Trying to match in SF

[drdrdr01]

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Can anyone comment on the stats of people who matched/interviewed at UCSF/Stanford? Step scores/Research/etc...

 

[shepardsun]

Stanford is the more competitive program. Had a friend in med school who did a sub-I there and was told by people in the program administration that they don't interview anyone who isn't AoA- which is funny, considering our school (mid-tier allopathic) simply didn't rank students with it He didn't get an interview, which I feel is kind of a jerk move for someone who takes the time and expense to rotate there. UCSF was allegedly a workhorse program with unhappy attendings when I was on the trail, though I have heard it's gotten better recently.

I was bummed at the time to not interview in the Bay area, but now I can't for the life of me imagine trying to live there on a resident salary. Absolutely insane.

 

[repititionition]

Both programs work appreciably harder than most on the West coast.

Stanford does seem to "require" AOA for a look. UCSF's rubric is murkier. I know people with completely average applications who got interviews and superstars who didn't.

My take after interviewing all up and down the West coast would be (unless you want to be a hard-core academic, run your own lab, get a K1, etc.) to look beyond the Bay Area. I found equal/better training elsewhere, both clinically and when quality of life was included. YMMV.

 

[teacher2md]

I interviewed at Stanford without AOA. My Step 1 was 250.

I also didn’t have any ties to California and only a small amount of research.

 

[Psai]

I interviewed at Stanford without AOA. My Step 1 was 250.

I also didn’t have any ties to California and only a small amount of research.

Similar app, no interview

 

[lverbmb]

Very happy with my training and quality of life at one of these two programs- come check out the program for yourself and make your own judgements. I want to keep this short but I’m happy to discuss over pm if any applicants are interviewing in this area and want an honest discussion. I wouldn’t choose to train anywhere else. Best of luck this application season.

Both programs work appreciably harder than most on the West coast.

Stanford does seem to "require" AOA for a look. UCSF's rubric is murkier. I know people with completely average applications who got interviews and superstars who didn't.

My take after interviewing all up and down the West coast would be (unless you want to be a hard-core academic, run your own lab, get a K1, etc.) to look beyond the Bay Area. I found equal/better training elsewhere, both clinically and when quality of life was included. YMMV.

 

[shepardsun]

Honest question- how do you afford to live in these areas, particularly if you have a family and can't do the four-roommates-in-a-single-apartment-for-4k/month thing?

 

[step213]

Honest question- how do you afford to live in these areas, particularly if you have a family and can't do the four-roommates-in-a-single-apartment-for-4k/month thing?

It's not as challenging as people make it out be. You won't be buying a house but you won't be living in poverty either... I can only really talk about Stanford but you can either live at Welch which is sub-stanford housing next to the hospital or find a place within driving distance. The GME office is amazing and will make sure get settled. I'm pretty sure Stanford is the highest paying residency in the country and UCSF isn't too far behind. For example this salary outline can be found online.

At Stanford for this year PGY1 total salary about ~$84,000 (base salary $67,000, Cash bonuses from GME $12,000 - every shift at 12 hours or longer $10 cash into your paycheck, Anesthesia department cash stipend $4,375/yr). Compare this to other programs that are in pretty expensive places as well but people never talk about their cost of living and they make a lot less UCLA (55K), MGH/Brigham (63K) Columbia (71K). I've looked all around the country when I was interviewing for fellowship last year - I can honestly say out of the big cities Stanford is pretty affordable when you take into account your salary. I was honestly looking at other places but without moonlighting I wouldn't be able to make ends meet, where here in the bay area I'm fine.

 

[mmag]

Honest question- how do you afford to live in these areas, particularly if you have a family and can't do the four-roommates-in-a-single-apartment-for-4k/month thing?

Subsidized housing from the university is one option. Otherwise you can apply for low income below market rate housing. Food stamps are also an option if you qualify. I have heard of grad students living in vans or RVs.

In the Bay Area, Households Making $117,000 Are Now Considered Low Income
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