How important are program coordinators?

[bluebird123]

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I am a current MS4, finalizing my rank list. Two of the programs that I really like have new coordinators.

One program hired a new coordinator last November. I met him during my interview day and he seemed really sweet, but very young and inexperienced. It seemed like the program was being very thoughtful about the transition, but he just moved to the area so he won't be able to help me find a mechanic or anything.

I just emailed the coordinator of one of the other programs with a question and got an auto-reply saying that she retired. She had been there for several years before this.

Most of the other programs where I interviewed have had the same coordinator for at least 5-10 years. The program directors, faculty, and residents almost invariably describe these experienced coordinators as an incredible resource to the residents.

How should I factor this into my decisions about my rank list? How much of an influence does the coordinator have on the program? Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill?

Thanks!

 

[gutonc]

PCs are huge, but don't get hung up on them as a reason (not)to rank a program, unless you really didn't get along with them. Everybody is new at a job at some point and, just like PDs, PCs don't stay around forever. If you had a good interaction with the PC, regardless of their time in the job, things should be fine.

And I would never have gone to my PC for a recommendation about anything off campus. You're an adult, you have the internet, do your own homework.

 

[Law2Doc]

Coordinators can be helpful but I wouldn't even factor that into the decision. Your interaction with them with be but a tiny handful of minutes a week. Focus on the big ticket items.

 

[slappy]

How should I factor this into my decisions about my rank list? How much of an influence does the coordinator have on the program? Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill?

Don't.
A lot.
Yes.

 

[j4pac]

As a general rule...if the PC looks overworked and underappreciated...

That is how you are going to look as a resident...but only worse.