Hi Comatose,
I had a "I wanna go to San Francisco" phase this summer when I was filling out my post-grad applications. So as a result, I applied to the GPR at UCSF and two (out of three) AEGD programs offered by UOP. I did not apply to any VA programs only because treating kids at a VA hospital is practically nonexistent. Also, I am a NY resident and have zero ties to California.
UCSF GPR: UCSF used to have an AEGD, but it will end in June 2004. Instead, they created this GPR recently and are upped the number of residents they take. From the info they e-mailed me, it says the following - Tuition and Stipends: Stipends are subject to annual review, but for 2003-2004, the annual stipend for PGY 1 residents was approximately $38,100.00. This program sounded great to me - great city, great university, great location, great reputation of UCSF until I read in their info packet that the program has a HUGE emphasis on oral surgery. I immediately lost interest, but it maybe oral surgery is something that interests you.
UOP AEGDs: UOP runs 3 AEGD programs at 3 different sites. One is at their school, a second one at Union City, and the third is in Stockton. From the ASDA guides, it says UOP's stipend is $20,000; my friends who visited the programs confirmed that the stipend is around that number.
Although I was invited to interview at all three places I applied, I did not attend any of them. By the time October rolled around, I had gotten over my California phase and decided to stay in NY for the upcoming year of residency instead. Also, I think it would be impossible to live in SF on $20,000/year, so that was my main reason for not considering UOP more seriously.
You don't have to be a California resident to get into a GPR out there. Students from our school (Buffalo) get accepted to California programs each year who are not residents. They aren't always the most stellar students either, so don't worry that you have to be #1 or else California won't take you. And there were a number of GPRs in California with post-match spots open this year, so it is not impossible to get a GPR if you want to do it. I have friends who interviewed and matched into GPRs at VA hospitals in California and liked what the VA had to offer.
I did not look into taking the boards, so I can't help you there. I figured I would just get out there and take them during my year in residency. One year should be long enough to figure out what is needed pass the California boards I would think.
