Seeking advice re: California programs

[alleymo]

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it's nice that you recieved a personalized letter- they must have liked you. I've heard programs only do that to the people they're most interested in.

 

[ttjan]

I'm glad you had a better experience than me. Kaiser LA is not convincing me with the nice letters and phone calls. Hope you have fun there ttjan! 🙂

I didn't get a phonecall from Kaiser-LA, only letters. Maybe they're not that interested in me.🙁

 

[not4rural]

I don't think that most California programs have to try really hard. People want to go there no matter what and programs know that.

 

[elizabeth5863]

I didn't get a phonecall from Kaiser-LA, only letters. Maybe they're not that interested in me.🙁

Hi ttjan,
I didn't get a phone call from them either. And I got 1 letter not 2 like you did. So I think they're interested in you. 🙂 Stay hopeful!

 

[elizabeth5863]

I don't think that most California programs have to try really hard. People want to go there no matter what and programs know that.

Some CA programs are just plain terrible though.

 

[ttjan]

Hi ttjan,
I didn't get a phone call from them either. And I got 1 letter not 2 like you did. So I think they're interested in you. 🙂 Stay hopeful!

You're so very sweet! How is your rank list going? 🙂

 

[elizabeth5863]

You're so very sweet! How is your rank list going? 🙂

My rank list isn't really going. I spent one afternoon working on it with my boyfriend and I submitted a ROL draft already. (Knowing me and how busy my current rotation is, I'd miss the deadline if I didn't at least submit a draft. I guess it would be better to match instead of not matching at all if I were to miss the deadline). I haven't had time to revise my rank list yet and I'm not even sure how to rank my top 3 and top 5.

I like UCLA but, being on my current rotation, I'm so burned out every day at the end of each day and realize how nice it is to not have to commute. I'm not sure I would be happy commuting if I were to go to the UCLA program and where in my list to rank the Mid Valley clinic - if at all. Someone also posted that faculty aren't as interested in teaching at the UCLA program and it created some doubts. Have you heard this too? As for other programs that don't require much commuting, I don't think I would be completely happy at them either. So... still debating what to do.

(I actually flipped coins with my bf when doing the rank order list. Pathetic, no?)

 

[not4rural]

Is San Diego worth going to? I have a dilemma. I think I won't get into my 1st choice so I've been thinking of UCSD. It's opposed but they do A Lot of outside community rotations. I'm mainly thinking about it because of the city and because they have a Sports fellowship. I'm I making a mistake? Is this not a good program? They had 3 FMGs match last year (not scrambled) so I'm a little skeptical about why people don't want to go there. I didn't apply to the Scripps program b/c I I wanted to work with a diverse pt population and the Sports fellowship too. I need your opinions.
If I didn't choose this, my next choice would be an unopposed program in Houston that I I'd be happy at, but it's still not San Diego.

 

[elizabeth5863]

Is San Diego worth going to? I have a dilemma. I think I won't get into my 1st choice so I've been thinking of UCSD. It's opposed but they do A Lot of outside community rotations. I'm mainly thinking about it because of the city and because they have a Sports fellowship. I'm I making a mistake? Is this not a good program? They had 3 FMGs match last year (not scrambled) so I'm a little skeptical about why people don't want to go there. I didn't apply to the Scripps program b/c I I wanted to work with a diverse pt population and the Sports fellowship too. I need your opinions.
If I didn't choose this, my next choice would be an unopposed program in Houston that I I'd be happy at, but it's still not San Diego.

Hmm... I did interview at San Diego but I don't know much about it except what I heard on the interview day. (It's far from where my family lives so I automatically ranked it much lower).

My impressions of UCSD:

What I like:
Residents at the program seem very intelligent and happy, and would choose it all over again if they had to go there. (At least that's what 3 of them said to me). They get lots of experience in taking care of the very ill and don't seem intimidated by difficult cases at all. The program director is very supportive and tries to help you meet your goals (which is very impt). It's in a nice location and traffic isn't as bad as in L.A. or San Francisco. They're planning on creating a rural track, which I think would be cool. You get lots of experience working in many different places. Before you go onto a new rotation, residents get together as a group to give you information about the rotation - which people to stay away from, what you should know about the pts who are already there, how presentations (i.e. in surgery) should be done, etc. - stuff to make the transition easier and to make you look good when starting out with a new team.

What I don't like:
There are three different systems you have to learn just within the hospital. The ER has a different computer system, so does the main hospital, and so does the clinic. I think that is inefficient of the University and ridiculous. (However, none of the residents I met seemed to think that the systems are difficult to master). Also, if you ever become chief resident there, you won't have much time to moonlight because of all the administrative work, etc. I asked about moonlighting to get more experience and confidence before I get out into the real world and one of the faculty members yelled at me and assumed I was going to do it for money. One of the residents there said that the faculty lectures aren't as good as the lectures given by the residents. The residents take turns giving lectures and put a lot of work into them to try to make them more interactive with cases, etc. (Faculty lectures aren't as interactive, but I don't think that's a big deal. There's so many faculty members that each will have their own style). There's a lot of commuting - more so than I would like (but the traffic moves). Surgery, I heard, is a tough rotation there.

I know this might not be very helpful and might be things that you already know. But I think that what one gets out of residency is what one makes of it. I wouldn't worry about FMG's in an fp program. Most fp programs will not fill because not many AMG's are going into fp. And FMG's tend to be very smart and are among the cream of the crop in their countries. Good luck!

 

[thedman888]

Is San Diego worth going to? I have a dilemma. I think I won't get into my 1st choice so I've been thinking of UCSD. It's opposed but they do A Lot of outside community rotations. I'm mainly thinking about it because of the city and because they have a Sports fellowship. I'm I making a mistake? Is this not a good program? They had 3 FMGs match last year (not scrambled) so I'm a little skeptical about why people don't want to go there. I didn't apply to the Scripps program b/c I I wanted to work with a diverse pt population and the Sports fellowship too. I need your opinions.
If I didn't choose this, my next choice would be an unopposed program in Houston that I I'd be happy at, but it's still not San Diego.

good things: great location. can't beat living in SD. the downtown is goign thru a facelift, looks like a awesome place to hang out and walk around.
The hospital, like any other academic oriented centers, functions as the main hospital of the region, since there are no county hospitals in the area, UCSD is primarily the one receiving lots of patients. The PD was really awesome, he seem to really care about the residents and looking into expanding the FP program even more.

not so good: it's opposed, so in terms of procedures or experiences, might not be as fulfilling as other unopposed programs. one of the clinic sites they go to is very chill and relaxed, this might be good for some, but I think it's a disadvantage since you'd want to learn as much as possible. The residents kept on emphazing that the fp res are regarded highly in the hospital, which is nice to hear but at the same time sounds like some sort of needed reassurance to applicants.... hmm..

overall, i think its a great place to train if you like a academic center.

 

[ghettomama]

I think UCSD is a good program. I did a subI and had a great experience. The fp faculty members are enthusiastic about teaching and really let you take charge of your patients. The PD is a great person to work with. He is a resident advocate and will stand up for his residents if he feels that other specialties are crossing into fp boundaries. For example, we had an OB pt and the OB residents took charge of the pt when it was an fp pt and the PD went straight to the OB chair and talked to him. It's good to know that the PD is an fp advocate. As for the residents, they are intelligent and nice. There are 3 FMGs, but they know their stuff! The problem that they have is getting use to the system, which is the same problem that we will all have when we start at a new hospital. Honestly, I think fp in general are looked down upon by other specialties no matter where you go (it may not be so obvious on interview day). At UCSD, it depends on the specialty. Some specialties like ortho will consult the inpatient fp service to take care of their pts instead of internal med. When you are on a team, you are part of the team and they do not discriminate against specialties. Secondly, it can be annoying to rotate through different hospital systems, but at the same time you get to meet different people. I think learning about the diffferent systems isn't a bad idea since that will help you look for jobs later on. Lastly, you can't beat living in San Diego! The weather is nice year round. The population is culturally diverse and there is a lot to do in SD.

It's ultimately your choice and you know what you're looking for. I like UCSD because of my experiences so I'm ranking them pretty high on my list.

 

[alleymo]

i did an internal medicine subspecialty sub-i there a few years ago during the 4th year of medical school. I was in the VA. The internal medicine and surgery folks there warned me against applying to ucsd's fp program. essentially they looked down on fp. i decided not to rank it. the next year, i met some ppl who were actually in the fp program- they said they loved it but that they were treated a little shabbily by the other residency programs. my friends in the other opposed programs have never had this program. But it HAS been a couple of years- maybe things have gotten better at ucsd?

 

[voltron77]

Hi everyone:

I am a third year medical student who is interested in FM and wanted to know what FM residency programs/locations in California were good choices for doing fourth year electives/Sub I's.....so far I am thinking about: Harbor-UCLA, UCLA (any of the other locations like Santa Monica), Kaiser and Scripps Chula Vista. I am open to any other suggestions as well. Please help! Thanks everyone!!!!! This thread is very helpful.

Voltron77 :0)

 

[Spazz]

Anyone do a sub-I at Sutter Santa Rosa? Heard some good things about it. Thx.

 

[samfox]

Anyone do a sub-I at Sutter Santa Rosa? Heard some good things about it. Thx.

I will be there at the end of September for a month and will let you know how it goes.

 

[voltron77]

Now that the new application cycle has begun, let's get this thread started again and get some new information, as if it becomes available about California FP programs! Best of luck to everyone!!!!

 

[voltron77]

Got two interview invites today from Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills and from Mercy Redding.....any thoughts on these two programs?????

 

[Vytorin77]

Got two interview invites today from Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills and from Mercy Redding.....any thoughts on these two programs?????

Is that Redding program associated with Davis? If so, I've heard a little through the grapevine--generally laid-back, lots of hands-on, rural focus. Location is in a small city, beautiful area, lots of outdoors stuff, much cheaper than other places in NorCal, good place for families. Hope that helps.

 

[voltron77]

Is that Redding program associated with Davis? If so, I've heard a little through the grapevine--generally laid-back, lots of hands-on, rural focus. Location is in a small city, beautiful area, lots of outdoors stuff, much cheaper than other places in NorCal, good place for families. Hope that helps.

Thanks Vytorin77. Yes the Redding programs is associated with UC Davis. Thanks for your reply back. Have a good night!

 

[voltron77]

Any additional thoughts on the following programs that I received interview invites at:

Kaiser Sunset (Los Angeles)
Scripps Chula Vista
Methodist Hospital Sacamento
Ventura County
Harbor-UCLA
Natividad (Salinas)
Contra Costa (Martinez)
Mercy Redding
Kaiser Woodland Hills
Pomona Valley



Any information would be greatly appreciated........thanks!

 

[samfox]

Any additional thoughts on the following programs that I received interview invites at:

Kaiser Sunset (Los Angeles)
Scripps Chula Vista
Methodist Hospital Sacamento
Ventura County
Harbor-UCLA
Natividad (Salinas)

(in addition to Mercy Redding and Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills)

Any information would be greatly appreciated........thanks!

I am going to Sutter-Santa rosa, then Natividad, then Salinas for rotations. Will update this link as my rotations progress or drop me a line.

I heard Harbor is great, and am also interviewing there.

 

[voltron77]

I am going to Sutter-Santa rosa, then Natividad, then Salinas for rotations. Will update this link as my rotations progress or drop me a line.

I heard Harbor is great, and am also interviewing there.

Thanks samfox! Have fun with your rotations in Santa Rosa and Salinas. Good luck with the Harbor interview. I have heard good things about Harbor and love the residents there and faculty! When are you interviewing at Harbor? I will be there on November 8th!

 

[thedman888]

Thanks samfox! Have fun with your rotations in Santa Rosa and Salinas. Good luck with the Harbor interview. I have heard good things about Harbor and love the residents there and faculty! When are you interviewing at Harbor? I will be there on November 8th!

heard Salinas is awesome

 

[krash]

I have heard great things about Scripps. Does anyone have any info on UCSD? People don't seem to like it, but I can't figure out exactly why😕

Thanks and congrats on all the interviews so far (it must feel great to have them so early)!

 

[voltron77]

I have heard great things about Scripps. Does anyone have any info on UCSD? People don't seem to like it, but I can't figure out exactly why😕

Thanks and congrats on all the interviews so far (it must feel great to have them so early)!

There is some information on UCSD's FM program on this thread. I really liked the director of the program. I had dinner with the UCSD program at the National AAFP Conference in Kansas City last month. The only thing that I did not like was the fact that some sites were quite some distance from one another....although the driving would not be too bad. Best of luck to you Krash....how's your application going?

 

[krash]

I just submitted on 9/18 (late for around here I guess 😳)

I'm just crossing my fingers that I'll start to hear something within a week or two. Best of luck to everyone!!

 

[voltron77]

I just submitted on 9/18 (late for around here I guess 😳)

I'm just crossing my fingers that I'll start to hear something within a week or two. Best of luck to everyone!!

Good luck Krash!!!!!! It is not too late at all........

 

[Poety2]

heard Salinas is awesome

I just got Salinas today, was wondering if it would be worth the time and expense. It looks PRICEY to live out there!

 

[Vytorin77]

Any additional thoughts on the following programs that I received interview invites at:

Kaiser Sunset (Los Angeles)
Scripps Chula Vista
Methodist Hospital Sacamento
Ventura County
Harbor-UCLA
Natividad (Salinas)
Contra Costa (Martinez)
Mercy Redding
Kaiser Woodland Hills
Pomona Valley



Any information would be greatly appreciated........thanks!

I just got Salinas today, was wondering if it would be worth the time and expense. It looks PRICEY to live out there!

Here are some things I have heard from other students who interviewed last year and advisors:

Salinas - great training, especially in Ob-Gyn--very high Ob volume. Work hard, long hours, tons of hands-on. Not the place to go if you want more time for reading and less hands-on. Residents seem happy. Good Spanish speaking skills are a necessity. Not sure how expensive Salinas is, but if you want to live on the coast it will be pricey. Check out the area for yourself and see if you like it--very agricultural, not a ton going on.

Contra Costa - fantastic program, considered one of the best in CA. Trains you in full-spectrum FM with lots of Surgery and Ob-Gyn experience. Work hard, learn a lot of stuff that you may not be exposed to at other places, great for people wanting to do medicine in developing nations/rural practice/underserved urban areas. You work with a "registrar," which is essentially your own personal attending, which has +/-'s. Residents seem happy and the program attracts people from all over the country.

Sacramento Methodist - focus on the underserved, nice people, lighter call schedule than some of the other NorCal programs.

 

[Poety2]

Thanks so much for the info! Im a little worried about not being able to read - as in, breaking 80 hour work week? I have a toddler (single mom!)

 

[voltron77]

Thanks so much for the info! Im a little worried about not being able to read - as in, breaking 80 hour work week? I have a toddler (single mom!)

Go to the interview at Natividad and see for yourself Poety2. I think you may like the program.....best of luck to you!

 

[Avonlea]

Here are some of my experiences at San Jose, Salinas, and Santa Rosa:

San Jose: Great facilities, nice residents, nurses, and attendings. No pre-rounding. Medicine team starts at 8am, has ICU rounds every day, and clocks out at 5pm. Night float system. Daily noontime didactics are good. Sport fellowship, with several didactics on sport med. Residents seem to be laid back and straight shooters.

Salinas: Morning rounds 7am. I found morning rounds to be more formal than San Jose or Santa Rosa (standing up, sort of lecture style). I didn't notice the camraderie as much as other places among residents, but there was definitely a greater element of caring for the underserved compared to San Jose, especially on migrant worker issues. spanish skills are key, although the residents also rely heavily on the clinic staff.

Santa Rosa: Medicine team rounds 7 am. No pre-rounds. Interspersed ED lectures. Night float system. Grand round didactics twice a week and afternoons once a week of protected time. Resident camraderie is strong, with great emphasis on global health and cultural competency. Interpreter phones are often used. Large spanish speaking community as well. Spanish classes are offered for the residents after hours once a week. Nice attendings and a family feel all around. The hospital may shut down (no one really knows if and when) and the residency will be shared "community" based between Memorial and Kaiser.

My sense is that both San Jose and Santa Rosa programs are very competitive, but they attract very different types of personalities similar to the local culture of the area. Living costs are slightly lower in Salinas, but surprising still high. However, the area of Salinas (Monterey and Carmel) is very beautiful and is really a plus.

Hope this helps!

 

[samfox]

Here are some of my experiences at San Jose, Salinas, and Santa Rosa:

San Jose: Great facilities, nice residents, nurses, and attendings. No pre-rounding. Medicine team starts at 8am, has ICU rounds every day, and clocks out at 5pm. Night float system. Daily noontime didactics are good. Sport fellowship, with several didactics on sport med. Residents seem to be laid back and straight shooters.

Salinas: Morning rounds 7am. I found morning rounds to be more formal than San Jose or Santa Rosa (standing up, sort of lecture style). I didn't notice the camraderie as much as other places among residents, but there was definitely a greater element of caring for the underserved compared to San Jose, especially on migrant worker issues. spanish skills are key, although the residents also rely heavily on the clinic staff.

Santa Rosa: Medicine team rounds 7 am. No pre-rounds. Interspersed ED lectures. Night float system. Grand round didactics twice a week and afternoons once a week of protected time. Resident camraderie is strong, with great emphasis on global health and cultural competency. Interpreter phones are often used. Large spanish speaking community as well. Spanish classes are offered for the residents after hours once a week. Nice attendings and a family feel all around. The hospital may shut down (no one really knows if and when) and the residency will be shared "community" based between Memorial and Kaiser.

My sense is that both San Jose and Santa Rosa programs are very competitive, but they attract very different types of personalities similar to the local culture of the area. Living costs are slightly lower in Salinas, but surprising still high. However, the area of Salinas (Monterey and Carmel) is very beautiful and is really a plus.

Hope this helps!

Hello all -

I just finished my month at Santa Rosa and it was an amazing month. I agree with everything this poster said. Very eclectic group of residents, extremely supportive attendings with strong didactics and great clinics. The hospital doesn't seem to be closing anytime soon, even if it does, Memorial is a very new and clean facility and Kaiser attracts strong attendings who seem to enjoy teaching. Really loved this rotation and would like to go back!

I will update this as I rotate through Ventura and Salinas.

sam

 

[voltron77]

had To Bump This Thread!!!!

 

[voltron77]

Hi everyone! Hope that everyone is doing well over the holidays and with FM interviews! I was wondering if anyone out there was planning to go to the Kaiser Sunset (LA) Homecoming Party at Dr. Hara's house in January???

 

[oxytocin]

any updates from people who rotated and interviewed there?