Thoughts on a few programs

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Euthymia

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I've read the review threads, but I haven't found much info about some of these programs. I'm curious how they stack up. Any info is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

East Tennessee
Case Western
Ohio State
JPS
U Texas San Antonio
Greenville S Carolina
St Louis
 
I interviewed at OSU and UTSA. I know I've been slacking in getting info in the review thread. Anyhow, academically and exposure-wise I think both are solid programs. They're in reasonable sized cities where they're the only game in town. Both friendly environments. OSU seemed a little more cush. I ended up ranking UTSA above OSU because of location, but of I did it over again I'd probably do it the other way around. I matched before that so it's a moot point. UTSA never really explained their call schedule an it seemed a little nebulous on how intense it was. Sounds like you work a little more/harder than average, but overall seemed friendly.

If you have any specific questions I'm happy to answer at length. Otherwise I'll probably drag my feet and give non-specific reviews in last years thread.
 
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I rotated at JPS in my third year, so I know a little about them. Very biologically-oriented community program - you definitely see a lot of patients and get to be very "hands-on" (almost too hands-on at times perhaps, but it seems to work for some). People who go through JPS seem to get really great training, but it may not be the right environment for everyone. I didn't feel like I would be a good fit since I'm not big on emergency psych, which they have a lot of in their dedicated psych ER, and I'm very interested in therapy, which is not their strength. However, that's just me, and I can definitely see how it could be the right place for others. The PD is a genuinely great guy.
 
Thanks so much for posting, St.

I also have interviews scheduled at UTHSCSA, Ohio State, and Case Western. I know these 3 are great programs, though it would be nice to get additional feedback before I actually visit these places.

I interviewed at Case Western 3 years ago and, while I honestly don't remember too much from that day, I remember being particularly impressed with their forensic program. Obviously that's more of a fellowship thing, but that stands out as a strength. I also seem to remember an impressive children's hospital (though honestly I have no idea how the child psych training is there).

The big downside for me was Cleveland. Just seemed very empty and cold - but I also arrived to the city in the middle of a blizzard and almost crashed on my way to the interview, so that may have colored my perspective.
 
Seeing as UT SA had been mentioned above, what do you guys think about UT Houston?
 
I've read the review threads, but I haven't found much info about some of these programs. I'm curious how they stack up. Any info is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

East Tennessee
Case Western
Ohio State
JPS
U Texas San Antonio
Greenville S Carolina
St Louis


a few years back there was a big story(repeated to me by more than 1 person familar with program) where at ETSU the program director was giving favorable treatment to residents of a certain ethnicity. Things like not making them work the same number of hours for one. I would steer clear unless there have been changes since then.
 
Case Western has Phil Resnick and Steve Noffsinger, ranked two of the best forensic psychiatrists in the country. That's right two-not just one in one location. I don't know how much they interact with the residents.

CW also is working on deep brain stimulation.

I don't know anything about the quality of lives of the residents and other things an applicant would most definitely want to know such as the call schedule.

I can tell you that the weather in Cleveland is terrible. It's in a lake-effect weather zone. If you go there, expect grey cloudy/depressing days to be the norm. If you go there, you might be able to catch them filming the next Avengers movie.

It's funny because it's true.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysmLA5TqbIY
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzgAjjuqZM
 
Seeing as UT SA had been mentioned above, what do you guys think about UT Houston?

I keep meaning to post interview reviews from the Texas schools, but here's my impresssion of Houston:

Pros: Very personable PD, 200+ bed stand-alone psych hospital, lots of faculty with lots of different areas of expertise, huge med center.

Cons: You have to cover the 200+ beds on call, pay and benefits are so-so, parking is expensive, no psych ED if you're into that.

I would have been happy there but it wasn't my #1.
 
I have also been searching for info on a few programs:

St Elizabeth's in DC
Maimonides in BK
 
Maimmonides is in a section of town that is very specific with it's patient demographics. IMHO this is both good and bad. There are, for example, several patients of European Jewish ethnicity and along with that comes some odd genetic disorders specific to that population and other cultural elements.

I haven't seen anything from that program in years, and things change over time so what I did know of the program might not be valid now. For example, I knew one attending there literally had an anger management problem but was taken away from working with residents after enough complained about him. So there's no point in holding that against the program, and it was > 5 years ago.

Oh and by the way, when I was new to the forum, years ago, I mentioned a specific program where an attending was intentionally rude and trying to make me feel uncomfortable, literally yelling and screaming at me. It was that guy. Turned out he did that to several applicants thinking it was some type of character test. The idiot probably scared away a lot of candidates that were willing to give that residency a chance. I didn't even put that residency on my match list even though the PD spent 30 minutes with me telling me he wanted me in the program and he said he was serious about it and it wasn't something he just told any applicant.

I didn't mention the program then because of the flame-war fallout that can happen with such mentionings, but it was years ago, so I'm outing it now.

I learned that the guy was taken away from residents after I developed some friendships with some of the ones in that program. I mentioned, "who was that guy that screamed at me during my interview?" They all knew who it was because they told me he did the same exact thing to them.

Again, it's old news. The guy, if he still even works there, was taken away from residents.
 
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