Georgetown Neurology

[partyfoul]

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Hi everyone, first of all, thanks for all your help with this match thing. I was just wondering about people's thoughts about Georgetown. I feel like many people are really down on it, not just this year, but people from other years as well. I was wondering exactly what the problems are with Georgetown, and why people are so down on it. Thanks a lot.

 

[jacksonianmarch]

Hi everyone, first of all, thanks for all your help with this match thing. I was just wondering about people's thoughts about Georgetown. I feel like many people are really down on it, not just this year, but people from other years as well. I was wondering exactly what the problems are with Georgetown, and why people are so down on it. Thanks a lot.

Georgetown is a horrible place to do neurology training. The INTERIM chair just resigned, the PD, although a nice guy, has not returned inquiries made to him over the last 2 months, Georgetown as an institution is in a state of financial instability, and to go from University to VA takes an 1 hour commute in traffic.

 

[crackerjack]

the program is very unstable. you should look at the posts on the "post-interview impression" thread. essentially, about 8 or 9 faculty members (prominent ones) have left in the last 8 years. in addition, the new chair is from medstar, the hmo that bought out georgetown (the other chair just left after 2.5 years or so, a couple months ago). i also tried to email the program director and got no response. nada. in addition my interviews were very disappointing since i didnt even get to meet the program director! i only interviewed with a resident and a faculty member, who was new (i believe this was someone else's experience as well, i dont remember who). they do not have any money, which affects programs in two ways-- 1) they have to see more patients to make up the deficit, which is poorer patient care and more work for the residents, and 2) they spend much less time on education for the residents. i couldnt get a clear answer from anyone there about the situation but i had some information from other interviewees and a physician mentor who has an inside scoop on them. yes, its dc, but i think that u maryland, in baltimore, is so much of a better program that... well... its close enough to dc to be worth putting over georgetown. thats my opinion anyway. it does suck because there are only very few programs in dc, but im not sure what will happen-- georgetown has dropped out of the top fifty hospitals for neuro in the last several years, which is unfortunate because id say about 10 years or so ago they were considered to be a fairly strong program, but not anymore. but thats my opinion, so... i hope that helps.

 

[jacksonianmarch]

the program is very unstable. you should look at the posts on the "post-interview impression" thread. essentially, about 8 or 9 faculty members (prominent ones) have left in the last 8 years. in addition, the new chair is from medstar, the hmo that bought out georgetown (the other chair just left after 2.5 years or so, a couple months ago). i also tried to email the program director and got no response. nada. in addition my interviews were very disappointing since i didnt even get to meet the program director! i only interviewed with a resident and a faculty member, who was new (i believe this was someone else's experience as well, i dont remember who). they do not have any money, which affects programs in two ways-- 1) they have to see more patients to make up the deficit, which is poorer patient care and more work for the residents, and 2) they spend much less time on education for the residents. i couldnt get a clear answer from anyone there about the situation but i had some information from other interviewees and a physician mentor who has an inside scoop on them. yes, its dc, but i think that u maryland, in baltimore, is so much of a better program that... well... its close enough to dc to be worth putting over georgetown. thats my opinion anyway. it does suck because there are only very few programs in dc, but im not sure what will happen-- georgetown has dropped out of the top fifty hospitals for neuro in the last several years, which is unfortunate because id say about 10 years or so ago they were considered to be a fairly strong program, but not anymore. but thats my opinion, so... i hope that helps.

I echo everything that was stated above -- and guess, what, the same holds true for their prelim medicine/transitional programs about not getting in touch with you!

 

[partyfoul]

Hey thanks for the help. I too have not received any communication from the PD, and I was worried because I thought it might just be me. I will definately take all this into consideration.

 

[crackerjack]

hey partyfoul,
listen. in the end, its going to come down to what you want. is it location? is it prestige? is it really close-knit breathing down your neck didactics or is it resident/self-driven teaching? is it on-the-spot ancillary services and brand new facility? i think that georgetown, despite its flaws, remains a prestigious place, and they are very successful with fellowships. i think they represented themselves poorly this year, both on the interview day and post-interview day via pd. this could be a reflection of money issues or of nonchalance. if you want to go to dc proper, its the best program in the city, by far. (gw: too small. 6 faculty! less well-known name. howard-- dont know much about. walter reed-- not in military.)
i say all this just to say that there ARE other things that go into consideration when creating a match list. i listed all the negatives above in my previous post, but am really starting to wonder myself about whether those things were deliberate or not (pd lack of response/interview, etc) and the importance of money,... ok. i admit it. im just a big fat car wreck. this rank list making is messing with my head. i cant remember anymore which programs i liked or didnt like. or what i consider to be the important factors. do you know, i actually read my old posts again, to remind myself of what i thought of programs??? its like im doubting myself. OKAY! suffice to say, if you liked georgetown, more power to you. ACHHHH i need to go ice my head, it hurts.

 

[crackerjack]

do i sound crazy or what??? my apologies to everyone.

 

[rdomingo]

Oy veh! Thank you so much for that last comment about Georgetown... I swear I'm developing peptic ulcer disease over my rank list as well, but particularly in regards to the Hoyas... Ok. So I interviewed there on a late interview date, which is probably why my impression of them is so different from most other impressions which have been posted. That day, there were maybe about 10 of us interviewing and I personally had two interviews with two very nice/enthusiastic attendings, one of which had completed his residency there and who was one of the most down-to-earth attendings I've met along the trail. As far as the PD not responding, I honestly wouldn't know because I have not tried contacting him since. In his defense, it has to be hard to keep up with all of the applicants questions. Granted, if he really wanted to sell his program in light of the stories re: financial issues which have been circulating, he should have made more of an effort to answer your questions and ease your concerns. I can certainly see why that would leave a bad impression with you. But this is just another example of why it's all so subjective. Different interview dates/interviewers/interviewees... hell, the weather could affect the whole day. (For instance -- my shuttle ride to the VA?? 20 minutes -- not an hour as posted earlier). Take into account my being an IMG, and ya know something -- it's one of the best names I'll probably be able to land for residency and I'll be competitive for great fellowships afterwards, and that's something to think about. Just wanted to kinda present it in a different light.

Alrighty, now who among you can prescibe me a strong PPI?? 🙂

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE! I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST!