MGH vs BWH vs BID

[fukuisan]

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Yet another "versus" thread. Most likely MGH, BWH, and BID are going to be #1, #2, and #3 on my ROL but I have no idea in what order. I know that each program has its own personality, a slightly different curriculum, and different strengths and weaknesses. I made a table to try to compare all of these but it really wasn't all that helpful. Gut feeling-wise, I felt good at all 3 places.

If anybody else has been/is in this situation, what are your thoughts? How did you end up choosing?

Thanks.

 

[billyverdin]

Yet another "versus" thread. Most likely MGH, BWH, and BID are going to be #1, #2, and #3 on my ROL but I have no idea in what order. I know that each program has its own personality, a slightly different curriculum, and different strengths and weaknesses. I made a table to try to compare all of these but it really wasn't all that helpful. Gut feeling-wise, I felt good at all 3 places.

If anybody else has been/is in this situation, what are your thoughts? How did you end up choosing?

Thanks.

I am in a similar position on this one, except have not interviewed at MGH yet (in a couple of weeks) but have gone back and forth about my feelings of BW and BID. BID's size is more compatible with what I am looking for as opposed to 30 residents per year at MGH and BW, at my BW interview I saw residents meeting one another for the first time....not a red flag but certainly shows that in larger programs you can become anonymous. With that being said about BW, I really enjoyed my day there and got a good vibe from the residents. They seemed like outgoing, interesting folks. I was a little turned off about the call schedule at BW because it was so variable, if anyone has any input on their call schedule please post. But strengths seemed to be OB, ICU's, Pedi's (all of these will have pedi strengths since they rotate at Children's) I don't know about Cardiac because of so much competition. It seems they may double up...can be ok, but not ideal. Overall good feel...like the Chair said, "30 residents per class, you have a good chance of making some good friends and being pretty happy." On the last note I think better rep than BID and better Networking.
BID is smaller, but still 18 per class so not small. More emphasis on didactics, early exposure to cardio, vascular, neuro in CA-1 year. Better call as you advance. CA-2 and up come in at 3pm and out at 7am. I did not have a good chance to evaluate the culture of the program though because I did not meet enough residents.
I look forward to MGH. One of my top choices (MMC) has many faculty who trained at MGH and they have been candid with me stating that if I am set on going to a Boston program over Maine then can't go wrong with MGH or BW, no bad talk about BID, but no love either....might say alot.
Well that is my $0.02 hope to encourage more thoughts. peace

 

[ether]

I can tell u what I know of the programs.

MGH and BWH both have great reps. and will give u good training in either. The big differences is the great research done at MGH and the differences in personality (MGH being more oldschool and BWH more "touchy feely".) Have a freind at BWH and hung out with him and his residents. Yes they do have 30 residents, but NO WAY do they not know each other well.

BWH cardiac load has not changed much over the years, mainly because they do A LOT of valves so have never been dependent on CABG's for numbers. They do have fellows, but residents are NEVER doubled together. And from what I hear the fellows and attendings are so consumed with the TEE stuff they let u do everything else from lines to intraop mxt.

BID, don't know much about, but have heard: It is much more cush then the other 2, definetly doesn't have the same rep. as the other 2, and has some cool residents.

Hope it helped. Peace out!!

 

[EastCoast]

is it true that MGH is "malignant" even now? or is that just a rumor from the past?
also, for those of you who are currently applying, how difficult is it to get a prelim spot at MGH or brigham?

 

[fukuisan]

I've heard a lot of things about MGH as well about it being a "malignant" program... however when I went there for my interview, the residents seemed reasonably happy and did not think at all that it was a "malignant" environment. They also mentioned several times that they are never abandoned in the OR and that everybody at MGH is very nice.

The residents at BWH seemed happier in my opinion and there were more of them at the dinner... they were a rowdy crowd. The dinner started later than MGH's dinner so maybe that's why there were more residents but I think they were also just more social. Most of them seemed to know each other well but one actually asked me if I was an applicant or a CA-1.

Thanks for all of your input so far!