Warning: I'm a newbie. Don't crucify me!
I'm a resident at Cincinnati who interviewed at U Chicago as well. Both programs are older, well established, well respected, and well rounded, with huge alumni networks (in both the academic and community realms) available to tap when the time comes to search for a faculty job. The obvious 3 vs 4-year difference was noted previously. Some say it matters not, but at U Chicago, EM is a division, while here in Cincinnati EM has been an independent department for 20 years and certainly we have no difficulty with intrainstitutional respect from other disciplines. Both programs offer outstanding air medical opportunities; a major plus, in my opinion. At U Chicago, my understanding is that they have more transfers and less scene flights, probably related to metropolitan Chicago having numerous level one trauma centers scattered about the city, often making ground transport a quicker option for trauma (here in Cincinnati we have a relatively high 30-35% scene flights). Chicago offers a very cool international flight opportunity not offered in Cincinnati (or, perhaps, anywhere else). As I recall, U Chicago's home institution is not itself a level one trauma center, so residents there rotate out to supplement their trauma experience. University Hospital in Cincinnati is the only adult level one trauma center in the tristate area, so we don't rotate out for trauma. In fact, trauma is the single aspect of EM in which I feel most confident in my training and abilities (both penetrating and blunt, pediatric and adult).
Both programs see high, relatively equivalent patient volumes, but Chicago sees this volume in a significantly smaller physical plant. Both programs are well known for academic productivity (43 publications last year for Cincinnati, 30 for U Chicago). The research infrastructure here is probably unparalleled, though research is not required of the residents at Cincinnati. Our academic foci are ACS, CHF, stroke, tox, HBO, and observation medicine, while Chicago's are resuscitation, informatics, and domestic violence. I cannot recall the details of the pediatric experience at U Chicago. Here, due to our close relationship with Cincinnati Children's Hospital, pediatrics is definitely one of our biggest strengths.
Am I biased? Probably. Am I happy at Cincinnati? Definitely. Certainly the similarities between these programs are there, but they're also very different. Ultimately, it's all about what feels like the best fit for you.
Thanks,
COS, MD
