What do you think of this Rank Order List?

[JWhite]

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Here's my tentative ROL so far, though interviews aren't yet finished.

Just curious about what people here in general think about these programs. Maybe somebody will say something I haven't thought to consider, good or bad. Maybe you disagree. (These are all mid-western and southern programs.)

1. University of Iowa (strong academic program, lots of research emphasis, free health insurance)
2. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota (it's Mayo, tons of resources...on the other hand some of my interviewers trained at U. of Iowa and it's a formal place. Cold, too.)
3. Maricopa Integrated Health System, Phoenix, Arizona (wonderful location, community program, friendly people, has child fellowship)
5. University of Missouri-Columbia (overall solid program, good psychotherapy training I felt)
6. Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio (highest paying program I've seen, friendly staff, half military, well rounded program)
7. University of Alabama-Birmingham (strong child and adolescent program, friendly place, it's in the south which I like)
8. Texas A&M Scott and White (smaller city that I like, have family in TX, but some attendings seemed very reserved and hard to get to know. Politically conservative atmosphere, odd in psych)
9. UT Southwestern (huge program, so less friendly, they do have an associated psychoanalysis institute that sounds fun, but I think it is competitive to get into)
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[OldPsychDoc]

I'd say they're all decent programs, and would ask you to double check your rankings based on where you (and your family, if applicable) really want to live for the next 4 years. (e.g. Rochester, MN and Phoenix are 2 VERY different places...if you REALLY want Phoenix for its location, it might need to be higher, but if you have family in TX, or honestly like the South more, you might want to flip the list over...etc.) My 2 p.

 

[JWhite]

Thanks, I appreciate your advice!

 

[Rena]

Hi, JWhite,

Did you get any responses from U of Missouri (Columbia) for your thank you letters if you sent any?

 

[califdoc]

My bias is towards the bigger university programs, so the program that is last on your list would probably be first or second on mine.

But that just makes the world go round.

 

[SiggyFreud]

Columbia is a fantastic place to live - lots of stuff to do and strong community spirit. However, I have chosen to not apply at Mizzou simply because no residents had anything really great to say about the program. Most of the ones I talked to stayed in Columbia to be with family or for the integrated residency program. Also, Mizzou currently has an interim chair and many IMGs (sorry to not be PC but its true).

 

[masterofmonkeys]

Hey, no idea if this is true or not, but I saw that you mentioned UTSW is more competitive to get into.

Probably true, but you should rank programs in the order from most desirable to least desirable, regardless of what you think your actual chances of getting in are.

I have no idea if you're already doing that or not, just wanted to make sure you know that. I've talked to people who made the mistake of ranking programs otherwise, and who regretted it.

 

[pingouin]

Columbia is a fantastic place to live - lots of stuff to do and strong community spirit. However, I have chosen to not apply at Mizzou simply because no residents had anything really great to say about the program. Most of the ones I talked to stayed in Columbia to be with family or for the integrated residency program. Also, Mizzou currently has an interim chair and many IMGs (sorry to not be PC but its true).

Announcement was made today that John Lauriello from UNM has accepted the chair position, to start 7/1/09.

 

[JWhite]

Hey, no idea if this is true or not, but I saw that you mentioned UTSW is more competitive to get into.

Probably true, but you should rank programs in the order from most desirable to least desirable, regardless of what you think your actual chances of getting in are.

I have no idea if you're already doing that or not, just wanted to make sure you know that. I've talked to people who made the mistake of ranking programs otherwise, and who regretted it.

Sorry, I meant that I thought getting into UTSW's psychoanalytic institute training might be competitive. After all, UTSW has a lot of residents and I doubt I'd be the only one intrigued about the opportunity.

I really liked the Maricopa program in most respects, but I worry that not matching at a university program would limit my career. What do you think?