Help with Rank List

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actedcanine

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Please assist with rank list. I am probably leaning towards academic centers because of diverse pathology and complicated cases but want insight into community programs as far as reputation and training. In no particular order

University of Southern California
UC Davis
Loma Linda
Baylor Dallas (advanced and categorical)
Baylor Houston
University of Texas health science campus san Antonio
Kaiser Los Angeles
Santa Barbara Cottage
Harbor UCLA
Santa Clara Valley
 
A lot of views and no responses yet...

I'd be interested to hear opinions about any of the non-Big-4 CA programs as well--so let's throw UCI and Cedars into the mix.

A specific question I had was why do so many USC grads stay at USC for fellowship? I get that they might have ties to CA, but based on past years, it's even rare for them to go to UC's for fellowship. Do they stay by choice? Or is there something else at play?

Another question is which community program might be the best if I wanted an academic job in SoCA in the future (if I HAD to pick a community program)?
 
I know nothing about the Cali programs, sorry. I wouldn't want to try to pay rent there. Santa Clara is seen as one of the best community programs, but that is kinda like winning the NIT after you didn't get into the NCAA tournament.

Baylor Dallas is just a private practice, but it's a very popular residency because of the fringe benefits and scheduling.

Baylor Houston is more big-time, but the residents I met there were tired from call.

UTSA--put at the bottom
 
University of Southern California: Has a very good reputation among private practice groups in south California. After graduates of UCLA and UCSD, USC graduates have the best chance at getting good pp jobs. Not uncommon for pp groups in LA to choose a graduate of USC over a big name NE program.

UC Davis: Solid but not in the same caliber of other big Cali programs.

Loma Linda: Solid. Good IR program. Similar to UC Davis.

Baylor Dallas: Good reputation among pp groups in Texas. No academic reputation. Rank it high if you are looking for a pp job.

Baylor Houston: A little better than Baylor Dallas. Similarly, good reputation among pp groups in Texas.

University of Texas health science campus san Antonio: OK program. Used to be disorganized a few years ago. Don't have any update.

Kaiser Los Angeles: Good if you are looking for a Kaiser job in sunny California. Otherwise, no national reputation. Also local pp groups don't like it that much.

Santa Barbara Cottage: Overrated since it is California. Rank it if you are dying to stay in California.

Harbor UCLA: Avoid it if you can.

Santa Clara Valley: One of the better community programs in California. They may brag how their graduates end up in fellowship at UCSF. Rank it if you have to stay in California.
 
University of Southern California: Has a very good reputation among private practice groups in south California. After graduates of UCLA and UCSD, USC graduates have the best chance at getting good pp jobs. Not uncommon for pp groups in LA to choose a graduate of USC over a big name NE program.

UC Davis: Solid but not in the same caliber of other big Cali programs.

Loma Linda: Solid. Good IR program. Similar to UC Davis.

Baylor Dallas: Good reputation among pp groups in Texas. No academic reputation. Rank it high if you are looking for a pp job.

Baylor Houston: A little better than Baylor Dallas. Similarly, good reputation among pp groups in Texas.

University of Texas health science campus san Antonio: OK program. Used to be disorganized a few years ago. Don't have any update.

Kaiser Los Angeles: Good if you are looking for a Kaiser job in sunny California. Otherwise, no national reputation. Also local pp groups don't like it that much.

Santa Barbara Cottage: Overrated since it is California. Rank it if you are dying to stay in California.

Harbor UCLA: Avoid it if you can.

Santa Clara Valley: One of the better community programs in California. They may brag how their graduates end up in fellowship at UCSF. Rank it if you have to stay in California.
Thoughts on UCI and Cedars?
 
UCI: Overrated program. Who doesn't want to do residency next to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country? Solid program but not even close to the level of other UC programs (UCSF, UCLA and UCSD) or even USC. It used to be very cushy, more than what you want for a residency. However, if you want to settle in South California in the future, not a bad choice for residency with the intention to do fellowship in one of the big name programs in California.

Cedars: Same Caliber as UCI. Similar things to say.

Both of these program will most likely work for you if you want to stay in South Cali. Outside California, not really that much reputation. Both are hard to match, harder than many strong to excellent midwest program. I assume matching at UCI is harder than UMich though the latter is one of the top programs in the country and the former has only local fine reputation.

In California:
UCSF>Stanford >UCLA >=UCSD >>USC > UC Davis=UCI=Cedar=Loma Linda>Kaiser>>>> The rest of California programs.

Notice that top 4 programs have also excellent national reputation. Once you reach to USC including USC itself the reputation goes down abruptly to local reputation. Kaiser is an OK place to do your training. Below Kaiser, the quality of education is really subpar and I recommend you to avoid it unless you have family obligations to stay in California.
 
UCI: Overrated program. Who doesn't want to do residency next to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country? Solid program but not even close to the level of other UC programs (UCSF, UCLA and UCSD) or even USC. It used to be very cushy, more than what you want for a residency. However, if you want to settle in South California in the future, not a bad choice for residency with the intention to do fellowship in one of the big name programs in California.

Cedars: Same Caliber as UCI. Similar things to say.

Both of these program will most likely work for you if you want to stay in South Cali. Outside California, not really that much reputation. Both are hard to match, harder than many strong to excellent midwest program. I assume matching at UCI is harder than UMich though the latter is one of the top programs in the country and the former has only local fine reputation.

In California:
UCSF>Stanford >UCLA >=UCSD >>USC > UC Davis=UCI=Cedar=Loma Linda>Kaiser>>>> The rest of California programs.

Notice that top 4 programs have also excellent national reputation. Once you reach to USC including USC itself the reputation goes down abruptly to local reputation. Kaiser is an OK place to do your training. Below Kaiser, the quality of education is really subpar and I recommend you to avoid it unless you have family obligations to stay in California.

so your saying Kaiser > SCVMC?
 
Yes. Not because it provides better education, but it helps to get a job at Kaiser system.
 
Thanks for all of your input, shark. I know I speak on behalf of many going through this process.
 
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