Rush vs Tufts

[fede]

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Any thoughts about pros/cons of these two programs? I really liked both so aside from differences between Chicago vs. Boston, I'm not sure how to decide.

 

[Infexious]

.

 

[fede]

Thanks. I'm wondering if anyone has any specific ideas about each of those two programs?

 

[Gasmaster]

Interviewed at both these programs for the 2011 match. Didn't end up ranking either of them. Hands down though Tufts is a better place than Rush, both in terms of quality of residency training and reputation.

anyone disagree?

 

[fede]

I was not sure about quality of training and reputation -- it was these two things specifically that I was wondering about. I definitely felt that Tufts had a better lifestyle in terms of hours and call, etc. However, one advantage of Rush is that all of your rotations are in Chicago, wheras with Tufts you have to go to Lahey clinic for ICU and to Rhode Island for a month for trauma. ? Any other thoughts?

 

[VersedSTAT]

I agree with the above poster. Tufts > Rush (in terms of calls, hours, reputation, and training), but
Rush > Tufts (in terms of Chicago > Boston).

 

[EdPierce]

had a great experience at tufts pm me for specifics PRN

 

[Scylin]

Anyone have any thoughts on Tufts vs. Boston Medical Center / BU?

 

[Libertas]

I got a really bad vibe from BU....made me pay for parking, no pre-interview dinner (Awesome dinner = high on rank list 😛 ), and scheduled the interview day so it was middle of the afternoon and no lunch...and all I met were 1 or 2 chief residents! Didn't end up ranking.

 

[itcomesnpints]

I agree that Rush doesn't seem to have great hours. However, the training seemed very strong from what I gathered on the interview day. Anyone want to share why the training would not be as good at Rush?

 

[Philosiraptor]

Interviewed at both these programs for the 2011 match. Didn't end up ranking either of them. Hands down though Tufts is a better place than Rush, both in terms of quality of residency training and reputation.

anyone disagree?

I would have to disagree. Both are very good programs, but have their advantages and disadvantages. I think people mistake the reputation of the medical school/undergraduate institution associated with the residency program with the quality of the residency program itself.

Rush is a 5-yr ACGME cycle program, and has been for the last 6 cycles. Tufts has had some ups and downs and is currently a 3-yr cycle program. Rush is in Chicago and has a ton of resources ($1.6 billion new hospital), Tufts is in Boston and has an older/more resource strained facility and department. Rush has a ton of volume and only a pain fellowship vs. Tufts which has both Cardiac and Pediatric fellowships. Both have offsite rotations which help to round out their shortcomings. Both put out residents that get excellent post-residency jobs and fellowships. Tufts has a very high case mix index and has the "sickest patients you will ever see", Rush will make you an "independent and self reliant anesthesiologist who needs no hand-holding". Tufts probably has better work hours but more calls, Rush you will go home a bit later during the week but way less call (advantage of being in a bigger program) and very flexible days off/vacation policy.

A Tufts resident told me that "The Tufts name seems to carry more weight the further you get from Boston", and that they are constantly trying to emerge from the shadows of the Harvard programs. Rush is probably a Midwestern powerhouse but carries less perceived national name recognition. However, that is the perception of a "layperson", the people who actually matter in the field probably don't see it the way applicants do.

Bottom line is you will likely be able to get wherever you want to go afterwards from either program, and have to judge based on the visit, the people you meet at the interviews, and whether you want to live in Chicago vs. Boston.

Interestingly, reputation stuff aside, the feel of Tufts is much more akin to Loyola than to Rush.

 

[Philosiraptor]

Anyone have any thoughts on Tufts vs. Boston Medical Center / BU?

Tufts >> BMC/BU, hands down. Its like comparing a pure academic program with a county hospital program masquerading as an academic program.

 

[VentdependenT]

Rush is and has been ROCK STEADY stable. If you arent competent and a total badass after you leave there then you have brain damage. I could run a tough case out of the back of a F'n ice cream truck by the time I left there.

I cannot speak for Tufts.

If you want to stay in Chicago then you go to Uchicago NW or Rush. PERIOD.

Workhours thing is hyped. Been hearing that Shieaut since I was a MS4 in 2004. Do you work hard? I guess. Do you work as hard as surgeons or medicine or surgical subspecialties? I THINK NOT. Quit bitchen.

 

[Noegrus]

Frankly, outside of the glitzy, retro downtown, Chicago pretty much sucks. God knows why someone would say Chicago > Boston.
Chicago > Boston if you are part of a gang and/or love nasty wind chill for 10 months/year.

 

[Philosiraptor]

Frankly, outside of the glitzy, retro downtown, Chicago pretty much sucks. God knows why someone would say Chicago > Boston.
Chicago > Boston if you are part of a gang and/or love nasty wind chill for 10 months/year.

Speak for yourself, the weather in Boston isn't exactly a picnic compared to Chicago. Also, that glitzy, retro downtown could swallow Boston whole. Not sure why you have an Ax to grind with Chicago, but there's a reason people call it a cleaner, friendlier NYC.

And the "gang" parts of Chicago are isolated to two pockets that everyone knows to avoid (and you'll get that in any major city). There are tons of chic and cultural neighborhoods to explore outside of the city proper. Chi-town has pretty much got something for everyone.

Boston is a cool town too and I won't knock it, but you can't compare apples to oranges.

If I didn't know better I'd say you are one bitter person, or just enjoy trolling once in awhile.

 

[Noegrus]

This just in: People from Chicago are as bitey as the perpetual windchill.

 

[Metalblade]

It depends on where you want to end up after residency. If you want to work in Chicago, go to Rush. It will help you 10 times more than going to Tufts. Rush has a huge network of alumni in Chicago. If you want to end up in Boston or the East Coast, go to Tufts.

 

[Consigliere]

This just in: People from Chicago are as bitey as the perpetual windchill.

This just in: you are not funny.

 

[Noegrus]

This just in: you are not funny.

You break my heart. Oh, my poor little heart. 🙁

 

[Consigliere]

You break my heart. Oh, my poor little heart. 🙁

(See above)

 

[Noegrus]

(See above)