Programs in LA

[wendyk]

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Did anyone interviewed in LA? What do you think of programs there. Did anyone interview at Harbor-UCLA? I am thinking of canceling my interview there as I have already interviewed at UCLA and USC.

Thanks!
Wendy

 

[impetigo]

I interviewed there awhile ago, and here is what I discovered about USC+LAC:

1. CA-3 who interviewed us was pretty unhappy with the program and so it wasn't a big surprise that when he would periodically ask us what we thought of the program so far everyone was dead silent.
2. CA-1s were pretty happy, though, and seemed to do a lot together, for education or for fun.
3. No research. When I asked about it, I was basically told (by several faculty and residents) that there is none and don't even bother.
4. Lot of CRNA and SRNAs and the relationship between them and the MD/DOs didn't seem too warm.
5. Facilities varied. LAC is a $hitty hole but the new hospital should be up in a year or so. The private USC medical center is nice. The other facilities are okay. Gotta love the elevator operators -- $70k/yr to sit on a stool and press the buttons with a stick!
6. Area is attractive with all the hills but not a great neighborhood by any means. Some residents commute from the beach areas and a lot live in Pasadena.
7. Didactics and teaching are weak according to the residents. But they say that the clinical training/experience is great.

Overall, didn't seem like a very good program at all, but then again, it's one of only three programs in L.A. and only one of 5 programs in SoCal!

 

[wendyk]

Wendy, what did you think of USC? I'm supposed to be headed there in a couple of weeks for an interview.

As for USC, I liked to number of cases but residents were quite unhappy and not open about their program. There seems to be some issues that they didnot want to come forward with. When I was interviewing at other program in California, they didnot have good opinion of USC so as far as I am concerned, it is a crapy place. I am raking them last among all the programs in California. Frankly, UC-Davis is a better program then USC.

 

[Vooder]

wendyk thanks for your response. Do either of you (or anyone for that matter) have opinions/feedback on UCLA and what their day/program was like? I've heard people are happy and the hospital is awesome, but just wanted to get some fresher and more relevent opinions.

I had interview at UCLA few weeks ago and, in general, I liked this program.
The evening before interview we had dinner with two residents - very nice and relaxed. Interview day started with very solid presentation of program by vice-chair. Then, very fast hospital tour, including OR. After tour we had three one-on-one interview (chair, PD and one attendings) - friendly, but not the easiest interview in my life. After interview we had lunch in cafeteria with some residents who could come from OR.

My impressions about UCLA:
1. A lot of very sick patients, all kinds of the weirdest cases you can imagine
2. Biggest transplantaion program in the country.
3. Weak trauma and CC experience (one month ICU in Long Beach Veterans)
4. Strong education - residents are relieved from OR for lectures and didactic.
5. Big research - both clinical and lab.
6. Everybody is excited about new hospital, which must be ready by 2006-2007.
7. And the most important... Residents are really happy. Everyone said that program is very strong and environment very friendly, PD is big residents advocate. Few residents told me that prefered to come to UCLA and not UCSF because of environment. (I haven't been in UCSF, so I cannot give my opinion about differences).

Overall, I think this is the best program in SoCal.

 

[wendyk]

wendyk thanks for your response. Do either of you (or anyone for that matter) have opinions/feedback on UCLA and what their day/program was like? I've heard people are happy and the hospital is awesome, but just wanted to get some fresher and more relevent opinions.

UCLA is awesome. It is the best program in california. In fact, I am ranking UCLA at the top of all programs in California. Faculty was great, residents seem very happy. Only thing that I didn't like is that you will be on call Q4 so that kinda sucks but I was impressed with the program.

As it stands now, I am ranking,

1. UCLA
2. UCSD
3. Stanford
4. UC-Irvine
5. UCSF
6. UC-davis