Location or fit?

[FSU2013]

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The name basically says it all. I am pretty sure I know where I'm going to rank 1, but i'd be curious about other people's opinions.

One program is an exceptional fit. I mean, exceptional. If I could design a program (people included), this would be it. The location is good....not ideal, but a place I would be happy.

The other program is my ideal place to live. I really liked the program a lot. It was an absolutely first class and I think I would fit in fine.

So, would you take the ideal program in a good location, or a good program in an ideal location? Thoughts?

 

[NERDY]

Do you have a spouse/SO/family who you need to consider as well?

 

[DreamingTheLive]

Sounds like you'd be splitting hairs and they're two great options for you. I'm a "fit" guy, so I'd tend to say fit > location, but they're both very important components to the equation. If the location has family, friends or is where you think you'd like to possibly spend the rest of your life then I would have to say location > fit. 55/45 fit.

 

[FSU2013]

Do you have a spouse/SO/family who you need to consider as well?

Yes. She is 50:50. So not a big help, lol.

 

[NERDY]

I have heard attendings say that no matter where you go for training, the ED is "74 degrees and fluorescent" which would make me lean towards fit.

However, remember that training programs are dynamic, so your favorite residents/attendings may move on to other opportunities.

 

[han14tra]

If family is nearby, I'd say go with location. I've been far away for med school (only seeing my family at Christmas time). It can be very lonely.

 

[Daiphon]

The name basically says it all. I am pretty sure I know where I'm going to rank 1, but i'd be curious about other people's opinions.

One program is an exceptional fit. I mean, exceptional. If I could design a program (people included), this would be it. The location is good....not ideal, but a place I would be happy.

The other program is my ideal place to live. I really liked the program a lot. It was an absolutely first class and I think I would fit in fine.

So, would you take the ideal program in a good location, or a good program in an ideal location? Thoughts?

Given your stated variables, it sounds 50/50... so here's what you do:

Take a quarter: heads = location, tails = fit.

Flip it.

If you like what comes up, there's your #1. If you don't or even hesitate for a second, then you still know your #1 - the other program.

d=)

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

 

[gutonc]

I think they're 2 sides of the same coin. There are lots of reasons why one might weight a little bit more than the other, but you're talking about a program you really, really like in a place you love vs. a program you love in a place you really, really like. But in EM, where you're going to have more free time than residents in most specialties (but no more money), location probably makes a bigger difference than it does to your surgery colleagues.

 

[DB2013EM]

I'm an easy going person. So fit is nice, but I fit everywhere I feel ha.

Location, im picky. So I'm going with that.

But it comes down to....

You need to be happy. One program I went to had a Zaxby's around the block (my favorite fast food restaurant). It actually made my interview day better hahaha.

 

[DeadCactus]

I'm in a similar situation and I'm pretty sure I'm going to with fit. As long as you have the key things that make you happy outside the hospital, I think optimizing the fit of your work environment will pay dividends in terms of making your training as productive and efficient as possible.

I think a few years of being content but not blown away with your city is worth the increased productivity you get out of really loving where you work and train...

 

[ERdocSGU]

Remember, programs (not cities) train physicians. A city is a perk but won't make my decision if a program is a better fit. I suggest to rank the ideal program over the ideal city. Plus, the city is good... That ideal city awaits you one day, but the ideal program is here now for the taking.

 

[b-real]

What does your gut tell you? I will say that, as a resident, fit is probably the most important aspect. Being comfortable around your co-residents and administration makes an otherwise intense endeavor (medical training) bearable. These are the people you will lean on when times are tough. The city is secondary to your most important job, which is to learn medicine. Also, just by the adjective you use for the better fit, "exceptional," makes it seem like you're leaning that way. Go with your gut instinct.

 

[han14tra]

What cities are your top 2 programs in?

 

[NERDY]

Also, depending on the location of the "fit" program, when you do have days off, you can get away for short trips.

 

[FSU2013]

What cities are your top 2 programs in?

I'd rather not say. They are both In cities that have only 1 program. Plus, my ideal city and ideal program aren't ideal for everyone. I'm curious about the opinion of others. I'll PM you though if you're interested.

Also, depending on the location of the "fit" program, when you do have days off, you can get away for short trips.

Definitely. The better location program is a little closer to other stuff, but they work more days. The program that was a better fit is a little far from other places, but you get more
time (and weekends) off.

 

[Old_Mil]

So, would you take the ideal program in a good location, or a good program in an ideal location? Thoughts?

I chose my residency based on fit. I chose my initial practice location based on location. Although two aspects of the program ended up making it less of an ideal fit than I thought, it was still a decent choice. On the other hand choosing the practice based on location was a serious error - one that lasted less than a year before I quit.

So I guess that I'm a fit guy. Also, more time off is important study time. You'll be surprised just how inefficient residency training is in terms of time spent at work vs. valuable information learned in a clinical setting.

That having been said, if the good program is truly in an ideal location (and the ideal program in a good location is far away), being in that place may make it easier to find a job post graduation if that's a place you want to be after you are done.