UNC vs Duke

[Duckie24]

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No.....not in basketball........ 😉

I really liked both programs a lot and am having a tough time figuring out which to put in front. Any insightful thoughts about either of these programs?

 

[deadwood]

I did the circuit through North Carolina earlier in the season and loved my visit to UNC. UNC clearly took the interview process as opportunity to recruit. They were very flattering to me throughout my visit. When I left UNC they were my number one choice. Subsequently I have spoken with as many senior attendings as I can and haven't heard strong things about UNC. I have been told the program is not well rounded. They told me if I wanted to do general practice anesthesia I'd probably be OK but certainly not the strongest member of my practice.

With that being said, I hated Duke. There was no question about the quailty of training at Duke. It's Duke after all. But, it was not a good fit for me. I just wasn't the hugest fan of some of personalities I meet during my visit.

Anyways, I was UNC had a stronger program because they'd be number one on my list and could stop killing myself with this pending decision.

 

[SexPanther]

I did the circuit through North Carolina earlier in the season and loved my visit to UNC. UNC clearly took the interview process as opportunity to recruit. They were very flattering to me throughout my visit. When I left UNC they were my number one choice. Subsequently I have spoken with as many senior attendings as I can and haven't heard strong things about UNC. I have been told the program is not well rounded. They told me if I wanted to do general practice anesthesia I'd probably be OK but certainly not the strongest member of my practice.

With that being said, I hated Duke. There was no question about the quailty of training at Duke. It's Duke after all. But, it was not a good fit for me. I just wasn't the hugest fan of some of personalities I meet during my visit.

Anyways, I was UNC had a stronger program because they'd be number one on my list and could stop killing myself with this pending decision.

I loved UNC also; I've talked to many on the trail who say it is going to be in their top 1-2. I haven't heard that its not well rounded, but maybe I'm not talking to the right people. I left thinking that the curriculum was very solid (esp. if you want a lot of CCM) and their residents are exposed to a lot of cases with a fairly challenging population.

Would love to hear others thoughts.

 

[nutmegs]

I did the circuit through North Carolina earlier in the season and loved my visit to UNC. UNC clearly took the interview process as opportunity to recruit. They were very flattering to me throughout my visit. When I left UNC they were my number one choice. Subsequently I have spoken with as many senior attendings as I can and haven't heard strong things about UNC. I have been told the program is not well rounded. They told me if I wanted to do general practice anesthesia I'd probably be OK but certainly not the strongest member of my practice.

With that being said, I hated Duke. There was no question about the quailty of training at Duke. It's Duke after all. But, it was not a good fit for me. I just wasn't the hugest fan of some of personalities I meet during my visit.

Anyways, I was UNC had a stronger program because they'd be number one on my list and could stop killing myself with this pending decision.

I felt much the same way after visiting both. UNC, Hopkins, Vanderbilt, and Penn State are in my top 4 and honestly I think I will be ranking UNC first- I felt like I fit in there, period.

I don't know so much about the rep of the program, but they seem strong enough in peds and CCM (I plan on doing a peds fellowship and their grads have certainly done well enough for me). It's a hard follow-your-gut decision but I think I am the kind of person who is able to go out and make things my own and it seems like there will be plenty of opportunity there for me without needing a name to carry me. I think. 😉

 

[Coastie]

UNC, by all accounts.

 

[badgas]

I did the circuit through North Carolina earlier in the season and loved my visit to UNC. UNC clearly took the interview process as opportunity to recruit. They were very flattering to me throughout my visit. When I left UNC they were my number one choice. Subsequently I have spoken with as many senior attendings as I can and haven't heard strong things about UNC. I have been told the program is not well rounded. They told me if I wanted to do general practice anesthesia I'd probably be OK but certainly not the strongest member of my practice.

With that being said, I hated Duke. There was no question about the quailty of training at Duke. It's Duke after all. But, it was not a good fit for me. I just wasn't the hugest fan of some of personalities I meet during my visit.

Anyways, I was UNC had a stronger program because they'd be number one on my list and could stop killing myself with this pending decision.

I have worked directly with at least 8 attendings from UNC. The only thing that I picked up that sucked about UNC was... they never stopped talking about how awesome UNC was and telling stories of the good ole days in residency. Keep in mind that some of them were only a couple years out of residency. Every one of those attendings were rock solid and I have no doubt were the best in the group. In the North Carolina region, UNC is known to be one of the most well rounded programs with happy residents. No, it doesn't have the Duke name, but if you need that then go to Duke. Chapel Hill is a great town if you're not looking for NYC type places. I'm glad that I am planning on training in the midwest, because I'd hate to have to compete with all of you for UNC. Good luck to those that have figured out how good that program is... I have no doubt that you'll be happy there. Just do me a favor and keep the UNC stories to a minimum when working with your future med students.

 

[WalterSobchak]

I am in a fellowship at Duke, and have zero exposure to UNC. I can say that the residents at Duke are extremely well trained. The downside to this program is that you pay for it in terms of time. It is definitely not the easiest way to spend 3-4 years, but I cannot point to a weakness of the program. Just my $0.02.

Sometimes the competition between Duke and UNC reminds me of the Apple commercials for the Mac. UNC would be the young guy who always looks cool, while Duke is the stuffy accountant type who is actually the 500 pound gorilla. UNC seems to be the fashionable choice, but you just have to decide for yourself.

 

[rufio173]

In the same boat... (these are my impressions of the two programs)

Duke: The "name", topnotch CT program, topnotch Regional experience (one of the best in nation), ok gyn, sufficient peds, not the most laid back place for anesthesia, but residents seem to be fairly happy, everything at Duke is very sub-specialized

UNC: Great atmosphere, well-rounded program (regional is getting better), great Peds exposure, great general anesthesia exposure, felt really good on my visits to this program.

Still hard to decide, especially if you want to go into academics.

 

[mille125]

duke is a top notch program...if you someday leave north carolina and interview in the midwest or west coast, your duke training will be held in much higher regard than unc...however after you get past the interview, it is a wash........whether you want to admit it or not, there is something to be said for perception........

 

[mrdarcy]

i am currently an intern at duke and it seems like just yesterday that i was having to make the same gut-wrenching decisions as you guys. just thought i'd add my perspective--

duke is a phenomenal place to train. don't be put off by the formal nature of the interview or the occasional "stuffy" faculty. the people that matter are your fellow residents, and i can honestly say that the people at duke are great. our residents are happy, intelligent, well-rounded, and we have alot of fun together. everyone loves the night call system where you NEVER take 24hr call (except ICU months) and work only 2 weekends of the year--i have yet to hear anyone complain about work hours. the training and resources available to you at duke are second to none, and i can't wait to get started next year.

last year, i was deciding between many of the "top" programs around the country, and in the end duke was the best choice for me and i don't regret my decision at all. PM me if you have other ?s.

good luck!

 

[Gern Blansten]

and work only 2 weekends of the year--

Two weekends a year? Where do I sign up? I'm sure you meant month...right??🙂

 

[sarah22]

Anyone from UNC have anything to say???? Hours, call schedule, atmosphere? It seemed like a great place...
😕

 

[Mman]

Two weekends a year? Where do I sign up? I'm sure you meant month...right??🙂

No, per year.

 

[Intubate]

Just a couple of comments...
I finished at UNC last year and am in private practice. I feel like the program is incredibly well rounded. You'll be ready for anything when you leave. Its greatest strength is its people-- the residents and faculty. I almost feel guilty (almost) when I hear people talk about their residency because mine was so benign (I didn't go to Duke, but I interviewed there and have spoken to many residents-- by comparison, UNC is a "lifestyle residency"). Someone else said this, and I agree, "its ultimately a gut decision." Pick the place that seems right, where you like the people, and go there.