New York programs, I know a touchy subject!

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short term lurker, first time poster.

Now that interview season is coming to an end, I'm left with handful of programs under serious consideration. Geographically, I'm limited to the NY and immediate surrounding area. I'm torn among Columbia, Cornell, and Yale, with Mt. Sinai and NYU also contenders.

Pre-med school situation: worked in research for a LONG time, so it is still close to my heart. However, if I do involve myself in any more significant research, I would hope that it is more clinically oriented rather than nitty gritty basic science.

Post-residency thoughts: looking for a fellowship (right now heme-path sounds good to me, but who knows if this will change when I'm thrown into the grind).

Post-fellowship thoughts: have been told that an academic position would be "ideal" for me, and am starting to believe it.

Miscellaneous thoughts: hard not to be influenced by the "sexier" locations in NY. subsidized housing is also a nice dangling carrot. I felt comfortable with residents/attendings at all the above mentioned, never felt the need to flee the building or crawl in a corner. I actually like the CP part of the AP/CP program, but am not convinced that going to a program with its own apheresis clinic would be a plus or minus. Given all of this, any thoughts as to which would be the best fit for this girl?

If anyone could direct me to previous threads regarding the whole NY program debate, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[scurred]

dude...it doesnt matter...go where you feel comfortable...

are you really going to use the information from a message board to make your rank list...cause if you are...

the best ny program is probably winthrop

 

[yaah]

The best way to find threads on NYC programs is to search for the specific names. Like, use the search function, limit it to the pathology forum, and search for "sinai" or "columbia" or "cornell." That will get you better results than searching for "NYC program" or whatever. Take what you read with a careful eye though, your impressions are going to be more important than anonymous comments which may be biased (in either direction) for various reasons. I think all the programs you listed are good - I would look harder at NYU just because they have less of a reputation in pathology than the others, but you probably can't go wrong either if it fits what you want.

 

[insertnamehere]

just to start EVERYONE and I mean EVERYONE I have interviewed with has mentioned an interest in hemepath...including me, so hopefully some ppl change up or the fellowship situation is gonna be very interesting in 4 years.
Second, being that I want to stay in NYC I have a personal list of NY programs that I have put a lot of thought into:

Columbia (my top choice, no sub housing though, but washington heights is cheap by NY standards; AP/CP are mixed so they do both fairly evenly which is good for me because I like both a lot; Wash Heights is not sexy by any definition, but you get used to it, I did an elective here and really really liked the residents and attendings I met, the program director is the nicest guy in the world.)

Montefiore ($400 a month studio for all residents or $600 1 bedroom was a real pull, also an awesome residency program, they do blocks of AP and CP and have really cool residents and the PD is very likeable; it's in the Bronx which is not so sexy for NYC, but it's doable)

NYU (Also no sub housing and in the most expensive part of town so think about commuting which can suck on call; they front load with AP which can be a turn off if you like CP; but they are the highest paid residents in the city (clear Monte by $1500 and Columbia by $3000)

Yale (great program and awesome residents, just a few issues with how the program is organized; and they do hot seat rotations which are not a draw; plus they do all their autopsy in the first year which, if you hate autopsy, is perfect; but no CP in the first year at all; new haven is pretty, comes with the perk or access to Yale undergrad facilities which are beautiful; Metro North makes NYC 2hrs away)

Cornell (Didn't interview there, but heeard a lot, including that they are overworked but that is relative to how much you can handle; upper east side is beautiful; sub housing +)

Mount Sinai (just north of Cornell; didn't go there because it was getting late in the season and I was tired; heard tell of residents just being plain miserable with their work load from everyone I know who went there...including classmates and other residents but this is second hand).

You would be able to go academics with ANY of these programs. And, I believe they all have hempath fellowships (Columbia, NYU, Yale, and Monte def do) so you wouldn't have to worry about competing for a spot since progs take there own first. Also all the above progs have plenty of research and Yale offers that research fellow thing to do a PhD during residency which is so cool.


That is my personal thinking of NYC programs, but this is just my opinion and what works for me. Based on what you said, I think that our interests are pretty similar so I thought I would share my thoughts and reasons for them as I think they may work for you as well. Who knows, may see you next year.

 

[Psychopathology]

Many Columbia residents that I have met do not live in the heights, but the cost of living anywhere else in Manhattan is through the roof. They might qualify for NYPH subsidized housing (ask, I've forgotten) but that's a long commute from the UES. The residents seemed really sharp at this program. Transfusion service is run particularly well.

Cornell offers nice, subsidized housing a block away from the hospital. Upper east side is very expensive and the subway is a bit of a hike from the medical campus. Otherwise, the neighborhood has a lot of great places to eat and if you're not from NYC, you'll be glad to hear it's in a very safe location. Residents seem more laid back at this program. A number of them who have done rotations at other hospital path departments told me that they do not feel overworked. You should probably email some of the residents you met to get their take on it. Program caters to those pursuing a career in academic pathology but some of their graduates decide not to. I've met residents at both ends of the spectrum. It is a better fit if you wish to stay in academia but the clinical training is strong and graduates look sharp and have no trouble finding fellowships anywhere in any subspecialty. You can also rotate over at MSK, where there are a couple of combined Cornell-MSK fellowships available.

 

[listeriaismfb]

dude...it doesnt matter...go where you feel comfortable...

are you really going to use the information from a message board to make your rank list...cause if you are...

the best ny program is probably winthrop