Tufts vs. UMass vs. Southshore

[snowkhat]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Just wondering if anyone had any opinions. I liked Tufts the best, but thought UMass had the best education. Harvard Southshore has the best pay and potential to get Ivy fellowship.

 

[atsai3]

Just wondering if anyone had any opinions. I liked Tufts the best, but thought UMass had the best education. Harvard Southshore has the best pay and potential to get Ivy fellowship.

Just curious, what data suggest that Harvard South Shore has the best "potential to get [sic] Ivy fellowship" (ie, compared to Tufts & UMass)?

-AT.

 

[snowkhat]

Just curious, what data suggest that Harvard South Shore has the best "potential to get Ivy fellowship" (ie, compared to Tufts & UMass)?

-AT.

From my interviews...and the plethora of packets given to me. I'm not saying Tufts or UMass don't get Ivys. I'm just trying to convince myself one way or another. If you have useful information it would be much appreciated.

 

[TexasPhysician]

I don't have any direct knowledge of Southshore, but all of the quality residents I knew that applied there, did not end up ranking it. If they are turning away such quality residents from even ranking it, I'm not sure why they would be better at landing fellowships than other places. I've heard good things about UMASS on the other hand.

 

[zac16125]

I liked Tufts the best

Then go to Tufts. Thats a no brainer. Problem solved.

 

[redbookfan]

I have heard great things about Tufts and UMass. Don't know much about Southshore Harvard. But can you just rank all 3 in order of preference? Or are you trying to eliminate one or two?

 

[Cinnameg]

Just curious, what data suggest that Harvard South Shore has the best "potential to get [sic] Ivy fellowship" (ie, compared to Tufts & UMass)?

-AT.

I've heard the best things about UMass, frankly. I even had one program director recommend it to me (during an interview for her program, which freaked me out at the time) as one of the best programs in the country if you have an interest in neuropsychiatry.

 

[atsai3]

I've heard the best things about UMass, frankly. I even had one program director recommend it to me (during an interview for her program, which freaked me out at the time) as one of the best programs in the country if you have an interest in neuropsychiatry.

This is not uncommon. When I encounter applicants with very specific interests that seem likely to be sustained during residency, I have recommended them away from my program.

A point unrelated to this thread, but one that I feel compelled to reiterate since it comes up so frequently on SDN:

Often, when an interviewer asks "where else are you applying?", there is not a malicious intent behind this question (and it is certainly not "illegal"). Sometimes, the interviewer really does want to get a sense for your interests; or, if she has already asked directly about your interests, sometimes the interviewer wants to get a sense of the range of programs to which you have applied so that she can recommend a specific faculty member at Program X or a specific lab at Program Y.

-AT.

 

[billypilgrim37]

We had a very good applicant whose partner was just offered a good job in the city where I'd gone to medical school. The applicant had applied to our program, but not to the program at my medical school where her partner had been offered a job. My PD actually tracked me down and sent me to go talk to her at lunch about how great the program at my medical school was and how she should totally apply there. We even both offered to send emails to that program explaining that we had just met her, thought she was a great applicant, and that even though her application was coming in late, they should take a look at it ASAP.

It certainly wasn't that we didn't want her (she was great! we would have loved to have her.). But we also wanted her to be happy, and her partner had limited job prospects in a relatively obscure field. I'm not sure how this all turned out, but there are plenty of very nice program directors and interviewers out there who really do want you to find the best place for you, even if they'd love to have you themselves.

 

[Doc Samson]

From my interviews...and the plethora of packets given to me. I'm not saying Tufts or UMass don't get Ivys. I'm just trying to convince myself one way or another. If you have useful information it would be much appreciated.

So Southshore places a greater emphasis on telling you where their residents go after training. Just b/c UMass or Tufts didn't tell you about the fellowships their trainees get, it doesn't mean they're not impressive.

Agree with the other posters - if you liked Tufts best, then that's the choice for you.

 

[Chimed]

This is not uncommon. When I encounter applicants with very specific interests that seem likely to be sustained during residency, I have recommended them away from my program.

A point unrelated to this thread, but one that I feel compelled to reiterate since it comes up so frequently on SDN:

Often, when an interviewer asks "where else are you applying?", there is not a malicious intent behind this question (and it is certainly not "illegal"). Sometimes, the interviewer really does want to get a sense for your interests; or, if she has already asked directly about your interests, sometimes the interviewer wants to get a sense of the range of programs to which you have applied so that she can recommend a specific faculty member at Program X or a specific lab at Program Y.

-AT.

I never had anyone redirect me to another program, but I certainly had PDs and interviewers discuss other programs openly during the interview. An interesting observation was that the more reputable the program, the more likely they would praise other programs. When someone from program A spoke well of program B, it always gave me a better opinion of program A and gave me the impression that program A is a strong enough place that they felt comfortable discussing other places.

To your second point, it is always confusing to me that applicants find it threatening to ask where else they are applying. I certainly never minded be asked. I think it's a great way to bring up contrasts with your own program and find what the applicant is looking for.