Rank List Help (again)

[Melkor]

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So, similar to the other rank list post this week, I'm having trouble creating a real rank list for a few programs. Location is really a very minimal factor for me as I don't have family in any of the following locations and am not married/have a significant other to tie me down somewhere. Also I'm on of those people who could be happy living in any type of environment (aka Alaska, Hawaii, Florida, Maine etc) so that makes it more difficult.

Anyways, here are the programs I'm considering in my top 5 or so; Colorado, Baylor Houston, Yale, Emory, Oregon Health, Cleveland Clinic, Case Western, Ohio State, UC Irvine.

Also maybe U of New Mexico just because of the whole integrated intern year thing but that would be the only reason I would consider ranking them high.

Really all of the above programs seemed "good" to me and since location doesn't really matter I'm having trouble choosing one over another. I would love some comments like Sharks in the other post if possible!

 

[shark2000]

So, similar to the other rank list post this week, I'm having trouble creating a real rank list for a few programs. Location is really a very minimal factor for me as I don't have family in any of the following locations and am not married/have a significant other to tie me down somewhere. Also I'm on of those people who could be happy living in any type of environment (aka Alaska, Hawaii, Florida, Maine etc) so that makes it more difficult.

Anyways, here are the programs I'm considering in my top 5 or so; Colorado, Baylor Houston, Yale, Emory, Oregon Health, Cleveland Clinic, Case Western, Ohio State, UC Irvine.

Also maybe U of New Mexico just because of the whole integrated intern year thing but that would be the only reason I would consider ranking them high.

Really all of the above programs seemed "good" to me and since location doesn't really matter I'm having trouble choosing one over another. I would love some comments like Sharks in the other post if possible!

My assumption is that you don't have any geographic preference and care only about the program itself.

Colorado: Excellent IR program. Good other departments.
Baylor Houston: Good program esp if you want to do pp. Not a big name in academic world.
Yale: Solid program. Over-rated because of Yale name.
Emory: Excellent program. Probably the best academic wise. Used to have a very strong IR program though not as good as before anymore.
Oregon: Don't know that much about it. Many years ago I heard that it is so super-relaxed that the residents don't learn that much (not sure and I may be mistaken. Need some more investigation).
Cleaveland Clinic: Don't have any updated information.Was a solid program.
Case Western: Huge healthcare system covering a big portion of Ohio. Good program. Not a big name in academic world.
Ohio state: Don't know.
UCI: Over-rated because of its location. Small program. Obviously, much less reputable than big Cali programs and USC. None of its departments are top notch. A little more relaxed than it should be. But if you want to stay in California, not a bad choice among the above programs.

I rank these programs like this:

Emory>Yale > Cleaveland Clinic>Baylor=Colorado>Case western=UCI>Ohio state=Oregon>=New Mexico

Emory, Yale and somehow Cleaveland clinic are one level above the other programs since they have better academic reputation.

Now I am waiting for the fight to start.

 

[deleted116380]

I'd go with location more than anything even though I know you mentioned several times it's not important to you. Four years of your life, 5 with fellowship in same place, is a lot and it really is important at the end of the day. You'll have more time outside of the hospital than residents in other fields and I recommend putting it to good use. I interviewed at three of those places (Colorado, Yale, and Baylor Houston) and all seemed to give residents a good education as I guess most programs will unless they have accreditation issues.

In hindsight, I would have ignored perceived prestige and rated location higher. There's no way your interview day or what you read online will give you accurate insight into what it's really like to be a resident at that program. Assume the worst and the call will suck badly and you won't like certain attendings (with mutual feelings) for all programs...then see if those feelings are outweighed by possible benefits of living in that area. With that list, I would personally prefer SoCal to the others. But that's my preference and I like California a lot.

 

[deleted103644]

No idea about Baylor or Colorado, but otherwise agree with Shark's list.

You really shouldn't underestimate the value of location unless you really don't care where you end up. Short of a place like MGH or UCSF, there are very few programs that will really open doors for you across the country.

You will develop your best connections at your residency program and will likely have your best job prospects near your program. So not only will you be spending 4 years in that location, you very well might end up spending the rest of your life there.

So I would think at least a little bit about whether or not you'd be happy living where you train.

Of your list, Emory would be my clear top choice. Atlanta is a good city, and Emory is a great training program.

 

[RadsonRads]

Just to piggyback this post - How should one choose a fellow-driven program (like Emory) over a resident-run program? This is the great internal debate I am struggling with.

 

[deleted103644]

Just to piggyback this post - How should one choose a fellow-driven program (like Emory) over a resident-run program? This is the great internal debate I am struggling with.

The best way would be to see how many cases the residents get and what type of studies in each section. And when it comes to IR, are you always behind the attending and a fellow?

You probably don't have that information though, and it would be difficult to ask for it.

What residents do on call is also important - you want to be reading cross sectional, not just plain films. Ultrasound tech coverage overnight is also important - you want to read as many cases as you can and scanning slows you down.