UMDNJ at Newark

[rechaim]

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Can anyone tell me something ( good or bad) about this program?

 

[whopper]

I interviewed there & know some things about the program but I can't tell you what its like to be in the program. I'm the chief, but not at Newark, but at a different UMDNJ location.

The area: Newark is not a nice place. Its crime ridden, unsafe, ugly, people are mean, cost of living is high, traffic jams are often, and except for the Iron Bound section of town which hosts some great Portuguese & Brazilian restaurants, I can't think anything else that's good about that city.
Expect to see a lot of IVDA & homeless patients. You can interpret that as good or bad. This type of urban atmosphere is very challenging and can give you good urban clinical experience if you approach it the right way.

If you live only a few miles from campus, it'll take you often times over 1 hr to get home because the traffic is that bad. Add to it that you can't walk home because the streets are too dangerous, even during the daytime.

Some of the close areas are nice such as Montclair & Hoboken. If you end up going to this program, look to live there. The portrayal of Hoboken (and unfortunately Newark) as seen in Harry & Kumar Go to White Castle is accurate (A must see if you go to NJ). If you're single & in your late 20s to early 30s, you'll have a lot of fun in these areas. There's lots of professional singles in the area that work in NYC.

Some good things are the campus on the inside is nice (the outside is a different matter), there are several good restaurants right outside of Newark, NYC is close.

Faculty: (The following is based on what I hear, so take it with a grain of salt). Dr. Bleman (the director) has a good reputation & is known to be knowledgeable, friendly & a good program director. Bill Burke, the program coordinator is also highly regarded & well organized. (Following is a fact). The NJ Psychiatric Association recently gave Bill Burke a very prestigious award, so he's got to be at least decent. There are also several attendings there with good academic reps. Several of the residents showed up to Burke's award ceremony showing to me that he's probably well respected among the residents. A good sign, because your program coordinator is someone that'll make your life much easier if they're good.

The campus's cafeteria is excellent. There's a food court with several private vendors-giving you a good range of selection & price.

That's pretty much all I can tell you from what I do know. It'd be better if someone in the program were to answer. From my limited experience of that program, I'd say it definitely has some good things about it, overall its good, but the city is tough.

 

[rechaim]

thank you!

 

[redapple123]

I interviewed there & know some things about the program but I can't tell you what its like to be in the program. I'm the chief, but not at Newark, but at a different UMDNJ location.

The area: Newark is not a nice place. Its crime ridden, unsafe, ugly, people are mean, cost of living is high, traffic jams are often, and except for the Iron Bound section of town which hosts some great Portuguese & Brazilian restaurants, I can't think anything else that's good about that city.
Expect to see a lot of IVDA & homeless patients. You can interpret that as good or bad. This type of urban atmosphere is very challenging and can give you good urban clinical experience if you approach it the right way.

If you live only a few miles from campus, it'll take you often times over 1 hr to get home because the traffic is that bad. Add to it that you can't walk home because the streets are too dangerous, even during the daytime.

Some of the close areas are nice such as Montclair & Hoboken. If you end up going to this program, look to live there. The portrayal of Hoboken (and unfortunately Newark) as seen in Harry & Kumar Go to White Castle is accurate (A must see if you go to NJ). If you're single & in your late 20s to early 30s, you'll have a lot of fun in these areas. There's lots of professional singles in the area that work in NYC.

Some good things are the campus on the inside is nice (the outside is a different matter), there are several good restaurants right outside of Newark, NYC is close.

Faculty: (The following is based on what I hear, so take it with a grain of salt). Dr. Bleman (the director) has a good reputation & is known to be knowledgeable, friendly & a good program director. Bill Burke, the program coordinator is also highly regarded & well organized. (Following is a fact). The NJ Psychiatric Association recently gave Bill Burke a very prestigious award, so he's got to be at least decent. There are also several attendings there with good academic reps. Several of the residents showed up to Burke's award ceremony showing to me that he's probably well respected among the residents. A good sign, because your program coordinator is someone that'll make your life much easier if they're good.

The campus's cafeteria is excellent. There's a food court with several private vendors-giving you a good range of selection & price.

That's pretty much all I can tell you from what I do know. It'd be better if someone in the program were to answer. From my limited experience of that program, I'd say it definitely has some good things about it, overall its good, but the city is tough.

Isn't caracci the program director ?

 

[whopper]

You might be right. I might be confusing Bleman with Caracci. You're going to have to excuse me on that one. HAven't been to the UMDNJ-Newark campus in years. I saw Bill Burke a few months ago at the NJPA awards ceremony, accompanied by several of his residents.

 

[mgdsh]

You both are right... sort of...

Dr. Bleman was the PD there until last summer when he left for another position.