Impressions about BU?

[hemoglobin]

I heard great things about BU, however my interview day was somewhat disappointing. I think the impression we have about each program depends a lot on the residents you interact with, and the resident who took me on a tour was definitely bored and unhappy. He even mentioned something like "Come on, ask me questions! I am stuck here , you guys can still get out!". That was a big bummer for me.

So I was wondering if you guys wanted to share your impressions about BU? By the way, anyone else interviewed there on Dec. 6th?

Thanks! 👍

Hb

 

[zidanereal2003]

I heard great things about BU, however my interview day was somewhat disappointing. I think the impression we have about each program depends a lot on the residents you interact with, and the resident who took me on a tour was definitely bored and unhappy. He even mentioned something like "Come on, ask me questions! I am stuck here , you guys can still get out!". That was a big bummer for me.

So I was wondering if you guys wanted to share your impressions about BU? By the way, anyone else interviewed there on Dec. 6th?

Thanks! 👍

Hb

Did you ask him what he didn't like about the program ? I mean sometimes what he doesn't like is something you like..
For example, some residents complain about working many hours.. I have no problem doing it at all... at the end it will make me a better doctor..

 

[hemoglobin]

Did you ask him what he didn't like about the program ? I mean sometimes what he doesn't like is something you like..
For example, some residents complain about working many hours.. I have no problem doing it at all... at the end it will make me a better doctor..

Actually, he said that in the end of the hospital tour, and all the applicants in my group were kinda shocked with his statement so we just spread out and went to the noon conference. LOL. But during the whole tour he looked like he was either unhappy or very, very, very sleep deprived. 🙂

However, I know someone who also interviewed at BU and loved it! So I am a bit confused.

Hb

 

[bariume]

Actually, he said that in the end of the hospital tour, and all the applicants in my group were kinda shocked with his statement so we just spread out and went to the noon conference. LOL. But during the whole tour he looked like he was either unhappy or very, very, very sleep deprived. 🙂

However, I know someone who also interviewed at BU and loved it! So I am a bit confused.

Hb

That's discouraging to hear that on an interview day. You'd expect the housestaff to put their best foot forward to help sell the program. But remember that residency is still residency no matter where you do it. You will have good days and you will have bad days. So his view might not necessarily reflect something that is unique to BU.

 

[irlandesa]

hey, I also interviewed on Dec. 6; I don't think we had the same tour guide, b/c mine were OK, just kind of rushed. I really liked the program, but I am a bit more biased due to the fact that a)I know several BU residents outside of work that are very happy with the program (and very down-to-earth normal people), b)really liked my interviewer and the primary care program, c)have a pretty strong preference for the Northeast and Boston anyway. I've talked in detail about all the different things I like about BU in other threads, will be my #1 or #2 choice as it is an excellent program. That said, I think they tend to undersell themselves on interview day, and I was a bit disappointed with the resident attendance in the day's activities and the conference (though considering they are spread out over 3 different hospitals and we had 2 different sites for lunch, it wasn't that surprising that we didn't get to meet many of them).

I know this doesn't really apply to you, Hgb, but I think many of the interviewees at BU are unfamiliar with the area and the weather (OK, I have to admit I've got a bone to pick with the latter lately myself), and I can see where having to hear over and over again (and on our day, it was) "it's so cold up here, is it always this cold, I just don't know about this," could tend to dampen the enthusiasm of the tour guides..

 

[beagle8]

I'm so glad someone felt the same way. I interviewed the week before you, and I too left sourly disappointed in the day. The fact that the interview day consisted of about 50 people didn't help. I felt like I was in a factory, and definitely did not feel any warmth amongst the residents. They all seemed stressed out and uninterested in their potential future co-workers.

I am a student at a top 25 school in the Middle Atlantic, which I believe is ranked higher than BU. But the camaraderie I feel here overwhelmingly trumps the feeling of inhospitality I felt at BU. I am disappointed.

I came in with high expectations, but I will not be ranking BU. I have interviewed at "less prestigious" programs, and you know what? If you are a hard worker at a university program, you will get a fellowship if you are a hard worker. Period. Names will only get you so far if you go to a TOP TIER program such as MGH, UCSF, etc etc. And I definitely would not place BU in that class; there is definitely no reason I should make myself miserable for 3 years when I could just as easily accomplish my goal of a cardiology fellowship at a friendlier institution.

 

[hemoglobin]

hey, I also interviewed on Dec. 6; I don't think we had the same tour guide, b/c mine were OK, just kind of rushed. I really liked the program, but I am a bit more biased due to the fact that a)I know several BU residents outside of work that are very happy with the program (and very down-to-earth normal people), b)really liked my interviewer and the primary care program, c)have a pretty strong preference for the Northeast and Boston anyway. I've talked in detail about all the different things I like about BU in other threads, will be my #1 or #2 choice as it is an excellent program. That said, I think they tend to undersell themselves on interview day, and I was a bit disappointed with the resident attendance in the day's activities and the conference (though considering they are spread out over 3 different hospitals and we had 2 different sites for lunch, it wasn't that surprising that we didn't get to meet many of them).

I know this doesn't really apply to you, Hgb, but I think many of the interviewees at BU are unfamiliar with the area and the weather (OK, I have to admit I've got a bone to pick with the latter lately myself), and I can see where having to hear over and over again (and on our day, it was) "it's so cold up here, is it always this cold, I just don't know about this," could tend to dampen the enthusiasm of the tour guides..

Thanks for sharing your opinion irlandesa! So we interviewed on the same day.... Too bad we didn't meet! 🙂 Regarding Boston, i spent a couple of days there and *loved* the city. It is too cold for a brazilian though (LOL), but I would definitely cope with it if I had to.
I also noticed the number of residents, especially interns, was not that high. Most interns who showed up got there for lunch but didnt attent the noon conference.
Wish you good luck in the match! 👍

Hb

 

[hemoglobin]

I'm so glad someone felt the same way. I interviewed the week before you, and I too left sourly disappointed in the day. The fact that the interview day consisted of about 50 people didn't help. I felt like I was in a factory, and definitely did not feel any warmth amongst the residents. They all seemed stressed out and uninterested in their potential future co-workers.

I am a student at a top 25 school in the Middle Atlantic, which I believe is ranked higher than BU. But the camaraderie I feel here overwhelmingly trumps the feeling of inhospitality I felt at BU. I am disappointed.

I came in with high expectations, but I will not be ranking BU. I have interviewed at "less prestigious" programs, and you know what? If you are a hard worker at a university program, you will get a fellowship if you are a hard worker. Period. Names will only get you so far if you go to a TOP TIER program such as MGH, UCSF, etc etc. And I definitely would not place BU in that class; there is definitely no reason I should make myself miserable for 3 years when I could just as easily accomplish my goal of a cardiology fellowship at a friendlier institution.

Maybe the same resident took us on a tour??? LOL 😀 😀 I was also full of expectations and got a bit disappointed. I will still rank them though.

Good luck for the match! 😀 👍

Hb