Besides location wise, any insiders care to compare the programs in trem of training? I know there are old posts on this topic, but just wondering after several years, did things change?
I dont care what anyone says BWH has always been "the" research path program. I dont think they care much about landing you a sweet gig in a privat group in Malibu as say UCLA and Stanford might but instead focus on getting you into a high powered lab asap.
Im biased, I think BWH is the best program in the country but not for reasons one might think (as in not for research at all).
...and those days are long gone. Many Brigham grads-to-be are pursuing private practice and Fletcher works wonders in helping set people up with those jobs.One of my attendings in residency graduated from the BWH program when it was run by Dr. Cotran. He told me that Dr. Cotran regarded trainees who went into private practice as failures.
One of my attendings in residency graduated from the BWH program when it was run by Dr. Cotran. He told me that Dr. Cotran regarded trainees who went into private practice as failures.
Basically, at one point Cotran heavily pushed for his best research people to do CP only, then kinda backpeddled (he himself being a nephropathologist I believe) but still highly criticized AP and CP combined/blended training paths.
He is dead tho and I doubt much of his philosophy lingers in the new house.
Go with the top programs that still have general signout. Subspecialty signout for residents is becoming the norm, but it was implemented to benefit academic attendings, not residents.
I'm a dinosaur, but I'm convinced general signout training produces better general surgical pathologists (what a concept!). You don't produce Juan Rosai's with boutique pathology, IMHO.
It doesn't really.He is dead tho and I doubt much of his philosophy lingers in the new house.
That's really not that accurate though - it depends on the program. Some programs make subspecialty signout work very well and integrate things well, others do not. Just like some make a mockery out of general signout. It basically all depends on your interest. I spent two years training in general signout and the remainder in subspecialty. I much prefer subspecialty (and I am not an academic). I learned much more about distinctions and subtleties, and it was easier to focus my learning. But the program has to be big enough, have enough volume, and have good teachers for it to work.
You are right that there are a number of programs who do subspecialty signout as a convenience for the attendings and it really does not lead to quality education.
In subspecialty signout, that may be all you get (for that organ system).
I think this set up only works in high volume institutions with a large enough department such that there is enough staff to cover all of these specialties.
Go with the top programs that still have general signout. Subspecialty signout for residents is becoming the norm, but it was implemented to benefit academic attendings, not residents. I'm a dinosaur, but I'm convinced general signout training produces better general surgical pathologists (what a concept!).
Schedule
Schedule is variable. On SP you leave between 6PM and 12PM. Other services you leave earlier. CP months are typically 8-5 days. "Scutwork" happens too often on all services.
Teaching
We have some really good attendings here and some that are not so good. Teaching is hit or miss. Anatomic pathology is taught fairly well. CP is a joke here. JHH has actually had several failures on the CP half of the boards in the last few years. I think all have passed AP lately.
Atmosphere
The residents at JHH are great. The program is so large though that some factions exist. No FMGs. Relative to clinical fields we have a life outside of work, but we work a lot more than most path residents.
Conclusion
JHH has many drawbacks. The residents simply dont have enough PAs or support staff. A large percentage of your time here is spent doing work that a PA or secretary should be doing. While on SP residents spend most of their time grossing specimens. By the time you preview you are exhausted from grossing and are short on time. Almost no time for reading here. JHH is prestigous, opens a lot of doors, and everyone finds jobs easily, etc. I would not come to JHH again. I think maybe 1 in 4 products of JHH would not choose JHH a second time. Probably half of residents would agree completely with above, but would choose JHH because of the prestige of the program. The other 25% love the place and would completely disagree with me. I do now welcome inquiries because if important persons in the residency knew my identity my career would be sabotaged. Luckily for me enough residents and former residents feel this way and this could be almost anyone.
Bump!
What's the word on MGH and Brigham these days? I hear they're pretty scut-loaded themselves. My interview experience at Brigham was very pleasant and a love their vision. But what's the word? Is it worth it to go to any of these prestigious programs? I don't want to be miserable for the next 4+ years!
No specific order, but here is what comes to mind:
BWH, John-Hopkins, Pitt, Stanford, UCSF, U of Wash, Wash U, Emory, Cornell, Penn
I think posts like these actually have a lot of influence. I think there are a lot of applicants that lurk in these forums. I have a feeling that these anonymous posts actually can influence which programs that these people apply to and even may influence their rank lists, like it or not. Because in general, people love top 10 lists.
Just curious to know which "top" programs you would include in the South and/or South East region of the country?I agree that the easily-influenced people who are too lazy to do investigation on their own are easily swayed by these posts. Ultimately, you need to decide on a program that is best for you.
Now that I am attending, I think my approach during the application process for residency was a bit naive. I realize that there are plenty of good programs out there where you can get solid training. If you are interested in academics, though, I think there is an upper echelon of programs that are closely tied to the upper echelon of institutions in the US:
On the east coast: MGH, BWH, and JHU reign supreme. Perhaps add Penn and UVA to the list. Interestingly, BWH has a brand new chairman; faculty turnover is an issue (mostly junior faculty) but is an issue at many places. Senior leadership remains there so BWH will likely remain a strong program even with the changes brewing there.
In the midwest: Michigan and WashU reign supreme. Given the leadership and the trajectories of these departments, Michigan takes the cake. That's it for the midwest.
On the west coast; UCSF and Stanford are the two strongest programs.
I don't believe in listing "top 10" programs. In my opinion, the above programs are the best programs given the current times.
Just curious to know which "top" programs you would include in the South and/or South East region of the country?
Regarding Hopkins - I've been told by some Hopkins residents that the hours there are brutal. Specifically, they said that they work until 2 or 3am while on surgpath rotations. Even CP rotations require long hours apparently. I can understand why people might go there for a year of fellowship but not why people would subject themselves to four years of that misery.
On the west coast; UCSF and Stanford are the two strongest programs.
There's a list on a white board in a breakroom down in Pathology which has, in order:
Penn
Hopkins
U. Washington
Pitt
Columbia
Wash U.
UTMB
Emory
Stanford
Chicago
I think posts like these actually have a lot of influence. I think there are a lot of applicants that lurk in these forums. I have a feeling that these anonymous posts actually can influence which programs that these people apply to and even may influence their rank lists, like it or not. Because in general, people love top 10 lists.
I can take a guess at which one was the "safety".
When I see places like UT and Pitt on a top 10 list for Pathology I immediately disregard the entire thread....
Although UTMB has really cool resources and stuff like "Vector Biology", I wouldnt go there hoping to make an academic career in AP.
Not saying some of these places cant train Ace pathologists, but pretty much ANY training program can theoretically do that IMO.
I wouldn't consider Cincinnati for Emergency Medicine or UAB for General Surgery, but both those programs are rated highly in those specialties and are considered academic pathways. And, UTMB Pathology fellows have job offers the day after they begin their first day of fellowship.
Completely agree. Ucsf, Stanford, brigham and Hopkins are unchallengeable. The five through ten spots are so random.Are there even good jobs in pathology in TX anymore?
I wouldnt necessarily brag about all the fellows signing on with Ameripath D+1 after leaving UT.
I dont think there is a state with more penetrance of corporate owned pathology in the entire US (maybe Florida?)....
No income tax is cool though, that I can dig.
PS- nothing personal at all, Im sure UT trains Ace pathologists. Its just that every "Top 10 List" basically takes the same 4-5 extremely well known programs like Brigham, Hopkins, Penn, Stanford and UCSF and then throws a few random places that either they applied to or graduated from. I dont understand the point of that at all...
Completely agree. Ucsf, Stanford, brigham and Hopkins are unchallengeable. The five through ten spots are so random.
How can wash u be a top ten place unless you are from the Midwest. There is a reason why Stl population went from a million to 300,000 over the last fifty years. The best med students in Stl would love to go to NYC, Boston, bay area, but no one from Boston, sf, NYC would make Stl their first choice.
WTH.Completely agree. Ucsf, Stanford, brigham and Hopkins are unchallengeable. The five through ten spots are so random.
How can wash u be a top ten place unless you are from the Midwest. There is a reason why Stl population went from a million to 300,000 over the last fifty years. The best med students in Stl would love to go to NYC, Boston, bay area, but no one from Boston, sf, NYC would make Stl their first choice.
WTH.
Lets not turn this into "Stl/Midwest sucks" thread. Thats hugely dependent on personal choice.
I personally rather live in St. Louis or Ann Arbor or Des Moines than SF, LA or NY.
Im just not a fan of "rank these programs" threads on this site. They are totally pointless. There is ZERO correlation between training program prestige and career success. Zero.
I fully support any and all bagging on California. California sucks. There are West African dictatorships run better than California.
Ny and sf are at their historical peak in population. Stl has shed 2/3 if its historical peak Cleveland lost something like 20% of the population in just the last decade. To many bright young 20 somethings sf and ny have a lot more draw. Stl and Cleveland are regional cities. Sf and NYC are national ones. It makes a difference.