Ranking residency choice

[cjmurph14]

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I apologize, I’m sure you guys are tired of seeing these posts, but could use some insight on a couple different programs. Really torn between UAB and BSW in Temple, TX.

A little about me:
- Going to have 3 kids when residency starts. Wife keeps them at home so salary/extra pay is a bigger deal for us. Most likely be renting.
- Not sure goals after residency. Considering peds fellowship vs private practice vs academics.
- Each program is about 6.5 hours from home

Here’s some pros and cons I’ve come up with for each—>

UAB:
Pros:
- Great training and case variety (huge draw for me)
- Great moonlighting pay and availability in CA1 year
- Off early (~3pm) if not moonlighting
- Well regarded/good reputation
- All Fellowships available there
- Lots of families there

Cons:
- Salary ~9k lower
- Cost of living/rent looks a little steeper for family of 5
- Heavier traffic/living a little further from campus

Temple:
Pros:
- Salary is really competitive
- Cost of living/rent is very affordable
- I like Texas/warmer weather
- Family may visit more often
- Liked residents, a lot of families in program
- Off around 3:30 pm

Cons:
- Probably not quite as strong training experience
- No fellowships there that I’m interested in
- Not a lot of liver transplants, but have 4th year elective in Dallas.
- Potentially not as strong trauma program/ hard to know
- Liked the admin

Basically, I know I can’t have it all. I recognize that my family might thrive more in Temple. I also really am attracted to the strength of training at UAB. Wife is leaning Temple, I’m on the fence. Is there a bad choice or both pretty good? Anything else I should be considering? Have visited the program in Temple, visiting UAB in January. Thanks a ton!

 

[NICMAN]

I ranked UAB higher even being from Texas and having a couple of friends at BSW-Temple. Having said that--in this tight job market environment where a Peds fellowship doesn't necessarily bring extra money (and is therefore possibly not as competitive in years past) I think BSW would be a very nice way to spend 4 years. Ultimately how well trained you will be depends on how much you read and seek out mentors/challenging cases.

 

[CopaceticOne]

Ultimately how well trained you will be depends on how much you read and seek out mentors/challenging cases.

This absolutely sums up Anesthesiology training.

“Workhorse” programs force the challenging cases & lots of volume on the residents. Less independent effort needed by a resident.

More “cush” / “chill” programs require the residents to be even more responsible for their learning.

Of course the amount of studying / learning should be the same for all anesthesiology residents, but for some that learning is easier if it is directly linked to patient they’re taking care of.

 

[TeslaCoil]

I didnt go to UAB but I interviewed there and I regret not ranking it higher. In hindsight I think I would have been happier there. That place is as good as it gets.

 

[aneftp]

UAB. Don’t look back. Moonlighting pay has been around UAB for ages. I’ve always met a docs trained from UAB who wouldn’t trade it for the world Very good program.

If you had told me ur spouse and u both work with kids and family needed to be around the Texas program. Than that would play a bigger factor.

 

[ToKingdomCome]

UAB but birmingham is the deepsouth