NYC programs

[donmedi]

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Would anyone be so kind as to chime in their thoughts on the following programs in NY - LIJ, AE-Monte, AE-Beth Israel, NYU, and St. Vincents. I'm in the process of choosing between the programs, as I'm sure many others are. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[GoBruins17]

I applied to one of these programs (NYU) and am happy to chime in...I should also say that you will probably receive a lot more feedback if you make the effort to add your own impressions when asking for others...(not that I mind, but it's something I've noticed)

NYU: so I interviewed at a 9 places all considered "Top Tier" and, to my surprise, I thought NYU had the most impressive clinical training of any of them, assuming a few things:

1. Your'e the kind of person who likes being in a big public hospital
2. You learn by doing

Bellevue is, IMO, just amazing, and is the heart of the program...but even beyond that, NYU has such a wealth of clinical stuff (forensic, child, undergrad students, upper east side private, VA, tons of outpatient specialty clinics, survivors of torture, international stuff, psychoanalytic institute)...I also thought the residents and PD had a great vibe, enthusiastic and hard-working, but good spirit and good senses of humor. I should also be noted that if Child/Adolescent or Forensic fellowships are an interest, NYU is arguably the strongest in the country.

For basic research, it was not as strong as other programs I visited (MGH, Columbia), but for a self-motivator I think there are lots of opportunities.

Ultimately, it's a place where it's overwhelming characteristics (public sector focus, hard work, community-oriented spirit, diversity of sites and patients) are huge pluses for some (because the training is so good) and minuses to others (for some, maybe too chaotic/busy).

That's my impression. Sorry I don't know about any of the other sites.

 

[acuriousstudent]

All of this is scuttlebutt; I've only been to one of them.

There are worries that St. Vincent's will go bankrupt soon and that the residencies will continue in some sort of altered form. Great location, though, and a solid care of faculty/trainees.

Einstein is supposed to have a very nice esprit de corps, and LIJ has some strong faculty (but I just don't know anything about their residents).

NYU seemed terrific, big, chaotic, and a little uneven for a top tier place.

My impression is that you should go with your gut feeling. Do you have one or just trolling around?

 

[dl2dp2]

Very interesting. I also visited ~ 9 "top tier" places and I got exactly the same feeling as you. I would, similarly, consider NYU the best clinical training program in the country in terms of breadth/resources and this is compared with all the top programs like Columbia and MGH. Their research program, however, is substantially less impressive--and lacks a definite track record, and there's more of a silo feel--I think the new chair is trying to develop that, but overall is just new and underdeveloped. There is, however, more time available (and negotiable) for residents to do research, but there is no set "research track". However I still feel that this program has a lot of potential even for a researcher depending how the department positions itself in the future.

I also agree that the Child and Forensics programs are amongst the very top few programs in the country. I also agree that the multiplicity of training sites can be chaotic at times.

Overall I got pretty much exactly the same impression.

I applied to one of these programs (NYU) and am happy to chime in...I should also say that you will probably receive a lot more feedback if you make the effort to add your own impressions when asking for others...(not that I mind, but it's something I've noticed)

NYU: so I interviewed at a 9 places all considered "Top Tier" and, to my surprise, I thought NYU had the most impressive clinical training of any of them, assuming a few things:

1. Your'e the kind of person who likes being in a big public hospital
2. You learn by doing

Bellevue is, IMO, just amazing, and is the heart of the program...but even beyond that, NYU has such a wealth of clinical stuff (forensic, child, undergrad students, upper east side private, VA, tons of outpatient specialty clinics, survivors of torture, international stuff, psychoanalytic institute)...I also thought the residents and PD had a great vibe, enthusiastic and hard-working, but good spirit and good senses of humor. I should also be noted that if Child/Adolescent or Forensic fellowships are an interest, NYU is arguably the strongest in the country.

For basic research, it was not as strong as other programs I visited (MGH, Columbia), but for a self-motivator I think there are lots of opportunities.

Ultimately, it's a place where it's overwhelming characteristics (public sector focus, hard work, community-oriented spirit, diversity of sites and patients) are huge pluses for some (because the training is so good) and minuses to others (for some, maybe too chaotic/busy).

That's my impression. Sorry I don't know about any of the other sites.

 

[donmedi]

I'm not trolling, just fishing for insight. Honestly, I walked out of most of the these programs with really good "gut feelings." In no particular order.

I agree with most of what was said about NYU. There really is no place like Bellevue. Monte seemed more educationally (as opposed to service) oriented than most programs I've seen across the country. I think BI has a similar "great location" dynamic as St. V's, but don't know as much about it. I know about St. Vincent's budget woes. I walked out of LIJ with really positive feelings about the training director, and program feel in general. I'm not sure how I feel about the idea of a pure psych facility for training. It seems both good and bad. On a similar note, I'm not sure if the diversity of psychopathology would actually be more at LIJ b/c of the mixed suburban/urban encatchment. BTW, I'm looking for good therapy training, and less concerned about fellowships.

It's such a big decision to base on a bunch of snapshot moments. I'm just looking for different perspectives.

 

[cherryalmond]

Is St Vincent's still even in the match for next year? From what i hear there's big problems there and i heard they're not matching for their internal med program so are they matching for psyc?

I have a friend at LIJ who loves it though you wouldn't be living in manhattan and the pt base is definitely different. Mt Sinai--I rotated there and it wasn't for me; location is everything for me and i didn't like living in that area of the city. I'd much rather be in the village or downtown.

 

[rgerwin]

I believe there is a strong chance St. Vincent's will be bought and downgraded into more of a community center.

 

[Punkinhead]

I visited both of these programs (AE-monte, LIJ) and came away with a really wonderful feeling from LIJ especially. I really liked the program director, who was phenomenal and so willing to be the residents' advocate as well as truly seemed to want each future resident to make the right choice for him/herself. I loved the match speech and the residents' vibe. I really liked the separate psych hospital aspect too, as well as Schneider Children's Hospital. I found that when I wrote thank you letters, I had the most individual memories from that program among 10 interviews I attended total. I got a great feeling there and felt the only downside would be the not being in Manhattan, or commuting daily from the city, though many do this.

As for AE-Monte, it seemed great for learning and the call schedule was sweet. I loved the little house that was their headquarters! However, the Bronx was just not for me as I was a bit on edge walking from the subway station. However the housing was wonderful and the residents seemed really, actually happy. I cannot comment on the other places you mentioned, though I did see Mt Sinai (loved it) and Cornell (great opportunity). I think the main thing is where you want to be and the different make-up of the patient populations. I think you cannot go wrong at the places I mentioned and anyone would be happy at any of those places. I find myself splitting hairs to make a match list and really feeling lucky that most psych places, it seems, will give you a great education and a good life. It comes down to style points in the end. Good luck to you in the match!

 

[wanderlust10]

Anyone trying to sort out how to compare Cornell vs. Columbia?

Obvious differences seem to be the neighborhoods, the housing situation, the fact that Cornell has a site in Westchester, perhaps the diversity of the patient population.

How did the resident groups compare to you?

Did Columbia seem like a place that hopes/expects its residents to do research and eventually join academic medicine?

Did one strike you as having better psychotherapy training than the other?

Was anyone else struck by how many of Cornell's residents seem to be people that went to Columbia for med school?

I'd love to hear others' thoughts comparing these programs.

 

[DrRazberrySwirl]

Would anyone be so kind as to chime in their thoughts on the following programs in NY - LIJ, AE-Monte, AE-Beth Israel, NYU, and St. Vincents. I'm in the process of choosing between the programs, as I'm sure many others are. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

in general, i have to agree with what everyone else is saying. out of the programs you mentioned, i interviewed at LIJ, BI, and St Vincents. St Vincents is a great program and in a phenomenal location, however, things are just too uncertain there right now, that honestly, i dont think its worth the stress of worrying about it. i have a friend who was at cabrini when it closed, and trying to find a new residency was such a stressful experience for her. i LOVE LIJ (agree with the above poster, PD really seemed to have everyone's best interest at heart), i just had no desire to live on LI. BI also has a great location and a solid program but with a nice laid back feel. i think punkinhead said it best - "I think you cannot go wrong at the places I mentioned and anyone would be happy at any of those places. I find myself splitting hairs to make a match list and really feeling lucky that most psych places, it seems, will give you a great education and a good life. It comes down to style points in the end"

 

[rgerwin]

Can anyone fill me in on the # of inpatient months at Beth israel Intern year?

 

[pscyhres]

8 general psych inpatient as a PGY 1
3 addiction inpatient as PGY2
2 Geri Inpatient as PGY2

Can anyone fill me in on the # of inpatient months at Beth israel Intern year?

 

[strangeglove]

Was anyone else struck by how many of Cornell's residents seem to be people that went to Columbia for med school?

This may have something to do with the fact that Columbia takes only 2 of their own medical students into their program each year, no matter how qualified the rest are.

 

[dl2dp2]

This may have something to do with the fact that Columbia takes only 2 of their own medical students into their program each year, no matter how qualified the rest are.

How does Columbia adjust their match list to make sure this happens? Seems very hard to know for sure depending on the match?

 

[strangeglove]

How does Columbia adjust their match list to make sure this happens? Seems very hard to know for sure depending on the match?

It doesn't always work out, it seems. See the PGY-3 class, where there are 3 Columbia graduates. But this is the word on the street - take it for what it is.

 

[rgerwin]

has anyone ever attended LIJ and lived in manahattan? If so, how did you get there?

 

[stonehedge]

has anyone ever attended LIJ and lived in manahattan? If so, how did you get there?

I interviewed at LIJ and there were definitely some residents that lived in Manhattan and commute to LIJ - I believe mostly from the east side. I echo what previous posters have said about LIJ - wonderful program director, I loved my day there. The residents I met seemed happy overall. they pointed to very strong didactics (with a lot of great faculty). i think the large class of size of 17 can be viewed as a plus insofar as you're bound to find some people you'll mesh with.

Einstein - very similar impression to the above posters as well~ I liked the emphasis on the education and residents seemed very positive about their experiences there. the location in the bronx is a drawback for me.

Beth Israel - My day there was pleasant - I would say that the program's pluses are definitely its location, similar to St. Vincents. also they are opening up a CPEP and that should enhance the learning experience for the residents.

St Vincents - I believe the most recent news is that the psychiatry training program will remain, although other training programs at st. vincents apparently withdrew from the match.

Mount Sinai - personally did not get the same sense of warmth and enthusiasm from the residents here that i got from other programs but that could just be the residents that i happened to meet....

NYU- great group or residents, bellevue is amazing, and i think that they've made a lot of changes in the program to improve complaints from prior years.

 

[doomedgloomed]

i heard that psyc will not be part of st vincent's anymore; not sure how valid this is though

 

[rgerwin]

Any idea on their mode of choice to get to LIJ from manhattan?

I interviewed at LIJ and there were definitely some residents that lived in Manhattan and commute to LIJ - I believe mostly from the east side. I echo what previous posters have said about LIJ - wonderful program director, I loved my day there. The residents I met seemed happy overall. they pointed to very strong didactics (with a lot of great faculty). i think the large class of size of 17 can be viewed as a plus insofar as you're bound to find some people you'll mesh with.

Einstein - very similar impression to the above posters as well~ I liked the emphasis on the education and residents seemed very positive about their experiences there. the location in the bronx is a drawback for me.

Beth Israel - My day there was pleasant - I would say that the program's pluses are definitely its location, similar to St. Vincents. also they are opening up a CPEP and that should enhance the learning experience for the residents.

St Vincents - I believe the most recent news is that the psychiatry training program will remain, although other training programs at st. vincents apparently withdrew from the match.

Mount Sinai - personally did not get the same sense of warmth and enthusiasm from the residents here that i got from other programs but that could just be the residents that i happened to meet....

NYU- great group or residents, bellevue is amazing, and i think that they've made a lot of changes in the program to improve complaints from prior years.

 

[kev2180]

by car only....its a reverse commute so its not bad traffic-wise. There is no way to get there by public transport under 2 hours from Manhattan.

 

[cherryalmond]

hahaha i've never not been in traffic on the LIE

 

[VMSmith]

hahaha i've never not been in traffic on the LIE

I was once on the LIE with no traffic.

I think it was around 3 am on a Tuesday.

 

[rgerwin]

Really? Even with the express bus or subway/bus combo?

 

[cherryalmond]

If i wanted to go to LIJ I would try and live in the area; great neck and little neck are right there and they are good areas--rents may be expensive but i'm sure if you look you can find something affordable. Getting there by car public transportation from manhattan would suck, I would imagine it would take over an hour and if by car you have to deal with traffic everyday. I guess it's something you can factor in.

 

[seper]

for those who trained in Cabrini, where are the records stored now?

 

[DrGoHuskies]

IMHO, Of the programs you're choosing between, NYU is by far the most venerable and well-regarded by others in the field. That being said, training at NYU is most definitely a "getting thrown into the deep end of the pool" type of experience, so if you thrive in that environment, then NYU may be a good fit. I don't remember what type of therapy training NYU offers, but in the fast paced world of public psychiatry, especially at a place like Bellevue, keep in mind that there may not be a lot of time for therapy in the face of a tremendous volume of patients. Something to consider if you're primarily interested in psychotherapy...

St. Vincent's seemed to me to be a program with lovely people, but unfortunately, it seems like a terrible bet at this stage of the game...everything else being equal, I don't see that St.V's offers anything compelling to justify the level of risk they represent currently.

Again, IMHO, AE-Beth Israel is also generally regarded as a mid-tier program...when the best thing the residents can say about their program is how good their location is...something is amiss. Now granted, their location is AWESOME...but that doesn't speak to the training you'll receive there. I'd try to speak to others in the field (attendings, etc) about their impression to get a better feel about this place.

Montefiore is also a venerable program with great teaching/training and very happy residents...but its location in the Bronx is a serious downside for many applicants. If you don't mind the location, Montefiore offers tremendous perks to help mitigate the "this isn't Manhattan," so there's a lot of upside to this place!

Just my two cents...don't know anything about LIJ personally, but I've heard great things!

 

[silas2642]

I thought they closed St. Vincent's down a year or so ago.

 

[Brainwave2000]

I thought they closed St. Vincent's down a year or so ago.

Right. This is an old thread that got reopened since SV closed. So for people who commented last year, have there been any changes at the NY programs in the past year?

 

[cleareyedguy]

This may have something to do with the fact that Columbia takes only 2 of their own medical students into their program each year, no matter how qualified the rest are.

Two may be the average, but it's hard for me to believe there is some sort of plan to limit it to 2, and, as someone pointed out, there's no way to ensure that within the match. IMHO, it's like a lot of theories that are based on a limited number of data points. I've heard similar theories about other programs after they get 4 or 0 from their own programs. There's a lot of luck and semi-randomness in the match, and one can be fairly sure that there would be a lot more jockeying for balance (of alma mater, gender, ethnicity, academic interests) if selection/admissions were not computerized but rather more like med school admissions.