That's interesting. The intern I went to lunch with couldn't tell me anything about surg path because all he had done was autopsy, cytopath, and blood bank. They told me their schedule was 6 months of AP and 6 of CP during the first year. Interesting to see how all the programs do this. There are extremes from places like Michigan and Dartmouth which switch you every month (blood bank to surg path to micro to autopsy, etc) to the Brigham where you don't see any CP until year 3! (perhaps, at which point you say "the heck with it, give me more AP").
About the mentor program - I got the impression that everyone was assigned an advisor, and there tended to be lots of guidance. You are right about the conferences though - lots of didactics. Some unknown conferences. Basically, LOTS of conferences!
I was/am somewhat concerned about the teaching too. I asked most of my interviewers about this, they had good responses and maintained there was a good emphasis on teaching. The surg path 4 day sign out did include one day where you review cases with the fellow, but one day where you review with the attending. The Bayview rotations were interesting, I thought. I don't anticipate private practice either, but don't want to rule it out. I also have to review what I heard about elective time, because I seem to remember there being more than 3 months. I think there is more elective time, but a lot of it is taken up by rotations that everyone picks so it seems like less, perhaps.
I definitely agree with the size of the department and it being spread out. That elevator was great though, reminds me of an old New Hampshire hotel I know. Either that or it reminded me of The Shining. Minus (most of) the blood, of course. The autopsy suite did have an unpleasant odor. And I have to love a place that has a bright red light that comes on outside the room whenever an autopsy is in progress.
Listen to me, I sound like a politico. These are good concerns though, things to think about. Thanks!
