CHOP v Seattle v Colorado

[Chicharita]

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I'm struggling putting my top "3" programs in order. I loved colorado- its a gorgeous hospital with a vibrant campus, it's a cheaper city to live, there are mountains, sunny weather 300 days a year, but ultimately, I'd like to go to CHOP for fellowship. I really like the culture of Seattle, the vibe of the students, the outdoors, but it is a more expensive city and the weather leaves something to be desired. CHOP carries the weight of its name, supposedly friendly residents, but it's a much bigger program, doesn't have a fully electronic EMR like seattle unlike colorado, less opportunities to experience non-academic medicine like rural sites etc.. but its fellowship programs are among the best in the country. Still confused. Can anyone shed some light to help me make this important decision?

 

[learss]

I'm struggling putting my top "3" programs in order. I loved colorado- its a gorgeous hospital with a vibrant campus, it's a cheaper city to live, there are mountains, sunny weather 300 days a year, but ultimately, I'd like to go to CHOP for fellowship. I really like the culture of Seattle, the vibe of the students, the outdoors, but it is a more expensive city and the weather leaves something to be desired. CHOP carries the weight of its name, supposedly friendly residents, but it's a much bigger program, doesn't have a fully electronic EMR like seattle unlike colorado, less opportunities to experience non-academic medicine like rural sites etc.. but its fellowship programs are among the best in the country. Still confused. Can anyone shed some light to help me make this important decision?

Any of those residency programs will give you the opportunity to go to CHOP for fellowship. Colorado & Seattle are great children's hospitals.

 

[BCLumas]

I'm going to echo the statement above. Just because you do not go to CHOP for a residency does not mean you will be unable to go to CHOP for your fellowship. For example, the program that I am working at right now for a pediatrics elective (FSU - Pensacola, FL) is a smaller program at only (now) 8 residents per year. In this year's graduating class they have one resident going to UTSW-Dallas for a GI fellowship, one resident going to Texas Children's for a Nephrology fellowship, and one resident going to CHOP for a Pulmonology fellowship. What it boils down to is working hard in whatever institution you end up going to. Wherever you end up matching, shine. Work to set up an away elective (if your program allows this) at CHOP (if your heart is still set on that program) in the desired subspecialty and shine even brighter.

Good luck on the match.

 

[BigRedBeta]

Focus on relationships with the people and any sort of location issues you have. The objective data is far too narrow between those programs.

Quite honestly, having gone through the process for residency and now fellowship, it's totally okay if your decision comes down to the fact that someone looked at you funny at lunch.

As far as the location goes, if you're someone who loves to ski and that's the way you have to relieve stress, going to CHOP won't be a good choice no matter what other benefits there might be.

 

[Chicharita]

Quite honestly, having gone through the process for residency and now fellowship, it's totally okay if your decision comes down to the fact that someone looked at you funny at lunch.

huh? I guess that's a joke. Every mentor and academic I know, they say rank CHOP #1. In other words, go to the best place possible. My heart says Seattle or Denver, I think CHOP's program is just a tad too big and I would get lost in that pond.

 

[BCLumas]

Every mentor and academic I know, they say rank CHOP #1. In other words, go to the best place possible for you.

I do not know what kind of mentors you have, but this is the best advice (bolded above). Just because CHOP is ranked #1 in certain polls doesn't mean it's best for you. Go where you feel like you will learn the best and succeed as a resident.

 

[bjackrian]

Disclaimer: I'm a Colorado peds resident.

I agree with the advice above to go with the program that you feel you'd do best at. In my view, the academics/training at Seattle, CHOP, and us are essentially indistinguishable. Fellowship directors have a good sense of the training you get at programs and I don't think you'd be at a disadvantage at any of these programs. For what it's worth, of the people applying for fellowship this year from Colorado, all matched at their top choice (for most, the top choice was to stay in Denver, but we have a PICU fellow going to Boston, a Rheum fellow going to Seattle, a Heme-Onc fellow going to Stanford, and a Cards fellow going to Michigan). I truly don't think that you're limiting yourself by going to any of the programs you listed.

Best of luck with the Match and hopefully we'll run into you next year!

 

[BigRedBeta]

In other words, go to the best place possible.

My heart says Seattle or Denver.

You're getting HORRIBLE advice. Going some place just because some people think it's great ignores so much about what really matters about picking a residency. When there's a chance for you to actually be happy in residency, why would you place reputation above that?

And you've essentially answered your own question. Sounds like CHOP deserves to be a distant 3rd.

 

[Member2102012]

My jaw kind of dropped when I saw this post: those are the exact programs in my top 3 as well!
Having lived in the NJ/Philly area my whole life, I'm biased towards moving somewhere new for residency (and I agree that Denver would be a fantastic place to live).
That being said, I did spend a month at CHOP and I can say firsthand that the residents were extremely friendly and really seemed to be happy. H&Ps and progress notes are not on EMR, but virtually everything else is (and it's easy to use), and within the next few months it should all be EMR.
From what I've been able to gather, all 3 of these programs would provide you with the tools/training to get the fellowship of your choice (a big part of why they're in my top 3 as well). It does seem like based on what you're saying Seattle and Denver are where you'd be happiest, but I just figured I'd offer my perspective on CHOP.

 

[Chicharita]

My jaw kind of dropped when I saw this post: those are the exact programs in my top 3 as well!
Having lived in the NJ/Philly area my whole life, I'm biased towards moving somewhere new for residency (and I agree that Denver would be a fantastic place to live).
That being said, I did spend a month at CHOP and I can say firsthand that the residents were extremely friendly and really seemed to be happy. H&Ps and progress notes are not on EMR, but virtually everything else is (and it's easy to use), and within the next few months it should all be EMR.
From what I've been able to gather, all 3 of these programs would provide you with the tools/training to get the fellowship of your choice (a big part of why they're in my top 3 as well). It does seem like based on what you're saying Seattle and Denver are where you'd be happiest, but I just figured I'd offer my perspective on CHOP.

Thank you for your input. I know a few people in the program and others who have graduated from CHOP. I know my order now and will be happy to match at any of those programs!