Location vs. Strength of program

[*Wing of Zock*]

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I know that most of us are getting ready to rank or already have, and I was just wondering how much the location of a program has figured into your decision?

There are some outstanding programs that are located in less desireable areas. Did you guys generally try to rank programs within a certain geographic area, aviod certain cities? Or did you just go on pure strength of program.

Just curious--Wife and Kid pushing me towards a program that's in a very family friendly area, but the best program I've seen is located in a city that uhhh. . .lets just say that if they were going to give the USA an enima--this city is where they'd stick it in.

Alright Brain, I don't like you and you don't like me, but just get me through this and I can go back to killing you with beer. --St. Homer

 

[tabasco]

Hey Wing,

I have a family too, and therefore location was the biggest deal for me all around. Within reasonable limits of course - but I couldn't have them live in a miserable place just because I liked the PD more... Moreover, if they aren't happy, you aren't going to be happy either.

However, what we did was to we choose a nomber of criteria, gave them each weights and calculated the program's score based on the criteria and the weights we had agreed upon. We ended up agreeing without any problem on which was the ranking order all around.

All this being said I still had a criterium called gut feeling...

 

[limabean]

Location has been a huge issue to me. I think that you really need to consider what will make you happy. I've been to several very nice programs in many different cities but cold weather(I'm very outdoorsy person), cost of living, and the inability to see my niece grow up are issues that let to my ranking a particular program number one. Although residency is time consuming, we are still going to have time off and you really want to be somewhere that you can enjoy your off days too. I have a significant other who will be moving with me, so I also had to consider what would be best for him as well-I know if he is miserable, no matter how good the program is-I would be unhappy too. A place that is safe, has good schools, and affordable(unless your sig. other is rich🙂 may be extremely important considerations if you have a family that you are bringing along.It will be tough enough on them to have most of your time occupied with residency, then to move them to a place where they would be unhappy. I don't think that I would choose a program that sucked just based on location, but if there are a few places of equal quality(fortunately for us there are lots of good EM programs everywhere), I think in the long run the benefits of being in an environment that you feel comfortable at are alot greater then being a program that has a slightly greater rep. Just my opinion.
Good luck with your decision, I think most of us are still struggling with this one.
Limabean

 

[Seaglass]

Location is it, all of my top 4 were primarily location picks.

 

[GCS:3]

I have a significant other who just started med 1, so I'm trying pretty hard to end up at a particular program. It's not an academic powerhouse, but I'm no Rosen-to-be, so it doesn't matter.

Sure it'd be nice to have great opportunities to work with hotshots for the research month, but really, if I want to go the academic route, I'm going to do a fellowship.

That being said, I really like the program (to remain nameless until Feb 25), and would be more than happy there. I'd say as long as a place has an ok volume:resident ratio, and faculty eager to teach, the RRC ensures you'll be prepared in the end.

I think the PD at Hopkins put it best. He told us that we sure as hell weren't going to have fun in the hospital for the most part, so make sure you'll be happy when you get outside.

 

[SewerRat]

Hey Wing,

So in what city is this national enema to be inserted? Just out of curiosity.

 

[DrQuinn]

Location was either THE most important or definately top 3. My rankings were:

1) USF (lived in Tampa two years)
2) Univ of MD (watned to go back "home" to the DC area)
3) Univ of FL (stay in FL)

Q, DO

 

[basementbeastie]

training will be good where-ever (and only lasts a few years)....i will be with S.O. for the rest of my life!!! make 'em happy --> makes you happy....