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I posted this in another forum, and it was suggested that I pose the question here to get more specialty-specific responses.
So after weeks of making spreadsheets, comparing benefits, curriculae, the surrounding community, etc, I'm still no closer to differentiating my top programs. Essentially I'm at the point where I'd rather just rank them all #1 and let the match sort it out for me (is there any way to go to all 3?)
Program 1: Moderate sized city, rotations at seven different hospitals over the course of the residency (from small community hospitals to big level 1 trauma centers). Old established program. Average salary and average benefit package.
Program 2: Moderate sized town,sort of far from any big cities, but large tertiary referrral center, level 1 trauma center. Old established program, lots of associated residency programs. Best salary but so-so benefit package.
Program 3: Moderate sized city, rotations at two community hospitals (level 2 trauma centers), program only 2 years old. Only one other residency program at the hospital so no overlap or fighting with other residencies for procedures. Best benefit package except lowest salary.
They have equivalent curriculums, equal moonlighting opportunity, I got along well with the staff and residents at all three programs, I have no geographic ties to any of them, the atmosphere of the program (community vs big referral center) doesn't matter because I have a lot of military obligations after I finish so I don't really care if it points its residents towards academics or community medicine.
I had an easy time building my ROL from the bottom up, but when I hit the top 3-4, I stalled. It seems to be a daily occurrence now that I change the number 1 program on my obviously uncertified ROL (and it switches between these 3 with no real rationale).
And my wife, in looking at the cities and what there is to do for her and our kids, came up with her own rankings independently and finally said "well, these are my top three favorite but I like them all about the same for different reasons" and they were the same 3 places.
sigh.
So after weeks of making spreadsheets, comparing benefits, curriculae, the surrounding community, etc, I'm still no closer to differentiating my top programs. Essentially I'm at the point where I'd rather just rank them all #1 and let the match sort it out for me (is there any way to go to all 3?)
Program 1: Moderate sized city, rotations at seven different hospitals over the course of the residency (from small community hospitals to big level 1 trauma centers). Old established program. Average salary and average benefit package.
Program 2: Moderate sized town,sort of far from any big cities, but large tertiary referrral center, level 1 trauma center. Old established program, lots of associated residency programs. Best salary but so-so benefit package.
Program 3: Moderate sized city, rotations at two community hospitals (level 2 trauma centers), program only 2 years old. Only one other residency program at the hospital so no overlap or fighting with other residencies for procedures. Best benefit package except lowest salary.
They have equivalent curriculums, equal moonlighting opportunity, I got along well with the staff and residents at all three programs, I have no geographic ties to any of them, the atmosphere of the program (community vs big referral center) doesn't matter because I have a lot of military obligations after I finish so I don't really care if it points its residents towards academics or community medicine.
I had an easy time building my ROL from the bottom up, but when I hit the top 3-4, I stalled. It seems to be a daily occurrence now that I change the number 1 program on my obviously uncertified ROL (and it switches between these 3 with no real rationale).
And my wife, in looking at the cities and what there is to do for her and our kids, came up with her own rankings independently and finally said "well, these are my top three favorite but I like them all about the same for different reasons" and they were the same 3 places.
sigh.