Thoughts on these programs, couples match style

[Docfunk22]

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Hey everyone, I am participating in the couples match, wife is going into Pediatrics. Long story short we are trying to match into a situation where we can have a reasonably good chance of living together for all 5 years, so this has adjusted the programs we are considering near the top of our list somewhat. Long term I anticipate us wanting to live in either Michigan, Texas, or California for family / lifestyle reasons.


Trying to decide between the following three for Number 1, UMich, Baylor Houston, Baylor Dallas.

In my mind it seems like UMich is on a different academic level then the other two but this could be my own bias. My wife's favorite program is in Dallas, and I did enjoy Baylor Dallas a lot as well. My only concern is that it is a private practice/community program that may not have the same name nationwide. Not sure how significant of a factor this is.

Below those three I have:

UT Houston, Case Western UH, Penn State, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Penn Hospital, Loyola, UIC, Henry Ford, Beaumont, UC Davis....

in a large grouping that we are having difficulty ranking. Mayo clinic is moving down our list quite a bit due to my wife's preferences. Penn Hospital was one of my favorites on the trail but we don't have a prelim option in Philly, just ones several hours away. UC Davis is a similar situation except nothing really on the West coast as far as prelims.


Career goals are more likely private practice than academic, although I wouldn't mind a hybrid position similar to the private practice group at Baylor Dallas. Any insight/advice/ rankings that folks could provide would be very helpful. Thanks!

 

[shark2000]

Sorry, but I don't understand your exact question.

UMich, UT Houston and Mayo are definitely in higher academic levels than Baylor programs.

I don't know Baylor Houston vs Baylor Dallas. But, if you like Michigan, go for U-Mich. A nationally recognized program which opens lots of opportunities.

Texas and Michigan are very different places. You have to see which one you want to live.

 

[Docfunk22]

Sorry if my question was unclear, I am from Michigan, my wife is originally from Cali, we both really enjoyed Texas and have some family there.
I am trying to get a feel for how Baylor Houston/ Dallas, UT Houston, and UMich stack up, considering my career goals are more likely private practice. Since we don't know where we ultimately want to end up I want to make sure my residency will still allow me the opportunity to break into a competitive fellowship somewhere assuming that I am a worthy applicant. My wife prefers Texas as a location. Hence my dilemma about deciding to rank some good programs I would be happy at above a prominent program like U of M which I would also be happy at. Thank you for your input shark, it seemed when I was in Texas all of the local people I spoke with felt Baylor Houston was held in higher academic regard than UT Houston, perhaps the truth is somewhere in the middle.

The second goal of my post was to get a general ranking opinion on the middle of my list, Case UH, Penn State, Penn Hospital, Henry Ford, William Beaumont, Cleveland Clinic, Loyola, UIC

Thanks

 

[colbgw02]

It's difficult to give you straightforward advice because it sounds like you're juggling several variables - location, spouse's wishes, program prestige, program fit - none of which is necessarily dominating the equation in your head. Of the main three you cited, my impression is that UM is the most highly thought of nationwide, but I don't think it's so far ahead that it would outweigh the benefit of a Texas program if you were to end up living there post training. Personally, considering that you're deciding from three vastly different location, I would drop it from the calculus inasmuch as it might indicate your final practice location. I think it's okay still to consider location as a factor inasmuch as you have to live there for the ~5 years of GME. Conversely, make final practice location the primary factor when choosing fellowship.