Program Specific Questions

[throwaway19891234]

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got an interview invite from BID last night at 630 PM. like a ***** checked my email at 6 PM last night (a friday night) then not again till saturday morning. of course when i go to interview broker on saturday morning, all dates filled. Am on waitlist. Any insight into the chance of getting off the waitlist at a program like that? I can't imagine many people would cancel an interview there. so frustrating.

 

[Beacopp665]

got an interview invite from BID last night at 630 PM. like a ***** checked my email at 6 PM last night (a friday night) then not again till saturday morning. of course when i go to interview broker on saturday morning, all dates filled. Am on waitlist. Any insight into the chance of getting off the waitlist at a program like that? I can't imagine many people would cancel an interview there. so frustrating.

Can't really answer your question/wasn't invited to interview there, but I just wanted to extend my sympathy man. Seems like you've had some tough luck with interview broker for a couple places

 

[throwaway19891234]

Can't really answer your question/wasn't invited to interview there, but I just wanted to extend my sympathy man. Seems like you've had some tough luck with interview broker for a couple places

haha thanks. bad luck i guess. but it's my fault too. i should have checked my email more. oh well.

 

[afanrin]

got an interview invite from BID last night at 630 PM. like a ***** checked my email at 6 PM last night (a friday night) then not again till saturday morning. of course when i go to interview broker on saturday morning, all dates filled. Am on waitlist. Any insight into the chance of getting off the waitlist at a program like that? I can't imagine many people would cancel an interview there. so frustrating.

My interview broker says that there are 3 spots still open (11/18, 12/17, 1/13), not sure why yours was full.

 

[235009]

got an interview invite from BID last night at 630 PM. like a ***** checked my email at 6 PM last night (a friday night) then not again till saturday morning. of course when i go to interview broker on saturday morning, all dates filled. Am on waitlist. Any insight into the chance of getting off the waitlist at a program like that? I can't imagine many people would cancel an interview there. so frustrating.

haha thanks. bad luck i guess. but it's my fault too. i should have checked my email more. oh well.

not to rub salt in the wound but this is what smartphones are for. i'm assuming you have one but aren't using it to it's full capability.

 

[danebrennan]

Why don't u give them a call... Same thing happened to me with Cornell, I called them, and they said they would work something out even if I didn't get my waitlist date on interview broker. The problem is that some people have a confirmed date and a waitlist date. That clogs the program. But, they want to interview you, so call them and work it out.

 

[MCB]

got an interview invite from BID last night at 630 PM. like a ***** checked my email at 6 PM last night (a friday night) then not again till saturday morning. of course when i go to interview broker on saturday morning, all dates filled. Am on waitlist. Any insight into the chance of getting off the waitlist at a program like that? I can't imagine many people would cancel an interview there. so frustrating.

My interview broker says that there are 3 spots still open (11/18, 12/17, 1/13), not sure why yours was full.

I think similar to the cornell situation, interview broker probably displays differently to those who have already secured a slot and those who are on the waitlist. This allows flexibility for date changing.

 

[throwaway19891234]

My interview broker says that there are 3 spots still open (11/18, 12/17, 1/13), not sure why yours was full.

i think that different dates are offered to different candidates. you're prob more competitive than me so they offer you more dates to better their odds of getting you to interview there. pretty sure cornell did the same thing.

 

[throwaway19891234]

Why don't u give them a call... Same thing happened to me with Cornell, I called them, and they said they would work something out even if I didn't get my waitlist date on interview broker. The problem is that some people have a confirmed date and a waitlist date. That clogs the program. But, they want to interview you, so call them and work it out.

thanks for the advice. i will definitely do this.

 

[throwaway19891234]

not to rub salt in the wound but this is what smartphones are for. i'm assuming you have one but aren't using it to it's full capability.

you're right. I am technologically inept. not going to lie

 

[235009]

you're right. I am technologically inept. not going to lie

if you were born in 1989 as I glean from your username then there's no excuse for that

set up your email on your phone. turn on notifications. if you don't know how to do this google it.

 

[DTUD]

you're right. I am technologically inept. not going to lie

Maybe consider e-mailing them now incase others are e-mailing them over the weekend to inquire about the same thing (as a call would have to wait til Monday)

 

[Beacopp665]

i think that different dates are offered to different candidates. you're prob more competitive than me so they offer you more dates to better their odds of getting you to interview there. pretty sure cornell did the same thing.

I initially thought this too, but when a candidate has already secured a date other dates will be available to them if there is someone else who is wait listed for that date and has a spot on another date already. For example afanrin would be engaging in a direct one to one switch if he decided to go for one of the three dates he sees available. That's my understanding at least

 

[sunscorched]

UK FMG here guys. Could anyone advise me on the ranking between Mt-Sinai St Luke's-Roosevelt to Pennsy, Einstein, Lankenau for IM residency? I know it is going to be an uphill battle being an FMG.. but I'm interested in GI fellowship in the future. Limited myself to tristate area as SO is in Philly. Currently placing geographical preference over university affiliated programs far away.

Could anyone tell me how much better SLR's training and reputation is compared to Pennsy?

I know these programs aren't good for US med students but hopefully someone can shed some light on the matter.

 

[gutonc]

UK FMG here guys. Could anyone advise me on the ranking between Mt-Sinai St Luke's-Roosevelt to Pennsy, Einstein, Lankenau for IM residency? I know it is going to be an uphill battle being an FMG.. but I'm interested in GI fellowship in the future. Limited myself to tristate area as SO is in Philly. Currently placing geographical preference over university affiliated programs far away.

Could anyone tell me how much better SLR's training and reputation is compared to Pennsy?

I know these programs aren't good for US med students but hopefully someone can shed some light on the matter.

There is virtually no difference between any of those programs in terms of quality and future options. I'm not sure how close the Sinai/SLR connection is but since Sinai is Top 10 in GI, I'd probably consider ranking that one highest and hope you can get a GI elective or some research at MSSM to help boos your app.

 

[sunscorched]

There is virtually no difference between any of those programs in terms of quality and future options. I'm not sure how close the Sinai/SLR connection is but since Sinai is Top 10 in GI, I'd probably consider ranking that one highest and hope you can get a GI elective or some research at MSSM to help boos your app.

Thanks Gutonc! Appreciate the input.

 

[235009]

There is virtually no difference between any of those programs in terms of quality and future options. I'm not sure how close the Sinai/SLR connection is but since Sinai is Top 10 in GI, I'd probably consider ranking that one highest and hope you can get a GI elective or some research at MSSM to help boos your app.

it's a 1 year old affiliation ....doubt it's that strong

 

[Questionmark?]

Hi, IMG here. I got an interview invite from MGH recently. How often does that happen? Does anyone know?

I tried to look up details on IMGs at MGH but all that's listed on their website is that there are a total of 8 in the current group of 179. I couldn't find a list of residents or foreign grads on there.

I assume that their IMG page is pretty out of date though because they've mentioned that they require a step 1 and CK score of >213 to be considered (and the current CK pass score is 209).

 

[thehundredthone]

Hi, IMG here. I got an interview invite from MGH recently. How often does that happen? Does anyone know?

I tried to look up details on IMGs at MGH but all that's listed on their website is that there are a total of 8 in the current group of 179. I couldn't find a list of residents or foreign grads on there.

I assume that their IMG page is pretty out of date though because they've mentioned that they require a step 1 and CK score of >213 to be considered (and the current CK pass score is 209).

Not often. In what way will it affect any of your decisions? If they called you they like you so far, and I'm sure you're stoked to have been invited.

 

[Questionmark?]

Not often. In what way will it affect any of your decisions? If they called you they like you so far, and I'm sure you're stoked to have been invited.

Well, yes, it won't change my decision, but it might change my outlook on what to expect. I just figured any info is better than none. I looked it up a bit more before posting on sdn and there was just the one thread where an img posted something that they've since edited out.
Of course I'm excited. But just curious about how guarded I should be about it.

 

[gutonc]

Well, yes, it won't change my decision, but it might change my outlook on what to expect. I just figured any info is better than none. I looked it up a bit more before posting on sdn and there was just the one thread where an img posted something that they've since edited out.
Of course I'm excited. But just curious about how guarded I should be about it.

If you're being guarded then you don't really understand the match process.

Go there. Rock your interview. Rank it where you want to. Match somewhere...maybe even MGH. The end.

Don't overthink it or you'll fail step 2 above and you can just forget the rest of them.

 

[Questionmark?]

If you're being guarded then you don't really understand the match process.

Go there. Rock your interview. Rank it where you want to. Match somewhere...maybe even MGH. The end.

Don't overthink it or you'll fail step 2 above and you can just forget the rest of them.

Hmm. Well by guarded I didn't mean guarded during the interview, just guarded about the ultimate result. But I understand what you mean about how that could affect things.

Thanks for your input guys.

 

[rd31]

Can anyone comment on the ancillary services as JHH (Osler)? I know intern year is rough at Hopkins, but is that because of scut work?

 

[thehundredthone]

Hmm. Well by guarded I didn't mean guarded during the interview, just guarded about the ultimate result. But I understand what you mean about how that could affect things.

Thanks for your input guys.

The ultimate result is up in the air regardless of whether it's MGH or the smallest most "malignant" program, you could end up anywhere on your list. Like gutonc said, make your impression, make your rank list and then just wait for March 20th. Rank every program that you are okay to end up at, in the order that you want.

 

[jdh71]

Can anyone comment on the ancillary services as JHH (Osler)? I know intern year is rough at Hopkins, but is that because of scut work?

@Instatewaiter

drawing your own labs at Hopkins?? lol

 

[Lccjblu]

Just wondering if anyone can comment on the IM programs at KUMC and UMKC. Seeing that they are about 15min apart from each other, is there one program that defers to the other? Is one more "academic" than the other? How are fellowship matches? and just generally, what is the general feel for each one? Anything and everything would be helpful!
Thanks a lot in advance

 

[jdh71]

Just wondering if anyone can comment on the IM programs at KUMC and UMKC. Seeing that they are about 15min apart from each other, is there one program that defers to the other? Is one more "academic" than the other? How are fellowship matches? and just generally, what is the general feel for each one? Anything and everything would be helpful!
Thanks a lot in advance

Hm. I don't think one is particularly more stand out than the other. KU interviewed me and UMKC did not. So do with that information what you like. KU used to pay like notoriously low salaries too. What I remember about KU was big university hospital right next to the ghetto. Also doubling as county hospital IIRC. All the subspecialties represented with fellowship ops, preference to internal candidates. Lots of bad livers - that's good and bad. Seemed legit enough. Something didn't sit exactly right with me though. Not sure what. They were 4 or 5 on my rank list.

 

[gutonc]

Hm. I don't think one is particularly more stand out than the other. KU interviewed me and UMKC did not. So do with that information what you like. KU used to pay like notoriously low salaries too. What I remember about KU was big university hospital right next to the ghetto. Also doubling as county hospital IIRC. All the subspecialties represented with fellowship ops, preference to internal candidates. Lots of bad livers - that's good and bad. Seemed legit enough. Something didn't sit exactly right with me though. Not sure what. They were 4 or 5 on my rank list.

It's in Kansas. If that wasn't enough I'm not sure what would have been.

 

[jdh71]

It's in Kansas. If that wasn't enough I'm not sure what would have been.

I grew up in KS. It's not so bad. Lol.

 

[JOULEZ]

If I'm from Florida and have no "legitimate" reason for going to East Coast except beautiful weather and great programs [OHSU, UCSD, Stanford] do I still have a pretty good chance- or is what I hear about them wanting most people to have ties out there true? [I clearly do not have a lot of great advising, thus posting]

Not including those 3- I want ~12 more on the [mid]west side. If you could keep 2 of these, which? [I have no location ties and am single and would prefer to live in a cool city but especially like laid-back cool cities] [i.e. hesitant on D.C.]
VCU, Wake, OSU, Baylor, GW, Georgetown

 

[hawksfan]

If I'm from Florida and have no "legitimate" reason for going to East Coast except beautiful weather and great programs [OHSU, UCSD, Stanford] do I still have a pretty good chance- or is what I hear about them wanting most people to have ties out there true? [I clearly do not have a lot of great advising, thus posting]

Not including those 3- I want ~12 more on the [mid]west side. If you could keep 2 of these, which? [I have no location ties and am single and would prefer to live in a cool city but especially like laid-back cool cities] [i.e. hesitant on D.C.]
VCU, Wake, OSU, Baylor, GW, Georgetown

Am I high or did you totally mess up which schools are on which coast here?

I'm guessing UCSD/Stanford/OHSU are unlikely to rank you highly if you tell them you think they are on the East Coast.

 

[Beacopp665]

If I'm from Florida and have no "legitimate" reason for going to East Coast except beautiful weather and great programs [OHSU, UCSD, Stanford] do I still have a pretty good chance- or is what I hear about them wanting most people to have ties out there true? [I clearly do not have a lot of great advising, thus posting]

Not including those 3- I want ~12 more on the [mid]west side. If you could keep 2 of these, which? [I have no location ties and am single and would prefer to live in a cool city but especially like laid-back cool cities] [i.e. hesitant on D.C.]
VCU, Wake, OSU, Baylor, GW, Georgetown

You have really interesting definitions of the east and west. Your school's lack of advising aren't your only issues - pull out a map lol.

 

[gutonc]

Am I high or did you totally mess up which schools are on which coast here?

True, true and unrelated.

 

[gutonc]

If I'm from Florida and have no "legitimate" reason for going to East Coast except beautiful weather and great programs [OHSU, UCSD, Stanford] do I still have a pretty good chance- or is what I hear about them wanting most people to have ties out there true? [I clearly do not have a lot of great advising, thus posting]

Not including those 3- I want ~12 more on the [mid]west side. If you could keep 2 of these, which? [I have no location ties and am single and would prefer to live in a cool city but especially like laid-back cool cities] [i.e. hesitant on D.C.]
VCU, Wake, OSU, Baylor, GW, Georgetown

So...setting aside the fact that you don't appear to know your left from your right....

I'd argue that there are only 2 actual cities represented by those 5 programs and neither of them are both cool and laid-back (I would argue that neither of them are either cool or laid-back, but people are probably tired of me digging on Houston and TX in general so pretend I didn't just say that).

If I was going to keep only 2 of those programs, I'd probably go with OSU and Baylor. Yes, I just gave props to a TX program....

 

[DTUD]

Also, look into MUSC, I hear great things about the town.

 

[Trogghunter]

VCU is in a cool and laid back city. Best beer bar in america, 11 microbreweries, 100 miles to the beach, mountains, and dc. 2 universities, 3 big museums, young progressive population, 4 downtown/bar areas. Its like a smaller austin texas with much more outdoor activities.

 

[JOULEZ]

Oh bother. No I was watching OITNB, half asleep, and Hawksfan I was the one who was high. On life. Thanks for input I really appreciate it.
And so Sir Gutonc, if I properly call them the west coast, what are your thoughts on not having "ties" there hurting my chances? (My scores are great, but my med school is lower tier...) Currently, to make it to dinners I can only make it to 2 unless I make anothrr trip out there. Or make some wait list magic happen.

 

[aeiouandsometimesy]

VCU is in a cool and laid back city. Best beer bar in america, 11 microbreweries, 100 miles to the beach, mountains, and dc. 2 universities, 3 big museums, young progressive population, 4 downtown/bar areas. Its like a smaller austin texas with much more outdoor activities.

Seconded. Can't speak to the Austin comparison, but as someone born/raised in Richmond, I love it and would be ecstatic if I wound up back there.

 

[johndoe3344]

Oh bother. No I was watching OITNB, half asleep, and Hawksfan I was the one who was high. On life. Thanks for input I really appreciate it.
And so Sir Gutonc, if I properly call them the west coast, what are your thoughts on not having "ties" there hurting my chances? (My scores are great, but my med school is lower tier...) Currently, to make it to dinners I can only make it to 2 unless I make anothrr trip out there. Or make some wait list magic happen.

If you get an interview, you have a shot of matching there. They wouldn't interview you and waste their own time if they didn't think you were a potential candidate. You go to the interview and you be prepared to rock the inevitable "why the west coast / program X" question.

If you meant precisely how much having family in California or having went to undergrad in the west coast factors into the ranking decision, well then, according to my secret calculator...

17.33%, repeating of course.

 

[Instatewaiter]

@Instatewaiter

drawing your own labs at Hopkins?? lol

Can anyone comment on the ancillary services as JHH (Osler)? I know intern year is rough at Hopkins, but is that because of scut work?

There are four lab draws during the day. If you get labs during these times no problems and you won't be drawing your own labs. However if you need an ABG acutely or you want extra labs drawn, you will probably be drawing them yourself. It was a pretty rare occurrence that I needed to draw my own labs.

In terms of other ancillary services, they're great. The patient population at Hopkins is one that has a lot of social problems and placement problems. There are also a lot of homeless people and IV drug users. While this is a great patient population to learn from, it is also one where you need a lot of ancillary services. The social workers and case managers are great. They set up all your appointments and get everything set up nice and tiddy for when you're ready for discharge.

When I compare it to where I am now (which has a much more white bread and wealthy patient population, the ancillary services where I am now, blow.

So I guess to answer your question, the Hopkins intern year it's tough not because of scut to work but because you're very busy.

 

[kari123]

Hi everyone, I'm thinking about dropping a few safeties and would like some advice. No particular geographic preference. Goal is cardiology. I'm definitely going to 12 other programs and would like to drop 3-4 of the following.
UIC, UConn, VCU, St. luke roosevelt, hofstra, drexel, NJMS rutgers, loyola, stony brook

 

[gutonc]

Hi everyone, I'm thinking about dropping a few safeties and would like some advice. No particular geographic preference. Goal is cardiology. I'm definitely going to 12 other programs and would like to drop 3-4 of the following.
UIC, UConn, VCU, St. luke roosevelt, hofstra, drexel, NJMS rutgers, loyola, stony brook

Keep Rutgers, VCU and UIC +/- Loyola.

If you really want to keep one or two more, don't. You don't need them. Let somebody else have a chance.

 

[kari123]

Keep Rutgers, VCU and UIC +/- Loyola.

If you really want to keep one or two more, don't. You don't need them. Let somebody else have a chance.

thanks gutonc! i guess i should call UIC... I tried to not be obnoxious by just waiting for them to email back to confirm a reschedule date but it's been over a week.

 

[jdh71]

Hi everyone, I'm thinking about dropping a few safeties and would like some advice. No particular geographic preference. Goal is cardiology. I'm definitely going to 12 other programs and would like to drop 3-4 of the following.
UIC, UConn, VCU, St. luke roosevelt, hofstra, drexel, NJMS rutgers, loyola, stony brook

Keep VCU and UIC drop as many of the rest as you need to.

 

[jdh71]

Keep Rutgers, VCU and UIC +/- Loyola.

If you really want to keep one or two more, don't. You don't need them. Let somebody else have a chance.

This is what I get for not reading the whole thread first.

 

[gutonc]

This is what I get for not reading the whole thread first.

If you mean pwn3d then yes...that's what you get.

 

[jdh71]

If you mean pwn3d then yes...that's what you get.

Well. I wouldn't go that far. You DID recommend Rutgers and that was clearly a mistake.

 

[Lccjblu]

Hm. I don't think one is particularly more stand out than the other. KU interviewed me and UMKC did not. So do with that information what you like. KU used to pay like notoriously low salaries too. What I remember about KU was big university hospital right next to the ghetto. Also doubling as county hospital IIRC. All the subspecialties represented with fellowship ops, preference to internal candidates. Lots of bad livers - that's good and bad. Seemed legit enough. Something didn't sit exactly right with me though. Not sure what. They were 4 or 5 on my rank list.

Hmm good to know, thanks for your input. their salaries nowadays seem to be decent haha

anyone else with input on university of kansas vs UMissouri-Kansas City?

 

[BertMacklinFBI]

It's a good program, and the training is very good. The residents stay pretty busy, but the caps are 8/intern. I want to say about half do fellowship immediately and the other half become hospitalists, etc. but I'm not sure. The hospital is right on state line and is near some ghetto areas, but there is plenty of nicer housing around (the plaza is ~10 min away, and Westwood/Prairie Village near the cancer center is fine as well). Resident salary is relatively low compared to other places but very reasonable considering the cost of living in KC (which is actually a good place to live, despite what you'd think).

This is their first year doing a 3+1, which was a welcome change because beforehand, the upper levels were alway covering for the intern that was off or in clinic. I would imagine people like it better this way. KU>UMKC without a doubt.

 

[Dr. Sahni]

Hi Everyone,
I have an interview on November 14, 2014 at Lutheran Medical Center Brooklyn in IM. I'm hoping if anyone can tell me about the program to give me an inside look and if anyone knows the kind of questions they ask. I have an idea from other forums but if anyone can expand on this I would be grateful. Thanks and good luck!
R