Thoughts on UNC ...

[blondemed]

Hey all, recently interviewed at UNC, was pleasantly surprised and ended up really liking the program. However, I'm from the NE and don't have much familiarity with the area or know of anyone who went there for IM residency.

Pros: the hospital was gorgeous, especially the new cancer center; residents seemed pretty friendly, laid back and happy; seems like a solid program with good fellowship matches; Chapel Hill is beautiful and no freezing winter weather/snow! However, I got the sense that the program may be a little more "tough love", the program director was nice but a "no nonsense type".

Some of the drawbacks: interns basically spend their whole year on the floors (I realize this is true at most programs, but UNC was the most extreme with very little outpatient/elective time during PGY-1), no dedicated research elective during intern year, program director really believes in getting a solid foundation in medicine and not pre-specializing (i.e. doing nothing but heme/onc electives if that's what you're interested in, could potentially hurt residents in terms of getting letters, fellowship matching).

I know this seems more negative than positive but I really did like the program, just didn't get a good feel for the PD and how residents are treated by faculty. Would appreciate others input if you're familiar/interviewed at the program. Thanks!!!

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[HarryGary]

Hey all, recently interviewed at UNC, was pleasantly surprised and ended up really liking the program. However, I'm from the NE and don't have much familiarity with the area or know of anyone who went there for IM residency.

Pros: the hospital was gorgeous, especially the new cancer center; residents seemed pretty friendly, laid back and happy; seems like a solid program with good fellowship matches; Chapel Hill is beautiful and no freezing winter weather/snow! However, I got the sense that the program may be a little more "tough love", the program director was nice but a "no nonsense type".

Some of the drawbacks: interns basically spend their whole year on the floors (I realize this is true at most programs, but UNC was the most extreme with very little outpatient/elective time during PGY-1), no dedicated research elective during intern year, program director really believes in getting a solid foundation in medicine and not pre-specializing (i.e. doing nothing but heme/onc electives if that's what you're interested in, could potentially hurt residents in terms of getting letters, fellowship matching).

I know this seems more negative than positive but I really did like the program, just didn't get a good feel for the PD and how residents are treated by faculty. Would appreciate others input if you're familiar/interviewed at the program. Thanks!!!

I loved UNC when I interviewed there. Chapel Hill is beautiful, and the residents get solid training.

I wouldn't worry about the floor months so much. I remember the majority of their class came out for the free beers for interview dinner. I don't think they're burned out.

The only thing I'd consider is the population base, which may be more vanilla than some other major research centers.

Still, if you got a great vibe there, I'd go with your gut. They're a solid program, and I bet you'll love training there.

 

[kafkaontheshore]

that's interesting, bc when I interviewed there earlier this year, resident happiness and the PD were the least of my concerns. Sure, the Pd was not super charismatic, but he seemed very thoughtful (work hour rule plan done and in testing), forthright (his promise of no post interview games), and well loved (been there 20 years). He inspired confidence in me. The residents also seemed quite happy. Research triangle seems a great place to live, there's a lot of personal attention/mentoring (only 23 residents a year), and I had a lot of fun talking to all that I met.

my concern was actually the opposite, that the program was a little TOO nice and cush, especially with no VA and chapel hill being a small town with low socioeconomic diversity. But I left semireassured on that point, as I learned unc hospital is the public option for the whole state.

my impression was that this is a really thougtful, warm and fuzzy small program with solid fellowship match in a great place to live. Fighting for a place in my top 3.

 

[km11]

I thought it was amusing that they had us gather in the lobby of the cancer center then walked us back to the morning report room. That walk was like a trip back in time as the building got progressively older.

 

[AZhopeful]

that's interesting, bc when I interviewed there earlier this year, resident happiness and the PD were the least of my concerns. Sure, the Pd was not super charismatic, but he seemed very thoughtful (work hour rule plan done and in testing), forthright (his promise of no post interview games), and well loved (been there 20 years). He inspired confidence in me. The residents also seemed quite happy. Research triangle seems a great place to live, there's a lot of personal attention/mentoring (only 23 residents a year), and I had a lot of fun talking to all that I met.

my concern was actually the opposite, that the program was a little TOO nice and cush, especially with no VA and chapel hill being a small town with low socioeconomic diversity. But I left semireassured on that point, as I learned unc hospital is the public option for the whole state.

my impression was that this is a really thougtful, warm and fuzzy small program with solid fellowship match in a great place to live. Fighting for a place in my top 3.

Interesting how different people can have totally different interview impressions. I actually thought that of most of the places I visited, UNC was most likely to work you hard, especially after internship. I thought it was veeery interesting that the Pulm fellows took home call in their MICU- the residents really gave the impression that they ran the show in there for better or for worse. Every program gives lip service to 'resident autonomy' but it really seemed like you had it full force at UNC. That may not be a bad thing, but I didn't think it was 'cush'.

Also, Chapel Hill is really beautiful.

 

[kafkaontheshore]

Interesting how different people can have totally different interview impressions. I actually thought that of most of the places I visited, UNC was most likely to work you hard, especially after internship. I thought it was veeery interesting that the Pulm fellows took home call in their MICU- the residents really gave the impression that they ran the show in there for better or for worse. Every program gives lip service to 'resident autonomy' but it really seemed like you had it full force at UNC. That may not be a bad thing, but I didn't think it was 'cush'.

Also, Chapel Hill is really beautiful.

That's an interesting point. I didn't know that.

Maybe our impressions illustrate what I've thought about this interview process all along, which is that the sheer sample bias of basing your opinion of a school on interaction with 10 residents and a few faculty is off the charts.

 

[icaruswalks]

I didn't want to start a new thread on UNC, so bumping up an old one. Any new thoughts on UNC for the current interview season?

 

[FrisbeeDocIM]

I was very impressed with UNC. It was nice to hear their emphasis on general IM, stating you need to be a great generalist in order to be a great specialist (a personal view of mine, too...but then again I'm thinking about ID which has a lot of general IM thrown in). I understand this can be a negative for some.

I also liked how interns have a few hours off during the day, then come back to spend the night when on call in the MICU, so they don't lose that experience due to duty hour restrictions (I understand this could also be a negative for some).

My main concern is the same as HarryGary & kafkaontheshore, in that there may not be quite as much patient diversity as you would see at some other places (although they told me I could request more time at the Wake Med center in downtown Raleigh, which serves more of an inner-city indigent population).

Overall, I was very impressed. Don't know exactly where I'm going to rank it yet, but it's high on my list.

 

[icaruswalks]

Did they say anything in regards to how many of their residents go into heme/onc?

 

[coffeebeanjenn]

Did they say anything in regards to how many of their residents go into heme/onc?

Three this past year. Two stayed at UNC, one is going to UCSF.

 

[icaruswalks]

I was very very impressed by this program. The residents were very strong, and morning report here was incredible. Easily my top 3 currently. Anybody speak to living in UNC?

 

[HoldTheCoffee]

Had a wonderful impression of this program. PD seemed direct and honest, residents seemed very happy despite working hard. On "gut feel" alone, this program has moved up quite a lot on the imaginary ROL I've constructed in my head.

 

[member234234234]

Bumping this up to see if anyone has more recent opinions about the program! I'm not from the area but I'm interviewing here later in the season and have heard really great things about Chapel Hill. The two things I'm concerned about though are lack of patient diversity and that they haven't changed to an x+y system. Would love to hear peoples' thoughts.

 

[silencedogood]

Bumping this up to see if anyone has more recent opinions about the program! I'm not from the area but I'm interviewing here later in the season and have heard really great things about Chapel Hill. The two things I'm concerned about though are lack of patient diversity and that they haven't changed to an x+y system. Would love to hear peoples' thoughts.

As the safety net hospital for the entire state, I wouldn't worry about patient diversity. Also, they are switching to an x+y (3+1, if I remember correctly) for this upcoming intern class. During the interview day, the Chiefs explained that the PGY-2s and -3s voted not to transition the upper levels to the x+y system, though, because their current night float system allows them a ton of scheduling flexibility (e.g., in a two-week block of night float, you're only responsible for seven shifts and 1.5 days of clinic, so they end up with 5.5 days off and often use that time for vacation that doesn't count against their time off). Residents all seemed very bright and genuine. I think it'd be a great place to train.

 

[medbeewedme]

Any thoughts on UNC this year? Have they changed their system from traditional scheduling?

Opinions on their PCIM program? This info is inaccessible if you're not in already their system!

med. unc .edu / pcc