NYU vs. Mt. Sinai: Qs prior to trip

[m3unsure]

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I am wondering how each program compares with each other in terms of atmosphere (comradarie, resident-faculty interactions...) and work hours (per day, # of calls per month/for CA1/for CA2). Also, do they provide subsidized housing? How much? And possibilities of an automobile (visiting family in somewhat near distant areas)? If so, how much am I looking at?

Basically, I am trying to avoid paying for flights and hotels to find out that I get worked to the bone (had that experience previously). I'm short on money now (thank you interview season 😡 ). I would really appreciate input from people at these places as well. Thanks.

 

[randomq]

nyu you will get worked quite hard. their program is not considered "cush" by any means. they do have some, very very little subsidized housing, but so little that its barely worth mentioning.

mt sinai's program is pretty nice. many people consider this one of the best programs in the city, probably because the trainins is good, but its relatively cush as well, and therefore the residents are all happy, for the most part.

having a car, that wouldnt really be feasibly at either place. parking on the street if you have a car is pretty much not possible, and a garage runs from 300-400 dollars a month, so thats pretty ridiculous. mt sinai has no subsidized housing at all.

 

[Worldtraveler]

I'm a current resident at NYU and think we probably have some of the best hours in NYC although we do take a little more call than other programs which translates into an extra day off with good training. I've heard good things about Mt Sinai too.
Overall I would pick this program again

 

[powermd]

Just curious, what are your typical weekly hours like at NYU? How many overnight calls per month? How busy are you during overnight calls?

On main OR rotations at Columbia we work 55-65hrs/wk, and 2-3 overnight calls, with 3-5 'short' calls/month. As a CA-1, you sleep through 50-60% of overnight calls, as a CA-2 it's similar.

Can anyone from Sinai comment on the schedule there?

 

[drrosenrosen]

We have a pretty sweet setup here. I'm a CA1. Work probably 50-60 hours a week, 0600 to 1600-1800. 4-5 overnight calls/month as a ca1, plus you can take extra "short" calls (stay until 7-8-9, usually out by 8 at latest), FOR WHICH YOU GET PAID. That's $300 per short call (before tax). You can always volunteer to take a short if you're in a long room or something, but occasionally you do get "asked" to take a short, but hey, at least they're paying you for your time. 2s and 3s take a few more calls/month, but most are in the late/long format, which means one day you stay until about 10-11, then don't come in until 4pm the next day and stay overnight.

I would definitely choose this program again. It's a little bit inbred, so there's some tendency to learn "the Sinai way," but I think the training is superb, the hours are good, call is managable, and the extra pay for voluntary calls is pretty sweet.

BTW, we absolutely do have subsidized housing. I live in a 2BR 4 blocks from the hospital, reasonably nice, doorman building, for which I pay $2000/month, which comes out of my paycheck in two installments. It's not dirt cheap, it's not as nice a deal as Cornell housing, but it's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

Feel free to PM me with any other questions about Sinai.

 

[granolabar2]

If you are looking to cut back on interviews, you should also think about if you want to live in New York. Its a great place to visit, but its very hard to live here.
The streets are dirty, the hospitals are dirty (even the good ones), and the noise is constant (even at night, and especially when you are trying to sleep post-call). Any housing in the resident-range (anywhere below $2000 a month) is going to be rather old, and the hallways and elevators are covered with grime.)
Very few people manage to have a car, parking fees are astronomical, and street parking is impossible as a resident because you need to find a new street space every few days due to the regulations. Some people do park in Queens ($100-200 a month and take the subway out an hour and a half to get to their car). Zipcars are available, though.
Drinks average $10-12 in most clubs (less for a beer), and good broadway seats are $80-100.
That said, you can sometimes find cheap/free things to do (such as the ice skating rink in Bryant park, or classical music concerts).
Looking at the future, though, if you are looking at having children during residency, the fees for day care, school, or a nanny are way beyond a resident's budget.
I might come back to New York as an attending, when I have enough money to actually live in a nice apartment, or go out more often.
I think that it would suck to stay here as a poor resident, though.

 

[Worldtraveler]

CA- 1, 2(at the beinning after 1st month) and 5 calls towards the end.
CA-2&CA-3 4-7 calls amonth, liver is from home.
ICU is q3 and OB now works 12hr shifts with weekends off
CA-1 sleeps 3-6hrs.
CA-2-CA3, some 4-6hrs and when you are in charge at Bellevue you may catch an hour here or there.
I'm happy for a resident and this is a good program.

 

[NYUDR]

NYU is not bad. The hours are reasonable 06:45 to 16:00-16:30. The environment between residents and attendings is pretty laid back. Most of the attendings esp the new ones are approachable. Hell, we use to play basketball and golf with them!
The call does increase as you progress, but in terms of "rotting in a room" that becomes much less! Oh yeah, there is no subsidize housing, and NYC is so expensive!!!!!!
I had a great time in NYC and at NYU.

 

[m3unsure]

It looks like NYU and Mt Sinai are worth it to check out. Now, people just need to start cancelling if they don't want to interview. Common courtesy. Come on now everyone. Only a few dates are left.


Also, anyone in or graduates of either program not from the East Coast out there? I am wondering what the difficulty would be to go back to say Wisc, Indiana, Illinois, or maybe Missouri. I understand that a lot of places tend to hire regionally for private practice, which I'm not sure of just yet, but want to keep that option alive.


And in response to an auto in NYC, I have lived in Chicago for 2 years before. I had a car in the middle of the downtown mess and it never seemed to bother me. I assume the level of congestion is just about the same considering cars (not the people). I just hope to find a cheap place to park like the hospital garage. Do a lot of NYC residents do that?

 

[dormicum]

The only people I know that have a car in the city, either have a spouse with a good income or a family that helps support them (you can do almost anything you want in NYC if you have the money). Not to say that there are no exceptions, but it's not easy to do on a resident’s salary.

 

[granolabar2]

New York City is an entirely different world from Chicago!
No, you will not get cheap hospital parking, and NO, you will not have the time to find parking on the street (car must be moved every 3 days) in NYC. Garage parking will be 400-600 a month.

 

[Jennylee258]

For residents from Sinai and NYU,

could you please comment on your weekend schedules? I heard at columbia they have at least 2 full weekend off each month. Many thanks.

Jen

We have a pretty sweet setup here. I'm a CA1. Work probably 50-60 hours a week, 0600 to 1600-1800. 4-5 overnight calls/month as a ca1, plus you can take extra "short" calls (stay until 7-8-9, usually out by 8 at latest), FOR WHICH YOU GET PAID. That's $300 per short call (before tax). You can always volunteer to take a short if you're in a long room or something, but occasionally you do get "asked" to take a short, but hey, at least they're paying you for your time. 2s and 3s take a few more calls/month, but most are in the late/long format, which means one day you stay until about 10-11, then don't come in until 4pm the next day and stay overnight.

I would definitely choose this program again. It's a little bit inbred, so there's some tendency to learn "the Sinai way," but I think the training is superb, the hours are good, call is managable, and the extra pay for voluntary calls is pretty sweet.

BTW, we absolutely do have subsidized housing. I live in a 2BR 4 blocks from the hospital, reasonably nice, doorman building, for which I pay $2000/month, which comes out of my paycheck in two installments. It's not dirt cheap, it's not as nice a deal as Cornell housing, but it's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

Feel free to PM me with any other questions about Sinai.

 

[deleted77919]

New York City is an entirely different world from Chicago!
No, you will not get cheap hospital parking, and NO, you will not have the time to find parking on the street (car must be moved every 3 days) in NYC. Garage parking will be 400-600 a month.

I was about to say the same thing, but you beat me to it. I'd forget about having a car in NYC unless you have some other serious means of support. Buying plane tickets and cab rides would be less expensive to visit friends with than keeping a car at $400/month (and don't forget NYC auto insurance rates . . . accidents and dings are frequent).

 

[myki2008]

Hey guys,

Im a third year student and I really want to do residency in New York City. I think my best options are NYU and Mt Sinai, although I prefer NYU because of location. What do you think is the best way to give myself a shot at getting an interview there? Can I do a month of research at NYU or should I do an away elective there? Who are the "bigwig" ophtho research people? I would really appreciate any help I could get about the program. Thanks so much.

 

[deleted77919]

Who are the "bigwig" ophtho research people? I would really appreciate any help I could get about the program. Thanks so much.

I'm a bit confused. If you're interested in ophtho, you might want to check out the ophtho forum. This is the anesthesia forum.

 

[powermd]

For residents from Sinai and NYU,

could you please comment on your weekend schedules? I heard at columbia they have at least 2 full weekend off each month. Many thanks.

Jen

Closer to three.

🙂