Rank list commiseration thread

[kindasorta]

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Am the only one here tearing my hair out with #1-5 on their rank list. Hell I can't even decide on #1. I guess the biggest internal debate I'm having is where I think I'll have the chillest/happiest life vs what'll look best on my resume. All the programs are academic/university, but I can't shake this nagging feeling that a sick name emblazoned on my resume will help later on in life. And happiness? Well how can I predict that anyway? I'm just contriving scenarios in my head and am dancing with illusions, but I obviously have no idea how happy I'll be at any particular program.

So, without obvious considerations like family and whatnot, how does one resolve these ideas? A) Slammin' resume: that's a known quantity - no mental contrivance there. B) Chill/Happy life - but that may prove wrong. And even if it's right, am I weighing too much value on that decision given that I have a whole career ahead of me to worry about that, residency is a temporal thing, and how enjoyable can the most enjoyable residency even be???

 

[Superpsych]

Am the only one here tearing my hair out with #1-5 on their rank list. Hell I can't even decide on #1. I guess the biggest internal debate I'm having is where I think I'll have the chillest/happiest life vs what'll look best on my resume. All the programs are academic/university, but I can't shake this nagging feeling that a sick name emblazoned on my resume will help later on in life. And happiness? Well how can I predict that anyway? I'm just contriving scenarios in my head and am dancing with illusions, but I obviously have no idea how happy I'll be at any particular program.

So, without obvious considerations like family and whatnot, how does one resolve these ideas? A) Slammin' resume: that's a known quantity - no mental contrivance there. B) Chill/Happy life - but that may prove wrong. And even if it's right, am I weighing too much value on that decision given that I have a whole career ahead of me to worry about that, residency is a temporal thing, and how enjoyable can the most enjoyable residency even be???

Can you be in a place that you hate for 4 years? Doubt it so put that as number 1. If you have more than one great location then you need to figure out which has something you NEED in a residency aka a deal breaker for the other such as an ECT cert. course built in etc. Which do you FEEL more at home? From what I have been hearing it does not really matter in what program you went to for a job just that you have your boards and can work your butt off. You just need to place some values on what you are looking for. I had a hard time with 2 of mine in a tie for a place on my list and I had to make a pro con to break it.

 

[shan564]

I've been wrestling with the same questions.

Can you be in a place that you hate for 4 years? Doubt it so put that as number 1.

No, but if we hated the place, we wouldn't be debating this in the first place. In general, the places I "hated" were also the places that aren't very well-reputed... and the places I "loved" are also the places with great reputations. I don't think that's a coincidence.

If you have more than one great location then you need to figure out which has something you NEED in a residency aka a deal breaker for the other such as an ECT cert. course built in etc.

I don't know about others, but I think most of us have probably already considered these factors by now. For instance, my only "must-have" is strong biological/neuroscience research and the opportunity to get involved in that research as a resident (i.e. through a research track or required research rotation, etc.)... but all of my top 10 choices have that in various different flavors.

Which do you FEEL more at home?

Is it really possible to get a strong enough idea of "feel" based on a 1-day visit in which everybody was trying to sell their program to us? I mean, granted, I didn't "feel" at home at places that are generally full of residents who don't speak English very well... but aside from that, I felt "at home" pretty much everywhere. I don't think it's possible to rank which ones made me feel "more" comfortable than others. I can think of a couple of visits that were more enjoyable than others, but that's just because the chief resident/tour guide was hilarious.

From what I have been hearing it does not really matter in what program you went to for a job just that you have your boards and can work your butt off. You just need to place some values on what you are looking for. I had a hard time with 2 of mine in a tie for a place on my list and I had to make a pro con to break it.

Yeah, I think that's the crux of it. The program's reputation won't carry you too far career-wise, unless you want an academic career. And if you want an academic career (like me), you should choose the place that has a better reputation in your field of research... or the place that has more research funding.

 

[vistaril]

Am the only one here tearing my hair out with #1-5 on their rank list. Hell I can't even decide on #1. I guess the biggest internal debate I'm having is where I think I'll have the chillest/happiest life vs what'll look best on my resume. QUOTE]

you are thinking way too much about name....like I said, unless it's columbia vs marmonaides, just go to what city/area you think you will enjoy the most. And if there are significant schedule differences, consider that too. I know under no circumstances would I pick a program where I am expected to ever do call during third or fourth year(besides back up call every 2 months which you're never called in for) or to ever be expected to work any weekday third or fourth year.

 

[shan564]

you are thinking way too much about name....like I said, unless it's columbia vs marmonaides, just go to what city/area you think you will enjoy the most. And if there are significant schedule differences, consider that too. I know under no circumstances would I pick a program where I am expected to ever do call during third or fourth year(besides back up call every 2 months which you're never called in for) or to ever be expected to work any weekday third or fourth year.

As somebody else mentioned in another thread, another big plus is the presence of an in-house moonlighting night float (or something similar). Even though moonlighting opportunities aren't a big consideration for me, the presence of that moonlight night float suggests that the program really cares enough about its residents to pay them extra for optional night float during PGY3/PGY4. If they were less caring, they'd just force you to do it (since you still have to stay below the 80-hour limit)... instead, they give you the option AND pay you extra.

But personally, workload isn't a big concern for me. I think it's a critical trade-off of increased exposure vs. decreased spare time. Of course, I don't want to be staying up all night doing paperwork and blood draws, but as long as it's real patient care, I'm happy to stay late... I actually enjoy this game. I especially like the opportunity to take "supervisory" call in PGY4... i.e. being the go-to guy for junior residents who need help... it's still technically "call," but I'd consider it to be an upside rather than a downside. Not only because of the availability of help during PGY1/2, but also because of the ability to hone my teaching/supervisory skills.

Of course, everybody has different criteria.

 

[xlithiumx]

Am the only one here tearing my hair out with #1-5 on their rank list. Hell I can't even decide on #1. I guess the biggest internal debate I'm having is where I think I'll have the chillest/happiest life vs what'll look best on my resume. QUOTE]

you are thinking way too much about name....like I said, unless it's columbia vs marmonaides, just go to what city/area you think you will enjoy the most. And if there are significant schedule differences, consider that too. I know under no circumstances would I pick a program where I am expected to ever do call during third or fourth year(besides back up call every 2 months which you're never called in for) or to ever be expected to work any weekday third or fourth year.

1. It's Maimonades, not Marmonaides
2. Why do you pick Maimonades as your example of a rotten program. You've done that several times in recent discussions. Did they shun you or something? Couldn't you just say, "unknown community program."

Again, I'm in the midwest at a university, so it's not like I really know anything about Maimonades, but one might imagine that someone who trains there might visit this board. They probably wouldn't be too excited with you using their program as the exemplar of a bad program, particularly when you won't even mention where you train so that they could take a jab back at you.

Do you think about the language you use and how it might hurt people? If you don't, you should.

 

[vistaril]

As somebody else mentioned in another thread, another big plus is the presence of an in-house moonlighting night float (or something similar). Even though moonlighting opportunities aren't a big consideration for me, the presence of that moonlight night float suggests that the program really cares enough about its residents to pay them extra for optional night float during PGY3/PGY4. If they were less caring, they'd just force you to do it (since you still have to stay below the 80-hour limit)... instead, they give you the option AND pay you extra.

But personally, workload isn't a big concern for me. I think it's a critical trade-off of increased exposure vs. decreased spare time. Of course, I don't want to be staying up all night doing paperwork and blood draws, but as long as it's real patient care, I'm happy to stay late... I actually enjoy this game. I especially like the opportunity to take "supervisory" call in PGY4... i.e. being the go-to guy for junior residents who need help... it's still technically "call," but I'd consider it to be an upside rather than a downside. Not only because of the availability of help during PGY1/2, but also because of the ability to hone my teaching/supervisory skills.

Of course, everybody has different criteria.

'supervisory' call(presumably in house evening/night?)??

that is not really a useful model for psychiatry. Im sure some places do it, but that would be very low yield....what exactly is going on at night that a pgy4 has to be there babysitting a pgy2 *in person*? The pgy2's I know do just fine when they are there in the evening.....

now if you want to take a teaching role as an acting attending during the day on wards or consults or whatever......that's different.

you're not even an intern yet, so you don't fully understand these things yet...and I don't say that in a demeaning way.....trust me, when you are a pgy4 you are not going to want to be in house supervising a pgy2 in the evening. And he isn't going to want you there either. He isn't stopping brain bleeds or diagnosing subarachnoids....he's tucking in the evening transfer and putting orders in. If you are going to be in the hospital or on the unit at 8pm on a friday evening as a pgy4, you're going to want to be paid well for it....and you're not going to view it as a great learning experience most likely. Ask the other pgy4's in here and they will tell you mostly the same thing.

 

[vistaril]

1. It's Maimonades, not Marmonaides
2. Why do you pick Maimonades as your example of a rotten program. You've done that several times in recent discussions. Did they shun you or something? Couldn't you just say, "unknown community program."

Again, I'm in the midwest at a university, so it's not like I really know anything about Maimonades, but one might imagine that someone who trains there might visit this board. They probably wouldn't be too excited with you using their program as the exemplar of a bad program, particularly when you won't even mention where you train so that they could take a jab back at you.

Do you think about the language you use and how it might hurt people? If you don't, you should.

maimonades is frequently cited as one of the few 'malignant' psych programs with not a lot of teaching and lots of 'warm body' work. I am not familar with the program myself. Also, there arent a lot of true community programs in psych so that wouldnt be all that relevant a description(there are a lot of university programs that feel more like community programs however)

 

[shan564]

1. It's Maimonades, not Marmonaides
2. Why do you pick Maimonades as your example of a rotten program. You've done that several times in recent discussions. Did they shun you or something? Couldn't you just say, "unknown community program."

Again, I'm in the midwest at a university, so it's not like I really know anything about Maimonades, but one might imagine that someone who trains there might visit this board. They probably wouldn't be too excited with you using their program as the exemplar of a bad program, particularly when you won't even mention where you train so that they could take a jab back at you.

Do you think about the language you use and how it might hurt people? If you don't, you should.

I agree... Maimonides is actually a pretty decent program, and probably one of the best of the community programs. By the way, it's not "Maimonades," it's "Maimonides."

.trust me, when you are a pgy4 you are not going to want to be in house supervising a pgy2 in the evening.

Sorry, I was referring to a rotation when you're a teacher/supervisor during the day for whoever needs it. Not like an evening call supervisor.

 

[vistaril]

I agree... Maimonides is actually a pretty decent program, and probably one of the best of the community programs. By the way, it's not "Maimonades," it's "Maimonides."



Sorry, I was referring to a rotation when you're a teacher/supervisor during the day for whoever needs it. Not like an evening call supervisor.

well in that case it wouldn't be 'supervisory call'......if it is the service you are on with that person, you would simply be fulfilling your duties as the 4th year on that service. If it is helping some lower level resident out on a different service during the day, well, he's going to have an attending in house present on that service during the day they go to for help.....

 

[shan564]

well in that case it wouldn't be 'supervisory call'......if it is the service you are on with that person, you would simply be fulfilling your duties as the 4th year on that service. If it is helping some lower level resident out on a different service during the day, well, he's going to have an attending in house present on that service during the day they go to for help.....

I probably used the wrong terminology. At the place I'm thinking of, you're not on a particular service... you're just a guy with a pager who is floating around the hospital to help out any PGY1/2 psychiatry resident on an inpatient rotation. I think there are also some formal teaching sessions involved. I don't know exactly what the structure is like, but one of the PGY4s told me that it's pretty chill and that you don't get called very often, so you can use that time to do research or work on something else.

Anyway, I think we're getting off-topic again...

 

[Psychlover2013]

I agree... Maimonides is actually a pretty decent program, and probably one of the best of the community programs. By the way, it's not "Maimonades," it's "Maimonides."

Agreed. I didn't feel they were a malignant program at all. It's busier than most non NYC programs. I really liked the PD who is relatively new at the program (3rd year I think) and they are trying to improve their didactic.

 

[vistaril]

I probably used the wrong terminology. At the place I'm thinking of, you're not on a particular service... you're just a guy with a pager who is floating around the hospital to help out any PGY1/2 psychiatry resident on an inpatient rotation. I think there are also some formal teaching sessions involved. I don't know exactly what the structure is like, but one of the PGY4s told me that it's pretty chill and that you don't get called very often, so you can use that time to do research or work on something else.

Anyway, I think we're getting off-topic again...

no I don't think it's that off topic. there doesnt have to be a small window of things which can be discussed in any thread.

The rotation you describe, frankly, sounds sort of like a vacation month disguised as something else. In many programs many 'joke' electives are offered. The elections don't neccessarily have to be a joke, but due to the way they can be done they often are. Your 4th year at many programs you can get as little or as much as you want from your training. If you want to sign up for these kinds of rotations(at programs that allow such things), that is an option I guess.

I work two saturdays a month in a transitional clinic, meaning I see patients shortly after discharge(from a variety of different hospitals....private community, state, academic) for their first followup. And I see some of the discharge summaries, discharge dx, discharge med lists and it's clear these psychiatrists out there(again, in a variety of different settings) don't really know what they are doing(or maybe don't care). I bring this up because if they would have taken their fourth year a little bit more seriously they could have improved their clinical skills and been a more competent provider once they graduated. Unless you are already 'good' with everything going into your 4th year, these people should have probably focused on reinforcing their basic skills through more independence as 4th years, instead of signing up for nonclinical research electives, a board study electives, and electives like the one you describe above which wouldn't appear to have any sort of point at all(the person who should be teaching the pgy-1 during the day is called an attending).....

 

[Superpsych]

I've been wrestling with the same questions.


No, but if we hated the place, we wouldn't be debating this in the first place. In general, the places I "hated" were also the places that aren't very well-reputed... and the places I "loved" are also the places with great reputations. I don't think that's a coincidence.



I don't know about others, but I think most of us have probably already considered these factors by now. For instance, my only "must-have" is strong biological/neuroscience research and the opportunity to get involved in that research as a resident (i.e. through a research track or required research rotation, etc.)... but all of my top 10 choices have that in various different flavors.



Is it really possible to get a strong enough idea of "feel" based on a 1-day visit in which everybody was trying to sell their program to us? I mean, granted, I didn't "feel" at home at places that are generally full of residents who don't speak English very well... but aside from that, I felt "at home" pretty much everywhere. I don't think it's possible to rank which ones made me feel "more" comfortable than others. I can think of a couple of visits that were more enjoyable than others, but that's just because the chief resident/tour guide was hilarious.



Yeah, I think that's the crux of it. The program's reputation won't carry you too far career-wise, unless you want an academic career. And if you want an academic career (like me), you should choose the place that has a better reputation in your field of research... or the place that has more research funding.

Very good points; I guess the feel of the program is easier for some than others. It seems for some of you that it may just be as simple as a coin toss 😀

 

[kindasorta]

Anyone making them? I'm talking top 3 stuff, no one cares about your mid-list nonsense.

 

[benlinus]

Anyone making them? I'm talking top 3 stuff, no one cares about your mid-list nonsense.

ya.

 

[twright]

Anyone making them? I'm talking top 3 stuff, no one cares about your mid-list nonsense.

My rank list (top 3) changed quite a bit during my last few days prior to the deadline. My sense, based on conversations I had with my classmates back then, is that this was fairly common.

 

[shan564]

I'm tempted to make changes, but I told myself that I'd stick with the ROL that I certified last week... I put a lot of thought and emotional investment into that list, so if I change something at the last minute, it'll probably be a mistake that's based on something that's not really that important.

 

[biscuitlover]

Anyone making them? I'm talking top 3 stuff, no one cares about your mid-list nonsense.

Oh yeah. I keep flip flopping on my top 3 😳

Stuck between UIC, MUSC, and UTSW.

Have no idea what I want to do (really none). Loved the city of Chicago, and Charleston was awesome too. I could live without the traffic of Dallas, but the residents were great. All seemed fairly well balanced in their programs...

I loved all the places! Someone tell me something that can help me out

 

[shan564]

What do you hate more: tornadoes, hurricanes or awful heat?

Or awful cold (probably a bigger everyday thing in Chicago than the tornadoes). Or a 234-hour commute to get anywhere. Or excessively-priced real estate by Midwestern standards. Or the Cubs. As you can tell, I'm not a huge fan of Chicago.

Given no geographic ties, I'd probably pick UTSW between those three options. Mostly because I'd prefer Dallas over Charleston, but also because UTSW is an overall juggernaut. But in reality, I'd probably pick UIC because, despite my feelings about Chicago as a city, it also happens to be where my family lives.

 

[kindasorta]

oh yeah. I keep flip flopping on my top 3 😳

stuck between uic, musc, and utsw.

Have no idea what i want to do (really none). Loved the city of chicago, and charleston was awesome too. I could live without the traffic of dallas, but the residents were great. All seemed fairly well balanced in their programs...

I loved all the places! Someone tell me something that can help me out

utsw > musc > uic

 

[Elle726]

.

 

[biscuitlover]

What do you hate more: tornadoes, hurricanes or awful heat?

Let's see... experienced the terrible heat with humidity, and that sucks. Can't really speak to the rest. 😛

Or awful cold (probably a bigger everyday thing in Chicago than the tornadoes). Or a 234-hour commute to get anywhere. Or excessively-priced real estate by Midwestern standards. Or the Cubs. As you can tell, I'm not a huge fan of Chicago.

Given no geographic ties, I'd probably pick UTSW between those three options. Mostly because I'd prefer Dallas over Charleston, but also because UTSW is an overall juggernaut. But in reality, I'd probably pick UIC because, despite my feelings about Chicago as a city, it also happens to be where my family lives.

I was hoping if I lived in Chicago, I'd be able to ride the train to most places that I needed to get to. And come on, the Cubs are cool. They've got.. ummm...... history at least? 😛

utsw > musc > uic

I agree.

Thanks guys. Is it the same reason shan564 mentioned? That UTSW is a powerhouse or anything in particular about the programs you feel is particularly weak or strong in comparison with each other?

 

[shan564]

The other program in Boston that I am ranking in my top #2 pays more than BU. I am concerned money might be a little tight and I think you really need a car for BU. I'm afraid I won't be able to afford my mani pedis

Boston is an expensive city, but unless you have some huge unusual expense or excessively high standards, most residents earn more than enough to have a decent apartment and a decent car... even in Boston.

 

[shan564]

I was hoping if I lived in Chicago, I'd be able to ride the train to most places that I needed to get to.

Yeah, that's true as long as you don't need to go to the suburbs. I guess my experience is jaded by the fact that I have various family members in every corner of Chicagoland, so I often end up spending hours and hours on the road.

And come on, the Cubs are cool. They've got.. ummm...... history at least? 😛

Ha... I'm a Cardinals fan, so there's nothing good about the Cubs.

But my biggest qualms about Chicago are the weather and the prices. Why would you put up with all that when you can go to Dallas, which is way cheaper, way warmer, and almost as big/diverse?

Thanks guys. Is it the same reason shan564 mentioned? That UTSW is a powerhouse or anything in particular about the programs you feel is particularly weak or strong in comparison with each other?

Aside from UTSW being an overall powerhouse, they also have a lot of research funding in psychiatry. Which may not seem like a big deal if you're not interested in research, but that fact also tends to attract a lot of top faculty members to places like UTSW. Also, being at a huge medical complex means that you have exposure to things that you wouldn't get in a smaller place (although that's also true for UIC).

But overall, I think that UTSW and MUSC have a particularly strong reputation within the psychiatry world. UIC is probably the best program in Chicago, but as somebody else mentioned on these forums once before, that's like saying that you're the best 3-point shooter in the chess club (by the way, I was the best 3-point shooter in my high school's chess club, so I'm allowed to say that).

 

[m1345]

Boston is an expensive city, but unless you have some huge unusual expense or excessively high standards, most residents earn more than enough to have a decent apartment and a decent car... even in Boston.

But what about mani pedis??!!?!

(laughing with and not at you, OP, I promise. Refreshing, whether or not it was meant to be funny)

 

[shan564]

But what about mani pedis??!!?!

(laughing with and not at you, OP, I promise. Refreshing, whether or not it was meant to be funny)

Ha... I'm proud to say that I have absolutely no idea how much it costs to get a mani pedi...

 

[biscuitlover]

But my biggest qualms about Chicago are the weather and the prices. Why would you put up with all that when you can go to Dallas, which is way cheaper, way warmer, and almost as big/diverse?

Good point. I had heard the prices in Chicago are reasonable compared to NYC, Boston, and other such cities. But you're right, much cheaper in Dallas. I never thought of Dallas as being very diverse, but again, I just didn't have as much of a chance to explore Dallas since I didn't have a car with me. And there was not any real "downtown" area or a hub that I could walk around and see if I enjoyed it. Chicago and Charleston, I was able to do so and loved the cities which probably made a huge impact on me.

Aside from UTSW being an overall powerhouse, they also have a lot of research funding in psychiatry. Which may not seem like a big deal if you're not interested in research, but that fact also tends to attract a lot of top faculty members to places like UTSW. Also, being at a huge medical complex means that you have exposure to things that you wouldn't get in a smaller place (although that's also true for UIC).

But overall, I think that UTSW and MUSC have a particularly strong reputation within the psychiatry world. UIC is probably the best program in Chicago, but as somebody else mentioned on these forums once before, that's like saying that you're the best 3-point shooter in the chess club (by the way, I was the best 3-point shooter in my high school's chess club, so I'm allowed to say that).

Hahaha, I do remember that comment. I guess I was just enamored by the idea of living in Chicago more than the program itself, which is not where my focus should be.

For me it is a little more UTSW > MUSC >> UIC...mostly for the reasons shan564 mentioned.

I really appreciate both of you taking the time to respond, it's been very helpful. 👍

 

[shan564]

Good point. I had heard the prices in Chicago are reasonable compared to NYC, Boston, and other such cities. But you're right, much cheaper in Dallas. I never thought of Dallas as being very diverse, but again, I just didn't have as much of a chance to explore Dallas since I didn't have a car with me. And there was not any real "downtown" area or a hub that I could walk around and see if I enjoyed it. Chicago and Charleston, I was able to do so and loved the cities which probably made a huge impact on me.

Yeah, I grew up in St. Louis, so I was pretty amazed to find out how expensive Chicago was, since I always thought that you get a price break in exchange for the Midwestern weather. But most Chicagoans love Chicago, so I'm an exception. You shouldn't let me influence your decision there...

Hahaha, I do remember that comment. I guess I was just enamored by the idea of living in Chicago more than the program itself, which is not where my focus should be.

I think that it's perfectly reasonable to consider the city as a major factor. If you're happy in your personal life, you're likely to do better in residency. And UIC is a perfectly decent program. My point was just that Dallas is a rapidly-growing city that is pretty similar to Chicago by most measures, except for the prices and the weather. Your opinion might have been swayed by the parts of town that you happened to visit... which is why I tried to avoid letting my interview-day experience affect my overall opinion of any given city... I think you have to spend at least a couple of weeks in a city to get a feel for what it's really like.

As an example, I thought that Boston was the coolest place when I first visited. But when I spent a summer there, I quickly grew weary of the weather, the traffic, the prices, the people, etc.

I like every other city that I've visited. Boston and Chicago are the only exceptions. But I'd probably still be happy to live in either of those places if I found a program that I liked.

 

[splik]

But overall, I think that UTSW and MUSC have a particularly strong reputation within the psychiatry world. UIC is probably the best program in Chicago, but as somebody else mentioned on these forums once before, that's like saying that you're the best 3-point shooter in the chess club (by the way, I was the best 3-point shooter in my high school's chess club, so I'm allowed to say that).

hmm.. UIC has the best psychiatry dept in chicago, but remember that has no bearing on the residency program. Northwestern probably has the best residency program in chicago (certainly cushiest). also bear in mind for the past ?3 years UIC hasn't filled (v v few programs don't fill and fewer repeatedly) and for the past ?3 years 1-2 residents have transferred out. at least one PGY-1 is leaving this year. I really can't tell you what any of this means...

 

[shan564]

hmm.. UIC has the best psychiatry dept in chicago, but remember that has no bearing on the residency program. Northwestern probably has the best residency program in chicago (certainly cushiest). also bear in mind for the past ?3 years UIC hasn't filled (v v few programs don't fill and fewer repeatedly) and for the past ?3 years 1-2 residents have transferred out. at least one PGY-1 is leaving this year. I really can't tell you what any of this means...

For what it's worth, they rejected my application because they require IMGs to have at least 1 year of psychiatry experience outside of med school. I probably would have ranked them reasonably high because I have family in town.

 

[kindasorta]

This process would be so much sweeter is we only had to wait 1 week after ROL to find out our match. Medicine really draws things out to such a degree that it rapes each experience of the proper excitement.

 

[shan564]

This process would be so much sweeter is we only had to wait 1 week after ROL to find out our match. Medicine really draws things out to such a degree that it rapes each experience of the proper excitement.

Yeah... by the time I got my Step 2CS score, I'd practically forgotten that I was even waiting for it.

 

[notdeadyet]

Medicine really draws things out to such a degree that it rapes each experience of the proper excitement.

It's calisthenics for internship.

 

[Elle726]

.

 

[P00kieBear]

Anyone have any thoughts on UAB? I'm struggling with where to place them on my rank list. It seems like a great program, but I didn't get any strong signals, good or bad, from the residents. I don't know much about Birmingham as a city. Any opinions would be appreciated.

 

[st2205]

Anyone have any thoughts on UAB? I'm struggling with where to place them on my rank list. It seems like a great program, but I didn't get any strong signals, good or bad, from the residents. I don't know much about Birmingham as a city. Any opinions would be appreciated.

What do you mean by signals -- about what the program is like or about whether or not they liked you?

 

[P00kieBear]

What do you mean by signals -- about what the program is like or about whether or not they liked you?

About what the program is like. They seemed happy, but were kinda vague about what they felt were strengths of the program.

 

[kindasorta]

It's calisthenics for internship.

Ha, I didn't even think of that. Good grief.

 

[shan564]

i was somewhat serious about the mani pedis!😉 Wel i have been trying to feel what my gut is telling me about duke and BU and Umass but i cant decipher it so i think i am just going to pick one randomly and hope i match in my top 2

If it's a total toss-up between the three, I'd rank them in order of competitiveness. I guess that's (1) Duke, (2) BU, (3) UMass... but I'm not sure.

The reason for this isn't the obvious one. It has nothing to do with ego/reputation. The reason is because if you rank Duke #3, there's a 90% chance that you'll match at your #1 choice and you might spend a lot of time wondering what would have happened if you'd matched at Duke.

But if you rank Duke #1, let's say there's a 50% chance that you match there (by the way, these numbers are entirely made-up). So there's a 50% chance that you match at your #2 choice... and you're equally happy (since it was a toss-up between the top 3 for you), and you don't have to wonder what could have been.

In other words, if you rank Duke #1, there's a smaller chance of ending up at your #1, which means that there's a bigger chance that you won't have to wonder what would have happened if you ranked them differently.


Of course, you shouldn't do that if you actually have a preference. I just think it's a good tiebreaker.


Also, I don't know much about Durham, but I'd be surprised if you could live there comfortably without a car.

 

[notdeadyet]

Ha, I didn't even think of that. Good grief.

I kid. Internship is definitely not so bad…

 

[member2721]

My #1 and #2 are set but I am having serious doubts about 3-5. I was sure 3 was Duke but with the change in leadership I am not sure even though I loved Dr. Gagliardi on interview day. I don't lovethe idea of starting residency during a transitional period

My options are BU, UTSW, Umass, Miami and Duke

The residents I felt I fit in with the most were Duke and BU.
The city I like the most is BU and maybe Miami a whole standard deviation behind
The programs I liked the most are probably Duke and Umass
the locations I absolutely did not like are UTSW and Umass
Miami is convenient for me because it is warm and it is very close to home (still a plane ride away though) and it seems like the program is growing

I don't know how these pluses and minuses are going to produce a new #3 (or not?) in the next 23 hours

background: I am interested in being a clinical educator someday my areas of interest within psychiatry are c/a and c/l

The other program in Boston that I am ranking in my top #2 pays more than BU. I am concerned money might be a little tight and I think you really need a car for BU. I'm afraid I won't be able to afford my mani pedis

For what it's worth, I really thought UMass was pretty awesome for what it is, and it is defn a growing program with lots of potential for awesome residency education. Its just a matter of- can you handle the location?

 

[Elle726]

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[Elle726]

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[BobA]

I'm lying in my bed and I am a little too lazy to understand what you are saying at the moment but I think I know what you mean...

either way the Duke Umass BU are for my #3 spot... my #1 and my #2 have been set in stone for quite a while now.

But thank you for your insight

Of those programs I only interviewed at Duke, but I thought it was awesome. I didn't rank it highly because of personal reasons, but I absolutely loved the program and their graduates go on to do great things.

The singles scene for an educated young person in the research triangle must be as good as anywhere in the country - one of the highest concentrations of PhD's anywhere between Duke, NC State, and UNC. And the weather is pretty good.

 

[SmallBird]

Of those programs I only interviewed at Duke, but I thought it was awesome. I didn't rank it highly because of personal reasons, but I absolutely loved the program and their graduates go on to do great things.

The singles scene for an educated young person in the research triangle must be as good as anywhere in the country - one of the highest concentrations of PhD's anywhere between Duke, NC State, and UNC. And the weather is pretty good.

👍