Congrats to everyone on getting your lists in! Thought I would share my final list and reasoning now that everything's in. I mostly interviewed at west coast programs, so this probably won’t be too helpful for those looking east. If it helps you to understand how I ranked the programs, here are the main things that I was looking for in a program (in no particular order):
- Strong academic program with opportunities for electives (outpatient C&L is a particular interest of mine)
- Good camaraderie among residents and feeling that I would get along well with them
- Close to family and friends (i.e., in southern California)
- Ease of living (housing, traffic, public transport, etc.)
Anyway, here's my final list:
- UCLA-Semel
- Loma Linda
- UC Irvine
- UW-Seattle
- Stanford
- University of Utah
- Kaiser Fontana
- UCLA-San Fernando
- OHSU
1. UCLA-Semel
Program highlights: I did a visiting sub-I here and absolutely fell in love with the program while I was there. Fantastic attendings and intelligent residents who are incredibly driven and unique while still being approachable and fun. Every specialty clinic known to man. Great location with lots of stuff to do (e.g., music, comedy, sports, outdoors, etc.) and tons of good food.
Concerns and reservations: A heavy workload with a busy call schedule during PGY-1 and -2. Traffic in the West LA area is consistently atrocious, and housing is expensive.
This program would be perfect for: Someone interested in an academic career who wants to get a strong, broadly based clinical education from top-notch faculty and is willing to work for that.
Why I ranked it as I did: This program had basically everything I was looking for: top-notch faculty, impressive residents, great reputation. The abundance of specialty clinics is extra icing on the cake. The fact that it was within southern California close to family and friends just sealed the deal. Traffic and housing prices were the only major red flags for me, but everything else outweighed those factors.
2. Loma Linda
Program highlights: My home program, and the one I am most familiar with. What appealed to me most about this program is the friendly, down-to-earth faculty and cohesive residents who seem to really love each other. There is a strong clinical focus with high patient volume. Suburban location makes for easy living and great place to raise a family.
Concerns and reservations: Call can be brutal, as you are covering multiple sites, and several residents let on that they worked too hard. No real research to speak of, and no fellowships at this time.
This program would be perfect for: Someone wanting a strong clinical training with a variety of patients from all walks of life and who doesn’t mind working hard for it.
Why I ranked it as I did: Ultimately, this is a great (if somewhat work-heavy) program that I would be happy to continue my training at. There really is a fantastic feeling of camaraderie here among both the attendings and residents. I had concerns about the the workload and general lack of research options, but a lot of peripheral aspects (close to friends and family, ease of living, low traffic, don't have to move) factored into the decision to rank it highly.
3. UC Irvine
Program highlights: This program stood out in my mind for its strong family feel. In addition, the call schedule is amazing with no overnight call after PGY-1. Felt like a very casual program (in a good way) but with a good academic foundation.
Concerns and reservations: Academics not as strong as at bigger-name programs, although they mentioned they are trying to recruit and improve in this regard.
This program would be perfect for: Someone who is looking for a low-key, friendly environment with fun colleagues in a beautiful coastal part of Southern California. Low call and good reputation in the area are additional perks.
Why I ranked it as I did: Though lacking the academic strength of some of the other programs on my list, I got a very positive vibe from the program, plus it is in a good location close to family and friends. I would not have any regrets about matching here.
4. University of Washington-Seattle
Program highlights: This was one of my favorite programs. It offers all the benefits of a large academic program (e.g., specialty clinics) while still having incredibly friendly and down-to-earth residents and attendings. The program director gets uniformly rave reviews from residents. Big focus on integrated psychiatry (an interested of mine), with several required rotations in outpatient C&L. Residents seemed hard-working and driven yet still approachable. Training seemed very evenly balanced between all areas of psychiatry, with the ability to tailor your program to fit your specific interests by signing up for "pathways" (teacher/scholar pathway, research pathway, neuroscience pathway, etc.).
Concerns and reservations: Training sites are spread out by several miles, so driving (or heavy use of public transportation) is going to be a frequent reality. Call schedule is busy, and residents did say that they worked hard. I loved Seattle but ultimately decided that I wanted to stay in Southern California if possible.
This program would be perfect for: Pretty much anyone wanting a solid academic program, as I feel that this program could tailor to just about any interest. Major bonus points if you're interested in integrated psychiatry/outpatient C&L.
Why I ranked it as I did: It genuinely pains me that I could not rank this program higher, as it was the program I fell in love with the most on interview day. The approachable faculty and focus on integrative psychiatry were both huge pluses for me. I loved the city of Seattle as well. What kept this program from being higher on my list, unfortunately, is the distance from family/friends. Were it not for that issue, this program could very well have shot to the top of my list.
5. Stanford
Program highlights: Almost startling for the sheer amount of freedom offered to residents (at least compared to the other programs I interviewed at). Two months of “scholarly concentration” time starting PGY-2 and increasing after that. Residents are encouraged to find a specific interest within psychiatry and pursue it, culminating in a required scholarly project. Some faculty members are world-renowned (e.g., Irvin Yalom). Leadership sounded very responsive to feedback (residents jokingly complained about being "feedbacked to death"). Balanced workload (reasonable but not so light that you don't get adequate training).
Concerns and reservations: I got an odd gut feeling from this program when I interviewed, which I later attributed to the somewhat aloof nature of the attendings and residents I interacted with. Housing in the area is expensive.
This program would be perfect for: Someone interested in an academic career primarily, or who wants to do private practice in the Bay Area. If you are excited about the idea of having a scholarly concentration during residency, this would be your program.
Why I ranked it as I did: As someone interested in an academic career, the research focus here was definitely a draw. That being said, something about the program didn’t entirely add up for me on interview day. Obviously a one-day impression has limits, but I did not get the personal, family feel here that I found at a lot of other programs. I do feel that the training here would be fantastic overall, and living in the Bay Area would be awesome (despite the expenses). In the end, a bit of a mixed bag, which is why this program ended up ranked lower than I had anticipated.
6. University of Utah
Program highlights: A beautifully well-rounded program that I would not have thought to check out were it not for the recommendation of a current psych resident who interviewed here. Residents seemed to really like each other and enjoy being in Salt Lake City. Academic opportunities available (e.g., autism research) although not as emphasized as at UCLA, Stanford, etc. One day per week off from clinical duties for didactics. Most residents ski/snowboard (which I love). Excellent place to raise a family. Great outdoors.
Concerns and reservations: A few residents stated that the call could be heavy, although on paper it did not seem heavier than other programs I interviewed at. Salt Like City was wonderful, but I have no ties there.
This program would be perfect for: Someone wanting a good, well-rounded training in psychiatry without sacrificing the family feel of smaller programs.
Why I ranked it as I did: Another program that I regret not being able to rank more highly. I loved the residents that I met during my interview and continue to think very highly of the program as a whole. As with UW, however, the distance from family and friends was too much of a trump card when I sat down and really thought about what was most important to me. Nevertheless, a real gem of a program that I would urge future applicants to check out.
7. Kaiser Fontana
Program highlights: Brand new program opening in Fontana about an hour east of Los Angeles. This will be its inaugural class, which could be attractive for those looking to influence the direction of their program early on. Call is basically non-existent, as social workers take care of admits after hours. Faculty I met seemed friendly and responsive to feedback, and all of them stated their interest in teaching.
Concerns and reservations: Just starting, so lots of unknowns and likely a few kinks to be worked out. Low call volume could be detrimental to training. Clinical sites are very spread out (about an hour’s drive from one end to the other), so lots of commuting. No real academic options.
This program would be perfect for: Someone who either a) is intrigued by the possibility of being in the first class of a new program, b) is looking for a distinctly community program without much of an academic slant, c) wants one of the best call schedules this side of San Mateo, or d) all of the above.
Why I ranked it as I did: This program would be an absolute dream for certain applicants (especially with that call schedule), but it ultimately just wasn't the right fit for me. The lack of an academic connection and too many uncertainties ended up being real deal breakers. Still, it's close to family/friends and I wouldn't have to move, which bumped it up a few slots.
8. UCLA-San Fernando Valley
Program highlights: The residents I met were friendly and laid back. In Los Angeles with all the benefits that come along with that.
Concerns and reservations: Lots of driving between clinical sites (starting PGY-2, mornings and afternoons are at different sites with about a 15-30 minute drive between them), although residents all said you get used to it. Ultimately, nothing really stood out to me about the program as either particularly good or bad.
This program would be perfect for: Someone who is looking to be in the Los Angeles area but is not interested in the academic bent of UCLA-Semel or the county experience of UCLA-Harbor or USC. Seemed like most graduates go on to community positions.
Why I ranked it as I did: Like Kaiser Fontana, this program would be a great fit for certain applicants but just did not feel right for me and my career goals.
9. OHSU
Program highlights: Broad clinical training in a beautiful city. I liked the focus on population-based psychiatry. There is a forensics rotation and fellowship, which can be hard to find these days. Gorgeous views from the hospital.
Concerns and reservations: Residents stated that they worked hard. Less specialty clinics than I had expected, certainly not on the level of UW or UCLA.
This program would be perfect for: Someone wanting a good, broad-based residency program. Big bonus points if you want to live in Portland.
Why I ranked it as I did: OHSU was definitely a good program, and in the absence of geographic factors, it would have ranked several spots higher. However, given how important family and friends were in my decision, all of the "not California" programs got bumped a few spots down. Out of the "not California" programs, OHSU was the one I connected with the least.
No interview offered: San Mateo
Did not apply: UCSF, Central California programs
Canceled interview: UCSD, UC Davis
As a final note, I thought it might be helpful to make a "program only" list that doesn't take geography or social factors into account. In the absence of any outside influences, here's how I would have ranked the programs:
1. UCLA-Semel
2. UW-Seattle
3. University of Utah
4. UC Irvine
5. Stanford
6. OHSU
7. Loma Linda
8. UCLA-San Fernando
9. Kaiser Fontana
Hope it helps future applicants! For what it's worth, I would consider all of these to be good programs, and depending on your interests (academics vs community, light vs heavy call, etc.) any of them could be good enough to be "the one." Good luck!