Please Rank My Rank List

[jacksonianmarch]

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So I have interviewed at the following programs, and need a ton of advice -- I don't feel that there are any programs I can leave off of the list. So in order to make this fun for everyone (and to give me some much needed help in crunch time), please rank my list for me.... whatever you want -- A full list, a top 3 or top 5 list, programs you would not list, etc. -- only thing I ask for any of this is to give me some reasoning as to why you state what you state.

I know I have a full spectrum of programs, but believe it or not I liked lesser known places vs. the bigger names.... and I know, 25 interviews for neuro seems a bit much!!

Thanks in advance everyone!!

Oh, my personal situation might be important for consideration:
I have parents in Chicago, bro/sis in Baltimore/DC, girlfriend of 5 years in Oregon


My interviewed schools:

Northeast/East: MGH, Columbia, Hopkins, Maryland, Georgetown, GW, U of Rochester, Jefferson

Midwest: all 5 Chicago schools (Northwestern, Rush, U of Chicago, Loyola, UIC), Cincinnati

South: Duke, UNC, Miami, U of Florida, Vanderbilt, Emory, UVA

West: UCSF, UCLA, Utah, OHSU



RANK AWAY!!!!!!!

 

[scm]

ha. well obviously everyone has different interests/concerns/things they are looking for. and this is a gigantic list! youre insane for visiting so many places.

If you are sure you want to be an academic superstar, or the next dept chair somewhere, and want to work very hard at a place with research emphasis, i would rank UCSF, MGH, then Columbia, in that order. mostly because of work enviroment and location, UCSF is also probably the only one of the 3 i would be psyched to goto, but i have my own interests/biases.

I've been to baltimore/dc a bunch of times, and really would not want to live there, regardless of it being Hopkins, or Maryland..from what ive heard on the trail, i wouldnt rank Georgetown or GW.. i also dont think i would ever want to live in LA, didnt apply there either.

maybe you want to be in chicago, but again, from what ive heard, and from being at Rush, i would rank them highly vs all the other chicago programs..i havent heard many good things about northwestern or u chicago(meaning not that i havent heard thigns at all, but that ive heard negative things)..granted UIC just grabbed Rush's stoke team..

i loved OHSU, Rochester is awesome but again, do you want to live there?

i can group, sorry, thats about it i think. given your list and thinking about your interests, not mine, i would:

rank highly : UCSF, MGH, Columbia, Hopkins, Emory,

middle: Rush, OHSU, Rochester, UVA, UNC, Duke, UCLA
(however, maybe you loved some of these, maybe you just arent interested in national reputation and so on.. i might rather goto some of these vs Columbia, Hopkins or Emory, but thats me..i loved UNC, OHSU, didnt like Duke, dont know much about UVA..)

given your choices above, might not rank these at all unless you loved for some reason: GW, Georgetown, Utah, Vanderbuilt, Loyola, UIC, U Chicago, Jefferson, Miami, Cinci

regardless, i think you should narrow it down to at least 7-10 unless you are an FMG. ive left you with 12 above...

hope this helps a little.
scm

 

[tofurious]

rank highly : UCSF, MGH, Columbia, Hopkins, Emory,

middle: Rush, OHSU, Rochester, UVA, UNC, Duke, UCLA
(however, maybe you loved some of these, maybe you just arent interested in national reputation and so on.. i might rather goto some of these vs Columbia, Hopkins or Emory, but thats me..i loved UNC, OHSU, didnt like Duke, dont know much about UVA..)

given your choices above, might not rank these at all unless you loved for some reason: GW, Georgetown, Utah, Vanderbuilt, Loyola, UIC, U Chicago, Jefferson, Miami, Cinci

Regardless where the OP ends up, he must have 3 months of unattached schedule to interview at ALL these places/cities (NYC, Boston, Baltimore, Atlanta, Durham, Chicago, Rochester, SF, LA, DC, Nashville, Miami, Cinci ) - you've been to more places within the allowable interview time than an airline pilot!

 

[GopherBrain]

SCM - Thanks a bunch.... now if I may, let me eliminate some programs (e.g. Columbia, MGH) from the list because I am certain where they fall on the list (or not e.g. GW).... of the remaining programs, the ones I am not sure where they fall, how would you rank them from 1 to 12?

Emory, Rush, UVA, Duke, Maryland, Utah, Jefferson, Miami, Cinci, Rochester, Northwestern, Florida

I think these programs are essentially unrankable, unless we know what your goals are.

Take URochester and Florida for example. I think I can say without fear of dissent that URochester is the better program. They question then becomes, is Rochester enough better that you would be willing to put up with feet and feet of snow every winter? Or would you rather sacrifice a little quality to live in Florida?

 

[GopherBrain]

My goals are to get input as to the quality of the program first and foremost... then factor in liveability issues, other logistics, etc. for each program, and then rank accordingly.

For example, what you did with Rochester and Florida was good -- now the only question is, would you rather go to Florida or Rochester given everything?

For instance, would you go to Utah even though it is in Salt Lake City with the Mormons... is that a big deal? Is it absolutely necessary to know Spanish in order to go to Miami?

Thanks.

Fair enough. If it was me, this is how I would rank programs. Be warned, this is more about my personal biases as it is about program quality....

Rochester, Rush, Emory, Duke, Northwestern, Maryland, UVA, Miami, Jefferson, Florida, Utah, Cinci

 

[kasimagore1]

or if you are interested in stroke, you should highly think about Cincy as many recent stroke management guidelines (eg. tpa) were developed in Cincy. Broderick is very well known in the cerebralvascular circle, and stroke fellowship at Cincinnati is one of the most sought after by neuro graduates (along with UT houston, UCSD).

 

[drgirl]

I agree, Cincy's actually a great program and had a better reputation in Neuro circles than places like Northwestern, which has a good name but a lot of negatives to it's program. I did interview at Cincy and really liked it, program was great, not just stroke but the other sub-specialties too, and residents and faculty are super friendly. It's not in my top 3 but definitely top 5 and higher than places like Duke and UNC.
I went to UVA too and it's an amazing program with excellent faculty and actually has an equal amount of respect in neuro to places like Cornell, Sinai, Duke, UNC etc....the location is the major drawback, depending on if you like small college towns.

ETA: Hey, a lot of new people seemed to have just joined the forum---welcome fellow neurophiles! It's cool how traffic is picking up on this board.

 

[jacksonianmarch]

I agree, Cincy's actually a great program and had a better reputation in Neuro circles than places like Northwestern, which has a good name but a lot of negatives to it's program. I did interview at Cincy and really liked it, program was great, not just stroke but the other sub-specialties too, and residents and faculty are super friendly. It's not in my top 3 but definitely top 5 and higher than places like Duke and UNC.
I went to UVA too and it's an amazing program with excellent faculty and actually has an equal amount of respect in neuro to places like Cornell, Sinai, Duke, UNC etc....the location is the major drawback, depending on if you like small college towns.

ETA: Hey, a lot of new people seemed to have just joined the forum---welcome fellow neurophiles! It's cool how traffic is picking up on this board.

I interviewed at Cincy, UVA and NW -- I agree, Cincy has a good name in neuro circles and a great name in stroke, residents are super friendly, but location sucks.... NW is much higher on themselves than they should be, lots of problems with program, although location/facilities are great.... and UVA I too was exceptionally impressed with!! AWESOME place, tons of respect, only minor drawback is somewhat removed location, really respected because they have put out tons of neuro chairmen!!

 

[neurologist]

So I have interviewed at the following programs, and need a ton of advice -- I don't feel that there are any programs I can leave off of the list. So in order to make this fun for everyone (and to give me some much needed help in crunch time), please rank my list for me.... whatever you want -- A full list, a top 3 or top 5 list, programs you would not list, etc. -- only thing I ask for any of this is to give me some reasoning as to why you state what you state.

I know I have a full spectrum of programs, but believe it or not I liked lesser known places vs. the bigger names.... and I know, 25 interviews for neuro seems a bit much!!

Thanks in advance everyone!!

Oh, my personal situation might be important for consideration:
I have parents in Chicago, bro/sis in Baltimore/DC, girlfriend of 5 years in Oregon


My interviewed schools:

Northeast/East: MGH, Columbia, Hopkins, Maryland, Georgetown, GW, U of Rochester, Jefferson

Midwest: all 5 Chicago schools (Northwestern, Rush, U of Chicago, Loyola, UIC), Cincinnati

South: Duke, UNC, Miami, U of Florida, Vanderbilt, Emory, UVA

West: UCSF, UCLA, Utah, OHSU



RANK AWAY!!!!!!!

For what it's worth, in order:

MGH, Columbia, UCSF, Hopkins, Rochester, UCLA, Duke, Miami (if you speak spanish), Vanderbilt, Utah, Emory, Maryland, Rush, Northwestern, UVA, OHSU, Chicago, Jefferson, UNC, GW, Florida, Cincinnati, UIC, Loyola, G-town.
Best of luck, you've got some great interviews!

As for family concerns: time to grow up and move away. Mom and dad will understand.
As for your girlfriend: After 5 years its about time to s**t or get off the pot. Either dump her or marry her and tell her to move her butt to wherever your residency is.

 

[scm]

For what it's worth, in order:

MGH, Columbia, UCSF, Hopkins, Rochester, UCLA, Duke, Miami (if you speak spanish), Vanderbilt, Utah, Emory, Maryland, Rush, Northwestern, UVA, OHSU, Chicago, Jefferson, UNC, GW, Florida, Cincinnati, UIC, Loyola, G-town.
Best of luck, you've got some great interviews!
.

heh i'd rearrange that to this

UCSF,MGH, Columbia, Hopkins, Rochester, Emory, Rush, OHSU,UVA, UCLA, Maryland, UNC, Duke,Northwestern, Miami (if you speak spanish), Vanderbilt, Utah,Chicago, Jefferson, GW, Florida, Cincinnati, UIC, Loyola, G-town.

 

[scm]

ive only heard horrible things about miami on the trail as well..heh maybe you post your final list after people give you all this feedback? miami would be like your 12+ choice or more no? why do you need more feedback, clearly most people get their top 5, or at least top 8...and if you are just going to rank oregon #1 because your gf is there....not sure why you need feedback..

 

[play274]

jacksonianmarch:

Ranking your list is a tall order - in that I cannot read your mind. However, based on your statement of "[liking] lesser known places vs. the bigger names," and having a "personal situation ... [of] parents in Chicago, bro/sis in Baltimore/DC, girlfriend of 5 years in Oregon, from top to bottom (and I'm considering that you'd probably rank gf>parents>siblings):

1. Oregon - A lesser known place with strong credentials and your girlfriend.
2. UCSF - Second closest to your gf and an amazing program.
3. Hopkins - Siblings and all-star program.
4. UCLA - Nice location, very strong program, and on the same coast as your gf.
5. U of Rochester - Based on your inclination for "lesser known places."
6. MGH
7. Columbia
8. UVA
9. Duke
10. Emory
11+ (in order): U of Chicago, Rush, Northwestern, UIC, Miami, UNC, Vanderbilt, Utah, Jefferson, U of Florida, GW, Georgetown, Maryland, Cincinnati, Loyola



Now, how would I have ranked these for myself (based on location, strength of program, and happiness + success of residents)? As follows:
1. UCSF
2. MGH
3. Columbia
4. Hopkins
5. UCLA
6. U of Chicago
7. Emory
8. UVA
9. Duke
10. Rush
11. Oregon
-Based on such a long list and consideration of being a U.S. medical graduate, I would not rank: Northwestern, UIC, Miami, UNC, U of Rochester, Vanderbilt, Utah, Jefferson, U of Florida, GW, Georgetown, Maryland, Cincinnati, Loyola

Disclaimer: There are many outstanding programs available. What may be a great program in one person's eyes is a "pit" to the next prospective resident. I've seen residents from "so-so" programs become all-star fellows/assistant professors, and residents from "top-notch" programs hit the doldrums. So, take my 2 cents for what their worth ... and, considering that rank lists should be considered on an INDIVIDUAL basis, I am not sure that my rankings are even worth the electronic space that they occupy.

I hope that helps. Best of luck.

-274