Can you shed any light on how you ended up ranking the programs as you did? I'm familiar with a lot of these programs, although since UC Riverside is so new I haven't heard too much about them. What was your impression of that program?
I wanted to be in California and that was my primary objective initially. I was looking for a program that would provide solid clinical training, accessible faculty and staff, lucrative moonlighting, great lifestyle, and cool residents. Also, I wanted to live in an area of California that I believed was not heavily saturated and affordable enough to purchase a home as a resident (I just couldn't see myself renting at ridiculous rates for another 4 years in a lot of other areas of California). UC Riverside had all of the previous attributes along with being associated with a medical school. I had the best gut feeling after meeting with everyone at Riverside and it leapfrogged to the top. UCR is a relatively new program and most applicants would probably therefore be nervous about ranking it as highly. For me, my interactions with Dr. Maguire were fantastic and I was sold on his vision for creating a residency experience that is tailored to each resident's passions.
Some other highlights:
San Mateo: Offers great community training. Program Director was super cool. Program encourages residents to take initiative and set up programs for the community. Excellent Lifestyle. Most residents at this program are married. One full day a week of didactics split up between two days. No way a resident will be able to purchase a house here. Also, the bay area is changing extremely fast. Silicon Valley techies are jacking up prices everywhere. The bay is not what it used to be 20 years ago unfortunately.
Kaiser: Not the ideal program. Fontana is not the best place in the world. However, its affordable around the area. Program gets you into the Kaiser system which can potentially be great for some people who want a career at Kaiser. They are opening up new facilities up and down Cali. Lifestyle is pretty good here. Could be lacking in terms psychotherapy. However, local psychoanalytic institutes are nearby and could be utilized with your ample free time.
Irvine: Great location. Pretty affordable. Residents were some of the coolest I met on the interview trail. Seems to have solid psychotherapy. Not as good in terms of lifestyle as the above 3. Overall, very strong program. PD is new but seems nice. Stahl is there.
CPMC: Program director is awesome. Extremely passionate and has a great vision for the program. They are opening up a brand new hospital. Only met 2 residents. Work schedule is pretty standard. Cost of living is a major problem. Also, I'm over city living and have no desire to deal with the hassle that comes along with downtown life. Strong didactics and psychotherapy training.
UCLA-SFV: Program Director has been there forever. That, in my opinion, is typically not ideal. Usually, this means rigidity and aversion to change. Lots of driving. Residents were down to earth. Work Schedule is pretty standard. San Fernando Valley seems like a decent place but not worth the cost of living imo. Lots of VA work. Strong clinical training. Research can be sought out. UCLA name carries weight.
USC: USC is definitely a big name on the west coast. However, the program is not in the best of areas. LA has a ton of traffic and the cost of living is sky high. The interviews were all straight forward. The training is most likely solid. You have great weather. Lots of residents and should be easy to make friends. The research opportunities are there. You get to work with a great deal of underserved patients. Lots of vacation time here. Work Schedule is pretty standard. Overall, very solid.
Kaweah Delta: Close to Fresno. Will see a ton of underserved patients. Good lifestyle. Cool Residents. Not the ideal location but still California. Extremely affordable. Probably not much research. No real University Affiliation although they say they have an affiliation with Irvine. Good Moonlighting opportunities. Great job prospects with traditions behavioral health.
Bakersfield: Not the ideal location. Facilities seem a bit dilapidated. Residents were nice. Strong community training. Lots of fellowship opportunities. Not the best rate for moonlighting, can't remember the exact figure. Work schedule tough during intern year then pretty good 2, 3, and 4.
These are mostly rambling thoughts, if you need any clarifications, let me know.