frenetic said:
I am having a very hard time ranking my top five programs. Location and 3 versus 4 years are not significant issues with me. I would really appreciate any feedback. Thanks.
I interviewed at U of M, Cook and BMC....I didnt apply to the other 2 programs you mentioned.....
I would rank U of M over Cook over BMC.
U of M: I think U of M is an up coming program, they have all the bells and whisltes of a GREAT program with money, equipment and big names. I thought the PD was very genuine and all the residents really respected him. My biggest worry about this big academic instiutions is that EM always get shafted by the big bad Surgery and IM Depts....That was not the feel I got at U of M. I thought the "politics" was low key.
Cook: Training is second to none....Nothig but great things to say about cook. The only negative is 2-4......but the only reason why I pick U of M over Cook is I felt warm and fuzzy at U of M and there was this hot chick that was for sure gonna match at U o M when I interviewed there...(Not really the way to rank a program over the other but....hehehe)
BMC: I didn't like how there was no structure to the didactics....I guess their phylosophy is you make your own study guidelines, also I thought the Chair might be on his way out....When he saw my badge (with a California school written on it), he said "California....I'm about to move my family there"....I don't know if he was kiddin or not, but I didnt like any uncertainty in a program. In addition at my U o M interview, I met at BU student and he told me the rest of the hospital is terrible....the EM was the only shinning gem at BMC.....
Remember this in only my personal experience and may be skewwed...take it with a grain of salt....GO w/ your gutt!!
Good luck!