Maryland

[lmh14]

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I'm curious about Univ. of Maryland. Anybody heard anything - good or bad? Thanks!

 

[ohbee gin]

I have a friend there and will phone her this weekend (she's on NF now) . I haven't scheduled my interview yet but just received an invite. When I learn a little more, I'll pass it along.

 

[lmh14]

I have a friend there and will phone her this weekend (she's on NF now) . I haven't scheduled my interview yet but just received an invite. When I learn a little more, I'll pass it along.

That would be so helpful - thank you very much!! I look forward to hearing what you have to say.

 

[ohbee gin]

LMH,

I'm glad I can finally get back to you on Maryland. From what I've heard, my friend is really enjoying the program. She stressed that the residents all genuinely get along. They rotate through two hospitals which are nearby and get good exposure to a diversity of cases.

The MFM program is populated by an all star staff including Dr. Harmon, (a principle investigator of the Biophysical Profile), among others.

From what I gather U Maryland is a great program, especially if you have a strong interest in MFM. Fellowship opportunities are abundant and case load is not a problem. I interview [ ] and will update you.

 

[lmh14]

Thanks for the info - I really appreciate it! It's so good to hear positive things about a program. Good luck on your interview. Mine is in December, so we can compare notes hopefully.

 

[lmh14]

any more info about maryland, now that interviews are underway? thanks!

 

[kryptokal]

I interviewed at U of Maryland a couple of weeks ago. Overall, they seem to have a pretty strong program...nothing that jumps out at me and would make me want to relocate from the northeast. The area it's located in (inner harbor Baltimore) had undergone a HUGE renovation and revitalization and is probably one of the last true urban renewals that is somewhat affordable still, though prices are rising quickly. A few blocks north of the campus, however, is still a bit touch-and-go. But coming from SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, "touch-and-go" is relatively benign.

Now, the one thing that bothered me about my interview day. When we first show up, half the group gets red folders, the other half black. When we divided up for interviews, the red folder folks went to the department in the hospital while the black folder folks went to the clinic offices. At the hospital, the red folder group had the opportunity to be interviewed by either the Chairman of the Department, the Residency Director, the Chair of OB at Mercy Hospital, and another ranking attending. The rest of us at the clinic interviewed with various attendings, none of which seemed to have any position in the department aside from professor.

Now, this could just be my paranoia, but when I checked out the breakdown of the students from our list, it seemed all the Northeaster folks (Buffalo, Downstate, U. of New England Osteo, and Jersey) were at the clinic interviews, while everyone from all over the country (UCSF, Texas, Florida) went to the hospital.

After the interviews, we didn't get a chance to meet with the chairman or residency director because by the time we got to the hospital for lunch, they had already convened to start making their rank list for the day.

In my experience thus far (12 interviews), I have had the opportunity to meet with either the chair or director in some formal fashion, whether it was an interview or 5-10 minute meet and greet. At Maryland, I really felt like they were giving priority to non-northeastern folks. And judging by the southern/mid-atlantic mix of their residents, this seems to hold some water.

Anywho, that's just my 2 cents and impression of Maryland. Great program, just not worth leaving my familar NE surroundings...as they kept reminding me over and over and OVER again throughout the day: "Y'know, Baltimore isn't like New York City"...

No ****, sherlock. Where, exactly, IS like New York City?

 

[community]

That seems pretty messed up to me. I would actually contact the Prog. Dir. or Coordinator after the match process and let them know the message that they are sending to the interviewees. Sooooo messed up!!!!!!!

 

[Flea girl]

.
Now, this could just be my paranoia, but when I checked out the breakdown of the students from our list, it seemed all the Northeaster folks (Buffalo, Downstate, U. of New England Osteo, and Jersey) were at the clinic interviews, while everyone from all over the country (UCSF, Texas, Florida) went to the hospital.

I was one of the "clinic interviews" and I go to school in Kansas City. So I do not think it was just the Northeast people that got the clinic. I can honestly say that I would rather scramble then go to that program. My last interviewer forgot about my interview! Someone had to remind him. Nice huh. I felt that that was such a waste of my time. Very disappointed with the whole experience.

 

[daisyduke]

I was in the "hospital group" of interviews but still didn't interview with the PD or chair... go figure.

 

[snowinter]

I was in the "hospital group" of interviews but still didn't interview with the PD or chair... go figure.

HI guys,

I interviewed at Maryland back in November. Maybe things were different on the day of my interview. But, The PD gave the introductory speech in that old auditorium that you dont need a microphone to be in. (whatever that building was called -- b/c of the acoustics)

He was very energetic -- and emphasized resident education coming first. From everything I read from you guys-- I had a totally different experience. Although I also had an interview with the PD .. and Dr. Harman.. both interviews went well. We had tons of residents turn out too.. and answer our questions. On the day I interviewed -- I didn't realize only half of us were interviewing with the "big guys" (it was one of my first interviews and I wasn't paying attention to all the details yet).

Strange how you can get a totally different view of a place by what kind of behavior they are on when you happen to go? I imagine around christmas time -- the show isn't as bright as back in November -- mainly b/c everyone must be getting a little tired. I wonder how many interview dates they have.

There are plenty of other places that do all kinds of wierd things -- from group interviews -- etc. I dont understand why Univ of Maryland is getting all the bad rap. Although I do have to agree that if the PD / Chair don't show up AT ALL on interview day -- that is a bad sign. That didn't happen on the day I went at all. I'm glad for these forums to compare notes.

good luck everyone, snow

 

[kryptokal]

The Chairman and PD did, indeed, give the introductory talk, but that was all the contact half of us got.

Like I said, there was nothing overtly wrong with the program or residents, it was just the layout of the interviews that irked me.

 

[lmh14]

I was there on the last interview day, Dec. 16. They didn't break us up into two groups, maybe because there were fewer of us. I think there were sixteen applicants total. We all went over to the hospital for interviews, and I interviewed with the director at Mercy. As we were wrapping up, I asked him what weaknesses he saw in the program, to which he replied "the caliber of the residents." Hmmmmmm....I certainly didn't expect that, although I appreciate his honesty!!!

 

[community]

Sooo messed up!!! Maybe something is wrong with him/her. If I was the director of a program at a hospital I would try to change the structure of program itself to ensure that all residents excel. They should look within to see what the true problem is. 🙁