Official 2008-2009 interview feedback post

[aesop]

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I want to start by expressing how bad I feel for using SDN so much during my application process, yet giving little in return in terms of posting interview experiences. I also just re-read my UC Davis review which is quite long winded and obtuse. During the application process, I also remember feeling like all the reviews were the same after a while and weren't always answering the specific questions I had in my mind. Because of my guilt (and poor writing skills) wanted to say I would be happy to answer any questions people have about the interview process. As background, I am a PGY-I at UCSF and would be happy to talk to those interested in UCSF. I also interviewed at schools on both coasts so happy to talk about that experience as well. If u have questions, just send me a PM and we can go from there.

 

[masterofmonkeys]

Same here. I'm a PGY-1 at UC Denver in their integrated/research track. I interviewed at I think 12 programs in the end. Both coasts, Denver, UTSW, and University of Oklahoma.

Willing to serve as an anonymous proxy again (i.e. PM me your feedback, I'll post it on the forum without any identifiers...if you're worried about the anonymity thing)

 

[Indryd]

I want to start by expressing how bad I feel for using SDN so much during my application process, yet giving little in return in terms of posting interview experiences. I also just re-read my UC Davis review which is quite long winded and obtuse. During the application process, I also remember feeling like all the reviews were the same after a while and weren't always answering the specific questions I had in my mind. Because of my guilt (and poor writing skills) wanted to say I would be happy to answer any questions people have about the interview process. As background, I am a PGY-I at UCSF and would be happy to talk to those interested in UCSF. I also interviewed at schools on both coasts so happy to talk about that experience as well. If u have questions, just send me a PM and we can go from there.

Hey aesop,

I would love to hear any personal experience you have with:

UCSF
Pacific
San Mateo
Stanford
UC Davis
UCSD
Cedar Sinai
UC Bakersfield

I know you asked for specific questions. I guess I would like to know anything that stood out to you, good or bad, at any of these programs. Especially if you interviewed at any/all of these I would like to know why you chose UCSF.

The only specific question I have would be how you think a resident with a family would fit in at any of these schools you have experience with.

Welcoming input from MoM or anyone else who knows these schools as well.

Thanks!

 

[aesop]

Hi Indryd,
Those are some pretty wide open questions 🙂 I think I'll just walk you through my decision process in regards to the schools on your list I interviewed at (UCSF, Stanford, UC Davis). First, location ended up being the most important factor for my residency decision (by far). My family is scattered around northern ca and I love the bay area. My final decision was between Stanford and UCSF and ended up choosing UCSF mostly because I wanted to live in SF more then Palo Alto. I also knew I wanted to do a research track and the UCSF track had more protected time and flexibility. During my interview the Stanford PD actually mentioned their research track has been discontinued, though the same opportunities are still available. However, it was my impression it would take more work and finessing to secure funding/time compared to UCSF. I'm also primarily interested in addiction research and Stanford has very little going on in this area (though their imaging group is great!). With that being said it wasn't an easy decision for me. I'm psychopharm/neuroscience inclined and Stanford's curriculum certainly leans more in that direction. I also felt more of a connection with the Stanford residents and felt like their departmental cultures was more supportive and collegial then UCSF. In the end though, location and research opportunities won out for me.

I have a Davis review earlier in this thread, but in short really liked the residents (maybe my favorite of anywhere), lots of moonlighting opportunities, great cost of living, very manageable workload, etc…. I just grew up in Davis so it was a little close to home. Also, with my interest in research and academics I thought I would have more opportunities at either UCSF or Stanford. You really can't go wrong with all three though.

 

[Messerschmitts]

Hi Indryd,
Those are some pretty wide open questions 🙂 I think I’ll just walk you through my decision process in regards to the schools on your list I interviewed at (UCSF, Stanford, UC Davis). First, location ended up being the most important factor for my residency decision (by far). My family is scattered around northern ca and I love the bay area. My final decision was between Stanford and UCSF and ended up choosing UCSF mostly because I wanted to live in SF more then Palo Alto. I also knew I wanted to do a research track and the UCSF track had more protected time and flexibility. During my interview the Stanford PD actually mentioned their research track has been discontinued, though the same opportunities are still available. However, it was my impression it would take more work and finessing to secure funding/time compared to UCSF. I’m also primarily interested in addiction research and Stanford has very little going on in this area (though their imaging group is great!). With that being said it wasn’t an easy decision for me. I’m psychopharm/neuroscience inclined and Stanford’s curriculum certainly leans more in that direction. I also felt more of a connection with the Stanford residents and felt like their departmental cultures was more supportive and collegial then UCSF. In the end though, location and research opportunities won out for me.

I have a Davis review earlier in this thread, but in short really liked the residents (maybe my favorite of anywhere), lots of moonlighting opportunities, great cost of living, very manageable workload, etc…. I just grew up in Davis so it was a little close to home. Also, with my interest in research and academics I thought I would have more opportunities at either UCSF or Stanford. You really can’t go wrong with all three though.

Aesop (or anyone else), any advice or observation on how competitive it is to get into a psych residency in one of the major metro areas in California? (LA or Bay Area). I'm currently a 4th year med student exile California expatriate in Ohio who is obsessed with coming home. Unfortunately my board scores (both step 1 and 2) are pretty bad...step 2 worse than step 1. Very de-moralizing.

 

[aesop]

Hi Messerschmitts,
I remember being frustrated by the exact same thing last year. I think we're all used to having transparent admission data and when we finally apply for residency it's just not out there. Even now that I'm a PGY-I, I have no clue about my fellow residents application or programs averages. Sounds like returning to CA is a big priority for you so I would really hammer the CA programs i.e. if u want bay area (Stanford, UCSF, San Matero, Cal Pacific, UC Davis) and do the same for LA. Then sprinkle in some pacific northwest programs and wherever else you like... There's no secondary applications (except UCSF, which really needs to end) so might as well check the box on ERAS and see what happens. Just schedule interviews as they come in (with iffy programs near the end) and you can cancel them later if u end up with too many.

Sounds like your board scores aren't your strength so emphasize your clinical grades, personal statement, LOR, unique extracurriculars, and do a lot of interview preparation. If u have a particular interest or passion in psychiatry build your application around that, as it will help you stand out from everybody else. Also, I don't know what part of CA you're from, but the CA schools I interviewed at seemed very interested in applicants with local ties to the area (ie grew up nearby, have family in the area) so I would definitely bring that up in my interview. GL!

 

[Tallulah]

Hi Messerschmitts,
I remember being frustrated by the exact same thing last year. I think we're all used to having transparent admission data and when we finally apply for residency it's just not out there. Even now that I'm a PGY-I, I have no clue about my fellow residents application or programs averages. Sounds like returning to CA is a big priority for you so I would really hammer the CA programs i.e. if u want bay area (Stanford, UCSF, San Matero, Cal Pacific, UC Davis) and do the same for LA. Then sprinkle in some pacific northwest programs and wherever else you like... There's no secondary applications (except UCSF, which really needs to end) so might as well check the box on ERAS and see what happens. Just schedule interviews as they come in (with iffy programs near the end) and you can cancel them later if u end up with too many.

Sounds like your board scores aren't your strength so emphasize your clinical grades, personal statement, LOR, unique extracurriculars, and do a lot of interview preparation. If u have a particular interest or passion in psychiatry build your application around that, as it will help you stand out from everybody else. Also, I don't know what part of CA you're from, but the CA schools I interviewed at seemed very interested in applicants with local ties to the area (ie grew up nearby, have family in the area) so I would definitely bring that up in my interview. GL![/QUOTIE

Thanks for posting your feedback from your experiences last year. I also have a question for CA schools. I'm applying to triple board programs b/c I want to do child psych, but since those programs are limited, I am also applying to psych programs that have a child psych fellowship option. Several of the schools I'm REAAALLY interested in are in CA. My question is, how hard is it for a Non-CA person to realistically to match into those programs (Stanford, UCdavis, UCIrvine etc). Is it like med school, where the CA schools were almost impossible unless you were an amazing candidate? My step 1 was good (226) and I'm taking Step 2 CK in a few weeks, but my 3rd year grades were mostly As, all my evals have been great, and I'm confident that i'll have really good LoRs. Should I be quietly squelching dreams of living in CA?

 

[aesop]

Hi Tallulah, sorry for the late response. With your application sounds like you are certainly competitive for CA psychiatry programs. CA residency programs like to have homegrown residents, but it is my impression that it is not as important of a selection factor as applying to CA medical schools. In my class 10 out of 16 of us either grew up in CA or went to college/med school here (I bet that # would be higher in any UC med school). I would be interested to hear these numbers from other CA psych program residents. Anyway, good luck on making to CA!

 

[Parisa07]

I'm trying to save a little money by booking my flight well in advance of the new year.

Do any of you know when the interview day ends??
How did the interview go?

Thank you for your help.
Best wishes.