Getting back to the essence of the thread:
Looking at historical posts it seems that MGH=BWH (both Partners hospitals), but Columbia/MSSM>Cornell (both Columbia and Cornell together make up 1 hospital system (NYP) that is ranked in the top ten by USNWR).
1) Why is Cornell regarded so low on this message board, or why are Columbia and MSSM regarded so highly?
2) Is Cornell's poor reputation based on a particular event, or something about it's teaching/clinical culture?
3) Cornell's fellowship match list is impressive (if not more in certain fellowship matches, than Columbia and MSSM) despite it's poor reputation on this board.
Can current Cornell (or Columbia) housestaff, if available on this board, comment on this.
Thanks
I'm a Cornell trainee. This is kind of a pointless thing to post about because, ultimately, you rank based on your own perception on interview day and you might not get your first choice. I'm not sure where you get the above information regarding a program's apparent "poor reputation" or perceived rank.
Yes, we were on probation last year for work hour violations, and a lot of questions were raised. We are no longer on probation. Yes, our esteemed program director stepped down after 17 years of service last year. We now have an accomplished, vibrant, and forward-thinking program director. Perhaps this is where you became confused.
All of the academic programs in NYC are well-regarded. You'll only irritate readers by posting drivel like the above in an attempt to gratify your own anxieties. I did not apply to Columbia because I have no interest in having to learn Spanish (a hurdle over there if you do not know at least the basics), so I know little about the program other than it also offers a rigorous residency.
When I was interviewing for fellowship a (rather naive) applicant from Alabama was "amazed that we were on probation for work hour violations". She felt that we were a "cushy program because we're an academic program." It didn't offend me. She just sounded pretty stupid.
The Cornell program is very front-loaded. It's a rough internship, and you'll work very hard the whole year. However, it's a program that historically has always taken great care of the interns. You'll be competent in general medicine and in manual procedures very quickly. There were issues last year attending noon conference etc. because the floors are so busy, but they've worked hard in changing that.
As for fellowship: we do well, matching into every fellowship at most of the top academic centers (if that's what you want). No door will be closed if you come here. In the end, just realize that the Cornell program selects very strongly for people that have the ability to get along. The strength lies in the people. With comments like the above, you'd probably stand out a mile as a potential intern who would not jive well at Cornell (but it's hard to tell on an internet forum, of course).
In the end, most people go where they are happy.
