Ranking a residency program on probation

[ms1234]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So I'm an IMG applying to Gen Surg and IM. I got enough IM interviews but only got 5 surgery interviews: 1 prelim, 2 categorical, 2 categorical at newly accredited programs. I was planning on ranking one of the 2 established cat programs as my number 1 as it's close to home, however, I just learned that the program is on probation. I know a lot of surgery programs have been on probation and at the interview, the PD told us all the things the program was doing to rectify their situation. But, during the resident lunch, 3 residents told us not to go to the program and to rank it very low. They each said they would have gone elsewhere if they knew what they were getting themselves into.

I don't have too many options so I can't be super picky, but is it better to rank a brand new surgery program or even an IM program higher than this program? If the residents are so miserable and the program has been on probation for a long time, is it worth taking the risk and ranking it high? I really want to match in Gen Surg, and I could have a good chance at matching at this program, but is it worth the risk? The faculty didn't seem concerned that the program would close down, but the residents weren't too confident of the upcoming site visit. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[HomeSkool]

If the residents are so miserable and the program has been on probation for a long time, is it worth taking the risk and ranking it high?

Don't rank it at all. Residency programs have standards; so should you.

 

[Crayola227]

I would rank the program, but last

 

[ms1234]

I would rank the program, but last

Thanks for the response. Last of surgery programs I'm ranking or last of all programs (surgery and IM)?

 

[Stagg737]

during the resident lunch, 3 residents told us not to go to the program and to rank it very low. They each said they would have gone elsewhere if they knew what they were getting themselves into.

This is possibly the most telling red flag you could see on the interview trail, especially since it's coming from multiple residents and not just one potentially malignant individual. If you're actually contemplating this, ask yourself if it's worth both 5 years of misery and possibly receiving poor training (or none at all if the program is shut down) to go to that program.

 

[W19]

If you prefer surgery over IM, I think you should rank it last of surgery

Surgery (categorical) > IM > surgery (preliminary)

 

[deleted480308]

Rank last, you cannot afford not to rank