Mayo vs. University of Alabama

[x10694]

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guys help
Got an interview invite from Mayo because someone cancelled. Same date as my U of Alabama, regardless I took the spot but I have to cancel one of them within one or two days. I heard both are very good programs but anyone want to chime in on what to keep in mind when choosing one for another?

Also does getting an interview spot from waitlist diminsh your chance of matching?

 

[ambiturner]

They're both great programs, but I think the obvious question is would you rather live in Alabama or Minnesota? Both are great programs and pretty cheap places to live but you'd have a completely different lifestyle at one versus the other. Geography is arguably the most important attribute of a program, whether for family, hobbies, whatever.

The interview is only one part of your app, but if you get the interview you're in good shape so I doubt the waitlist is a big issue. I ended up ranked to match at a place that waited to give me an interview until their last round so who knows.

 

[Guillemot]

I would try to interview at both. Consider leaving the interview of one early and flying to the other to catch the tail end of it.

 

[p30doc]

I would try to interview at both. Consider leaving the interview of one early and flying to the other to catch the tail end of it.

If you do this you will lose both. Imho.

 

[Guillemot]

I know... I was joking.

 

[Cathyran]

I interviewed at both programs last year. Both excellent, but I felt mayo was the stronger program overall. However, Birmingham>>>Rochester. Maybe contact UAB and ask them if they have another interview day you could switch into?

 

[Orin]

I think the weather's a pretty significant factor...

Can't speak for Mayo, but UAB can be very flexible with scheduling. Their chair went to Mayo so I bet he'd understand.

 

[TheSweetness]

UAB is superb all around, especially their anesthesia program. The facilities are great and Birmingham is a very desirable place to live.

UAB is very well respected and a top tier program

 

[x10694]

thanks all ... seem like weather and geography is the only factors people brought up... I live in Chicago so gravitating toward Mayo at this point.

 

[cchoukal]

thanks all ... seem like weather and geography is the only factors people brought up... I live in Chicago so gravitating toward Mayo at this point.

UAB is a well-respected program, but it's hard to argue that Mayo doesn't have better name recognition. Of course, the calculus you're making is whether a third-string interview (let's face it: if they thought you were a good enough applicant for them to be really excited about, they'd have offered you an interview up front, right?) at a top program is as likely to yield as good a ranking as a first-tier interview at a less prestigious program. It's a gamble.

As for your Chicago comparison, Birmingham is a MUCH bigger city than Rochester. They'll tell you "it's only an hour from The Cities," but it's closer to two hours to the ACTUAL city of Minneapolis, and your day-to-day is going to be very small-town. Do you like the Olive Garden?

I grew up in Mpls and lived in Chicago several years, if that helps give you context for my comparison.

 

[pd4emergence]

I don't know much about mayo, if you know people there, know the town, and know that the program is somewhere you would be happy then you should do your best to make it to the interview. If it's just because of name and nothing else I think you should consider keeping the uab interview. Birmingham is a great place to live. Lots to do for people in all stages of life. The program is great. Residents are happy, the hours for residency aren't terrible, the training is first rate, and the moonlighting opportunities within the program sets uab apart. Pm me if you have any specific questions. Good luck.

 

[Infexious]

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[x10694]

I live in a very small area and the bolded comment made me laugh. I am very familiar with the local Olive Garden.

In regards to the Mayo/UAB issue, I agree with cchoukal in that it is obviously a cancelled interview. You have had UAB for awhile, and would you possibly hurt your UAB chances by telling the you want to move them around to make room for Mayo (whether the chair went there or not)? I say UAB and let Mayo go...just my 2 cents.

Thank you for chiming in. They are scheduled on the same date and moving around is not possible. One has to be cancelled. Regarding chance at Mayo, does it change anything if i say that I applied three weeks late? and wasn't complete for another a week and half? I was under the impression that maybe I missed the first batch because my application wasn't complete. So education wise, neck and neck slightly mayo for name recognition, location Alabama hands down ... I want to make the courtesy of notifying one program for sure by tomorrow to give others on waist-list a chance appreciate it if you can give me some input ...

 

[cchoukal]

Regarding chance at Mayo, does it change anything if i say that I applied three weeks late? and wasn't complete for another a week and half? I was under the impression that maybe I missed the first batch because my application wasn't complete.

So what you're basically asking is, "does my late application completion mean that the late interview offer perhaps WASN'T a sign that that I'm a second- or third-tier applicant, and maybe my chances are Mayo are as good as anyone's and at least as good as my chances at UAB." The only person who knows that is the Mayo PD. Ask him/her. The only answers you'll get here will be purely speculative.

Only you know if/why the UAB interview can't be moved, but I highly doubt that asking their secretary for a different interview date would make its way to the PD and give him/her the impression that you're less interested and, in so doing, lower your potential position on their rank list.

 

[BLADEMDA]

Go interview where you realistically have a chance to match. Look at the programs' statistics then decide where you likely will get a spot.

 

[x10694]

Decline letter has been written, just need to write in email address and hit send button. I am so split as to which one to decide.

 

[XRanger]

Would you rather live in Minnesota or Alabama? They're both great program so it comes to where you rather live. I don't know about you about location is important for me and I'm basing my rank list mostly on location. I've never been to Minnesota or Alabama so can't comment on either of those. But you said for location Alabama hands down, so I would choose UAB

 

[x10694]

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[Gern Blansten]

Would you rather live in Minnesota or Alabama? They're both great program so it comes to where you rather live. I don't know about you about location is important for me and I'm basing my rank list mostly on location. I've never been to Minnesota or Alabama so can't comment on either of those. But you said for location Alabama hands down, so I would choose UAB

This.

Both are excellent programs, so you should choose based on location IMHO.