Vandy Peds

[fourthyearmed]

Heard the other day that Vanderbilt Peds has gotten kinda snobby since building the new hospital and now only wants people who are AOA with Step 1 score > 220 to apply since that's what last year's class was like. Anyone know if there is any truth to this?

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[kas23]

Seems kind of funny to me, I mean concept wise. Doesn't every pediatric program always try to get the best applicants they can get, with some programs being more successful than others in doing so? So, Vandy will try to do that, like every other program in the country. The question is, how do they start deciding that THEY want to get better applicants, when it is WE who get preference on our rank lists? It takes two to tango.

 

[fourthyearmed]

I agree. Sounds like they could be setting themselves up to not fill all their spots if this rumor is true. I guess we'll just see if we get interview invites or not.

 

[tkrohn]

As an undergrad at Vandy I spent a lot of time shadowing and interacting with the medical school and hospitals. I must say that Vanderbilt's medical institutions are very arrogant and very old-school when it comes to things like this. When selecting the "best" residents possible some schools go purely by numbers (AOA and boards) and some go for the full package (what kind of a doctor is the person). Vanderbilt is definitely a numbers kind of place so those are the kinds of people you will find there. I know it's sad, but true.

 

[mosche]

Hey all, let me preface this by emphasizing that I am at UT Knoxville and seriously considering Pathology. However, I saw the "Vandy" reference' and decided to be nosey!

I was accepted to Vanderbilt Medical School; however, I decided not to attend for, basically, the same reason that is being discussed here. During my interview, the interviewer was so cold that I got chills -- that is until he noticed that I had done quite well on the MCAT, suddenly there was a heat wave 😎 ! I was floored. I mean, yeah I did okay; but, I feel sorry for the poor sap who accepts a position there and performs only "average". Talk about being "yesterday's news".

Many students on these forums, from what I've seen, are VERY high achievers and would perform quite well in any environment. Many others, myself included, enjoy flying just below the radar and would, likely, implode under the pressure! So if you accept an offer there, know yourself and your expectations.

My final point: Vandy is definately one of the finest institutions in the nation/world. Any student who accepts an offer to practice/learn there,
will be extremly well prepared for life after residency. Further, Vandy offers many opportunities (both in academics and private practice) that will not be afforded to other graduates of other equally outstanding southern schools!

I know this is a somewhat tangential answer, but I hope it helps!

Good luck!

 

[kas23]

Last year, I spoke with a then first year medical student. He told me that his sister, who was a 4th year at a mid-west private school, was currently applying for her pediatrics residency and was currently finishing up her interviews. He said that she said that Vandy was "amazing" and that the new hospital "blows CHOP out of the water." (Hey, don't kill the messenger, I have first-hand knowledge of CHOP and that indeed is a very bold statement). He went on to tell me that Vandy was her top choice and they really blew a lot of wind into her sails saying that they were going to guarantee to fast-track her through her peds residency and place her right into a fellowship there. We didn't talk long, but apparently she was very impressed. He did not know her Step 1 score at the time. And so it goes, she is an intern there now.

That is all I know about Vandy. I wish a resident there could fill us in because they really seem like a dark horse. They are nowhere to be found on any ranking list (for whatever that is worth), but we keep on hearing good things about them (and not so good things).

 

[Fabio]

The only knowledge I have of Vandy is this:

Yes, their new hospital is supposed to be amazing. When I was interviewing, I was told to come with a pair of workboots (??) to tour the new hospital (it wasn't quite finished yet.) I ended up canceling the interview because I ran out of steam at the end and really didn't want to live in Nashville (what can I say, I hate country music!) The office staff was very kind and courteous to me during the whole interview scheduling process (yeah, I know that's pretty typical, but there WERE places that weren't so friendly.) One thing, though - unless the hospital is complete crap or in the ghetto, all the bells and whistles don't help you much as a resident. It makes things nice, but ultimately the experience is still pretty typical across the board.

I know 1 resident in my current program who was from Vandy med - and didn't stay there only because of family reasons. I know one med school classmate who stayed at Vandy because her husband is there, and she couldn't say enough good things about it.

Another med school classmate loved it and ranked it first and didn't match there. However, that classmate ended up at a place closer to home that is much "higher ranked." Not sure how that happened considering Vandy isn't even ranked.

I think it's definitely a well-kept secret. I can't say anything about the snobbery, but if the rumors are true, that's NOT what I would want in a residency program. I am currently in a very supportive program, and the difference is amazing! I wouldn't have it any other way. I can't imagine Vandy being any different than Boston Children's/Harvard, CHOP/UPenn, Hopkins, Duke, Northwestern . . .

Good luck.

 

[jdog]

The only knowledge I have of Vandy is this:

Yes, their new hospital is supposed to be amazing. When I was interviewing, I was told to come with a pair of workboots (??) to tour the new hospital (it wasn't quite finished yet.) I ended up canceling the interview because I ran out of steam at the end and really didn't want to live in Nashville (what can I say, I hate country music!) The office staff was very kind and courteous to me during the whole interview scheduling process (yeah, I know that's pretty typical, but there WERE places that weren't so friendly.) One thing, though - unless the hospital is complete crap or in the ghetto, all the bells and whistles don't help you much as a resident. It makes things nice, but ultimately the experience is still pretty typical across the board.

I know 1 resident in my current program who was from Vandy med - and didn't stay there only because of family reasons. I know one med school classmate who stayed at Vandy because her husband is there, and she couldn't say enough good things about it.

Another med school classmate loved it and ranked it first and didn't match there. However, that classmate ended up at a place closer to home that is much "higher ranked." Not sure how that happened considering Vandy isn't even ranked.

I think it's definitely a well-kept secret. I can't say anything about the snobbery, but if the rumors are true, that's NOT what I would want in a residency program. I am currently in a very supportive program, and the difference is amazing! I wouldn't have it any other way. I can't imagine Vandy being any different than Boston Children's/Harvard, CHOP/UPenn, Hopkins, Duke, Northwestern . . .

Good luck.

I am a 2nd year resident who interviewed at Vandy Peds and I absolutely do not think they are snobby at all. In fact, I thought the opposite. I am from public college and med school, so no arrogance there. Also tons of people from my med school end up at Vandy peds and all love it and they are not snobby at all, so I vote to dispel this thing about Vandy peds being snobby.

I am also at a "higher ranked" program, but if it were not for family concerns, I probably would have ranked Vandy number 1.

I think the mystiquie of arrogance and pompousness comes from some of their other rez programs, but not peds. Overall, I would say that Peds is not one of the specialties that Vandy is noted for right now, but almost everybody I have talked to who interviewed or tranied there absolutely loves it.

 

[fourthyearmed]

I am a 2nd year resident who interviewed at Vandy Peds and I absolutely do not think they are snobby at all.

I'm glad to hear that. My school has had many people match at Vanderbilt in the past and I am very interested in their program. I just recently heard this "rumor" from someone from a different med school so I thought I'd see what people from other med schools thought.

 

[otter41]

Let me start by saying how pleased I am to see Vandy Children's generating so much interest. As a member of the current intern class and someone who religiously checked this message board last year for info on the program, I am happy to see the press. To say that I am pleased with my choice to train here would be an understatement. It is truly proving a very supportive place to be a resident with good people across the board and strong focus on education of the residents.

Let me address a few comments that were made:
"Snobby program": This is somewhat laughable. Anyone who stops by for an interview will find this one of the friendliest programs around. The whole Vanderbilt campus and Nashville community is filled with really nice people. Anyway, you can check your attitude at the door in peds...the kids don't care where you are doing your residency.

"Step 1 > 220 and AOA": This is a competitive pediatrics program, no doubt. These things probably do matter to a certain extent but remember that you are more numbers and letters. Programs want people who will fit in and be happy during their residency. I would also say though that for people coming from lesser known medical schools that your numbers and honors can help get a foot into more competitive places, Vandy not being an exception. And it is an absolutely universal truth (as stated by kas23) that programs will try to recruit the strongest possible classes possible.

"Setting themselves up to not fill": I honestly think that people who come here to interview will fall in love with this place and that this is not all that likely. I would be sad if we didn't fill because that would mean people missing out on a great place to train.

"Numbers kind of place": Please rise above this is your collective careers. Your Step I scores or AOA status will not make you a good physician. Doing your residency at a "competitive" program won't make you a better doctor to your patients. If you are my intern on wards next year, I won't give a damn if you are AOA or Step I of 250 if you are bad with patients and their families and arrogant to the nursing staff and your peers. If you had the ability to achieve those numbers and honors in med school, you can still be good at what you do and carry yourselves with some humility.

Anyway, I could keep rambling but I need some sleep. Final points: The hospital here is beautiful. You will always have more opportunites nearby the place where you did your residency. There is no perfect residency program. Vandy seems vastly different from CHOP, Hopkin's, and Boston Children's from the impression I get from people I know from those places. Vandy was the absolute last place I heard from for an interview. There are only three country music stations on the radio dial in Nashville. You have a chance to be a part of a program on the rise here. Choose and rank programs in the order that they fit your unique personality best.

 

[kas23]

Excellent post Otter. Could you elaborate on a few things, if you happen to come back? At Vandy, what is the call schedule and hours worked per week? And roughly, is Vandy Peds research oriented, or are there residents participating in research? And how are the call rooms!? 😀

 

[fourthyearmed]

Thanks! So glad to hear my worries were unfounded. Now I just have to wait for my invite!

 

[SoonerBJJ]

Otter, have you or any other Vandy peds people here, worked in the PICU yet? If so, what was your impression of the fellows, faculty, etc?

 

[otter41]

Otter, have you or any other Vandy peds people here, worked in the PICU yet? If so, what was your impression of the fellows, faculty, etc?

First off, for kas23, most schedule type of answers are found on the website
http://www.vanderbiltchildrens.com/interior.php?chid=1579&mid=450&section=38
Hours are so variable by rotation it is hard to globally comment. NICU, PICU, and heme/onc probably are the most time intensive rotations at Vandy and every other major institution. Plan to work close to the eighty hours in those rotations and a little less in others. As interns at Vandy, we have six q4 call months and I think that that is incredibly fair.

Don't get hung up entirely on the work hours questions on interviews, ask more open ended questions about how you will be spending the hours you are putting in ie. what a call night is like (esp. cross-cover), what is the role of the intern versus the resident on the team, how many patients are you expected to carry. Those are, in the end, going to affect your quality of life much more than the absolute hours you are putting in.

Sooner- The PICU is a second and third year rotation so I have not worked there yet. The facility is beautiful and state of the art. The fellows and faculty seem very good. I think that it would be a great place to consider for fellowship. In fact, a close friend in my class came here with those intentions.

-otter

ps The call rooms are nice and cover all the basics, namely a bed, pillow, sheets, and a phone. Just remember on the interview trail...it doesn't matter how nice the call rooms are if you never get to sleep there.

pss I fully expect that Vandy peds will start to attract more and more residents with interest in reasearch. It will be even easier to do with the brand new research and support facilities being constructed.

psss I am happy to answer more questions about Vandy or just general pointers for the interview trail. good luck!

 

[pedshopeful]

So, I have to say I really fell in love with the Program at Vandy. I got the feel that the residents get along, and are happy working there. I'm strongly considering ranking them high. Mainly out of curiosity, has anyone gotten any feeback from them that they may be ranked high on their list? I have from some places I interviewed but haven't heard much from Vandy. I did get a nice email from the department chair but it really didn't suggest much. Guess it doesn't matter much, just makes me a little nervious reading previous emails suggesting that they may have hinted to people they ranked highly in the past. Anyways, anyone else have info on this program? I'm going to lose all my hair by March 17th. 😕

 

[Southernpeds]

Mainly out of curiosity, has anyone gotten any feeback from them that they may be ranked high on their list? I have from some places I interviewed but haven't heard much from Vandy. I did get a nice email from the department chair but it really didn't suggest much. ]
I think a chunk of people get nice e-mails. They do say different things though. Some people I know said that when they really read theirs carefully it wasn't all that positive about them getting in....so feel good if yours if fully positive. I haven't heard anything else from them nor have my fellow classmates that I talk to. I know it is hard to match there(the whole >220 thing) but it is worth trying. Nashville's great and everyone is so happy at the program.

 

[fourthyearmed]

I know some people got letters from the PD inviting them back for a second look. I wasn't one of these. Did any of you get one?