The real difference between Tiers 1, 2 and 3?

[Esquire JD]

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To what extent does the prestige and fellowship opportunities provided by a "Top Tier" institution outweigh the perceived benefits of going to a slightly lower ranked program that has a "better feel".

I know this is a decision that my wife and I will have to ultimately make based on our own (or her) priorities but any opinions would be appreciated. Specifically, my wife has a better feel for programs such as Cornell, BIDMC, Mt. Sinai and Yale but ultimately feels that the fellowship opportunities presented at MGH and Columbia might be too good to rank lower. To be clear, she doesn't dislike any of the programs in the second group but it's a gut feeling that she might like the other programs more.

She's thinking about heme-onc but isn't completely decided (she just knows she wants to teach and be in academia).

 

[Mental Gymnast]

To what extent does the prestige and fellowship opportunities provided by a "Top Tier" institution outweigh the perceived benefits of going to a slightly lower ranked program that has a "better feel".

I know this is a decision that my wife and I will have to ultimately make based on our own (or her) priorities but any opinions would be appreciated. Specifically, my wife has a better feel for programs such as Cornell, BIDMC, Mt. Sinai and Yale but ultimately feels that the fellowship opportunities presented at MGH and Columbia might be too good to rank lower. To be clear, she doesn't dislike any of the programs in the second group but it's a gut feeling that she might like the other programs more.

She's thinking about heme-onc but isn't completely decided (she just knows she wants to teach and be in academia).

Esquire,

Cornell has one of the best heme-onc matches in the country, arguably better than some of the "top tiers." Also, if a resident is happy at say cornell they may be twice as productive, collegial, a pleasure to work with than a miserable resident at hopkins. Everything else being equal, "top tier" usually does provide more opportunities, but at the end of the day I like to think that opportunities are made by residents, not given to them. Good luck!

 

[dreamfox]

Agree with post above. Go where you feel happy. Cornell/BIDMC will close absolutely no doors for you. New York Hospital has some of the most well known physicians in the world (and we all know fellowship is about who you know). BIDMC is obviously a harvard hospital and I'm sure is highly connected as well. Sinai might close doors for you if you plan on doing your fellowship outside of NYC. Don't know much about Yale, but Yale is Yale.

Also agree with Cornell having one of the best heme/onc matches in the country.

I'm a resident at Cornell, let me know if you have specific questions.

 

[Esquire JD]

Thanks for the responses. Happiness is definitely key. Dreamfox, I'll pass on the message to my wife.

 

[Scaredshizzles]

Agree with post above. Go where you feel happy. Cornell/BIDMC will close absolutely no doors for you. New York Hospital has some of the most well known physicians in the world (and we all know fellowship is about who you know). BIDMC is obviously a harvard hospital and I'm sure is highly connected as well. Sinai might close doors for you if you plan on doing your fellowship outside of NYC. Don't know much about Yale, but Yale is Yale.

Also agree with Cornell having one of the best heme/onc matches in the country.

I'm a resident at Cornell, let me know if you have specific questions.

Hey dreamfox, does MSK collaborate with other IM subdivisions at Presbyterian in terms of research? I always wonder if dedicated cancer centers are the best place to do a H/O fellowship or not, especially if you want to maintain some degree of an academic role on the internal medicine side of things. I know DFCI is pretty well integrated to the Harvard programs.

 

[Moonglow]

Esquire,

Also, if a resident is happy at say cornell they may be twice as productive, collegial, a pleasure to work with than a miserable resident at hopkins.

There are no miserable residents at Hopkins." 🙂

 

[Mental Gymnast]

There are no miserable residents at Hopkins." 🙂

Oh yeah, I apologize for the typo. how silly of me, moonglow 😎

 

[CaliIMDoc]

I'm in the same boat, as I'm sure many people are. It's tough when you really like a less prestigious program. While it's true that doors will be wide open for folks from BIDMC or Cornell, it is not the exact same set of doors, is it?

Regarding Hopkins, I think its best not to say that the IM residents are miserable. True, many people would be miserable with the workload. The residents that I have seen are not miserable. Exhausted at times, but generally excited to be doing what they're doing --- they like it.