Schwab vs. JFK vs UC Davis

[fizzyatree]

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I was impressed by my interview days at all these programs, but I'm having a hard time distinguishing between them. They're all smaller programs with a fantastic and close-knit group of faculty.

Besides location, what are the main distinguishing factors between these programs? Schwab seems to have a significantly worse facility (Sinai), but it's ranked much higher on Doximity compared to the others -- why? How do these programs compare in TBI, SCI, and sports medicine?

 

[RangerBob]

I think the Doximity rankings are pretty worthless--everyone agrees on most of the programs for the "top 5 or 6" but after that there's really no consensus. I wouldn't let those rankings factor at all into how I decide between programs. Not in the least. If you're considering academics then going to a "top 5" program certainly gives you a leg up, but once you get past those programs I don't think anyone cares unless you go to a program that's known for being low quality.

Besides, residency is far more about the right fit for you than the name, so I don't get why people felt it necessary to come up with a ranking of residency programs. I know as a medical student I was always wondering "what are the best PM&R programs," and when debating how to rank programs I certainly thought about the name (and wished there was a master-list), but in the end I realized there's no way an accurate master-list of PM&R rankings would ever be made, and it didn't matter anyway since I also realized I needed to go to the program that would best help me be the physiatrist I wanted to be, not go to a program whose name made my ego feel good. (Though, if the same program can accomplish both, then more power to you!)

I don't know anything about Schwab or JFK--I didn't apply to either. I do know UC Davis is very close knit--the residents are extremely happy. Like, what did they eat for breakfast happy. Their sports physician (the aptly named Dr. Davis--at least I assume he's still there) was a fantastic guy to work with. Great physician and great role model who loves his job. If you're interested in sports I'd go there in a heartbeat--outpatient is their main strength, and the sports fellowship is one of the best in the country.

As far as TBI/SCI, they have a combined unit (unless they finally built the new rehab unit), which to me isn't as ideal--I prefer dedicated TBI/SCI rotations. There's certainly an advantage to a combined unit/rotation though. I do think you get decent exposure to TBI and SCI, and you rotate through the outpatient SCI clinics too. I do think UC Davis (like most CA programs) is a bit weaker at inpatient (which they compensate for with their strength in MSK), but you'd still come out well prepared to run an general inpatient unit.

Sacramento gets HOT in the summer. Gotta watch that steering wheel temperature! But the delta breeze at night sure is nice--I think it drops ~20 degrees (sometimes more) overnight. Open up your windows at night, turn on a fan, and you probably don't even need an AC during the day. I stayed with an elderly professor who had a house fan (think of a window box fan on steroids, with ducting going through the attic)--it was loud but sucked in all the cold air at night and even when it was in the 100's outside, it was still nice and cool inside (you shut the windows during the day to keep in the cold air obviously...)

 

[j4pac]

I didn't interview at Cal-Davis or Schwab. I thought that JFK was a very strong program. The location will be a turnoff for some people (NJ suburbia about an hour from NYC). But I left my interview feeling that it would be impossible to leave that program without a great education unless you were a complete screw-up. Dr. Cuccurullo and Brown are fantastic and very dedicated to the success of their residents. I think that the inpatient exposure is strong...rotating through JFK's model TBI and Kessler's model SCI units. They also appear to have good outpatient exposure. If you are willing to live in the area...it's a strong program.

 

[padresp]

I was impressed by my interview days at all these programs, but I'm having a hard time distinguishing between them. They're all smaller programs with a fantastic and close-knit group of faculty.

Besides location, what are the main distinguishing factors between these programs? Schwab seems to have a significantly worse facility (Sinai), but it's ranked much higher on Doximity compared to the others -- why? How do these programs compare in TBI, SCI, and sports medicine?

I interviewed at UC Davis a couple of times (residency + fellowship). They are an excellent program, and I basically echo what RangerBob wrote. Except, I think the climate is about as perfect as you can get - hot summers, mild winters, little precipitation. My only problem with the program was that I wanted a larger one, just my personal preference. I also really liked their department chair.

 

[Rehab_dr]

I was impressed by my interview days at all these programs, but I'm having a hard time distinguishing between them. They're all smaller programs with a fantastic and close-knit group of faculty.

Besides location, what are the main distinguishing factors between these programs? Schwab seems to have a significantly worse facility (Sinai), but it's ranked much higher on Doximity compared to the others -- why? How do these programs compare in TBI, SCI, and sports medicine?

If I was ranking those programs, I'd definitely go for JFK. I thought it was a great program, Dr. C is pretty awsome, and she will go to bat for her residents like a momma bear, so they do very well in terms of fellowships and jobs. They also are well taken care of - JFK has one of the highest salaries I've seen for residency (taken that NJ is on the more pricey side), I think they also get PAID for taking weekend call, they also get an obscene amount of vacation/personal time, probably the most I have seen out there. I think they get 20 days of vacation, 5 days personal time off, day of your birthdate off, home call, etc. Facility is decent, and I personally really liked the more suburbia type feel of the program.

Schwab I think is better in name than in practice. Facility is run down, population is rather limited, un/underinsured pop, inpt. exposure is much better than outpatient exposure, limited MSK/procedural experience.

I know nothing about the CA programs as I didn't interview at any of them. I would definitely go to JFK if it was my rank list.

 

[fizzyatree]

Thanks all for your responses! I'm from CA and am leaning towards settling there eventually. When ranking programs, I'm prioritizing the program's strengths over location, however. I honestly can envision a great fit for myself at any of these programs.

From your responses, it sounds like JFK is the better option for an eventual career in TBI or SCI, even despite its location in NJ which I don't mind living in. But for sports medicine, UC Davis would be much better. I wish I knew what I'd eventually go into...it'd make this ranking process much easier!

Anyway, thanks all, and if anyone has further comments to add, they'd be much appreciated. Best of luck, everyone!