Official 2014-2015 "Please help me rank these IM Programs" Megathread

[MrGrrrMonster]

Above up denver, mayo, wisc, wash U... But my list is weird.

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[Aequanimitatis]

Above up denver, mayo, wisc, wash U... But my list is weird.

Saw your list on a previous thread, don't think it's weird. Great list.

 

[obiwan]

I have my 1-3 pretty set and have questions about my 4-8

4. Baylor
5. UAB
6. UTSW
7. MUSC
8. Wake Forrest

Interested in pursuing rheum, I think my it comes down to location for these. Am I making a mistake by ranking Baylor 4? I had questions about diversity in Dallas and UAB, otherwise I may be ranking them higher. Anyone have perspective about living in Dallas or Birmingham? I also really liked MUSC but I feel Charleston may be too small for me.

If the 4th largest metropolitan area in the country doesn't have diversity, then I need to move. Birmingham on the other hand probably not so much

 

[jj55342]

To follow up on a previous post, anyone know where UCSD residents tend to interview for GI? I almost wish interview lists were distributed instead of match lists. Where someone chooses to go is so different than where they could have gone. I tried asking while I was there but got that same response, that it was very based on personal factors and didn't really hear much. Sorry to beat a dead horse with this topic.

 

[cyahwheniseeyah]

UCIrvine, CPMC, Kaiser SF, Kaiser Oakland, UCSD, CPMC, USC, UC Davis-- is there anything to do in sacremento?

 

[footballyus]

Honestly if you want west coast GI, UCSD is probably the play. If you want your best GI and don't care where then Vandy could be stronger. What of comes down to is where you want to be.

 

[penguindude]

Hey friends, wanna help me sort out my top 4? Planning to go down the fellowship route in the future, but not sure what yet.. I chose these 5 b/c they seemed to have very good fellowship matches, and for other reasons outlined below, but I'd appreciate if you could share any more nuggets of info regarding program strengths that can maybe help me choose one over the others

BU- pros- residents seemed happy, 3+1 system, association with VA, fun city
cons- woah expensive neighborhood

Monte Moses & weiler- pros- 6+2 system, close to manhattan, lots of autonomy
cons- housing concerns, heard rumors about exceeding workhour restrictions

U SoCal- pros- california!, residents seemed very enthusiastic
cons- block system, heard the reputation has been improving only really since the latest PD started

U Maryland- pros- excellent pulm/crit training, research ops, association with VA
cons- i heard the surround area is not the friendliest neighborhood, no workhour restrictions for interns this coming year

 

[gutonc]

U Maryland- pros- excellent pulm/crit training, research ops, association with VA
cons- i heard the surround area is not the friendliest neighborhood, no workhour restrictions for interns this coming year

Wait...what? None? At all? Or just not the stupid 16 hour rule started a couple of years ago?

 

[penguindude]

Woah, sorry!! Reviewing their pamphlet, I misunderstood and worded that very inaccurately! As participants in the iCompare trial, it seems they only have lifted work hour restrictions for the MICU and CCU to now have q 4 28hr call. Again, I apologize for the confusion!!

 

[Steelersfan]

Hi folks. I'm relatively undecided about my plans for post-residency, but I know I want to go to an academic program that gives me a good shot at fellowship options in cardiology or GI. I wonder if anyone could give input on relative quality of academics as well as how much the locations of these places will play a role in determining the geography of possible fellowship interviews.

Thanks kindly

1. UNC
2. OHSU
3. UVA
4. UCSD
5. UAB

 

[RecombinantHuman]

U Maryland- pros- excellent pulm/crit training, research ops, association with VA
cons- i heard the surround area is not the friendliest neighborhood, no workhour restrictions for interns this coming year

Maryland is the only one of those I interviewed at/know anything about, but I wouldn't rank it lower for fear of the surrounding neighborhood not being nice. People seem to have strong opinions about Baltimore in general, so that may influence your decision, but the area where UMaryland is is just fine, and there are a couple neighborhoods immediately surrounding it within walking distance where residents/young professionals/families live

 

[Handsome88]

Hey friends, wanna help me sort out my top 4? Planning to go down the fellowship route in the future, but not sure what yet.. I chose these 5 b/c they seemed to have very good fellowship matches, and for other reasons outlined below, but I'd appreciate if you could share any more nuggets of info regarding program strengths that can maybe help me choose one over the others

BU- pros- residents seemed happy, 3+1 system, association with VA, fun city
cons- woah expensive neighborhood

Monte Moses & weiler- pros- 6+2 system, close to manhattan, lots of autonomy
cons- housing concerns, heard rumors about exceeding workhour restrictions

U SoCal- pros- california!, residents seemed very enthusiastic
cons- block system, heard the reputation has been improving only really since the latest PD started

U Maryland- pros- excellent pulm/crit training, research ops, association with VA
cons- i heard the surround area is not the friendliest neighborhood, no workhour restrictions for interns this coming year

I don't know much about the other programs but I know that Monte residents work extremely hard!!! If you're not a hustler with great organizational skills then you will exceed workhour restrictions. Neihbourhood (Bronx) isn't too nice unless you can afford ~2000-2200/month on a studio in Manhattan and a car to commute (35-45 minute drive depending on traffic and location). Why is 6+2 a pro? Just curious.

I heard good things about USoCal, their residents are happy and Cali is nice.

BU obviously #1 on your list.

 

[penguindude]

I figured with 6+2 I'll have some definite golden weekends with enough consolidated non-inpatient time to do research stuff. Since I'm pretty much basing my ranking on fellowship match and reputation would I be crazy for ranking:
1- USoCal
2- Monte or BU
4- U Maryland.
Is BU >> USC ? I'm not too eager about facing rough winters; I heard boston got hit pretty hard this year.
hoping to finalize everything today. thanks so much for your responses thus far!

 

[whoknows2012]

I don't know much about the other programs but I know that Monte residents work extremely hard!!! If you're not a hustler with great organizational skills then you will exceed workhour restrictions. Neihbourhood (Bronx) isn't too nice unless you can afford ~2000-2200/month on a studio in Manhattan and a car to commute (35-45 minute drive depending on traffic and location). Why is 6+2 a pro? Just curious.

I heard good things about USoCal, their residents are happy and Cali is nice.

BU obviously #1 on your list.

There is a lot of misinformation about the commute from Manhattan to Monte. And to the above poster im pretty sure I asnwered this exact question for you by PM, and you've exaggerated the commute times a bit. The commute in the AM by car is about 20 mins fron the upper east or upper west side. Commute home is anywhere from 25-40 minutes deepening on traffic. The subway is extremely reliable and almost everyone who commutes from Manhattan takes the subway and does not drive. The actual subway ride is anywhere from 25-35 minutes on the 4 or d train depending where you're commuting from.

As for poster looking for ranking help;

The four programs you mentioned are pretty similar in terms of reputation and fellowship opportunities. They're also in vastly different cities so I would rank based on where'd you'd be most happy and what city you'd like to live in.

 

[whoknows2012]

I figured with 6+2 I'll have some definite golden weekends with enough consolidated non-inpatient time to do research stuff. Since I'm pretty much basing my ranking on fellowship match and reputation would I be crazy for ranking:
1- USoCal
2- Monte or BU
4- U Maryland.
Is BU >> USC ? I'm not too eager about facing rough winters; I heard boston got hit pretty hard this year.
hoping to finalize everything today. thanks so much for your responses thus far!

USC is a program which has an improving reputation. I don't think by choosing any of the above programs you'd be closing any doors and that's why I had recommended choosing based on where'd you'd be most happy in my previous post

 

[dcwm]

Tweaked my ROL a bit after much research. Good to submit from Starbucks and head home?

Monte (Moses)
Methodist (Houston)
UMass
Rutgers NJMS
Lahey

Based on fellowship match and reputation.

 

[Handsome88]

There is a lot of misinformation about the commute from Manhattan to Monte. And to the above poster im pretty sure I asnwered this exact question for you by PM, and you've exaggerated the commute times a bit. The commute in the AM by car is about 20 mins fron the upper east or upper west side. Commute home is anywhere from 25-40 minutes deepening on traffic. The subway is extremely reliable and almost everyone who commutes from Manhattan takes the subway and does not drive. The actual subway ride is anywhere from 25-35 minutes on the 4 or d train depending where you're commuting from.

Just checked and you did say about 30 minutes from Northeast Manhattan. I did a google maps search between south and north Manhattan and Monte, and it showed a range between 25-45 minutes which is why I said that.

 

[legendaryjon2413]

Tweaked my ROL a bit after much research. Good to submit from Starbucks and head home?

Monte (Moses)
Methodist (Houston)
UMass
Rutgers NJMS
Lahey

Based on fellowship match and reputation.

Certify away!

 

[BLT_123]

Hey, I'm having a difficult time making my ROL. I'm thinking I want to be a hospitalist, although possibly fellowship in Endo or ID. Obviously I want good training, especially with procedures and didactics, but am also interested in a well-structured work schedule with reasonable work/life balance (as reasonable as it can be for residency). Some programs I'm ranking aren't well known, but if you could give me your two cents for the ones you do know, that would be very helpful. So far my ROL is:
(1) Spokane Sacred Heart
(2) Loma Linda (Global health vs Primary Care vs Categorical)
(3) St. Vincent (Portland, OR)
(4) UCSF-Fresno
(5) Legacy Emanuel
(6) Kaiser- Santa Clara
(7) Methodist Dallas

Thanks in advance

 

[WolveyX]

I wanted to see if anyone had opinions on the Kaiser programs from all the north at Santa Clara, Oakland all the way south at Fontana? Thanks!

 

[thehundredthone]

I figured with 6+2 I'll have some definite golden weekends with enough consolidated non-inpatient time to do research stuff. Since I'm pretty much basing my ranking on fellowship match and reputation would I be crazy for ranking:
1- USoCal
2- Monte or BU
4- U Maryland.
Is BU >> USC ? I'm not too eager about facing rough winters; I heard boston got hit pretty hard this year.
hoping to finalize everything today. thanks so much for your responses thus far!

Outside of regional bias there won't be too much of a difference in fellowship options out of those four. So you're left looking at location.

 

[ashketchum]

Am I a fool to rank Boston U over Michigan solely for location? (Single here). Will my options for fellowship be affected?

Also, Tufts vs Maryland? Which one per reputation or fellowship matches?
- Tufts - smaller program but still seem to get action?, decent? match list, Boston again!
- Maryland - bigger program with VA and research opportunities, Baltimore also seems fun

 

[gutonc]

Am I a fool to rank Boston U over Michigan solely for location? (Single here). Will my options for fellowship be affected?

In my mind, yes. But it's your rank list, not mine.

Also, Tufts vs Maryland? Which one per reputation or fellowship matches?
- Tufts - smaller program but still seem to get action?, decent? match list, Boston again!
- Maryland - bigger program with VA and research opportunities, Baltimore also seems fun

UMD

If you're asking about these 4 programs on the whole, I'd say:
Michigan
BU/UMD - flip a coin here.
A bunch of other programs I hope you have on your list
Tufts

 

[legendaryjon2413]

A bunch of other programs I hope you have on your list
Tufts

Just wondering, why do you not like Tufts? It seems like learning there is good...right?

 

[rd31]

Am I a fool to rank Boston U over Michigan solely for location? (Single here). Will my options for fellowship be affected?

Also, Tufts vs Maryland? Which one per reputation or fellowship matches?
- Tufts - smaller program but still seem to get action?, decent? match list, Boston again!
- Maryland - bigger program with VA and research opportunities, Baltimore also seems fun

Given that you're single, my opinion is yes. I'd go to MI if I were in your shoes.

 

[gutonc]

Just wondering, why do you not like Tufts? It seems like learning there is good...right?

I just think the dropoff between the other 3 programs and Tufts is pretty dramatic.

 

[legendaryjon2413]

I just think the dropoff between the other 3 programs and Tufts is pretty dramatic.

Is it because of training style (specialist approach vs. generalist)? Independence? Patient population?

 

[ErnysRbDky]

So I'm interested in doing cardiology and staying in academics forever (I'm crazy). I'm pretty certain about my number 1, but after that things are very murky. My list right now:

1. UPMC: Loved almost everything about the program. Cardiology may not be their strongest specialty, but there seems to be plenty of research and certainly enough pathology. Also the location is very good for me family-wise.

2. Maryland: Liked the program a lot. Incredibly similar to my home program. Liked all the people I talked to. My only concern is that the fellowship match is not as strong and a huge percentage of those that are matching well do chief years or at least a year as a hospitalist. I understand the argument against looking at match lists (it reflects where they want to go rather than where they can), but I have to make a decision based on something...

3. Hopkins/Bayview: The strangest place I interviewed. Loved the people I talked to there. Huge emphasis on medical education. Great fellowship match list. Somewhat concerned about the rigor of the clinical training (when I was there the interns were all carrying < 5 patients each). Not that I want to be worked to death but you need to learn efficiency somehow...very uncertain about this.

4. UVA: Probably liked this program slightly better than Maryland but I'm not incredibly excited about going back to Charlottesville (I wouldn't be miserable there, but family-wise it would be better for me to be further north).

5. Boston University: Also liked the program quite a lot. Strangely fantastic cards fellowship match list (BIDMC, Hopkins, Penn). I love Boston but more expensive than the others.

6. Case Western: Loved the residents, loved the program director. Hated one of my interviewers but that's just one guy.

For me there was very little difference in how I felt about programs 2-6. Any insight?

 

[thehundredthone]

So I'm interested in doing cardiology and staying in academics forever (I'm crazy). I'm pretty certain about my number 1, but after that things are very murky. My list right now:
...
For me there was very little difference in how I felt about programs 2-6. Any insight?

You have your reasons. None of the programs is head and shoulders above the others (except maybe UVA which some have said is part of the arbitrary lower-top-higher-mid-intermediate-middletop tier.). It's not clear if you're uncertain about Bayview in general or just with its position at number 3.

 

[235009]

So I'm interested in doing cardiology and staying in academics forever (I'm crazy). I'm pretty certain about my number 1, but after that things are very murky. My list right now:

1. UPMC: Loved almost everything about the program. Cardiology may not be their strongest specialty, but there seems to be plenty of research and certainly enough pathology. Also the location is very good for me family-wise.

2. Maryland: Liked the program a lot. Incredibly similar to my home program. Liked all the people I talked to. My only concern is that the fellowship match is not as strong and a huge percentage of those that are matching well do chief years or at least a year as a hospitalist. I understand the argument against looking at match lists (it reflects where they want to go rather than where they can), but I have to make a decision based on something...

3. Hopkins/Bayview: The strangest place I interviewed. Loved the people I talked to there. Huge emphasis on medical education. Great fellowship match list. Somewhat concerned about the rigor of the clinical training (when I was there the interns were all carrying < 5 patients each). Not that I want to be worked to death but you need to learn efficiency somehow...very uncertain about this.

4. UVA: Probably liked this program slightly better than Maryland but I'm not incredibly excited about going back to Charlottesville (I wouldn't be miserable there, but family-wise it would be better for me to be further north).

5. Boston University: Also liked the program quite a lot. Strangely fantastic cards fellowship match list (BIDMC, Hopkins, Penn). I love Boston but more expensive than the others.

6. Case Western: Loved the residents, loved the program director. Hated one of my interviewers but that's just one guy.

For me there was very little difference in how I felt about programs 2-6. Any insight?

Bayview doesn't belong in the top 5 of that list.

 

[gutonc]

Is it because of training style (specialist approach vs. generalist)? Independence? Patient population?

General reputation is my only criterion when people ask these ridiculous questions. If you liked it, rank it the way you think it should be. Forget the rest of us.

 

[brunner]

thoughts on UChicago vs Cornell vs. BIDMC? plans for hem/onc.

 

[Sophie25]

Hi guys! I am trying to do my ROL but Im freaking out. I keep changing my list every minute. Can you please tell me what do you think about this list? Im an IMG and location is not that important for me.

1) UPMC
2)UAB
3)CASE WESTERN RU
4)BOSTON UNIVERSITY
5)ALBERT EINSTEIN JACOBI
6) MEDSTAR WASHINGTON
7)HOUSTON METHODIST
8)MT SINAI MIAMI
9)FORD
10)ADVOCATE MASONIC CHICAGO
11)BRIDGEPORT YALE

thank you!!!!

 

[legendaryjon2413]

Hi guys! I am trying to do my ROL but Im freaking out. I keep changing my list every minute. Can you please tell me what do you think about this list? Im an IMG and location is not that important for me.

1) UPMC
2)UAB
3)CASE WESTERN RU
4)BOSTON UNIVERSITY
5)ALBERT EINSTEIN JACOBI
6) MEDSTAR WASHINGTON
7)HOUSTON METHODIST
8)MT SINAI MIAMI
9)FORD
10)ADVOCATE MASONIC CHICAGO
11)BRIDGEPORT YALE

thank you!!!!

If location isn't important to you, I like your top 3. Not familiar with the rest to comment

 

[Sophie25]

Thanks legenday!

 

[gutonc]

Hi guys! I am trying to do my ROL but Im freaking out. I keep changing my list every minute. Can you please tell me what do you think about this list? Im an IMG and location is not that important for me.

1) UPMC
2)UAB
3)CASE WESTERN RU
4)BOSTON UNIVERSITY
5)ALBERT EINSTEIN JACOBI
6) MEDSTAR WASHINGTON
7)HOUSTON METHODIST
8)MT SINAI MIAMI
9)FORD
10)ADVOCATE MASONIC CHICAGO
11)BRIDGEPORT YALE

thank you!!!!

I'd put Methodist in the 5 or 6 spot and leave the rest alone.

 

[gutonc]

thoughts on UChicago vs Cornell vs. BIDMC? plans for hem/onc.

You can pick based solely on location, or whether you liked the cafeteria food or EMR or any other random thing and you won't go wrong with this group.

 

[footballyus]

thoughts on UChicago vs Cornell vs. BIDMC? plans for hem/onc.

I heard that if you want Dana Farber you almost have to go to one of the three Harvard residencies. If you don't care about that one place (and why care about one place), doubt it matters which you go.

 

[epicccfail]

Maybe a bit off topic but I had trouble interpreting the match data. If I want to only rank 3 programs, what are my chances of matching? The programs are loyola chicago, UCSF Fresno, and UIC peoria. I initially had ranked 8, but decided that I would only be happy at these three.

Thanks in advance.

 

[thehundredthone]

Hi guys! I am trying to do my ROL but Im freaking out. I keep changing my list every minute. Can you please tell me what do you think about this list? Im an IMG and location is not that important for me.

1) UPMC
2)UAB
3)CASE WESTERN RU
4)BOSTON UNIVERSITY
5)ALBERT EINSTEIN JACOBI
6) MEDSTAR WASHINGTON
7)HOUSTON METHODIST
8)MT SINAI MIAMI
9)FORD
10)ADVOCATE MASONIC CHICAGO
11)BRIDGEPORT YALE

thank you!!!!

You moved Sinai and Methodist up since your last post I take it? Your list was fine then, it's fine now. Houston could be a little higher if you like.

I heard that if you want Dana Farber you almost have to go to one of the three Harvard residencies. If you don't care about that one place (and why care about one place), doubt it matters which you go.

Or you can be lucky(?) and have him on your team at the VA as a BU resident.

 

[gutonc]

Maybe a bit off topic but I had trouble interpreting the match data. If I want to only rank 3 programs, what are my chances of matching? The programs are loyola chicago, UCSF Fresno, and UIC peoria. I initially had ranked 8, but decided that I would only be happy at these three.

Thanks in advance.

Your username may be more appropriate than you intended if this is your Match strategy.

Based on the 2014 Charting Outcomes data (p.109), if you are a US MD senior, your chance with 3 contiguous ranks is ~85%, if you're anything other than that (DO, IMG, independent US MD applicant), the number is 35%. Obviously there's a lot that goes into that 2nd category but I wouldn't pretend to be a special snowflake in this case.

OTOH, the numbers are >95% and >80% for 8 contiguous ranks respectively.

Do with that information what you will.

 

[scope_p53med]

Having tough time setting up my ROL. I am interested in either hospitalist/GI/oncology. Leaning toward hospitalist now, but don't want to close any door to GI or oncology. Want an program that can supplement my salary from moonlighting.

1. Jacobi. Close to family, a bit concern about the quality of teaching, scutwork, and work hour compliance. Good fellowship match in all specialties except GI.

2. Cleveland Clinic: Far from family, excellent fellowship match list. Excellent research opportunity. Maybe too busy for moonlighting.

3. RWJ: Great didactic, okay fellowship match (50%). Want to see how often pgy-2/3 can moonlight and make extra money.
4. Downstate:
5. Christinia
6. Jersey Shore
7. Danbury
8. Staten Island University Hospital.
9. Loma Linda

 

[footballyus]

thoughts on pittsburgh vs southwestern. thoughts about heme/onc.

 

[OberynMartell]

I was wondering if I could get people's opinion on my situation.

I have narrowed down my 1 and 2 to Wake Forest and Utah. I enjoyed my interview day at both programs and it's hard for me to separate these two programs on anything other than location and the local culture. My unique situation is that my wife is already in North Carolina for school and would be about an hour and a half from Wake. She will be finished at the end of my intern year. Neither of us are from the area and all of our family is in the mountain west (not Utah). Obviously, being at Wake would be easier next year with her close. However, Utah would probably be easier in the long run as we'd be closer to family and will probably start having kids in the next couple years.

If my understanding is correct, both of these are comparable programs that offer great training, great atmosphere, and good fellowship matches, etc. Everything I've read on SDN has had good things to say about both programs. In the end I know this comes down to personal preference between my wife and I, but I guess I'm looking for any opinions from married people or those who have had to do distance before in residency. Is the proximity during intern year worth giving up what might be better in the long term? Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

 

[bobow98]

Having tough time setting up my ROL. I am interested in either hospitalist/GI/oncology. Leaning toward hospitalist now, but don't want to close any door to GI or oncology. Want an program that can supplement my salary from moonlighting.

1. Jacobi. Close to family, a bit concern about the quality of teaching, scutwork, and work hour compliance. Good fellowship match in all specialties except GI.

2. Cleveland Clinic: Far from family, excellent fellowship match list. Excellent research opportunity. Maybe too busy for moonlighting.

3. RWJ: Great didactic, okay fellowship match (50%). Want to see how often pgy-2/3 can moonlight and make extra money.
4. Downstate:
5. Christinia
6. Jersey Shore
7. Danbury
8. Staten Island University Hospital.
9. Loma Linda

So Jacobi is busy as an R2. You have 20 patients as a cap on your census. Typically an R2 carries 15 - 18.
At CCF, R2 carries only 10, which is also the cap for the intern. I feel at a place with 1:1 R2 to intern, you'd have lots of time to moonlight bc it's just easier day to day.

 

[gutonc]

thoughts on pittsburgh vs southwestern. thoughts about heme/onc.

Both will set you up fine. Choose based on location or other program traits that matter to you.

 

[gutonc]

Having tough time setting up my ROL. I am interested in either hospitalist/GI/oncology. Leaning toward hospitalist now, but don't want to close any door to GI or oncology. Want an program that can supplement my salary from moonlighting.

1. Jacobi. Close to family, a bit concern about the quality of teaching, scutwork, and work hour compliance. Good fellowship match in all specialties except GI.

2. Cleveland Clinic: Far from family, excellent fellowship match list. Excellent research opportunity. Maybe too busy for moonlighting.

3. RWJ: Great didactic, okay fellowship match (50%). Want to see how often pgy-2/3 can moonlight and make extra money.
4. Downstate:
5. Christinia
6. Jersey Shore
7. Danbury
8. Staten Island University Hospital.
9. Loma Linda

If it were me, I'd swap RWJ and Jacobi as well as Downstate and LLU.

 

[howelljolly572]

Pretty set on my top 2, thinking about doing GI. Not too set on location, just looking for a fun city for my fiance. I'd appreciate any input! Especially having trouble deciding between BU and Wisconsin. Thanks!
1. OHSU
2. UC- Denver
3. Boston U
4. U Wisconsin
5. USC
6. UIC
7. Baylor (ranked so low because I am trying to get out of Texas)
8. U Minnesota
9. U Vermont

 

[footballyus]

Sorry for the rapid smattering of posts, but:

Both will set you up fine. Choose based on location or other program traits that matter to you.

How about Pitt/UTSW with BCM (Baylor in Houston)

 

[usmleadvice]

Guys, which program would you rank higher for IM, I don't care about location.... Mount Sinai St Lukes/Roosevelt (NYC) vs William Beaumont (Michigan).. Thanks