Maine Med, Lahey, Baystate, Dartmouth?

[irlandesa]

OK, now that I picked the top part of my rank list, I have to decide on the order of the bottom half. I have posted my impressions about these programs before and will summarize them below, but am still having trouble deciding how to rank them. Wanted to see what others' perspectives are on these programs?

My impressions:

Maine: best location of the 4 (dig Portland!), really nice people, problems are that it's a small program and someone who seems interested in me (and I'm not sure I feel the same at this point) wants to rank it first, and the fact that they haven't filled the past 2 years.

Lahey: young program, strong faculty all around, commuting issues and living in suburbia are problems for me, proximity to family and Boston is really nice. Also a small program and hospital. Gut feeling about some residents was a little "off" somehow when I interviewed and rotated through there, hard to describe.

Baystate:best attending teaching I've encountered so far in my training (Chairman is a Cornell and BWH trained ID specialist, but very down-to-earth), really bright and dedicated faculty, most interesting and diverse pt. population of the 4. Very unfortunate admissions system (I have described this elsewhere), don't like Springfield. Didn't get the greatest vibe from the PD while I was there.

Dartmouth: best reputation of the 4, nice recreational opportunities and exposure to VA and rural medicine. Gorgeous, large hospital. Definitely the least friendly place for the single resident (though I am not in the least sure I'm the marrying type).

So based on this info, and any additional thoughts you may have, how would you rank these 4 programs? are there any you would absolutely NOT rank in my situation? thanks for any feedback.

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[cubby]

I can only comment on Dartmouth, as I did not interview at the others. I agree with everything you said regarding the beauty of the area, quality of the hospital, and the presence of a VA. The bottom line--I think the training there would be excellent. The area, though, is MUCH more rural than I expected, which can be a good or bad thing depending on your situation. I'd love some impressions on the Dartmouth residents...the ones that were vocal in AM conference when I was there were GREAT--very thourough, articulate and broad in their thinking, people I would like to be around...but only 2 of them really said anything! And what of the PD--he seemed like a superb guy, but I didn't interact with him much. Thanks.

 

[irlandesa]

thanks for your thoughts on Dartmouth; I also agree with you that the residents at AM report were really bright and articulate from what I could tell. However, I was told that interns do not usually attend AM report for the entire first year (which isn't exactly unique to DHMC or the affiliated VA). Of the 4 I listed, I think the caliber of the residents is the strongest at DHMC, but there are so many factors.. I really liked the PD too from what I could tell; very unpretentious and dedicated. My family practice preceptor was in his med school class at UMass, so I will have to contact him for an inside look.. The only thing that knocked Dartmouth down the list for me was all the hatin' toward my favorite city in the whole USA expressed by the residents; what did Boston ever do to them? Anyway, good luck to you, anyone else have any thoughts on Baystate, MMC, Lahey?

 

[irlandesa]

OK, I just found out that my "friend" may well not be putting Maine first, so that may change things a bit (I know, I know, I should be more mature than this!!).. However, if I can get some more info on Baystate and their openness to changing over to a dayfloat system (or short/long call)on the GM wards, that would play a big role in the decision. So far:

(+) Maine/Lahey for location, Dartmouth for reputation and PD and skiing, Baystate for diverse patient population and overall great faculty.

(-)Maine-trouble filling, Lahey-low ABIM board pass rate, Dartmouth-too anti-urban, Baystate-current system apparently not respectful towards the unmarried and childless.

I am spending way too much time on this, let's just hope I get one of my top 5!