Top Tier, Middle Tier, Lower Tier programs?

[hemoccult]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I don't want to belabor an already ill-defined issue, but...I was wondering if anybody knew of a decent resource that would help define which programs would be considered top, middle and lower tiers.

Obviously, places like Harvard, Hopkins, Wash U, and those sorts are top tier, but my main inquiry comes in assessing other university programs. It seems like all university programs will tell you that they are high-middle or top depending on the "sack" of the person you ask.

Just curious about this issue. Any feedback or routing to other resources would be much appreciated. I'm just trying to put together an appropriate list of programs to apply to and would be interested in hearing about places I may not have considered to be of certain tiers.

Thanks🙂

 

[bob3]

In Chicago, I can tell you that Northwestern is the only Top-Tier program.

Mid tier-Univ of Illinois, Rush, Loyola

Mid to Low-University of Chicago (many problems over the last 5 yrs has dropped its rep in the surgical community and many grads going into crappy post grad positions-3 into Rush, 2 into Med Coll Wisconsin)

Low tier-everything else

 

[surg]

Your best bet is still to talk to your faculty mentor. If you don't have one, you need one. In the mean time, try

http://www.facs.org/residencysearch/search/search.html

One of the fields includes what % of their residents were AOA That should at least give you a gauge as to their competitiveness (which doesn't necessarily mean that they are good)

 

[Skylizard]

Originally posted by hemoccult
...I was wondering if anybody knew of a decent resource that would help define which programs would be considered top, middle and lower tiers...Obviously, places like Harvard, Hopkins, Wash U, and those sorts are top tier, but my main inquiry comes in assessing other university programs...

Alright, you ask a very loaded question. I advise you to use the link another respondent put in his/her reply and speak with your advisors. Having said that, I think the more accurate question is what program is "top tier" for your career goals? If you want pede surgery, you should look at programs with a proven track record in placing grads into "Top Tier" pede surgery programs. The same goes for any type of post Gsurgery fellowship aspiration. If you want research, look for programs that are heavy into research and have a track record of obtaining excellent grants and excellent resident publications. The programs track record often speaks more accurately then the name. Most programs will have where their grads went on the web. "Top Tier" really needs to be geared on an applicant specific basis. Remember, you might get more of what your looking for in a non-university based program. Do not limit yourself to purported "top tier" names.

Know yourself first and then you will know your program!

 

[hemoccult]

A large thank you for the above insight. It has been very helpful. Also, thanks for the link. I have been on that web page before but never found that specific portion.

Thanks again.
😀