Official 2011-2012 IM "How To Rank" Thread

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Status
Not open for further replies.
I'd like to join the "work/life balance" game with my list....any thoughts? I'm also ranking primary care tracks (OSU and Wisconsin).

Ohio State
Wisconsin
Utah
Arizona
Mayo-Arizona
Minnesota
Providence Portland
New Mexico

It's hard to know the work/life balance for all of these programs. I'd say that generally unless you've heard about really long hours or really cush, you can assume most people are working about the same amount of hours - probably 60-65 hr/week most weeks. With that said, I think you need to put the list together how you like it.

Wisconsin has to sit at the top. And I like Minn next because the cities are very cool, and then Utah next because of all of the outdoor activities. THE Ohio State ends up four on my list because I think I might kill myself living in Ohio (no offense intended - I'm sure some people love it there).
 
First off thanks for the help in putting the list together, I know its not the be all and end all but its nice to get different points of view. My list is below and clusters in what I think is the best balance between work/life balance, the kind of city and the prospects after residency. Really the goal is to be a place where I was really comfortable with the residents and faculty where I will become very comfortable calling shots on my own and where I don't have to be a total superstar to land a solid pulm/crit fellowship for PGY-4. Not that I don't want to be a superstar I just feel that's a lot of pressure on top of the regular pressures of being a resident.

I know BU, UMD and Jefferson are ranked rather low on my list compared to their strength academically but that's just because from my interview day I felt that they were really great academic programs that attracted personalities that I really didn't fit with. Bumping them lower than some places that take more IMG's is a hard decision for me but I'm not sure its the wrong decision because I don't want to do Interventional Cards at the Brigham.

Also if someone could throw in their 2 cents on dealing with pressures from home institutions to stay in your home program. Not that I wouldn't be happy at my home program (MD and not listed below) but their fellowship match wasn't great in any specialty which makes me feel like I would have to be a superstar to get a solid fellowship.

Brown, Tufts, Pitt

Temple, Drexel

BU, UMD, Jefferson,

North Shore/LIJ, RWJ

G town

This post reminds me a lot of myself when I was putting together my own list a few years ago now. Well reasoned, and there is simply no reason you can't find a pulm/crit spot from any of those places, especially Pitt. Brown sounds like a really, really nice place to train from what I've heard, same with Tufts.

I like your list. Don't change it.

As for home team pressure . . . this is your life, your training, your career. It's no hard feelings here. You only get one shot at this stuff really.
 
Appreciate any overall thoughts/opinions!! Especially would like thoughts on Pitt, as I clearly like it quite a bit and will rank it quite highly, but I am internally struggling a bit, as it is difficult to get a good grasp of Pitt from these boards/its fellowship match is good, but so many choose to stay at Pitt is a bit tough to really evaluate! Like as someone who loves Michigan as well, am I doing myself any disservice for future career options if Pitt ends up above Mich!? Thanks guys

No disservices going to Pitt over Mich. Not in my opinion. You may not make it back to Hopkins for Cards from Pitt . . . does it matter to you? Pitt really kind of is the new kid on the block these last few years and moving up. People probably tend to stay at Pitt because they like the training there. You can't find many "better" programs than Pitt's for pulmonary and critical care, especially if you have any interest in lung transplant. Go with your gut.
 
Current rank list... I am an east coast gal interested in cards. I wouldn't mind going elsewhere for residency, but would like the option to come back east for fellowship!

1. Set, no questions there
2-6 BIDMC=Yale=Mayo=UCSD=U of Colorado
7. OHSU
8. Dartmouth
9. Brown
10. U of Utah
11. UC Davis
12. Tufts

Thoughts on 2-6 would be especially helpful. Are these all in the same tier?

Thanks for your help!
 
Current rank list... I am an east coast gal interested in cards. I wouldn't mind going elsewhere for residency, but would like the option to come back east for fellowship!

1. Set, no questions there
2-6 BIDMC=Yale=Mayo=UCSD=U of Colorado
7. OHSU
8. Dartmouth
9. Brown
10. U of Utah
11. UC Davis
12. Tufts

Thoughts on 2-6 would be especially helpful. Are these all in the same tier?

Thanks for your help!

Same tier? Generally . . . within that group, based on an east cost preference, I'd probably rank them:

BID
Yale
Mayo
UCSD
Colorado
 
can someone familiar with the southern california county programs discuss:
USC/LAC vs. Harbor-UCLA vs. UCLA-OV?

in particular, preparation for fellowship? Cards vs. GI vs. H/O

also, 55 days til match day!
 
can someone familiar with the southern california county programs discuss:
USC/LAC vs. Harbor-UCLA vs. UCLA-OV?

in particular, preparation for fellowship? Cards vs. GI vs. H/O

also, 55 days til match day!

Harbor does have a good match list, and while Harbor has seen better days, it still carries a certain reputation nationally that isn't entirely clear to me. Anyway USC and Harbor are both > OV. I personally think USC wins the USC vs Harbor game (if we're playing that game) because of it's university based nature and access to some of well known people in any specialty you're interested in. New hospital is also a plus. Though if you loved Harbor, you're not going to lose too much vs USC. I wouldn't recommend OV over either of those programs all things being otherwise equal. But if your gut says OV, then it says OV - you can find a fellowship match out of there as well, but it'll be a little harder and the tiers of programs interested in you will likely be lower.
 
Just curious to see how people would rank ruses programs. Bare in mind, I am currently undecided on a specialty.

WashU
OHSU
Mayo
Boston University
UTSW
Georgetown
Beth Israel (Albert Einstein)

Thank you
 
Just curious to see how people would rank ruses programs. Bare in mind, I am currently undecided on a specialty.

WashU
OHSU
Mayo
Boston University
UTSW
Georgetown
Beth Israel (Albert Einstein)

Thank you

Based on academic rep only, I'd say:

WashU
UTSW
Mayo
OHSU
BU
GT
BI/AE
 
Just looking for some advice on these programs. Right now I'm considering hospitalist medicine or cardiology. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

USC
UCSD
UCLA Olive View
Univ of Hawaii
Cornell
SUNY Downstate
Montefiore (Albert Einstein)
Jacobi (Albert Einstein)
Hofstra-Northshore LIJ

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Just looking for some advice on these programs. Right now I'm considering hospitalist medicine or cardiology. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

USC
UCSD
UCLA Olive View
Univ of Hawaii
Cornell
SUNY Downstate
Montefiore (Albert Einstein)
Jacobi (Albert Einstein)
Hofstra-Northshore LIJ

Thanks!

Tiers:

Cornell
UCSD
--------
USC
Monte
--------
NSLIJ
--------
UCLA-OV
Jacobi
Hawaii
---------
Downstate
 
Hey everyone. Done with interviews and just wanted your two cents on how you might rank the following. I'm currently thinking either GI or Academic Medicine in the future. I appreciate your help.

[No particular order]
VCU
UVA
U of Chicago
Northwestern
Washington University
Emory
Cornell
Mt. Sinai (NYC)
Mayo (Rochester)
Yale
Vanderbilt
Duke
U of Pittsburgh
UNC
 
Same tier? Generally . . . within that group, based on an east cost preference, I'd probably rank them:

BID
Yale
Mayo
UCSD
Colorado

Generally agree, although Yale's cards match is stronger than the BID. BID does win on location, though, and its cards list is certainly solid. Otherwise per above.
 
Hey everyone. Done with interviews and just wanted your two cents on how you might rank the following. I'm currently thinking either GI or Academic Medicine in the future. I appreciate your help.

[No particular order]
VCU
UVA
U of Chicago
Northwestern
Washington University
Emory
Cornell
Mt. Sinai (NYC)
Mayo (Rochester)
Yale
Vanderbilt
Duke
U of Pittsburgh
UNC

Pretty awesome list you have there - I'm sure you know you can't really go wrong with most of these places academically speaking - most of them will get you to the same places in the future....I'd say the best way to start breaking it down would be location, as you've got some programs in super desirable locations (NYC & Chicago) vs others where few people want to live...anyway, for fun I'd probably put them like this:

Duke = Wash U
----------------
Cornell = Vandy = Mayo = Yale = Mt Sinai
----------------
Emory = Chicago Schools = Pitt = UVA
----------------
VCU
 
Here is my ranking so far:

1. Case Western
2. Ohio State University
3. Univ of Illinois Chicago
4. Loyola
5. Rush
6. USC
7. Thomas Jefferson
8. UC Irvine

I'm looking for a strong academic program, interested in hem/onc fellowship, and I am currently planning on an academic career.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
 
Based on academic rep only, I'd say:

WashU
UTSW
Mayo
OHSU
BU
GT
BI/AE

Agree with the above. If you are looking for strength of clinical training though I would put UTSW at the top.
 
Hi all,

just finished interviewing...was wondering how you guys would rank/tier these programs if i was interested in cards, thanks in advance

umichigan
georgetown
nyu
emory
gwu
yale
utsw
baylor houston
uva
unc
mayo rochester

thanks again! appreciate the help
 
Hi all,

just finished interviewing...was wondering how you guys would rank/tier these programs if i was interested in cards, thanks in advance

For cards, the top three pretty much keep all doors open...or at least slightly ajar. Emory's program notwithstanding, its cards match last few years (Penn, JHH, Sinai and a ton internal) has been impressive.

Mich/Yale/UTSW
-----------
Emory/Mayo
UVA/NYU
UNC/Baylor
-----------
GTown
GW
 
Pretty awesome list you have there - I'm sure you know you can't really go wrong with most of these places academically speaking - most of them will get you to the same places in the future....I'd say the best way to start breaking it down would be location, as you've got some programs in super desirable locations (NYC & Chicago) vs others where few people want to live...anyway, for fun I'd probably put them like this:

For GI and academic medicine...

Duke
----------------
Cornell = Yale = Wash U = UChicago = MSSM
----------------
Emory = NW = Mayo = Pitt = UVA
----------------
VCU
 
Among Duke, WashU, and UTSW, would it be correct to say that UTSW has the best clinical training?

Which among those three provides the best fellowship opportunities? From what I've read, one would not be losing anything by choosing Duke over WashU or vice-versa but would one be crazy to rank UTSW over those two? I am just concerned about the lack of elective time UTSW provides to work on research for fellowship applications - currently only one 4-week block per year. Am now unsure how to rank these three as I enjoyed them all.
 
Among Duke, WashU, and UTSW, would it be correct to say that UTSW has the best clinical training?

Which among those three provides the best fellowship opportunities? From what I've read, one would not be losing anything by choosing Duke over WashU or vice-versa but would one be crazy to rank UTSW over those two? I am just concerned about the lack of elective time UTSW provides to work on research for fellowship applications - currently only one 4-week block per year. Am now unsure how to rank these three as I enjoyed them all.

Don't think it's fair to say UTSW has better clinical training - just different. I would definitely have UTSW at #3 out of those. I'm surprised there has not been more discussion about UTSW's recent EMTALA violation and the implications it may have on the residency program. While I have no clue about the details (and don't care enough to read about it), I can't imagine it's a positive thing.
 
For GI and academic medicine...

Duke
----------------
Cornell = Yale = Wash U = UChicago = MSSM
----------------
Emory = NW = Mayo = Pitt = UVA
----------------
VCU

FWIW, I would argue that the first and 4th groups are correct while the 2nd and 3rd could be reasonably combined into one and you can just rank based on geography, or call schedule or which program had the best hookers and blow at the pre-interview dinner and you'll be fine.
 
FWIW, I would argue that the first and 4th groups are correct while the 2nd and 3rd could be reasonably combined into one and you can just rank based on geography, or call schedule or which program had the best hookers and blow at the pre-interview dinner and you'll be fine.

+1 for the hookers/blow
 
hey everyone,

im looking at nyu, emory, bcm, pitt, usc, uic, rush

factors of importance:
1) fun city
2) work life balance (hoping to actually enjoy the aforementioned fun city)
3) program with strong fellowship matches
4) reputation of program

thanks for any input!
 
Last edited:
Don't think it's fair to say UTSW has better clinical training - just different. I would definitely have UTSW at #3 out of those. I'm surprised there has not been more discussion about UTSW's recent EMTALA violation and the implications it may have on the residency program. While I have no clue about the details (and don't care enough to read about it), I can't imagine it's a positive thing.

The issues stemming from EMTALA/Parkland Hospital were primarily directed at the ER/surgical services. There were no significant ramifications as it pertains to the medicine department. The only thing is that we were told was to be more vigilant about patient safety/teamwork/hand washing blah blah.

As to Duke vs WashU vs UTSW, can't go wrong with any of those places. They are all major academic programs where you will get your clinical training.
 
Here is my tentative rank list, with ranks 2 and 3 being the reason I'm posting in this thread:

1) Columbia
2/3) UPenn/Cornell
4) BWH
5) MGH
6) Hopkins
...
X) Mt. Sinai

I'd really like to do residency in New York City, but I don't want to sacrifice quality of training. I like that Cornell is in NYC, but UPenn isn't too far away, making it easy to visit often. These boards have left me with the impression that UPenn is "higher tier" than Cornell. Would choosing Cornell over UPenn hurt me in any way in terms of quality of clinical training or potential for fellowship match into cards in the future (outside of NY possibly)? Or is the difference in quality of the programs not that significant? It seems that UPenn and Cornell had pretty similar match lists for cards. I also enjoyed both MGH and BWH. Am I crazy for considering ranking Cornell above those 2? Also, would anyone put Mt. Sinai above any of the ones I've listed based on what I've said? I wasn't as impressed by Sinai, but it is in NYC and seemed to have a decent match list...
 
Here is my tentative rank list, with ranks 2 and 3 being the reason I'm posting in this thread:

1) Columbia
2/3) UPenn/Cornell
4) BWH
5) MGH
6) Hopkins
...
X) Mt. Sinai

I'd really like to do residency in New York City, but I don't want to sacrifice quality of training. I like that Cornell is in NYC, but UPenn isn't too far away, making it easy to visit often. These boards have left me with the impression that UPenn is "higher tier" than Cornell. Would choosing Cornell over UPenn hurt me in any way in terms of quality of clinical training or potential for fellowship match into cards in the future (outside of NY possibly)? Or is the difference in quality of the programs not that significant? It seems that UPenn and Cornell had pretty similar match lists for cards. I also enjoyed both MGH and BWH. Am I crazy for considering ranking Cornell above those 2? Also, would anyone put Mt. Sinai above any of the ones I've listed based on what I've said? I wasn't as impressed by Sinai, but it is in NYC and seemed to have a decent match list...

I would think the UPenn name would essentially open doors anywhere in the country for fellowship. Residency is 3 years long, are you comfortable living outside of NY for a few years?
 
I would think the UPenn name would essentially open doors anywhere in the country for fellowship. Residency is 3 years long, are you comfortable living outside of NY for a few years?

I've never lived in NY. My thought was to try to experience it for a few years while I'm young and it's easy to pick up and move when I'm done. Are you saying that going to Cornell would likely close doors for fellowship?
 
I've never lived in NY. My thought was to try to experience it for a few years while I'm young and it's easy to pick up and move when I'm done. Are you saying that going to Cornell would likely close doors for fellowship?

I don't think Cornell will close doors, but UPenn is one of those places where you can pretty much go anywhere afterwards. Looking at the match lists, I would say UPenn is better. I'm not sure what is drawing you to New York over Philadelphia (one thing to consider is the ancillary services in NY). If you have no strong reason to specifically be in NY and if you are looking for the strongest program based on academic reputation I think UPenn would be the better choice. However if you felt uncomfortable with Upenn on interview day then that would be a good reason to rank Cornell higher. You will get trained well at either place, the difference is names/ networking/people who will be writing letters/making phone calls for you, etc.

Btw I did not interview at those places on your list, you have a really awesome list and any of those would give you great training.
 
Please help me to rank these programs. I am looking for a strong academic institution, non-malig, and good chances for Endo fellowship.

Hopkins-Bayview
Cornell
Northwestern
Maryland
Temple
Cleveland Clinic

Any takers??
 
Any takers??
re: Hopkins-Bayview
Cornell
Northwestern
Maryland
Temple
Cleveland Clinic


I'd rank:
NW
Cornell
Bayview=Maryland
CCF
Temple

I know people are probably going to chastize me for putting maryland and Bayview ahead of CCF but talking to my friends who are fellows at CCF, I am pretty underwhelmed by their residency training and caliber of residents. Now I am getting this information second hand so take that how you will. I didn't interview at CCF.

The fellows I have met who came from NW are very strong which is why I am putting it above Cornell. This is not to say that the Cornell grads aren't strong, I have just been particularly impressed by the fellows from NW I have worked with.

Bayview is a community program. Some of their training is so-so. For instance I felt their units were a mixed bag. Because a hospitalist does the triage instead of a resident, their units have a mix of people who don't need to be in a unit and those who are on death's door. Their match list is impressive, probably as a function of being part of hopkins. Their residents seem very happy and were pretty good.

Maryland has a great program director, what seemed like strong clincial training and a decent match list. They also have a VA which I feel gives you an added benefit.
 
After further debate, I am pretty sure that Rush and University of Illinois-Chicago will be topping my rank list. Right now H/O is the goal, however I did like my Cards rotation, so that may be a possibility.My eventual goals will be H/O and/or Cards in Chicago. Living in Chicago would be a huge plus for me (cost of living--have a place here, family to babysit, etc).

Rounding out the top 5; Mayo, Baylor, and UC-Irvine are there.

My question is how much do you think I will lose by going to the Chicago programs vs. a Mayo/Baylor/Emory?

If location was not a factor, my top 5: Mayo, OHSU, UAB, Wisconsin, Baylor
 
After further debate, I am pretty sure that Rush and University of Illinois-Chicago will be topping my rank list. Right now H/O is the goal, however I did like my Cards rotation, so that may be a possibility.My eventual goals will be H/O and/or Cards in Chicago. Living in Chicago would be a huge plus for me (cost of living--have a place here, family to babysit, etc).

Rounding out the top 5; Mayo, Baylor, and UC-Irvine are there.

My question is how much do you think I will lose by going to the Chicago programs vs. a Mayo/Baylor/Emory?

If location was not a factor, my top 5: Mayo, OHSU, UAB, Wisconsin, Baylor

You do lose out some nationally, but if you're trying to stay in Chi-town for fellowship . . . you're probably ok. Good number of programs in town. If you want to make the jump from a Rush or UIC to a NWern or UChicago for H/O, you'll need to get something published in residency. The VA will probably be the easiest way to get this done - do UIC or Rush also rotate through a VA?
 
You do lose out some nationally, but if you're trying to stay in Chi-town for fellowship . . . you're probably ok. Good number of programs in town. If you want to make the jump from a Rush or UIC to a NWern or UChicago for H/O, you'll need to get something published in residency. The VA will probably be the easiest way to get this done - do UIC or Rush also rotate through a VA?

I know UIC does have a VA. Can't remember if it is shared with Northwestern.

DVN, if Chicago is where you want to be at then I would go for it. Especially in Chicago you will have many local fellowships to apply to. I myself am interested in hem/onc and will rank UIC highly, seems like a really great program.
 
Real quick, just wanted to get some quick feedback about my top two choices at the moment. I'm between UTSW and mayo rochester. They're different programs and I liked them both almost equally, but for different reasons. I think I would be a lot more sold on UTSW if it weren't for the almost half a year of ICU that could conceivably be required intern year, which does worry me slightly. It seemed like mayo residents published more and could possibly be a bit more competitive for future specialties? Any thoughts would be much appreciated!
 
So I'm slowly finishing up my final list, just wanted to get some thoughts. Interested in cards. I have a general gut feeling of most places, I just need help regarding if there is any gap in academic reputation within my list . Taking location, family and gut feeling into place my list is as follows:

1.Indiana
2.Iowa
3.VCU
4.UIC
5.Loyola
6.U. Cincinnati

7-11....

Would all these be considered in the same tier? I know they are really similar and I plan on going with my gut just curious what the consensus on academic reputation was between these institutions. Thank you.
 
I have an idea with my top 2 choices but need help with the following

UCLA, UCSD, Yale, Yale PC, Vandy, Wash U, BIDMC, Pitt, UVA, Mayo, Maryland, Bayview, Jefferson

interested in GI

Thanks!
 
So I'm slowly finishing up my final list, just wanted to get some thoughts. Interested in cards. I have a general gut feeling of most places, I just need help regarding if there is any gap in academic reputation within my list . Taking location, family and gut feeling into place my list is as follows:

1.Indiana
2.Iowa
3.VCU
4.UIC
5.Loyola
6.U. Cincinnati

7-11....

Would all these be considered in the same tier? I know they are really similar and I plan on going with my gut just curious what the consensus on academic reputation was between these institutions. Thank you.

According to what I hear

VCU
Iowa
----
UIC
Loyola
-------
Cinci
Indy
 
I have an idea with my top 2 choices but need help with the following

UCLA, UCSD, Yale, Yale PC, Vandy, Wash U, BIDMC, Pitt, UVA, Mayo, Maryland, Bayview, Jefferson

interested in GI

Thanks!

Ignoring geography (since you seemed to do that too) and thinking only about program strength:

Vandy
WU
Mayo
--------
BIDMC
Pitt
Yale
UCLA
UCSD
UVA
--------
Yale PC
Maryland
Bayview
--------
Jefferson
 
I have some sort of idea, but would like your opinion. Future goals GI or Pulm/CC.

UCSF
Stanford
Penn
Duke
BWH
MGH
Cornell
Vandy
WashU
 
I have some sort of idea, but would like your opinion. Future goals GI or Pulm/CC.

UCSF
Stanford
Penn
Duke
BWH
MGH
Cornell
Vandy
WashU

Haha...I avoided putting my own list down for fear of seeing too many list like these and having certain people on this forum coming after me...

In any case, I don't think you have a list so much as 2 categories: amazing schools and ridiculously amazing schools...take your pick =)
 
Interested in academics, likely fellowship (not cards, but anything else is fair game).

Mostly on academic strength, how would you rank the following (I have an idea how the top half looks, but no idea on the bottom half):

Case
Loyola
Temple
Minn
New Mexico
Louisville
MCW
Vermont
Kaiser SC
Providence St. Vincent

Thanks!
 
Interested in academics, likely fellowship (not cards, but anything else is fair game).

Mostly on academic strength, how would you rank the following (I have an idea how the top half looks, but no idea on the bottom half):

Case
Loyola
Temple
Minn
New Mexico
Louisville
MCW
Vermont
Kaiser SC
Providence St. Vincent

Thanks!

FWIW based on my impression (not a fellow not an attending not even a resident yet)

Case
Loyola=Minn
Louis= Vermont
New Mex =? temple
MCW

no clue about the rest. didnt interview/hear anyone interview at them
 
Interests are GI or Cards or Heme/Onc and perhaps Academic medicine -(I think I wanna be a program chairman.).

Houston native and would love to stay, but for career moves, will move. (Return to Texas heart Cards?)

Not too big on what city I'm in except that NYC seems toooo big and save me from too much social work.

okay, Im pretty sold on my top 1 and 2.

1,2 -X

Rank :
Mayo - Rochester
UPenn
UTSW
Columbia
Wash U
Vandy
OHSU
Baylor
Cornell
UT- Houston
BID (Harvard)

since it is a very real possibility I will get my 3rd, how does UTSW compare to the above?

Also, I work when I have to but I'm really not looking to be worked to death, especially if I could go to a better and more "chill" place.

Any well grounded advice is appreciated.😕
 
Interests are GI or Cards or Heme/Onc and perhaps Academic medicine -(I think I wanna be a program chairman.).

Dept Chair, Division Chief or Program Director? Those are 3 different things.

Also, I work when I have to but I'm really not looking to be worked to death, especially if I could go to a better and more "chill" place.

Then why is UTSW even a place where you interviewed? Given this preference (which I don't really argue with) you can put Vandy, Penn, Columbia, UTH and maybe Cornell and WU at the bottom of your list.

OHSU residents barely seem like they're working at all anymore.
 
Hi guys, i have finally finished my interview season and am so glad that I am done. I need some help figuring out my top 8. I would like a city but am willing to forgo that for better career opportunities/fellowship match. I am interested in cards/gi. Here is what I thought so far
1. Cornell (although underwhelmed by interview day) vs Michigan
3. NU vs Washu vs Pitt
6. NYU
7. UVA vs Mayo

As you can tell I am really undecided. if anyone has any input i would really appreciate it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top