Thank you. My point for future residents and fellows is that "ambiance" is paramount.
Candidates should listen to their guts. If the chair or PD doesn't click, the program will suck for you. If the interviewers are not nice even on the day they are selling the program to you, imagine what will happen once you are hired. If the trainees are not truly enthusiastic, just smiling salespeople, there is something rotten in Denmark.
A brand name matters a lot, but so does great training. If you feel miserable for 3 years, you will
not get the best training you could even in a "top" place. If you get labeled, you'll have a long way to dig yourself out, too long for residency. Don't go anywhere just because you were told it's a great program, if it didn't "click" with you. The cultural fit is the most important, especially if you are different in any way from their typical trainee (especially if a minority). Never underestimate the importance of working with nice
laid-back people. The training is close second, but second. The brand name is third (it does matter, but nothing beats your own expertise, which comes from happiness + good training).
There aren't many programs in Neverland, but keep searching. Don't just settle for the big name with big snobs; 3 years in
prison residency can be a long sentence,
😉
This is how you should feel when going to work: