Ranking programs: "Gut feeling" vs. Microsoft Excel ?

[Ascultator]

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Seems to me that with family medicine, ranking a program is more about that gut feeling -- about how one meshes with the people at the program and how it seems to align with one's goals --- rather than a more clear cut systematic approach.

What do you guys think though?

Is a gut feeling appoach a little too reckless? I mean, you could try making a chart comparing programs A, B, C, etc along the different criteria you want. Let's say, program "A" comes out as the top. But then I might just have a better "feeling" about "B" in a way I can't quantify it.

Or does ranking for us in family medicine entail both the gut feeling and the systematic?

 

[Frijolero]

Seems to me that with family medicine, ranking a program is more about that gut feeling -- about how one meshes with the people at the program and how it seems to align with one's goals --- rather than a more clear cut systematic approach.

What do you guys think though?

Is a gut feeling appoach a little too reckless? I mean, you could try making a chart comparing programs A, B, C, etc along the different criteria you want. Let's say, program "A" comes out as the top. But then I might just have a better "feeling" about "B" in a way I can't quantify it.

Or does ranking for us in family medicine entail both the gut feeling and the systematic?

If you were a decent candidate and careful about where you applied, then you already were systematic about selecting programs. There's not a program on my list that isn't strong, unopposed, and would adequately prepare me for practice. Additionally, when you picked which interviews to go on you probably carefully looked at curriculum, location, call schedule, etc.

At this point, for me anyway, I don't know what I'd base my decision on if not gut. I've got a handful of programs to choose from that look pretty damn similar on paper. The only thing that separates them is the vibe I got from the place, from the moment I drove into town until the time I got home and sent thank you notes.

 

[Saluda]

I am torn between 2 programs, and am trying to re-examine them both before taking the plunge. My gut feeling is flip-flopping a lot, too.

What would your major headings be for the Excel approach?🙂

thanks,

(neurotic as always) Saluda

 

[secretwave101]

Start with Excel. Finish with your gut.

Spreadsheets will narrow you down to 3-5 programs, but can't get you closer than that very often because most programs are so like each other. Make sure they all have the major stuff you want, then go with your gut.

 

[NDMD]

Gut

 

[sophiejane]

"...torn between two programs, feelin' like a fool...la da da da dee...."

I did both Excel and gut. Excel helped my head be more calm about what my gut ultimately decided.

Here's what my excel headings would be:
Location * patient population/pathology * balance/workload * autonomy/supervision ratio * didactics * family concerns * clinic experience (this is what you are going to be doing a lot of when you graduate, after all) * faculty experience/involvement * relationship with subspecialists for specialty rotations * procedures/OB/whatever extra stuff you want to learn * vibe from residents

 

[lowbudget]

I didn't use a point system. Too complicated. Do you average your points? Do they all have equal weights? If I have too many variables, the less important each variable becomes. Do procedures weigh 2x more than the call schedule? Because that means the call schedule is 1/2 as important as procedures. Ugh. My brain would explode.

I just started ranking them based on overall gut and then moved programs up and down that list based on who is better than who based on random variables important to me... (e.g., how often does the sun shine? Apartment with central air condition AND washer/dryer? Can I get good ethnic food?)

Brain verifying the gut (as opposed to the gut verifying brain). My presumption is that gut trumps rationality. It's easy ranking your top 1, 2, or 3 with your gut. It's harder ranking the bottom half of the list with your gut because if you have a bad gut for them, don't rank 'em. That's when brain comes into play.

I don't really trust my brain. The good news is most people get their top 2 in FM. So for me, my program was a no-brainer.

 

[justwondering]

i made BRIEF lists of pros/cons of each which kinda helped me put things into a rough order. then i used my gut. fortunately for me, i did away rotations at a few of my higher choices so that my gut feeling was based on more than just how well i meshed with ppl over the course of my interview day (instead, i had a month). even if u didnt do away rotations, u can still get some sense of whether u'd like the ppl there. its important to be at a strong program, but working with ppl u like makes a huge difference.