I can't speak about UCLA, but here are my impressions of Yale:
1) The faculty, chair, and PD are enormously invested in the program. Dr. Hines, the chair, has a weekly conference/case discussion exclusively for the residents. This was the only program I interviewed at where the chair of the dept. herself did this. She is also incredibly approachable, as are the vast majority of the other faculty.
2) The schedule is 60-65 hrs a week, 4-5 calls a month avg. More importantly, though, the PD ensures that the cases are educational and relevant.
3) You are never pressured to do research, but if you want to, some of the biggest names in the field are at Yale. I've found them to be super approachable, and willing to let you have as small or as large a role as you want in joining an existing project or starting your own.
4) New Haven has quiet, peaceful neighborhoods (East Rock, Westville) and several state parks for hiking - but also has tons of shops, restaurants, museums, theater, concerts, bars and clubs. NYC is a train ride away as well.
