI, but not very good if you are interested in heme-onc. That was just the opinion of one of their residents. I didn't ask anymore questions because I am not interested in Heme-Onc.