UCLA - from an actual resident

[arrhythmia7]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey -

I'd like to post regarding the UCLA IM residency program since there seems to be alot of misinformation circulating, mostly by people who aren't actually here. I'm currently a resident at UCLA, and all I have to say is that its been fantastic so far. I came here from a top 10 school outside of California, and I was really impressed with the program during my interview. I heard the same rumors about its supposed malignant past, but I still really wanted to be in SoCal, and in my opinion, it was the best program in the region. To cover some specifics:
1. The hospital is awesome. The new one opening in 2007 is going to be state-of-the-art, although the current hospital is like a Ramada compared to where I went to med. school.
2. The nursing/ancillary staff is very competent. When I get paged on call, it is usually because there is a serious problem, not a BS page. The nurses here, especially in the unit, are all very good.
3. All of my co-residents are outstanding. A fair number are from UCLA, like any program, and all of the other residents are from top schools around the country. My class is Columbia, Cornell, Penn, UCSF, Chicago, Northwestern, Duke, to name a few.
4. Everybody is friendly and laid back here, from the attending level down. There is no hierarchical "old school" atmosphere like some East Coast programs. People are very approachable, and like to teach.
5. Fellowship placement is outstanding. We matched 9/9 in Cards this year.
6. You are given two months of Elective time during your INTERN year.
7. There are great research opportunities during 2nd and 3rd year. You can elect up to 4 months of research time, although most don't take that much.
8. You do work hard at this program - but you will find that at any top academic center (UCSF has 10 months of q4 wards first year). We are now q6 on the wards, q4/q5 in MICU/CCU respectively. The patients are definitely tough, and often have a multitude of problems on admission. The bonus is that you actually finish up your training as a competent physician. Also, your wards months are filled with interesting, acute admissions, instead of BS ER admits/dumps from other services.
9. Living in Westwood/LA/Southern California. Your days off are really nice!

There is a ton more that I'd like to say. I'm not sure why this program has such a malignant reputation. I've heard rumors that the previous program director was part of the problem, although the new director is fantastic. Everybody here advocates for the residents, and you are given autonomy in the hospital early on. Although there are easier ways to get through residency, if you are serious about going training in a top academic environment, and want to live in California, you should seriously consider this program.

 

[ucla2usc]

finally, some good news about a place I hope to rank 1st. I can confirm the 9/9 cards placements because I had emailed the PD about it earlier. I hope all of what you say is true, because I really don't want to leave LA.

Why do you think some of the hype came about? What can you say about the autonomy of the program in pt. management? How would you describe the overall culture of the place? Assuming you interviewed at other good programs in Cali...How do you think UCLA compares with other programs like Cedars, Harbor, UCSD, SF, and Stanford?

thanks

 

[ucla2usc]

Do you know much about the STAR program...is it possible to stay their for cards without applying to the STAR program? (on their website it seems all the UCLA grads staying there for cards were also in STAR)

BTW, among all those residents in your class from top 10 schools are 4 people who graduated USC last year, I just looked at our match list, and only 2 of them were AOA...but I think our graduates tend to match well in IM everywhere. so that doensn't really speak for or against UCLA's status as a top program...only that a middle tier place like USC can send graduates to play with big boys just the same.

 

[lloyddobbler]

Do you know much about the STAR program...is it possible to stay their for cards without applying to the STAR program? (on their website it seems all the UCLA grads staying there for cards were also in STAR)

BTW, among all those residents in your class from top 10 schools are 4 people who graduated USC last year, I just looked at our match list, and only 2 of them were AOA...but I think our graduates tend to match well in IM everywhere. so that doensn't really speak for or against UCLA's status as a top program...only that a middle tier place like USC can send graduates to play with big boys just the same.

First off, there are only 3 people from USC, and AOA or not, they are all solid residents any program would be fortunate to have.

I am a new categorical intern at UCLA and I have been simply amazed by the program. The administration is hugely pro-house staff. The teaching is continuous and superior quality. The house staff itself is bright, energetic, and everyone seems to be feel lucky to be part of such an amazing place. You get exposure to the VA (but not too much) and two public hospitals. We all work hard, but that's because we all love medicine. The patient population is probably as diverse as you will find anywhere. Not uncommon to round on your illegal immigrant, then jump to your rich retiree, then wrap up with your new mother with a prolactinoma. UCLA is the place to get treated if you are sick anywhere in the area. So Cal is great. And the nurses are hot.

 

[makesomerheum]

How do you afford housing?

 

[irlandesa]

I don't remember anyone saying anything that negative about UCLA on this board; after all, how bad can living in Southern Cal be? Maybe I've just been too busy on wards, glad that month is over now. I don't think there has ever been ANY doubt about UCLA's reputation in IM or any program, the competition to get in there must be fierce. My parents are not medical doctors, but have 4 degrees between them from UCLA, I would have loved to have been a Bruin had we not moved to the East Coast when I was a tot.. oh well🙁

 

[ucla2usc]

First off, there are only 3 people from USC, and AOA or not, they are all solid residents any program would be fortunate to have.

I am a new categorical intern at UCLA and I have been simply amazed by the program. The administration is hugely pro-house staff. The teaching is continuous and superior quality. The house staff itself is bright, energetic, and everyone seems to be feel lucky to be part of such an amazing place. You get exposure to the VA (but not too much) and two public hospitals. We all work hard, but that's because we all love medicine. The patient population is probably as diverse as you will find anywhere. Not uncommon to round on your illegal immigrant, then jump to your rich retiree, then wrap up with your new mother with a prolactinoma. UCLA is the place to get treated if you are sick anywhere in the area. So Cal is great. And the nurses are hot.

I'm glad the peeps from 'SC are solid, doesn't surprise me, we train at the craziest of places (The County Hospital). Anyhow the more good news I here about the westside the better I feel. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, UCLA gets dogged on a lot by people at 'SC. I know most of it is probably superficial cross town b.s. But, it is still hard to want to go somewhere when a faculty member tells you the cush private hospital at UCLA provides inferior training to the County...then the residents say it's a malignant (but they are pulling q4 during their R3 year, now that's freakin malignant!) Long story short, I hope to be your intern next year.

 

[Star12]

Does UCLA take any FMGs/Caribbean grads?

 

[arrhythmia7]

Hey-

Sorry about the delay in response to the above posts. As far as patient management, residents are given alot of autonomy at UCLA. It isn't "out of control", and you always have superiors to help you out on call, admitting, etc., but it isn't like the services are run by private attendings (Cedars) either. In my opinion, it is the best program in So Cal, although there are other good ones as well. I interviewed at Harbor, Cedars, UCSD, UCSF, and Stanford. UCSF is very good, and very hard. Stanford has a great name, but mixed feelings on the training. It is cush, and you make bank. Harbor produces rock solid graduates who can handle anything, but it is a county setting, and some of the research opportunities are lacking. UCSD is good, it is a little smaller than UCLA, and fellowships there are exclusively PSTP from what I could tell. Not many cards matches within CA outside of UCSD.
There are currently no FMG/Carribean grads, or DOs at UCLA, but I don't think that should prevent you from applying/rotating there this year. If you're comptetent, and serious about coming, you shouldn't let where you come from affect your future.

 

[bulldog]

so what are the average stats of the incoming residents to ucla IM? i.e. what was the average step i, class rank, etc? thanks

 

[P Diddy]

it's interesting to read an unfounded generalization in a thread that takes offence at such generalizations as they apply to UCLA.

to supply some perspective, I trained at Stanford and wouldn't call it 'cush' at all. neither did I make bank until I moonlighted. however, when I interviewed at UCLA for fellowship a fellow familiar with both residency programs stated that one of the drawbacks of the UCLA program was the relatively weak medicine residents as compared to Stanford.

so there's some more anecdotal evidence to balance this thread somewhat. for the curious, I applied to UCLA for residency but cancelled my interview once I received other interviews. the fellowship programs are pretty good though, especially with the advent of STAR.

 

[arrhythmia7]

Sorry if you thought I was hating on Stanford. You guys do make about 9k a year more than the rest of the Cali programs, so that is bank as a resident. And your hospital and ancillary staff are very cushy - I rotated there, and I have three friends who are residents there now. The chief resident at my med school last year transferred in from Stanford after internship and passed that info onto me as well. Maybe it was just his perspective... Regardless, sorry about the generalization.

 

[makesomerheum]

What does PSTP mean? Where do UCLA residents live? Is their discounted housing since the salary is 9k less than Stanford?

 

[P Diddy]

Sorry if you thought I was hating on Stanford. You guys do make about 9k a year more than the rest of the Cali programs, so that is bank as a resident. And your hospital and ancillary staff are very cushy - I rotated there, and I have three friends who are residents there now. The chief resident at my med school last year transferred in from Stanford after internship and passed that info onto me as well. Maybe it was just his perspective... Regardless, sorry about the generalization.

I was taking issue with the implication that the training at Stanford is less than rigorous, which I thought laughable coming from someone at UCLA.

I agree with your other points. We forget at Stanford that others are paid less because we get paid less than the unionized residents at Santa Clara Valley, the county hospital we rotate through, who also get paid for working holidays. UC does get paid a lot less - a friend of mine at Stanford who short-tracked into UC took a pay cut as a fellow despite jumping 2 years in PGY status.

The hospital is 'cush' if by cush you mean not having to perform blood draws or transport patients. there is a harpist that occassionally performs on patient floors, but I feel this is a drawback (you would too if you heard the harpist).

Finally I agree that UCLA is the best program in Southern California for those wishing to pursue academic medicine or subspecialty training.

P Diddy out

 

[lloyddobbler]

I was taking issue with the implication that the training at Stanford is less than rigorous, which I thought laughable coming from someone at UCLA.

I agree with your other points. We forget at Stanford that others are paid less because we get paid less than the unionized residents at Santa Clara Valley, the county hospital we rotate through, who also get paid for working holidays. UC does get paid a lot less - a friend of mine at Stanford who short-tracked into UC took a pay cut as a fellow despite jumping 2 years in PGY status.

The hospital is 'cush' if by cush you mean not having to perform blood draws or transport patients. there is a harpist that occassionally performs on patient floors, but I feel this is a drawback (you would too if you heard the harpist).

Finally I agree that UCLA is the best program in Southern California for those wishing to pursue academic medicine or subspecialty training.

P Diddy out

everyone knows stanford is overrated. 3 months of va each year? sounds petrifying. the pt population is about as diverse as paolo alto's dress code. the rodin garden is nice, though. i took the interview to actually find about stanford, a program i was considering then ranked 6th.

clearly you know absolutely nothing about the ucla program if you think the STAR program is the strength of the residency.

ps sweet user id

 

[Apollyon]

There are currently no FMG/Carribean grads, or DOs at UCLA, but I don't think that should prevent you from applying/rotating there this year. If you're comptetent, and serious about coming, you shouldn't let where you come from affect your future.

One of my classmates from the Caribbean (who transferred to a US school) is one of the chief residents now.

 

[imim03]

it's interesting to read an unfounded generalization in a thread that takes offence at such generalizations as they apply to UCLA.

to supply some perspective, I trained at Stanford and wouldn't call it 'cush' at all. neither did I make bank until I moonlighted. however, when I interviewed at UCLA for fellowship a fellow familiar with both residency programs stated that one of the drawbacks of the UCLA program was the relatively weak medicine residents as compared to Stanford.

so there's some more anecdotal evidence to balance this thread somewhat. for the curious, I applied to UCLA for residency but cancelled my interview once I received other interviews. the fellowship programs are pretty good though, especially with the advent of STAR.

it's puzzling why so many people unfairly bag on stanford for being too "cush." my friends there seem to work hard, even if they don't happen to train in a county environment.

i agree that UCLA is the most academic program in the LA area, especially if you are interested in competitive fellowships. however, the STAR program does not contribute to this and seems to be very unpopular among the residents. still, i've heard there are those within the program who don't seem to be very happy (i know, i know, more anecdotes).

 

[P Diddy]

everyone knows stanford is overrated. 3 months of va each year? sounds petrifying. the pt population is about as diverse as paolo alto's dress code. the rodin garden is nice, though. i took the interview to actually find about stanford, a program i was considering then ranked 6th.

clearly you know absolutely nothing about the ucla program if you think the STAR program is the strength of the residency.

ps sweet user id

obviously you didn't learn much from your interview. who spends 3 months at the VA each year? also, if you're 'petrified' by the VA system, maybe medicine isn't the right choice for you.

the STAR program isn't an asset of the UCLA residency program, but it's a great program for fellowship training in academic medicine. read my posts more carefully.

 

[swamprider]

obviously you didn't learn much from your interview. who spends 3 months at the VA each year? also, if you're 'petrified' by the VA system, maybe medicine isn't the right choice for you.

the STAR program isn't an asset of the UCLA residency program, but it's a great program for fellowship training in academic medicine. read my posts more carefully.

I wanted to bump this thread and ask about UCLA's exposure to county hospital system. For someone who's interested in ID, County system seems to be the ideal environment to get full exposure to the breadth of pathology (at least from my experience at my school). Since USC and Harbor are the major county hospitals in LA area, I just wanted to see if folks at UCLA feel like they get solid clinical exposure to all the crazy ID cases someone would get at a place like Harbor, or Emory, etc.

 

[gutonc]

11 years. Strong work bro. Not the best I've seen, but still solid.

 

[P Diddy]

11 years. Strong work bro. Not the best I've seen, but still solid.

What. I'm still here. Did someone say Stanford was cush?

p diddy

 

[Psai]

What. I'm still here. Did someone say Stanford was cush?

p diddy

damn lol

 

[la2la2im]

What. I'm still here. Did someone say Stanford was cush?

p diddy

I love this bump.

 

[qwerty89]

3. All of my co-residents are outstanding. A fair number are from UCLA, like any program, and all of the other residents are from top schools around the country. My class is Columbia, Cornell, Penn, UCSF, Chicago, Northwestern, Duke, to name a few.
4. Everybody is friendly and laid back here, from the attending level down. There is no hierarchical "old school" atmosphere like some East Coast programs. People are very approachable, and like to teach.

Ironic that OP says program is not hierarchical yet immediately quotes all the top schools fellow residents come from.

 

[sixtyminutes]

This is for a friend (I'm a pgy-1 in different area of country). His top 2 are UCLA and UCSD. He likes UCSD better but UCLA is reportedly a bigger name. Is their a big difference in quality between the two, and how are the programs viewed by fellowship directors regionally and nationally?