University of Rochester

[gpugems1]

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Hello everybody. I am making a decision about what order to put the University of Rochester on my rank list. I am interested in getting a good training in psychotherapy and am wondering if anybody has any information on how much focus the program puts on psychotherapy? Also on an overall picture, how well the program is run/didactics?

Thanks

 

[whopper]

I don't know much about the program, but I can tell you this.

If you go there, you better get used to the cold, dark days (months of having to keep the lights on during the day)--large amounts of seasonal affective disorder, and lots of snow.

I didn't live in Rochester, but I lived right by it for 2 years.

 

[gpugems1]

Yeah I know what it's like. I have lived in Rochester for about 23 years. Not sure if its really as bad as every makes it out to be. I am more concerned with how the program in psychiatry is. 🙂

 

[MysticHealer]

Just interviewed there. I reallyy liked it. There is a strong feel of biopsychosocial as it was coined there. There seems to be some, as acgme required psychotherapy supervison 3rd year. I forget but I think you might start to carry a long term psychotherapy patient 2nd year.
There seems to be a great deal acessable research and fellowships. They have one of the few child fellowships upstate. I was looking for some psychotherapy there as well but its there but not as far in the forefront or emphasized.

 

[geripsyched]

I have some connections to Rochester’s psychiatry department (less so the residency program), and would like to add a few comments!

You may guess by the name, but I am probably one of three medical students in the US interested in geriatric psychiatry. Some of the geriatric psychiatrists at U of R are fantastic people such as Jeff Lyness (AAGP President) and Yeates Conwell. Since most psychiatrists tend to concentrate in the big cities, the department is very serious about developing young faculty (good record of K awardees). I’ve also heard that the department chair has a “jerk” test. This simply means he tries not to hire jerks. Nice philosophy, although it might be difficult in practice due to some of the personality types attracted to the medical profession ; ).

U of R is great if you have a family because the public school systems are very good – nice homes in the best school districts are easy to find at ~$200,000. (beware property taxes - there is a price for such good schools and great parks) Commuting is easy and convenient; after spending some time in CA, the commute in Rochester is almost laughable. If public schools aren’t a consideration, it is easy to find homes within walking distance of the medical center. People in Rochester are pretty down-to-earth, probably similar to many of the rust-belt cities, which could help provide a good child-raising environment.

While I don’t think U of R can compete with the big name programs on many levels (e.g., won’t have an expert in every psychopathology, low prestige, etc.), for applicants looking for a good fit and a place that values collaboration, invests in developing their own, and is fantastic for families, Rochester may be a great choice.

I felt obligated to write this response because so much of the discussion/knowledge about Rochester is focused on its crummy climate. While winters in Upstate NY could be improved, it is debatable whether a few more clouds and snow are preferable to the biting, nostril-hair freezing cold that often occurs in the upper Midwest (MN, IA, WI; BTW I love these states).

 

[DrRazberrySwirl]

i grew up in rochester. good winter boots, a good winter jacket, and the appropriate accessories, and you're good to go. i interviewed there for residency but decided to get away from my family for a little while. i dont remember specifics about the psychotherapy training though. just wanted to stand up for my hometown 🙂

 

[peppy]

My impression is that the Rochester program has more of a biological focus than Syracuse, but it's true that you do carry at least two long-term psychoanalysis patients from year 2 onward. U of R also has a family therapy program that has a post-doctoral certificate option for docs who want extra training in family therapy.
I definitely got the impression that it would be a fantastic place to train if you are interested in geriatric psych. It seems to offer more early forensic psych exposure than a lot of other places do too. I think the knee jerk association between upstate NY and miserable winter weather this thread demonstrates 🙂 is the only reason that more applicants don't consider U of R.

 

[TexasPhysician]

My impression is that the Rochester program has more of a biological focus than Syracuse, but it's true that you do carry at least two long-term psychoanalysis patients from year 2 onward. U of R also has a family therapy program that has a post-doctoral certificate option for docs who want extra training in family therapy.
I definitely got the impression that it would be a fantastic place to train if you are interested in geriatric psych. It seems to offer more early forensic psych exposure than a lot of other places do too. I think the knee jerk association between upstate NY and miserable winter weather this thread demonstrates 🙂 is the only reason that more applicants don't consider U of R.

haha only 1 day after ROL had to be certified. Hope this wasn't the info the OP needed.

 

[peppy]

I guess I figure that posts on this site are not just for the OP but also for later people who might search on the topic. I hope to get around to posting my interview impressions of other places by the time people are applying next year. 🙂

 

[myPsychAlt]

I guess I figure that posts on this site are not just for the OP but also for later people who might search on the topic. I hope to get around to posting my interview impressions of other places by the time people are applying next year. 🙂

well in that case I figured I'd give this thread a bump. I'm going to rank them, the only question is "how high?" Right now I have them at about 5 or so but I could go for a whim and have UR crack the top 3 or 4 mainly for the level of comfort I felt for the program. I have quite a few friends in Rochester who love living there (yet hate the cities of buffalo and syracuse...go figure). The program had really nice facilities that I really took for granted until I went on later interviews. The small size is a downsize but I felt like I'd come out really well trained if I went there. I do agree that they probably have some issues recruiting people. The residents there all seemed to have great pedigrees, but it felt like they give out interviews to the first 100 or so people who apply (they offered an invite within about 23 hours of submitting my AMCAS). I've lived in the midwest long enough to deal with the winters. Any other thoughts from anyone?