Residency vs. Fellowship at a "big name"

[fantasty]

I know that for cards / GI, everybody seems to think you have to go to the best IM residency in order to land a good spot. But, for the less competitive fields, is a big name that important?

I go to a good school and will likely want to stay local for residency. I know the clinical instruction is good, and I'd be happy here (as would my S.O.). I obviously will apply to other places and interview. But, is it reasonable to assume that the location of the fellowship would have more long term ramifications (on networking, research, ability to land an academic position) than the residency?

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[DrWBD]

Yes, a residency at a 'big name' institution is generally helpful in getting fellowships. Keep in mind, though, that the program should ideally have a big name in the area you're interested in - a program that has a great reputation for cardiology but a lousy one for gastroenterology won't help you much, especially if the faculty in the specialty you are interested in aren't very prominent in their field. A letter from someone who writes chapters in textbooks or publishes notable articles in their field is a great thing to have to your advantage when applying for fellowship.

 

[fantasty]

True... But my main question is whether getting the big name (or at least, leading institutions for your field) would be best at the fellowship stage rather than the residency stage, for the less competitive fields? My med school (and perhaps where I'd want to do residency) does have some well known folks in rheum, but there are a lot of other places with more ID folks. But, since these aren't the most competitive specialties (and let's pretend I'm competitive candidate, hypothetically), am I really screwed staying at a #20-30 institution rather than shooting for a top ten institution?

 

[DrNick2006]

That depends on your goals for a fellowship. Are you looking to do private practice? Than any good clinically oriented fellowship will do. If you want ot become a researcher/academician than you should prob. do fellowship at a place well known for your field, and generally those places are still competitive even within a less competitive field, so going to a big name for residency and establishing yourself is the road you need to take. It sound's like your not too interested in this though so I would say if graduates of the residency programs you are thinking about have gone on to do things similar to your goals than a big name fellowship or residency is not that important, just go to one that will provide you with the skills that will make you a good clinician in your field. I would go to the place that will align you best to get to the next step you want to take.