Rank List 2012

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pathmaster

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Hello everyone. I hope all of your interviews went well and you all are working hard on your rank lists. I thought I would start a new thread where path applicants can discuss making their rank list for the upcoming match, as well as anything related to the rank list and match.

Anyone out there make a finalized list yet and wish to share? I still have a few interviews left, but will post as soon as I make a decision.

Has anyone started to contact programs about how you will rank them? I haven't, but will probably do so in the upcoming week.
 
Pathmaster- Could you (and your fellow medical students) please grant a middle-aged pathologist a bit of your time?

I see that you are enthusiastic about the upcoming residency match. I am not trying to dampen your enthusiasm or predict dire outcomes with this post. I am just trying to understand your viewpoint. Are you thinking that in 5-6 years pathologists will be more in demand and some of the problems will be alleviated or are you thinking that no matter what the situation you can't see yourself doing anything other than pathology and you're going for it no matter what?

Anyone else applying for a path residency this year please also chime in with your thoughts.

I think maybe a lot of the postings here warning you about our job market will go away if you (medical students) can reassure us that you are not ignorant of the job market situation but instead are going to do pathology no matter how high the roadblocks may be.

Thank you.
 
Pathmaster,

I have not made a finalized list yet, but am getting there. I will also probably be able to post it in about a week or so. I can say that I really enjoyed the interview process, visited a lot of great programs, and am very excited by my prospects. The programs I interviewed at (in no particular order) are: Penn, Brigham, MGH, Hopkins, UCSF, Stanford, Columbia, Cornell, UVA, and Yale). I would be very interested to hear other current applicants' opinions of the programs they visited, and the decision process behind choosing certain programs over other ones.

I have not contacted any of these programs yet (other than receiving a call from the Yale PD). I will probably let my number one choice know when I do make a final ROL.

Tissue Issue: please don't change the topic of this thread, I'd be happy to discuss your question in another thread, but it would be nice if we could have a thread dedicated to making our ROLs.
 
Macrophage05 said:
Pathmaster,

Tissue Issue: please don't change the topic of this thread, I'd be happy to discuss your question in another thread, but it would be nice if we could have a thread dedicated to making our ROLs.
Click to expand...

Okay, no problem- I'm out.
 
Done with interviews! Interviewed at 10 programs. Will end up ranking only 5 programs. I think I would be happy matching at any of these places, which is making it really difficult for me to rank them.

How is everybody approaching their rank list? How you fit in with residents? Famous attending in subspecialty of choice? Weather? Let's hear it!
 
JasonS said:
Done with interviews! Interviewed at 10 programs. Will end up ranking only 5 programs. I think I would be happy matching at any of these places, which is making it really difficult for me to rank them.

How is everybody approaching their rank list? How you fit in with residents? Famous attending in subspecialty of choice? Weather? Let's hear it!
Click to expand...

Are you ranking another speciality too? Did you hate the other 5 programs? Ranking 5 programs seems kind of dangerous.
 
I finished interviews the week of Christmas, so I've had about a month to mull over my ROL, which I have already certified, edited, and re-certified.

I interviewed at 13 programs, and will be ranking 12 of them (outright ridicule of an applicant by a chair--in front of the day's other applicants, no less--qualifies for a DNR in my book). I kept a running rank list as I traveled, because I knew trying to make sense of 2 months of trips, socials, tours, lunches, and interviews would be too difficult to make the best decision for myself. It gave me a lot more confidence while entering my list, and has kept me a bit more zen.

I would be ecstatic to match at any of my Top 3 programs, and my husband should be able to get a solid job anywhere on my list--but he already has a lead on a great position near my #1 program. :xf:

I'll consider posting my actual ROL after the Feb 22 certification deadline. Best of luck to all still interviewing, and to everyone formulating their lists! :luck:
 
Everyone, good luck with making your ROL. I've narrowed my #1 choice down to 3 programs which change almost everyday (location is huge for me). I probably won't send a you're my #1 love letter so I don't have to commit to any 1 program. I interviewed at 10 programs and would be happy to match anywhere. Here are the 10 in alphabetical order: BIDMC, Dartmouth, Duke, Hopkins, MGH, UNC, UVA, Vermont, Wake, and Yale (I kind of regret canceling on some of the programs). I've only received some generic post interview communication from any program. I'll probably post my rank list after Feb 22nd.
 
Certified!! I am very very happy with my rank list; I ended up going on 9 interviews and will rank them all. I sent a #1 letter and got a short but pleasant response. Here's hoping everything works out how my hubby and I would like.
 
cliquesh said:
Are you ranking another speciality too? Did you hate the other 5 programs? Ranking 5 programs seems kind of dangerous.
Click to expand...

No, I didn't hate those programs at all. The 5 that I'm planning on ranking have tremendous research opportunities that the other 5 do not. I might change my mind as it nears Feb 22, but as of now, I'm pretty set on the academic track.
 
I have decided on my list

1. Stanford
2. UCSF
3. BWH
4. Columbia
5. Penn
6. Yale
7. Cornell
8. MGH
9. Hopkins
10. UVA

This list just reflects my personal experiences and preferences, mostly based on reputation of the program, best residents I met overall, and location in sunny sunny california (+ various stipends!)
 
Vermont is absolutely gorgeous. Don't know much about their program but living in Burlington would be a great experience!
 
Went on 11 interviews, ranking 10 programs - not ranking one because I was flat-out told by someone I trust and respect to not go there. Those 10, in alphabetical order are: BIDMC, BWH, Dartmouth, New Mexico, OHSU, Stanford, UCSF, Utah, UW and Vermont.

Still working on my final ROL, but would be psyched to be at any of my top 5. I'm ranking based on program characteristics (size, cycle on SP, way they do AP/CP, etc), overall "feel" I got from residents/attendings, location, and job opportunities for my SO.
 
Last edited:
Still working on the exact order, but here are my top programs:
Duke, Emory, Iowa, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon, Pitt, USC, Vanderbilt, Wake-Forest

I would be happy at any of these. Great training and great people! I will probably post my ranked order after rank list are due.
 
Is the diagnostic skill of the attendings or the learning environment for the residents any lower at low tier programs?
 
Macrophage05 said:
I have decided on my list

1. Stanford
2. UCSF
3. BWH
4. Columbia
5. Penn
6. Yale
7. Cornell
8. MGH
9. Hopkins
10. UVA

This list just reflects my personal experiences and preferences, mostly based on reputation of the program, best residents I met overall, and location in sunny sunny california (+ various stipends!)
Click to expand...
aint nothing sunny about ucsf. It can be encased in fog for the whole of July.
 
pathstudent said:
aint nothing sunny about ucsf. It can be encased in fog for the whole of July.
Click to expand...

Yeah I know. I was referring to Stanford.

No one else wants to post their ROL or other thoughts about programs they liked? Anyone?
 
I'm too superstitious to post my ROL, but I finally certified yesterday! Interviewed at 13, ranked 12. (When the residents tell you not to come to their program on interview day, it's generally a bad sign.) I'd be thrilled with the top four, perfectly happy anywhere in the top seven, and get a decent education at any of them. Now there's nothing to do but wait!
 
Very top-tier heavy list. Only comment would be to make sure you'll match at one of them, as there are no mid-tier programs on there. You're obviously strong to have gotten those interviews, but just remember others are too.

Macrophage05 said:
I have decided on my list

1. Stanford
2. UCSF
3. BWH
4. Columbia
5. Penn
6. Yale
7. Cornell
8. MGH
9. Hopkins
10. UVA

This list just reflects my personal experiences and preferences, mostly based on reputation of the program, best residents I met overall, and location in sunny sunny california (+ various stipends!)
Click to expand...
 
UVA isn't considered mid-tier?

mlw03 said:
Very top-tier heavy list. Only comment would be to make sure you'll match at one of them, as there are no mid-tier programs on there. You're obviously strong to have gotten those interviews, but just remember others are too.
Click to expand...
 
mlw03 said:
Very top-tier heavy list. Only comment would be to make sure you'll match at one of them, as there are no mid-tier programs on there. You're obviously strong to have gotten those interviews, but just remember others are too.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. I think I will be able to match, but in retrospect perhaps I should have interviewed at a few less-competitive programs.
 
Nope. not as long as mills and wick are there... and that you do one-on-one sign out with them even as a first year...

Quote:
Originally Posted by pianoguy05 View Post
UVA isn't considered mid-tier?
 
Macrophage05 said:
Thanks for the advice. I think I will be able to match, but in retrospect perhaps I should have interviewed at a few less-competitive programs.
Click to expand...

Don't even sweat it. In almost all specialties the vast majority of applicants match at one of their top three choices (I used to know the % but I think it was somewhere over 80). In the overall non-competitive field of path it would be even higher. Certainly ranking ten places makes you 99.99 % likely to match.
 
pathstudent said:
In almost all specialties the vast majority of applicants match at one of their top three choices
Click to expand...
From your lips to God's ears. I actually would be thrilled with most of my list and happy at any of them, but the top two and possibly three would make things a lot easier where family is concerned.
 
i would like to end up in nyc, having tough time deciding btwn cornell/columbia/nyu. any inputs, any1 going through the same thing?
 
I'm trying to order my rank list. I have a list of schools I consider to be same top tier. Anyone have thoughts on these schools? (Cedar Sinaii, UC Irvine, Loma Linda, Tufts, U Maryland). I get a good sense training is quite good in Cedars, UCI, Tufts, UMD without crushing grossing days.
 
Good luck to everyone submitting their rank lists! Deadline is tonight at 9pm eastern time.
 
1)UAB
2)UF-Gainesville
3)Wake Forest
4)UK
5)USF-Tampa
6)Duke
7)LSU
8)MCG/GHSU
9)Baptist - Birmingham
10)Tulane

Woooooot! would be happy with any of them!
 
1. UIndiana
2. UTSW
3. UIowa
4. UTHSCSA
5. MCW
6. UNMC
7. Galveston
8. UChicago-Northshore
9. UI-Chicago
10. Baylor (Dallas)
11. KUMC
12. SLU

Best of luck everyone:xf:
 
Good luck, ya'll.

As a fourth year resident finishing up, it goes by so fast!
 
my home program and in alpha order: bidmc, bwh, mgh, stanford, ucsf, upenn, vanderbilt. good luck everyone!
 
1) Vanderbilt
2) Indiana
3) Iowa
4) Baylor-Dallas
5) UTSW
6) Duke
7) UNC
8) WashU
9) SLU

I would be thrilled with any of my top 3 programs, and moving to Dallas would be just fine with me too. I had a hard time deciding how to rank them, but ultimately had to think about location, my husband's job prospects, and fellowship opportunities (I'm interested in Renal and Peds).

:luck: Best wishes to everyone for a happy Match Day!! :luck:
 
congrats to all who matched...guess we'll be watching anxiously til fri to find out where we'll be for the next 3-4 yrs. though i was surprised that 55 spots went unfilled this year. seems the # of unfilled spots in path is trending upwards each year, wonder why...
 
1) vandy
2) utsw
3) bidmc
4) yale
5) mayo

Good luck everyone!! 4 more days. We can officially stop trying in our rotations. Time to study for step 3 :scared:
 
Don't get too concerned about Step 3. It isn't that difficult and no one in path cares what your score is (as long as you pass so you can get your permanent license eventually). Having said that, I would get it out of the way as soon as possible - practically nothing that you learn in path residency is relevant to Step 3 questions and the longer you wait, the more clinical medicine you'll forget and the more out of date the things you do remember will be. FWIW, I studied with USMLE World questions and First Aid for about 3-4 full days right before the test and passed with no problem.
 
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