Rank Dilemma

[STsleeper]

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I have two programs that I'm going back and forth between. Program 1 is a top-tier program in terms of board scores, well-known nationally, and best in its state easily. Program 2 is very close in terms of board scores/reputation but it suffers in that it is only a few miles away from a BIG name institution (not necessarily meaning this big institution matriculates better physicians...just happens to be that it is very strong in other deparments so general public perception assumes it is better in my deparment of interest). The locations of the two programs are very similar and appealing to me (college town atmosphere, scenic outdoors, reasonable cost of living, etc.) except Program 2 has a slight bit more to offer (a bit more metropolitan). "Personal fit" is just about equal with program 2 slightly favored. My inferiority complex strongly points me towards program 1, but ideally I'd really like to be at program 2 if only it didn't have such a well-known neighbor. Anyone have any thoughts or advice on putting things into perspective? I'm so indecisive...I feel an ulcer developing.

 

[penguins]

#2, personal fit favored

 

[tigershark]

Being happy is over-rated. If you have a good outlook you can make the best of any situation. Future career ramifications would be my primary consideration.

 

[robotsonic]

Since "personal fit" can be difficult to accurately judge before you actually start the residency, and both of these places are similar in personal fit anyway, that wouldn't be the deciding factor for me. I may be misinterpreting you, but it sounds like Program 1 is more prestigious and might offer more connections and career opportunities.

I would go with Program 1.

 

[penguins]

My inferiority complex strongly points me towards program 1, but ideally I'd really like to be at program 2 if only it didn't have such a well-known neighbor.

#2, don't let your inferiority complex make the decision for you! Set the tone for the rest of your life. 🙂
If you are questioning this than they must be pretty close so go with the city and place you would be happier in.

 

[STsleeper]

Thanks for the input and points well taken. I've exhausted myself just trying to weigh everything and be as introspective as I can with this decision.

Penguin, you're right about setting the tone for the rest of my life, but what if my happiness is more linked with the prestige -- however small the difference -- of the program than the city itself? Plus, remember program 2 despite being close in terms of strength and reputation is additionally handicapped due to the nearby institution.

Tigershark and Robotsonic, your thoughts are exactly my own, but what if the difference in reputation and prestige really isn't as big as my mind has construed it to be. Again, I think the two programs are basically the same in terms of after-training marketability but one just happens to have serious competition right next door. Whether the competition is a real threat or not, I don't know. Ask the general public and they'd most likely say yes. Ask those in the field and its really too difficult to say.

I need a psychiatrist or my high school guidance counselor 😕 I know that only I can make the right choice for me but this is pretty damn hard.

 

[dancelover]

I was facing a similar dilemma. I pictured match day and how i'd feel about matching into either program. Though the one program has a better reputation, I was smiling a lot more at the thought of matching into program #2. Thus, i'm ranking it first, even though it was tough to let go of the idea of maybe being a resident at the better-known place. Good luck to you - this ranking process is tough!

 

[DRDARIA]

I, too, have the same dilemna. I really want to go to the less known program, but it has been hard giving up the "big name" program. However, one thing I've learned is that "life is what happens while you're making other plans". I've pretty much decided to go to a place I can thrive, personally and professionally, not just professionally. Besides, lets be honest-- you can get fellowships out of virtually every program, including community ones. That seldom gets brought up in these forums, but its true. Maybe it's not as easy, but you certainly can. So if you're weighing two strong programs, that should barely be a consideration. But I know how hard the decision is. I'll be glad when Feb 22 is here, and I can't make any more changes to my ROL!

 

[Broken Ankles]

if you can go to #2 and have no feelings of wounded pride when you run into folks from nearby Big Name Program, then go #2; otherwise, go #1. there's no point in going someplace where you can't feel good about yourself all day, every day.

 

[Poety]

I, too, have the same dilemna. I really want to go to the less known program, but it has been hard giving up the "big name" program. However, one thing I've learned is that "life is what happens while you're making other plans". I've pretty much decided to go to a place I can thrive, personally and professionally, not just professionally. Besides, lets be honest-- you can get fellowships out of virtually every program, including community ones. That seldom gets brought up in these forums, but its true. Maybe it's not as easy, but you certainly can. So if you're weighing two strong programs, that should barely be a consideration. But I know how hard the decision is. I'll be glad when Feb 22 is here, and I can't make any more changes to my ROL!

👍 👍 exactomundo
If you can be happy and its not as prestigious, my vote is for being happy since most people do much better professionally when they are "happy" and "enjoy" being around their colleagues.

 

[person2006]

You aren't the only one. I'm constantly trying to decide between 3 top programs in supposedly very desirable locations (NY, Boston) and a couple of better than average programs close to home. I'm not convinced that it's actually all that great to live in NY or Boston. I thought it would be when I applied, but now I have some doubt. It'd be cool to match at an elite program, but I think people are probably happier in the city where I grew up. Does anybody pass on Ivy programs in favor of solid but less famous programs off the coasts? I guess it's just hard to predict how happy you'll be with drastically different choices, and it's driving me crazy.

 

[beary]

Does anybody pass on Ivy programs in favor of solid but less famous programs off the coasts? I guess it's just hard to predict how happy you'll be with drastically different choices, and it's driving me crazy.

I turned down interviews at BWH, MGH, Columbia, UCSF, Stanford, etc., just because I really decided I didn't want to live in a big city. I am interested in solid programs like Virginia, Michigan, Iowa, Utah, etc.

 

[tec]

We decided we wanted to leave the east coast and are heading to Iowa for residency. I am going to a very solid program and won't have a lot of the headaches that come with a lot of bigger locales. Plus, if for some reason we don't like it there for some reason, we will only be there for three years anyway. I didn't even apply in the northeast above PA because it was too expensive to live there and those really big cities weren't where I wanted to be anymore. But if I learned anything during my four years of med school, it has been that each of us defines happiness in our own unique way.

So follow your heart and your gut. Where will you feel the happiest when you open that envelope and the reality sets in that this is where you will be heading?

 

[earwig]

I have two programs that I'm going back and forth between. Program 1 is a top-tier program in terms of board scores, well-known nationally, and best in its state easily. Program 2 is very close in terms of board scores/reputation but it suffers in that it is only a few miles away from a BIG name institution (not necessarily meaning this big institution matriculates better physicians...just happens to be that it is very strong in other deparments so general public perception assumes it is better in my deparment of interest). The locations of the two programs are very similar and appealing to me (college town atmosphere, scenic outdoors, reasonable cost of living, etc.) except Program 2 has a slight bit more to offer (a bit more metropolitan). "Personal fit" is just about equal with program 2 slightly favored. My inferiority complex strongly points me towards program 1, but ideally I'd really like to be at program 2 if only it didn't have such a well-known neighbor. Anyone have any thoughts or advice on putting things into perspective? I'm so indecisive...I feel an ulcer developing.

Me too!!! I have been changing my ROL every day for the last 3 days.
I have a choice between #1 Ivy program and 8 other solid programs with lesser names. My decisions change whenever I learn from the insiders new facts about the faculty or residents. There are no perfect places, as I learned. My husband advises me to stick with #1 prestigious program, while I always trust my instincts more than big names. The more we argue, the more anxious I become 😕
It's like deciding who to marry after the first date!

To shed more light on this subject, I sent E-mails to all my programs of interest and requested second visits. Yes, it will be a strain to have a second round of interviews, but not all may respond, few may not have time for another visit, and I will eliminate those who are not interested to see me again.
I hope this will help to sort things out.
Thank you to all who answered to this post. I learned something from all of you and can agree that if you are not happy personally you will not be able to grow professionally.

 

[Diane L. Evans]

Good ideas to help
1. Night float I think a must as it gives you some normalicy less on call time
2. Bigger program if maternity or drops outs not much affect on remaining residents
3. Cost of living think about it 4 years
4. If planning on starting a family daycare costs family for support etc
5. How warm and fussy were the residents? the staff? the attendings? you'll be with them a long time...

Just my 2 cents

 

[Astrocyte]

I think most people's "personal fit" is not so personal. People choose by criteria such as location, prestige, etc., often not because they are really that important, but because lots of more personal criteria, such as research interests, resident group dynamic, nursing staff friendliness/efficiency, etc. are difficult to compare, or overlooked. So instead of making up a truly personal rank list, many people's lists are rather random. And that's fine. My rank list looked like US News ranking, except for #1, which was based on research (my mentor's there). That's because I had no idea what to expect in residency, what's really important.
The point is that I don't think it will make any difference one way or another how you rank these two programs, if you really have difficulty deciding at this point. (You will never know the difference anyway, because you will never really know how things might have turned out at the place you didn't match). So just go with your gut feeling, or flip a coin. Once you made the decision and sent in the list. You will feel much better. Then it's party time! Good luck in matching your #1....or #2.