Harbor UCLA vs. UC-Davis

[EMfosho]

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Unfortunately, I only have the time/money to interview at one of these two places. I know they are both good, and very different. Harbor being county and UC-Davis having much nicer facilities. Both groups of residents seem very strong.

Any thoughts on reasons to interview at one vs. the other? Hopefully this will help many people out there trying to decide between the two.

Thanks!

 

[docB]

UCD is an inner city place (for those who don't know it's in downtown Sacramento, not Davis). Very high trauma volume, tons of inner city pathology, drugs and booze. The trauma is overwhelmingly blunt. The rotations at the Kaisers are good because they give you a grounding in community level EM. Excellent faculty.

Sacramento is a great place to live. Everyone always talks about what it's close to (SF and Tahoe) but I really liked Sac in it's own right.

 

[The White Coat Investor]

I interviewed at both. Tell us what your ideal residency would be like and we'll tell you which one would be closer.

 

[EMfosho]

I guess just hearing your opinions/comparison between the two would be helpful. I checked on the residency reviews post, but there werent too many for davis. what are your opinions/thoughts on the two?

thanks!

 

[overthebars]

It was amazing!!! You gotta see this place and the people. Amazing, approachable faculty, great research, fantastic patients and acuity. Very impressed by the residents as well. I am not articulate enough to write down how positive an impression this place gave me. That being said I can't wait to see Davis either.
My vote is that you go to both even at some personal cost.

 

[Painter1]

It was amazing!!! You gotta see this place and the people. Amazing, approachable faculty, great research, fantastic patients and acuity. Very impressed by the residents as well. I am not articulate enough to write down how positive an impression this place gave me. That being said I can't wait to see Davis either.
My vote is that you go to both even at some personal cost.

i think the big difference is one is in Torrance (15 minutes from L.A.) and the other is in Sacramento. They are both envied residencies to get into. Harbor is more elitest and also more on the preppy side.

 

[theCamel]

i'm waiting to hear re: interview from harbor, so i am biased in favor of your going to davis : ) but still honestly make an effort to go to both. financially it's in your benefit to be happy during your residency years vs. saving a few $$$

 

[Dr. Will]

I think both programs are great and I ended up ranking them both highly. I rotated at Davis last summer. See the review page to see my review of Harbor and you can PM me for info on Davis. But I agree with the previous poster...this is not the time to try and "save money" by cutting places out. If you feel you are interested enough in both, it's in your best interest to see these places first hand. It may be the place that is the "best fit" for you. You won't know that just by other's opinions, but really by your own experience. One more interview will not break the bank in the scheme of things. Remember...it's your career.

 

[EMfosho]

thanks guys! im definitely going to try to find a way to do both.

thanks again!

-emfosho