Some dumb IM questions from a 3rd year DO

[docscience]

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1) Why does it matter where one goes to a residency? I understand the "elite" programs lend themselves to name (true for undergrad, grad, etc) and perhaps better training through better resources.
I can see how a fellowship director would be impressed by a resident coming from Harvard. It is impressive to go to an elite residency like Harvard. It is comforting probably to know that your fellow knows a lot of pathology and is intelligent. However, I think personality, fit for the program, bedside manner, flexibility, single/married, future practice thougts, etc. is another factor they look at.
Same thing for private practice physicians/groups/hospitals...they of course would take a Harvard grad most willingly, but personality to jive with the group, practice style, family situation, etc. probably all play a part.
So what do fellowship directors look for? LORs? Step III scores? Personal experience with you (conferences, visiting rotation, research, etc)?

2) Do programs prefer categorical applicants rather than prelim matches? Or do they have room for a certain amount of categoricals and a certain amount of seats for prelims?

3) Any other cool niches in IM? I know Pitt has an international track, there are some combined MBA/MPH programs, I think I saw a "writing/editing" journals track in a program (the PD was/is a big time journal editor). Any other cool ones people have thought about/seen?

4) How long before you started your residency did you move to your new town/city? (assuming you moved after med school)

 

[gutonc]

1) Why does it matter where one goes to a residency? I understand the "elite" programs lend themselves to name (true for undergrad, grad, etc) and perhaps better training through better resources.
I can see how a fellowship director would be impressed by a resident coming from Harvard. It is impressive to go to an elite residency like Harvard. It is comforting probably to know that your fellow knows a lot of pathology and is intelligent. However, I think personality, fit for the program, bedside manner, flexibility, single/married, future practice thougts, etc. is another factor they look at.
Same thing for private practice physicians/groups/hospitals...they of course would take a Harvard grad most willingly, but personality to jive with the group, practice style, family situation, etc. probably all play a part.
So what do fellowship directors look for? LORs? Step III scores? Personal experience with you (conferences, visiting rotation, research, etc)?

This has been asked and answered in a hundred different threads already.

2) Do programs prefer categorical applicants rather than prelim matches? Or do they have room for a certain amount of categoricals and a certain amount of seats for prelims?

They are different things. Programs like categorical applicants to fill their categorical spots and prelim applicants (who will go on to do an advanced residency in another specialty like Derm, Rads, PM&R, Neuro, etc) to fill their prelim spots.

3) Any other cool niches in IM? I know Pitt has an international track, there are some combined MBA/MPH programs, I think I saw a "writing/editing" journals track in a program (the PD was/is a big time journal editor). Any other cool ones people have thought about/seen?

The coolest ones are the ones that interest you.

4) How long before you started your residency did you move to your new town/city? (assuming you moved after med school)

I arrived in town on June 5 and started orientation on June 16 or 17 (can't remember, it was a few years ago). I was familiar with the city I moved to but if it was new to me, more time would have been nice.