Hey all, this might not necessarily be the correct forum to post this question in, but because I'm looking for input specifically in regards to a radiology residency future, I thought this place would get the most hits/replies.
Anyways, I'm trying to create my transitional list ranking but for the most part all of these programs seemed more of less the same to me on interview day... The places I'm considering with a brief description of what I thought are as follows;
*side-note* I would prefer a smaller town vs big city for intern year, don't mind living out in the middle of now where but at the same time wouldn't care one way or the other if there was a biggish city within a 1-2 hours driving distance. My goal for intern year is to just get through it and have as much free time to use as I see fit (whether it be learning medicine or something completely irrelevant to medicine). I would also highly like to be able to live within a few minutes drive or walking distance from the program as I hate long commutes...
University of South Dakota;
For whatever reason, this place seemed like it had the easiest schedule of anywhere I interviewed at. Free food all day long, lots of electives and I liked the town. Current TY's seemed to like it a lot.
University of North Dakota;
Schedule seemed on the easier side. Fargo does get pretty cold but that is better than it being super hot to me. Only was able to talk about the program with 1 current TY who went to med school there so felt like he might have been biased towards the town/not having to move. PD seemed nice and resident oriented/flexible.
Christiana Care TY;
Staff and PD seemed nice enough, current residents said they didn't work too hard. Almost too close to Philly for me (I don't like philly...) Not sure what else to say about the program itself. Sounded like residents worked a little more than the above two programs.
Oakwood TY (Dearborn);
I'm originally from North West Ohio so familiar with the area. I know in the past its been called jokewood but it didn't come off as especially easy to me. Not difficult by any means though. Cheapish place to live for a year.
Riverside TY, VA;
On an island with big military population if I recall correctly. Commute for 1 month during year to some other hospital was around 30-45 minutes, not terrible if the rest of the year was quick commute. Again, current TYs seemed happy, staff was nice, middle of the road for hours worked is what I gathered.
McNeal TY;
In Chicago, enough said for me (in a bad way, haha). It actually sounded like one of the harder TY's I interviewed at too so unless other people have input I'll be ranking this one pretty low. The PD seemed very intent/proud on making the TYs work fairly hard through out the year based on his presentation.
Broadlawns-TY;
I thought this one would be easier but schedule sounded like one of the more difficult ones. Perks are housing that is literally 2 minute walk which is very appealing. Location is indifferent to me.
Summa Health Akron:
Oh how I wish this were the other now gone Akron TY... PD seemed like he took a lot of pride in his TY residents patient care (translate as working hard). Definitely thought this one would be easier but everything the PD said made me think otherwise so will be ranking this one low as well unless other people have comments. Didn't even get to talk to a current TY because they were busy working. Did get to speak with a few current 1st year IM or FP which from what I gathered have a very similar schedule to the TY's (not a good sign either in my opinion.)
*Special stipulations that probably make me different from most other applicants in order of how important they are to me;
I don't want to get blindsided by a program that makes me work like a dog
I HATE long commutes
I like smaller cities
I like low cost of living (ie hospital has free food, rent is on cheaper side)
I'm rather "outdoorsy"-I don't enjoy one particular outdoor activity more than another however
I don't care about the "social scene" in the slightest and is actually more of a negative than a positive to me
I possibly foresee myself getting a large breed dog in the near future if the conditions are adequate.
Based on gut feeling alone at this point my ranking would be something like;
1. South Dakota
2. North Dakota
3/4/ in no particular order; Oakwood, Riverside
5/6 no order; Christiana Care, Broadlawns
7/8 no order: Mcneal, Summa Akron
Ok, long post but with all that in mind, how would you guys rank these programs with the above taken into consideration. Since all the current rad applicants are going through the same process, I'd love any feedback/feelings you had on any of these programs if you interviewed there and then also feedback from anyone here who is currently at or was recently at (1-3 years prior) any of these programs.
Anyways, I'm trying to create my transitional list ranking but for the most part all of these programs seemed more of less the same to me on interview day... The places I'm considering with a brief description of what I thought are as follows;
*side-note* I would prefer a smaller town vs big city for intern year, don't mind living out in the middle of now where but at the same time wouldn't care one way or the other if there was a biggish city within a 1-2 hours driving distance. My goal for intern year is to just get through it and have as much free time to use as I see fit (whether it be learning medicine or something completely irrelevant to medicine). I would also highly like to be able to live within a few minutes drive or walking distance from the program as I hate long commutes...
University of South Dakota;
For whatever reason, this place seemed like it had the easiest schedule of anywhere I interviewed at. Free food all day long, lots of electives and I liked the town. Current TY's seemed to like it a lot.
University of North Dakota;
Schedule seemed on the easier side. Fargo does get pretty cold but that is better than it being super hot to me. Only was able to talk about the program with 1 current TY who went to med school there so felt like he might have been biased towards the town/not having to move. PD seemed nice and resident oriented/flexible.
Christiana Care TY;
Staff and PD seemed nice enough, current residents said they didn't work too hard. Almost too close to Philly for me (I don't like philly...) Not sure what else to say about the program itself. Sounded like residents worked a little more than the above two programs.
Oakwood TY (Dearborn);
I'm originally from North West Ohio so familiar with the area. I know in the past its been called jokewood but it didn't come off as especially easy to me. Not difficult by any means though. Cheapish place to live for a year.
Riverside TY, VA;
On an island with big military population if I recall correctly. Commute for 1 month during year to some other hospital was around 30-45 minutes, not terrible if the rest of the year was quick commute. Again, current TYs seemed happy, staff was nice, middle of the road for hours worked is what I gathered.
McNeal TY;
In Chicago, enough said for me (in a bad way, haha). It actually sounded like one of the harder TY's I interviewed at too so unless other people have input I'll be ranking this one pretty low. The PD seemed very intent/proud on making the TYs work fairly hard through out the year based on his presentation.
Broadlawns-TY;
I thought this one would be easier but schedule sounded like one of the more difficult ones. Perks are housing that is literally 2 minute walk which is very appealing. Location is indifferent to me.
Summa Health Akron:
Oh how I wish this were the other now gone Akron TY... PD seemed like he took a lot of pride in his TY residents patient care (translate as working hard). Definitely thought this one would be easier but everything the PD said made me think otherwise so will be ranking this one low as well unless other people have comments. Didn't even get to talk to a current TY because they were busy working. Did get to speak with a few current 1st year IM or FP which from what I gathered have a very similar schedule to the TY's (not a good sign either in my opinion.)
*Special stipulations that probably make me different from most other applicants in order of how important they are to me;
I don't want to get blindsided by a program that makes me work like a dog
I HATE long commutes
I like smaller cities
I like low cost of living (ie hospital has free food, rent is on cheaper side)
I'm rather "outdoorsy"-I don't enjoy one particular outdoor activity more than another however
I don't care about the "social scene" in the slightest and is actually more of a negative than a positive to me
I possibly foresee myself getting a large breed dog in the near future if the conditions are adequate.
Based on gut feeling alone at this point my ranking would be something like;
1. South Dakota
2. North Dakota
3/4/ in no particular order; Oakwood, Riverside
5/6 no order; Christiana Care, Broadlawns
7/8 no order: Mcneal, Summa Akron
Ok, long post but with all that in mind, how would you guys rank these programs with the above taken into consideration. Since all the current rad applicants are going through the same process, I'd love any feedback/feelings you had on any of these programs if you interviewed there and then also feedback from anyone here who is currently at or was recently at (1-3 years prior) any of these programs.
