Few of us post on SDN because we're all busy at the hospital or out having a good time on the town. heh.
I'm a UTSW IM Grad. I moved off the cards bandwagon and am now GI fellowship track--applied, interviewed, accepted. Was looking for an answer to something else on SDN but found this and so I'll also share some "inside" knowledge.
@bobito is right. I would add that during the interview trail any reputation I had as a UTSW resident was because we earned it the hard way--by working. Always turned out in my favor. I stayed at UTSW for residency because I personally wanted the critical care experience (stuff pulm fellows do at other programs), even if it didn't have a bearing on my future career.
@texasguy: that's one way of looking at it. Although, I must say in my case coming from UTSW med school through UTSW residency it was more that cardiology and pulmonary are such big influences that GI gets overshadowed. It's ironic, because the prior IM chairman and the interim chair were both GI faculty. Moreover, there's a pedigree here but it's largely before my time: Dr. Fortran (now at BUMC), Dr. Podolsky (in academic leadership, not in IM) for example.
Why the variety of "caliber" of the matched GI programs? Some have personal reasons to go somewhere (and get what they want). Others have a strong resume and shoot for the stars. The bottom line: all 4 GI applicants this past year matched. Could there have been more? yes. Will there be more next year? Most likely yes, because momentum is building.
For the most part, those in UTSW who apply GI knew they were going to do it starting residency and all apply early (the 3rd years who matched this past year were notable exceptions). To my knowledge, this past year others interested in GI were either drawn back to cards/critical care, are not sure about career plans (and have the credentials to get in), or are waiting until next year to apply to beef up resumes. To my knowledge *no one* was discouraged away from GI because of any perceived difficulty getting in. That may change if there is a glut of applicants at UTSW as there was in Michigan (12-14 of them I think?). I don't know how Michigan fared.
@sustentaculum: UTSW residents are for the most part happy. Over time we either become jovial or worn out-- it's hard to have in-betweens working an """80-hour week""".
Research: UTSW is a powerhouse for research, especially basic science, but to me it felt like a different world separate from training, even in med school. It is hard to get exposure to much of it if you don't know about it or else what you want to do. GI is the same way. Cards especially. Furthermore, most faculty who can put in a good word for you are ambitious, may be hard to impress, and have their hands full, so you have to make time and a name for yourself.
The reward, however, is very real for your effort.
Oh, and Dallas=delicious.
