So what is the end word on NYU?

[TreeOfLife]

I've been reading many posts back and forth about the NYU program but I wasn't able to get a proper idea of what the program is like. I'd like to be in NY but everyone says the NYU program is Malignant and steer clear. Can anyone elaborate with details and substantiate why it is so terrible?? Is it the hours and work-load, the scutwork, call schedule, attending-resident relationships, the program director?

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[Rehability]

I was only there for an interview so can only comment from my one day experience. Truth is, the resident that came to speak to us told the group of 12 of us to stay away if we can. She complained about everything above that you mentioned. She was really honest and I felt like she hesitated somewhat...but eventually told us the truth.

My interview was a MISERABLE experience. I had three docs sitting in front of me...shooting ridiculous questions at me with blank expressions. They could care less about what I had to say. I didn't even feel like they wanted to be there. One of them got up in the middle to answer his cell phone and walked out for a few minutes. Totally unprofessional.

I considered not ranking them at all...but ended up ranking them DEAD LAST onmy list just so I could say I did. Truth is, they are the ONLY place that left a bitter taste in my mouth (and this is out of 15 PM&R and 10 prelim med interviews).

My advice: your day is better spent touring NYC than sitting in the miserable "doll room" (place where you wait to be interviewed where they have scary dolls from all over the world...looks like scene from a horror movie).

Best of Luck to all....

 

[OUsooner]

I was only there for an interview so can only comment from my one day experience. Truth is, the resident that came to speak to us told the group of 12 of us to stay away if we can. She complained about everything above that you mentioned. She was really honest and I felt like she hesitated somewhat...but eventually told us the truth.

My interview was a MISERABLE experience. I had three docs sitting in front of me...shooting ridiculous questions at me with blank expressions. They could care less about what I had to say. I didn't even feel like they wanted to be there. One of them got up in the middle to answer his cell phone and walked out for a few minutes. Totally unprofessional.

I considered not ranking them at all...but ended up ranking them DEAD LAST onmy list just so I could say I did. Truth is, they are the ONLY place that left a bitter taste in my mouth (and this is out of 15 PM&R and 10 prelim med interviews).

My advice: your day is better spent touring NYC than sitting in the miserable "doll room" (place where you wait to be interviewed where they have scary dolls from all over the world...looks like scene from a horror movie).

Best of Luck to all....

I agree w/ the above post 100%. The interview there and and St. Vincent's were both subpar experiences. NYU was the worst of 9 interviews I attended. The day was dreary and nobody seemed happy - were not even motivated enough to put on an act. A student who rotated there and interviewed with me said STAY AWAY. I would have to agree with him based on my one day experience.
A pleasant surprise was Nassau on Long Island. I attended the interview only because I was in town for other interviews but was pleasantly surprised. Dr. Weiss is great. Its a little bit outside the city but I would go there before either of the programs in Manhattan.

 

[stumpjumper94]

I think there are pros and cons to NYU/Rusk as there are with most programs in the country. I personally will be starting there in July and can say that I honestly won't know what its like until I'm actually a resident and working there. But I do know people who were in the program years back and yes, it was bad at times. But I also know graduates of other top ranked PM&R programs and it was bad at times there too. Whenever you commit yourself to working at a large volume hospital, you are going to work harder but you will also learn a lot because the variety of patients will be there. There was nothing more disappointing then doing a rotation at a program where you sit on your tail all day bored out of your mind because there just weren't enough patients to learn from.
And let's face it, you'll put in the hrs of work, but it won't be like surgery or internal medicine. I'm doing my prelim in medicine & can't wait for PM&R hrs. All I'm asking for is one full weekend off right now during my wards month.
There's been plenty of comments on NYU/Rusk and from personal friends who have trained there, you will get real good training and have a real good time in Manhattan while doing so. What more can you ask for? As with any program, you make what you want of it.

 

[Fooman]

I can only speak for the interview process and that it's a long day because the PD takes the time to go through the information packet. The facility is also very old. That was the main drawback to this program as I like newer facilities. But let's face it, it's in NY so realty is big money and rehab programs don't get huge amounts of funding.

The three panel interviewers was at first intimidating, but they at least asked me questions pertinent to my CV or ask questions to get to know me. I also got feedback which was nice.

I unfortunately could not say the same for Baylor/UT where one interviewer obviously didn't read my CV and even didn't bother to ask me any questions. She just asked if I had any and it was tough trying to overcome the initial shock that she was not interested in me as an applicant. I ended up ranking them near the bottom of my list even though they are supposed to have this great reputation.

 

[Bronte]

Hey Tree of Life- Congrats on matching!!!!! I did a rotation at NYU and loved my time there. Sure there were times when the residents weren't happy but that wasn't everybody there. I didn't think it was malignant- it just seemed that the residents were working hard, but residency is not supposed to be easy. Plus the residents there are really nice and hangout together at times. I thought that there was great comraderie. I even saw Dr. Ruth there! She came and lectured to the residents. Dr. Ahn is very knowlegeable on SCI and pimps alot on bladder innervation, senna mech of action, u name it and Dr. Cohen is great too. He runs the DMD clinic. I worked mostly with these two attendings. Anyway, I also think residency is what you make of it though some places have better/more structured lectures, etc... most of it is up to us. Congrats again and see you in the Big Apple.

 

[TreeOfLife]

Hey Tree of Life- Congrats on matching!!!!! I did a rotation at NYU and loved my time there. Sure there were times when the residents weren't happy but that wasn't everybody there. I didn't think it was malignant- it just seemed that the residents were working hard, but residency is not supposed to be easy. Plus the residents there are really nice and hangout together at times. I thought that there was great comraderie. I even saw Dr. Ruth there! She came and lectured to the residents. Dr. Ahn is very knowlegeable on SCI and pimps alot on bladder innervation, senna mech of action, u name it and Dr. Cohen is great too. He runs the DMD clinic. I worked mostly with these two attendings. Anyway, I also think residency is what you make of it though some places have better/more structured lectures, etc... most of it is up to us. Congrats again and see you in the Big Apple.

When you say that there were times when the residents weren't happy can you pinpoint what exactly they weren't happy about? Long hours? Poor-unfair-unreasonable expectations or treatment? Scutwork? Lack of guidance and teaching?

 

[Bronte]

When you say that there were times when the residents weren't happy can you pinpoint what exactly they weren't happy about? Long hours? Poor-unfair-unreasonable expectations or treatment? Scutwork? Lack of guidance and teaching?

I think they felt PM&R should be easy or not long hours and somedays in teh beginning they were there till 7 but I also heard after I left that later in the year when the PGY2 got used to the schedule they were alot happier, left earlier once they got the swing of things.

 

[Karaoke]

NYU is not malignant anymore.

From what I've heard, back in the day the inpatient load was a lot higher
(20-25 patients per resident) and they worked longer hours (staying until
6 or 7pm). That stuff still occasionally happens, to tell you the truth, but
apparently it's loads better than it used to be, and personally I don't find
the program one bit malignant. The residents get along, the attendings are
almost all very nice, and call is great. The didactic program is a little
scatter-brained, but we'll fix that soon enough if I have anything to say
about it. And with a new program director who is energetic and responsive
to the residents, what I have to say about will matter soon.