well, I feel bad not posting my list since almost everyone else I know on here has. Also, maybe I will get some closure:
1. Harbor-UCLA: Near family, crazy county experience balanced with academics and potential research mentors, close to many companies hubby could work at. Great rep, obviously, that may prevent riff-raff like me from matching there. 😀
2. Emory: Controversy over funding notwithstanding, I had a wonderful feeling from this program, it seems so in-line with my personal philosophy and research interests that it is too good to be true. Geography (on hubby's side) was the only reason this program was not #1.
3. UCSF/SFGH: Yes, I know it is brand-new, but I adored the faculty and the clinical training seems out of this world. I would love to be involved in shaping a new program! Ultimately, what kept this program from being #1 was a combination of the cost of living and current lack of mentors for what I am trying to do. Would be just as pleased to match here as my #1, however! 😍
4. U of Maryland: Great program director, wonderful curriculum, fun residents, and academic opportunities. I like the idea of more county experience, however, and Baltimore is above the Mason-Dixon line. I still would be thrilled to be there!
5. U of Penn: This program would be perfect for me if it wasn't 1) home 2) above the mason-dixon line 3) far from family. The research, the residents, the faculty, etc, are all spectacular. I have a little wanderlust and would be glad to leave for that reason, but also happy to stay for many others.
6. U of Chicago: WOW! What a perfect program for me!!! Complete with a physician-scientist program, fun residents, and a great curriculum!!! I would LOVE to train there, but would HATE to become a human icicle, and anyway, hubby outright vetoed it. This was the highest it could creep up my list. 🙁
7. Christiana Care: This program really made me have second thoughts about my commitment to hard core research. If I wasn't in such need for mentors doing what I want to do, this place would be perfect. I love the residents, the program, the didactics, the PD, the faculty, the facilities, the blend of community and inner city experience, etc, etc, etc.
8. BIDMC: Sweet program, wonderful set-up, great PD, great residents. I would be very happy to train here if it wasn't in Boston. I can't imagine going anywhere colder than where I am now.
9. UPMC: Another wonderful program that I think I could be very happy at. Has everything I'm looking for, except a little less county than I would like. Pittsburgh was a pleasant surprise, actually, but it was just too small for me and definitely for hubby.
10. Brigham & Women's: I liked this program, but BIDMC's academics were more in line with what I wanted. Also, the city wasn't for me as explained above.
11. NY-Presbyterian: I really liked the residents, NY, and sleepymed, but can not justify spending 4yrs working my butt off without any opportunity to do the kind of research I'm interested in. That being said, the clinical training seems awesome!
12. Jefferson: I was not really feeling the main ED and the commute, though I am excited about the new PD. Besides, if I was going to stay in Philly, I would have to stay home at Penn!
OK, well since H24G posted hers I suppose I'll post mine : )
1.
USC-LAC: The most badass program in the country in my humble opinion. The PGY-1 year is well worth training here. Loved attendings, residents, and curriculum. <3 LA. Fingers crossed. Every word I say about this place jinxes me more, I'll stop. Adored my away rotation.
2.
St Lukes Roosevelt: The most badass program in NYC. Amazing training, 3 years, Roja, cool residents. Great U/S. Must not jinx. Also loved my away rotation here. Hopefully they loved me too.
3.
Johns Hopkins: I've heard all sorts of things, but I really loved the place & went with my instincts. Plus I'm buying into the 3+1 format, and it's more appealing than regular 4 years. I could see myself fitting in well there. Would love to match here, obvi grobvy.
4.
Yale: Top notch U/S, loved the PD, got a fantastic vibe. Great curriculum, attendings, and pt population. Sick pts, New Haven's bad rep is overblown, close enough to NYC, just overall good times here.
5.
Brown: Incredible program. Everything a program can offer under one roof, amazing sim, great PD, mostly great attendings, great pt population. Didn't click with residents, maybe b/c I'm a huge dork. There were only 1-2 I could see myself hanging with. Love Miriam, Hasbro, and Providence. First year curriculum major weakpoint, so is lack of resident involvement in research in my decision-making.
6.
UCSF: Bittersweet ranking it outside top 5. Loved the system, ridiculously amazing attendings, loved SF, but when push came to shove I was honest enough with myself to know that I'm not motivated enough to go above and beyond to shape the program. I'm content working my *** off and being proactive, but prying turf from anesthesia/trauma/whatever seems like a hassle. I don't like being a guinea pig, but that's 100% me and my lazy self, no knock on this great program. Watch me match here LOL, I wouldn't be surprised, or disappointed.
7.
Jacobi: I feel like I got a much worse impression of the residency, specifically the residents, than most. My tour guide was an R2 who just kept rolling her eyes at the interviewees, locked burned out, and annoying as all hell. I almost wanted to tell the PD that she shouldn't be giving tours, LOL. But sadly, she was the rule, not the exception. I met an R2 who I got along well with who in confidence told me she hated it. Whoops. I'm not buying that ancillary services are up to snuff. I did like Monte/cheap housing/reputation of the place/county atmosphere/being in 'nyc'. Loved one of my interviewers (attending, forgot her name). Again, I would not be surprised to match here, and I'd make myself love it.
8.
UMass Best program in Massachusetts. Love their U/S. They're rich. They're nice people. They love early goal-directed therapy. Loved the PD & attendings I met. Residents did not rub me the right way, more personality-wise than competency-wise. They seem to know their stuff and get great jobs. The R3's actually are great, unfortunately they'll be gone. Love flying, love the dept. Thank you love, thank you liiiiiiiiiiiiife.
9.
BMC: Do not love 1+3. Would be very well trained. Do not fit in with residents here, probably b/c I am not cool. Boston is expensive and cold. They get a lot of trauma, Harvard peeps get the medically sickies. And I know this, maaaaaan. They do not feel well-prepared to handle peds, don't let them fool you, they are sneaky. Like foxes. Or gerbils. But seriously forrealz, they are a solid #3 behind UMass & Baystate. They are smart and get out quickly at the end of shift time.
10.
UConn: Love the residents, love the attendings, love the huskies. Sorry but I just could not get over Hartford, and the fact that they're on some kind of probation or somethingorother. I'd like it more if I were more social and fun. And if I read more books. The PD probably didn't rank me b/c I flat out told her that reading is not what I do.
11.
Rochester: ++International medicine, only good things to say. It's near the expensive shopping area that is Canada. I like the Buffalo Bills. I liked the cool new attending from San Fran.
12.
Baystate: The sleeper of the bunch, I actually loved it here and I think these residents get very well-trained. They were all very nice people, and I wish this place got more publicity. I will probably match here, if at all. I want to get a job near where I grew up [La Jolla/SD] when I'm done, BMC is more likely to get me there. Does that make me a name snob? : (
13 and below = Did not rank
MIND YOUR BIDNESS!: Goodnight. And Good Luck!
Exhale.