Top midwest programs?

[HarveyCushing]

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I realize that the two coasts get a lot of love on here for various reasons. I am curious what you guys would consider the top programs in the midwest for neurology in regards to clinical training, research exposure, faculty, non-malignancy, camaraderie amongst residents...etc. According to the top 82 list it would go something like this:

1) Mayo
2) WashU
3) UMich
4) CCF
5) UChicago


Any thoughts on how accurate that assessment is?

 

[PhakeDoc]

Don't forget about Northwestern.

 

[HarveyCushing]

Don't forget about Northwestern.

Yes, thanks for that. It helped me realize that this question was too general and I would like to change it to the top 5 programs in the midwest as that will help narrow down the responses. Is it pretty much agreed upon that Mayo, WashU, and UMich are the 3 big players in the midwest for neurology? It would then come to how some of the other big programs like CCF, UChicago, Northwestern, CWRU, Rush...etc. compare to one another to fill in the rest of the top 5.

 

[doxtyp]

I interviewed at WashU, Mayo and UChicago and all of them are really good programs. I would put WashU first, especially if you are interested in research. Mayo has fantastic facilities and faculty, but location is not very exciting.

 

[Amos]

I realize that the two coasts get a lot of love on here for various reasons. I am curious what you guys would consider the top programs in the midwest for neurology in regards to clinical training, research exposure, faculty, non-malignancy, camaraderie amongst residents...etc. According to the top 82 list it would go something like this:

1) Mayo
2) WashU
3) UMich
4) CCF
5) UChicago


Any thoughts on how accurate that assessment is?

I probably wouldn't put them in any particular order, since it depends a lot on what you want to do (academics vs. private, basic science vs. clinical research, big city vs. smaller town). Also prestige vs. quality of training comes into play.

I liked Mayo and Wash U quite a bit. Wash U is super strong if you have basic research aspirations in the neurosciences. Mayo is good clinically and is very laid back in terms of work hours and inpatient responsibilities.

Can't speak to the Chicago programs. I heard several applicants mention that they liked Northwestern. Case Western and Iowa probably fall into the mix somewhere too.

You hit on a good point in the original post about the coasts vs. Midwest. If an applicant is particularly concerned about prestige (which hopefully for them is not the case), then the Midwest may not be their cup of tea, since there are some places out East that will never give Midwest programs props, no matter how strong they are.

I suspect that's why Wash U faculty and residents act so "hard core" in some departments....they are out to prove that they are just as "rigorous" as MGH, UCSF, Columbia, etc. I didn't think they were uptight in the neuro department, but I know that some of the residents are really intense in the surgical subspecialties. Then again some surgeons get that way everywhere, so who knows.

 

[HarveyCushing]

You hit on a good point in the original post about the coasts vs. Midwest. If an applicant is particularly concerned about prestige (which hopefully for them is not the case), then the Midwest may not be their cup of tea, since there are some places out East that will never give Midwest programs props, no matter how strong they are.

I suspect that's why Wash U faculty and residents act so "hard core" in some departments....they are out to prove that they are just as "rigorous" as MGH, UCSF, Columbia, etc. I didn’t think they were uptight in the neuro department, but I know that some of the residents are really intense in the surgical subspecialties. Then again some surgeons get that way everywhere, so who knows.

I didn't mean it as a negative aspect, just that many applicants prefer the locations of Boston, NYC, Philly, and Cali. Not only are there great programs in those areas, but based on geographical preference they tend to be more competitive than programs in the midwest and south. Just seems the midwest doesn't get a lot of preference when it comes to location. But once again this is dependent on person to person.

Thanks for your comments regarding the programs. It is nice to know that those programs are all considered strong and I guess that is where electives/interviews give one the chance to examine the programs more closely to see what aspects of the program will fit in with your interests and personality. Like you mentioned, each program will have its strengths compared to the other strong programs.

 

[Amos]

I didn't mean it as a negative aspect, just that many applicants prefer the locations of Boston, NYC, Philly, and Cali. Not only are there great programs in those areas, but based on geographical preference they tend to be more competitive than programs in the midwest and south. Just seems the midwest doesn't get a lot of preference when it comes to location. But once again this is dependent on person to person.

Thanks for your comments regarding the programs. It is nice to know that those programs are all considered strong and I guess that is where electives/interviews give one the chance to examine the programs more closely to see what aspects of the program will fit in with your interests and personality. Like you mentioned, each program will have its strengths compared to the other strong programs.

Likewise, I wasn't trying to sound negative about programs based on location. There are like 30+ good places to train that will all provide good opportunities.

 

[HarveyCushing]

Likewise, I wasn't trying to sound negative about programs based on location. There are like 30+ good places to train that will all provide good opportunities.

👍 No worries I complete understand what you were saying. 🙂

 

[missneurotic]

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