California advice

[fovea]

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Hey everyone,

I need some advice regarding the California programs. I have received interviews at UCSF, USC, UC-Davis, UC-Irvine, and Stanford. Due to scheduling problems there is no way I can interview at all of these places. In the spirit of cancelling interviews I don't need, I would like to know more about the strengths and weaknesses of these programs so I can decide which to cancel. Anybody out there familiar with the California programs?

Thanks,
Fovea

 

[nystagmus]

My knowledge of the California schools is somewhat limited, but I have talked with a resident from USC at length. USC is of course a highly regarded program with excellent clinical training. Most of the experience is gained at the infamous LA county hospital, but this has its good and bads. The positives are that you are allowed to be primary surgeon on many cases. However, the problem is that it is located at an inconvenient distance from the Doheny Eye Center where most of the faculty are. When you have an emergency and it's the middle of rush hour, no one is coming to save you. So when you're at county, you're pretty much on your own. That makes this program prefect for those that prefer to be independant.

The experience at the University hospital is totally opposite with most of the business coming from super private patients. When you're here, you may not get to do much. Therefore, it takes some getting used to switching between the two modes.

Research wise, it's at the top, but compared to UCLA, I heard it's slipping a little.

Finally, as far as matching goes, where you come from might make a difference. I hear Harvard and Hopkins grads have an edge because the Chair and Program Director are alums.

That's about all I've found out. If anyone has heard different, please chime in. I'd like to know more about the other Cali schools as well.

 

[Jaded Soul]

Originally posted by nystagmus
Most of the experience is gained at the infamous LA county hospital, but this has its good and bads. The positives are that you are allowed to be primary surgeon on many cases. However, the problem is that it is located at an inconvenient distance from the Doheny Eye Center where most of the faculty are. When you have an emergency and it's the middle of rush hour, no one is coming to save you.

I'm an MS-III at USC. Doheny is within walking distance of County. The inconvenience is that it's about a 10 minute walk across the campus. Also, if you're coming to LAC+USC and don't know how to speak at least a little Spanish, language barrier will be an issue at first. And just from looking at the resident lists, it does seem that the program has a preference towards Harvard, Hopkins, and it's own grads.

 

[Christiangirl]

Actually, I have heard that USC sometimes favors Harvard and JHU over their own. One of the PGY2s here at my school said his year they took only one from USC. By the way, he and a classmate who both ranked USC #1 both matched at top 10 programs (including Wilmer), so you would think they must have been competitive.)

 

[ckyuen]

those are great programs. If you only have time to do three go for sc, sf, and davis. davis has a lot of prominent faculty that will serve you well if you are looking into a fellowship.

 

[BeefyRedEye]

Hey -

Does anyone have additional info on these 2 programs, especially Stanford?? Thanks a lot!

Beefy

 

[jackflash]

I can't imagine that Stanford is that great... given its location. I also wonder how UC-Davis can have a good clinical volume.

 

[BeefyRedEye]

??? Stanford is located in Palo Alto, arguably one of the nicest (and certainly one of the most expensive) places in California, and UC Davis is one of the busiest trauma centers in country. The program has not one but 2 VAs that they rotate through. Are you sure you know what you are talking about????

 

[tenon]

Any information on UCSD in this mix out there?
They're a bit smaller, I think.