Considering turning down MGH interview because of weather?

[chagall]

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Is this ridiculous? I was very excited to get a neuro interview at MGH (but was turned down for their prelim program)...but am considering whether or not I would even go there because of the cold weather. My parents are even discouraging me from going to the interview...and I can kind of understand that. I am just miserable in the cold (have Raynaud's syndrome, etc)...but does anyone turn down MGH? Or should I just learn to deal with being cold and uncomfortable in exchange for a great education?

 

[Fencer]

Is this ridiculous? I was very excited to get a neuro interview at MGH (but was turned down for their prelim program)...but am considering whether or not I would even go there because of the cold weather. My parents are even discouraging me from going to the interview...and I can kind of understand that. I am just miserable in the cold (have Raynaud's syndrome, etc)...but does anyone turn down MGH? Or should I just learn to deal with being cold and uncomfortable in exchange for a great education?

Many years ago, I did that. I also ranked anything north of Virginia (JH, Mayo, Michigan, Rochester, Columbia, Penn) lower in my list. At the time, I had just obtained a Wisconsin PhD with a paper in Science... I ended up at Duke. No misgivings at all!

 

[JMC_MarineCorps]

Is this ridiculous? I was very excited to get a neuro interview at MGH (but was turned down for their prelim program)...but am considering whether or not I would even go there because of the cold weather. My parents are even discouraging me from going to the interview...and I can kind of understand that. I am just miserable in the cold (have Raynaud's syndrome, etc)...but does anyone turn down MGH? Or should I just learn to deal with being cold and uncomfortable in exchange for a great education?

I'm in CA (and a budding psychiatrist so perhaps not exactly in the same boat as you) but I canceled my interview at Harvard South Shore *not MGH* for that very reason. If you have a solid program in mind where the weather is nice, probably not so 'ridiculous.' Again, not apples to apples here, but thought I'd share anyway to lend some perspective.

Good luck,

JMC

 

[RedOctober]

Is this ridiculous? I was very excited to get a neuro interview at MGH (but was turned down for their prelim program)...but am considering whether or not I would even go there because of the cold weather. My parents are even discouraging me from going to the interview...and I can kind of understand that. I am just miserable in the cold (have Raynaud's syndrome, etc)...but does anyone turn down MGH? Or should I just learn to deal with being cold and uncomfortable in exchange for a great education?

Wow, sorry to hear that you have Raynaud's and have an interview at MGH. I would guess that there are many other excelllent neurology programs that give an equal education, but obviously don't have the same reputation or connections as MGH. . . personally I think the weather in Boston is horrible in winter, piles of snow and freezing cold make it difficult just to get around and the city is crumbling under and ancient transportation system. From the standpoint of a medical student I think that they care the most about the "reputations" of the academic institution, whereas as later on you just want to live in a city with nice people and good weather (not a fan of the frigid Boston attitude, really even in New York they can act nicer than that!). I would go anyway to the interview if you are ambivalent, I have no personal experience with Raynaud's so I don't know how painful it would be, maybe there are some gloves with internal heating?!? My fingers froze just trying to get the grimy snow and sleet of my car windshield each day . . . not worht it in the end. I was at Harvard South Shore . . . has the Harvard name but the teaching is a joke! LOTS of burnt out doctors . . .

 

[BozoSparky]

I have a friend who has Raynaud's...she does ok in beantown.

Check it out if you have the time & money...

 

[neuron123]

Is this ridiculous? I was very excited to get a neuro interview at MGH (but was turned down for their prelim program)...but am considering whether or not I would even go there because of the cold weather. My parents are even discouraging me from going to the interview...and I can kind of understand that. I am just miserable in the cold (have Raynaud's syndrome, etc)...but does anyone turn down MGH? Or should I just learn to deal with being cold and uncomfortable in exchange for a great education?

Wouldn't turn it down! it a great place to be!

 

[GopherBrain]

I think that this is a valid reason for turning down the invite. There are plenty of good programs, and why be miserable? If you are competitive enough to get a partners invite, then you are competitive enough to match well somewhere with more temperate weather.

 

[RedOctober]

I think that this is a valid reason for turning down the invite. There are plenty of good programs, and why be miserable? If you are competitive enough to get a partners invite, then you are competitive enough to match well somewhere with more temperate weather.

Exactly, there are about a dozen places I would rather go than Partners given an option, i.e. there are many excellent neuro programs in warm climates in the US that I believe realistically would offer the same training and opportunities.

 

[chagall]

Thanks for all the posts. I do think I'll accept the interview just to see, since it does have such a great reputation...and my sister is there, so I could go visit anyway. Maybe I could work on other ways to deal...I already have the "Pocket Warmer" things, but no gloves with internal heating...have to look into that.

So I'm leaning towards accepting an interview, and if it comes to it, maybe even a spot there.