HELP! NYU vs. Mount Sinai

[schoolmarm]

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Hey guys,
I really need help in deciding my rank list. I really LOVE both NYU and Mount Sinai but I just can't decide which to rank first. (although I really would be lucky to get either) Anyone have any thoughts? Better opportunity for fellowships? Anything would help. Thanks.

 

[skittlesUofM]

I am also curious about the difference between these two programs, i know they have both been discussed in past threads but I was wondering what current impression from those who have interviewed at both and from residents who are at these programs now.

 

[mtsinaianesth]

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When choosing a program it is essential to follow your gut instincts. I can't speak for NYU's program, however, and as a result all I can offer you is that you will be more than happy ranking Sinai number one. It is virtually unheard of to go to a program that encourages residents to take time away from their clinical rotations to attend conferences all over the world, or to participate in medical missions to Liberia, Honduras, Niger, etc, as we do here at Mount Sinai.

As far as fellowship is concerned you will not have a problem obtaining a spot if you choose Mt Sinai.

There are many other perks to Sinai, however, most important is having a program director that supports his residents 110%!

Good luck with your selection, feel free to contact me for any other questions, or feel free to ask any of the residents at sinai.

 

[StealYourFace]

my impression of nyc programs after applying last year:

columbia/sinai (depending on preference) > nyu > cornell

 

[GasMan1]

Well, I'm 5 months away from graduating Sinai's program, so I know it pretty well...I only have hearsay on the other programs, and it's just bad form to comment on them if you don't really know them...so I won't. What I do know is that I'm extremely pleased that I came here. The training is awesome, and I don't know anybody here who feels underprepared for attendingship (if that's even a word). Like all programs, you see tons of pathology, you finish all your rotations as a CA2 and can tailor your CA3, etc. What really stands out here is our support system from our Program Director as well as many of the attendings. Don't be confused...this program is not cushy! You will have a lot of long, tough days. But when you "hit the wall" (and you will) you can go to Adam as well as others for help. There is no true abuse here. You can get a fellowship anywhere from here in anything you'd like. Our fellowships aren't incredible, but they're ok. Or you can go out and get a great job...I've gotten nothing but great feedback when interviewing in all places around the country. We have a very solid name. Like I said, it's still a residency, and you're counted on to be there when called upon, but compared to what I've heard from other places Sinai is superior in trying to keep their residents happy. You cannot go wrong by coming here. Good luck.

 

[SinaiGasPasser]

I am a CA-1 at Mt Sinai, now just six months into training. I agree that it's bad form to discuss other residency programs in a setting like this, so all I will say by way of comparison is that you will get excellent clinical training at both places and you will be able to get a $$$ job or fellowship of your choice after graduating either program.

At Sinai there is a very strong focus on the residents and their needs thanks to the program director, Adam Levine. The first month of residency is full of lectures on the basics (from how to set up a set of IV tubing to how to calculate the remaining volume on your E-cylinder of oxygen) and simulator sessions that break up one-on-one preceptorships in the operating room. This creates an excellent blend of giving everyone "real time" experience in the OR with a standardized July and August curriculum so by the time you are left alone in the OR for the first time you are assured to have some idea of what is going on. The simulator sessions in particular are very useful in terms of going through all the steps (actually giving drugs, ventilating, and intubating/extubating) of a standard case so you can get your feet wet without a surgeon tapping their foot and staring over your shoulder; at the same time you can pause and discuss each element of an induction, maintencance, and emergence with a "patient" in front of you that has all the physiologic responses a real patient would.

In the subsequent four months since these introductory sessions concluded we continue to have daily lectures and weekly department conferences to cover the basic sciences and theories of clinical practice. On top of that, my work week averages 50-60 hours, so there is ample time to read. Add all of that together and I feel like I am getting a great clinical and academic experience. The best part, though, is that I am gaining all of this experience without ever feeling like it was forced upon me and I didn't have support. The carefully conceived introduction to the operating room in July and the personal case selection (Adam assigns residents to the rooms each day based on what cases are going there) have left me with a feeling that I am challenged every day with something new without ever being set up to be in over my head.

Hope this helps. Congratulations on making it through medical school (almost). Enjoy the rest of the year and best of luck in March.

 

[little angel]

I must say that I have been very pleased with my experiences here over the past few years. As mentioned earlier, we work hard, but are rewarded and appreciated for it. We have a wonderful support system here including residents, attendings and most importantly our program director. There is a strong emphasis on didactics with daily lectures and weekly departmental conferences. Additionally, there are numerous clinical experiences available. Obtaining a fellowship would not be difficult. We have residents who pursue specialties ranging from peds, pain to cardiac. Although I don't know much about NYU's program, I can say that you would be very satisfied here. Mount Sinai is a very resident focused program, as they are always striving to improve our satisfaction.

 

[angel2002]

I agree with the other postings--I can't speak of other institutions, but I can definitely say that Sinai is the best place to train for anesthesiology. Our program director makes all the difference, Adam places priority on the residents' needs. You get an awesome clinical experience here. The residents are all like friends rather than just colleagues. If you choose to come here I can guarantee you will have no regrets.👍

 

[innovative info]

Hi
I am a ca-2 at mssm. this is in reply to nyu vs mssm c regard to fellowship. I am currently applying for a fellowship. my experience has been that the faculty here at mssm are extremly well known in all areas (card, peds,regional) and that their lor goes far. the chairman and program director make phone calls often for us and so do other attendings who have connections. fellowship is more than publications and good in service scores. people have to vouch for you. they put their names on the line for you. i think at sinai the program is designed in a way that by the time you have to actually apply for fellowship you have worked enough with almost every attending, including the chairman directly in the or, that everyone is willing to go far for you.

our name in anesthesia goes far across the country in anesthesia, both academic and private. i know this because i have friends at standford, ucla, boston, chicago, and texas. they all vouched to me that our anesthesia program is highly respected and that our residents are particularly capable and well read.

you definetly need to "fit in" at mssm. people are close here. hopefullly your interview day gave you a sense of who we are. we work hard and we play hard. the system is set up optimally to foster close bonds between attendings and residents. these are the things i think matter most for the next step. and the final proof: the chairman hires his own. and when he doesn't, i am told he really goes out of his way to get you where you want to be.

hope this helps.

ii.👍😎

 

[ANES82]

so i'm currently applying right now as well so all i can tell you is the general impression i had at the programs -

the mt sinai residents have tons of opportunities to make extra cash and seem to be really happy! nyu residents are happy too but the reputation in the city is that sinai is the place to be. outside of the city i'm not sure people are as aware of how strong the program at sinai is but i'm sure that will improve with time. i think you will be able to get a great fellowship coming out of either program. also the facilities are better at sinai as bellevue is very old! nyu is a solid program too though and you will probably see some rare stuff come in off the streets to the bellevue ER. i really dont think you can go wrong with either one.

i hope this helps as most of it is based on my opinions of the program and from talking to residents at various NYC programs

 

[schoolmarm]

Wow thanks for the great feedback, it really did help. It was great to get firsthand feedback from current residents!

 

[mssmanes]

As echoed in previous emails from my colleagues, as a Sinai resident, I cannot comment on the program at NYU or at any other institution. What I can say, however, is that I cannot imagine another place more supportive of the residents than Sinai. Our program director makes certain that our education and well being here are absolute priorities, and he does everything he can to ensure that every clinical experience you have is one that you can learn from. There is no using/abusing residents just to get the work done.

That said, the hospital is extraordinarily busy, and there are long days that will wear on you. This is residency, after all. However, the environment here is supportive and rewarding, and there is always a friendly face to turn to at the end of the day, whether that be our program director, one of the attendings, or a fellow resident.

At the end of it all, the training here is intense, thorough, and clinically superior, and the faculty and administration here are more than willing to speak up on our behalf when it comes time to look for jobs.

Ultimately at the end of the day you have to choose what feels right in your gut. But hopefully these comments have given you a better idea of what Sinai is all about. Best of luck!

 

[y2janitor]

Does anyone have anything to add to this?

 

[jdovez]

I'm a med student here at nyu, but I interviewed at both institutions and also spent some time at sinai. From the experiences I had I can say that the residents who commented on this thread have been very genuine. Dr. Levine at Sinai is a wonderful resource for their program and you can see he genuinely cares about the residents as students, employees and most importantly as people. However, the NYU PD is also very caring and an extremely nice guy. I think the clinical training at both institutions is top notch and you really can not go wrong if you go either way. Ultimately I think the clinical training and work hours at both institutions is comparable (although I think the volume at Sinai has been increasing over the past few years and consequently it is probably a slightly busier program). NYU is in a nicer neighborhood in manhattan, however it is very very rare to get housing as a resident whereas Sinai is close to central park and has a number of subsidized housing options. Also, as indicated previously, there are more robust and lucrative moonlighting options at Sinai.

If anyone has more specific questions directed to a student that has spent some time at both programs let me know. But I will tell you that for family reasons (perks at sinai are very appealing) and since I have spent the last 4 years at NYU and potentially want to try something new, sinai has been pushed to the top of my rank list, but nyu is not too far behind 😀