JHU vs. UPenn

[dizzydoctor]

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There was a previous thread comparing the path residencies at Hopkins and UPenn, but it's 10+ years old so I wanted to start a new one. I'm not asking what the "better" program is, because that depends on what you're looking for, but I'm curious to hear any comparisons or insider information people are willing to share. It can be anything, just looking for as much info as possible! Thanks in advance!

 

[tiredguy]

Very few people can compare residency programs because most people only do residency at one program. If you interviewed at both places, you likely have better insight into the differences than most people. People might share more specific information by post or PM if you ask for clarification about specific points that you care most about; e.g., was living in city ABC better or worse than you expected?, do the faculty at program XYZ do a good job teaching the residents?, etc.

 

[dizzydoctor]

Very few people can compare residency programs because most people only do residency at one program. If you interviewed at both places, you likely have better insight into the differences than most people. People might share more specific information by post or PM if you ask for clarification about specific points that you care most about; e.g., was living in city ABC better or worse than you expected?, do the faculty at program XYZ do a good job teaching the residents?, etc.

Thanks for your input. In that case, does anyone who has trained or is training at either of these places have some insight to offer about their own program? I know it's common to interview at both of these programs, so if you ranked one above the other and don't mind sharing why, I would really appreciate it!
Also, if after starting residency at either of these places you've discovered some aspects (good or bad) that you didn't realize before, e.g. degree of scutwork is worse than you expected, I'd like to hear that as well.

 

[pathslides]

There was a previous thread comparing the path residencies at Hopkins and UPenn, but it's 10+ years old so I wanted to start a new one. I'm not asking what the "better" program is, because that depends on what you're looking for, but I'm curious to hear any comparisons or insider information people are willing to share. It can be anything, just looking for as much info as possible! Thanks in advance!

I heard UPenn gives you a reading day. That would have been baller if my program had that. Free day to read and look at slides. Not sure if true.

 

[Violetta80]

did you consider a second look? At least Upenn seems to suggest it.

The reading day sounds new to me, I don't recall that they mentioned this. The only program I recall having a reading day since recently is Yale but I might be wrong.

 

[moneybreh]

I heard UPenn gives you a reading day. That would have been baller if my program had that. Free day to read and look at slides. Not sure if true.

Uggh, this would be so amazing.

 

[moneybreh]

Never got the interview to Hopkins but I loved Penn. Only thing I didn't like was the common area set up for residents space. That was kind of a deal breaker for me, unfortunately cause everything else was awesome. Can't imagine not having my own desk.

 

[LADoc00]

is UC San Diego an option? I was just down there and wow. I could 100% live there forEVAH!

 

[dizzydoctor]

Thanks for the feedback everyone!
According to my notes from interview day at UPenn, they have 2 different surg path schedules depending on the subspecialty, and on one of those you do get a full preview day, if that's what you mean by reading day.
@moneybreh - I felt the same way about that common area! Not having your own desk must be hard.
@LADoc00 - Didn't apply to UC San Diego but that would be an awesome place to live.

If anyone has more info please keep it comin'! Every little bit helps.

 

[Deucedano]

I spent a month at UPenn back in 2012. I really liked it as well. The residents had a good life/work balance. At that time they did have a preview day (which I assume you mean reading day). Not sure if they do still. I was told when I interviewed later during that year they may do away with it but I dont know. Despite liking it so much, I ended up Stanford since I had to get out of PA. We got alot of Hopkins residents as fellows and all were really solid. My anecdotal experience is that Hopkins holds more weight nationally, but from what I hear from former grads they dont support their people getting jobs outside of academics. Honestly, I would go with how you felt about the people and your ability to live in either place. If you go to a place where you are happy, enjoy what you do and you work hard, you will thrive. Dont go to a place where you wont be happy. A vast majority of people at my program got jobs by word of mouth. If you are the unhappy resident who is hard to work with because you are unhappy, people are less likely to recommend you for said jobs.

 

[pathslides]

Hopkins holds more weight nationally, but from what I hear from former grads they dont support their people getting jobs outside of academics.

I have heard this many times from others I have known attend big name places. Such a d bag move. Mostly out of jealously for those attendings in academia that are being overworked and underpaid.

 

[deleted314957]

I have heard this many times from others I have known attend big name places. Such a d bag move. Mostly out of jealously for those attendings in academia that are being overworked and underpaid.

I guess misery loves miserable company. Saw the same phenomen in the
military. Lots of people get "stuck" there and the system has lulled them into
a sense of security and fear of the "outside/maybe I can't make it".

 

[Euchromatin]

I have heard this many times from others I have known attend big name places. Such a d bag move. Mostly out of jealously for those attendings in academia that are being overworked and underpaid.

I'm sure it depends on the specific attendings and YMMV, but, in my experience, the issue is more that fellowship directors in tertiary academic centers have minimal connections/contact/experience with private practice groups. They likely know plenty of other pathologists in their specialty area at other academic centers from collaborating on research, hanging out at poster/platform sections of national meetings, knowing prior fellows who have academic jobs, etc. So they will hear through the grapevine about other academic openings, but probably not so much about private practice. I don't disagree that there is an element of trying to encourage fellows to follow in their own footsteps and, if trainees also take similar jobs in academia, it helps reinforce that they made the "right choice" or that their current situation is optimal/happy/good, but I haven't personally seen any attendings black-balling fellows' attempts to get private practice jobs to the point I would call "d bag moves."