comments on "unfilled programs"

[txdoc2b]

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😳 Can anyone comment (good or bad) on any of the "unfilled progrmas" from last year...? I am trying to find some "back up progrmas" that aren't horrible in terms of education, experince and hours (reputation just doesn't matter!) I have my top choices here in TX, but really need some back ups...so any advice that anyone has on the unfilled programs or just some mediocore programs would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!!

Stacie
MS IV UTMB

 

[InductionAgent]

😳 Can anyone comment (good or bad) on any of the "unfilled progrmas" from last year...? I am trying to find some "back up progrmas" that aren't horrible in terms of education, experince and hours (reputation just doesn't matter!) I have my top choices here in TX, but really need some back ups...so any advice that anyone has on the unfilled programs or just some mediocore programs would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!!

Stacie
MS IV UTMB

In case you didn't know this already, Texas Tech-El Paso has lost their accreditation, so that is one unfilled program you don't want to (or simply can't) go after. U South Florida is on probation. As for West Virginia - Location, location, location.

I rotated at University of Washington in July in Pain Management. Seems like a good gas program. Maybe they just got too picky and chose not to rank enough applicants last year, or the dreary weather most of the year scared some people off.

My concern about any program unfilled from last year is that lightning may not strike twice, and that more people will apply there this year seeking a backup spot, thus actually making it harder to get in.

 

[4th year]

In case you didn't know this already, Texas Tech-El Paso has lost their accreditation, so that is one unfilled program you don't want to (or simply can't) go after. U South Florida is on probation. As for West Virginia - Location, location, location.

I rotated at University of Washington in July in Pain Management. Seems like a good gas program. Maybe they just got too picky and chose not to rank enough applicants last year, or the dreary weather most of the year scared some people off.

My concern about any program unfilled from last year is that lightning may not strike twice, and that more people will apply there this year seeking a backup spot, thus actually making it harder to get in.

How (where) do you find this information? Is there a website that lists this kind of thing? -4th year

 

[sandman1]

I'd be VERY careful about using programs on probation as a back-up. 😎

 

[InductionAgent]

How (where) do you find this information? Is there a website that lists this kind of thing? -4th year

http://www.acgme.org/adspublic/

On the left of the screen, you have various choices, such as "Withdrawn programs"

They don't have a list of programs on probation that I have found; you can access information on each program (under "Search:Accredited Programs") that includes the accrediation status (Withdrawn, Probationary, Provisional, or Full) for that program, as well as other basic program info.

Another warning sign is a program that has Full accreditation, but has a relatively short time between the ACGME's most recent visit and the next scheduled visit. Quoted directly from the "About the ACGME" link on the homepage:
http://www.acgme.org

"On average, each accredited residency program is site visited every 3.7 years. Sponsoring institutions are also site visited periodically. The interval between site visits ranges from one to five years, with a longer period indicating that the ACGME and RRCs are more confident about the ability of a given program or institution to provide quality education."

As for unfilled programs, those are at the left-hand column of
http://www.scutwork.com

 

[2ndyear]

Location, location, location. I thought it didn't matter either until you actually visit someplace and picture yourself living there for 4 years. Also lots of those unfilled programs are unfilled because they didn't want to take 'unqualified' applicants. Here's where I interviewed that didn't fill:
Penn State: Excellent program. But very rural location. Loved the program, especially the four year option! Definately interview there just to give it a shot and stay in the Hershey lodge for the weekend. I came away impressed and darn near ranked it number one, but it ended up #3. On match day, before I opened my envelope, I remember thinking that I would have been happy to find out I matched there. For what it's worth, they also gave me very encouraging feedback after the interview. This probably did play a role in ranking it high as I viewed it as a good program that wanted me.

UMass: Worcester isn't so hot. But a pretty good program with at least one well known name (Dr. Heard, read Irwin and Rippe's critical care, he's a big contributor as are others from UMass). And the commuter rail does go to Boston. I did rank this one, but location made it go down near the bottom.

Baystate: Springfield sucks, but the hospital is nice and the program is solid but not well known. Ranked it, but near the bottom based on location.

SUNY Upstate: Syracuse is overlooked as a nice place to live, except by undergrads. They farm you out to Cincinnatti for peds and the Brigham in Boston for OB. Syracuse is just a long ways from anything.

 

[DoctorG]

Thanks for the info, 2nd year.