As stated earlier here is my list w/the some of the reasons
1.Carolinas Great program, residents seemed happy, Charlotte seemed like a cool town, PDs very involved and seemed fun. Negatives for me, no Med students other than 4th year rotators, and ED is not computerized, couldve easily been switched out w/my #2-4, but someone had to be first.
2.Vanderbilt Awesome facilities, residents very happy, safe fun city, great cost of living, Slovis and Wrenn are known educators, med students around, great ED. Negatives: low pt volume and possibly not enough shifts, very academic oriented.
3.Michigan Very surprised by this but totally awesome program, lots of great things going on up north, agro PD, new ED, great chair. Negatives: its up north and very cold gray weather, drive 55 miles to flint for trauma.
4.Harvard MGH/BW Good facilities, known name, excellent off service as well as on service, great computerized training. Negatives: How the hell does anyone live in Boston, seriously, it isnt even funny. Two of my roommates dropped Harvard down from first to 4th or 5th due to Bostons high cost of living. I initially had it 1st, but moved it down due to $$$$ for a ½ bedroom apt.
-----ALL OF THE ABOVE COULD'VE BEEN #1, I JUST HAD TO CHOOSE 1 -----
5.Indianapolis Amazing program that will be many peoples 1-3, but for me I didnt seem to love Indy. A ton of the residents showed up to the dinner and lunch and all were very happy. EDs okay, old computerized system, very high volume, and Chisolm is totally awesome. Negatives: Its in Indy
6.Denver Really wanted to rank this one higher, but it seemed that they are going through a rebuilding period. Positives are its Denver, long history, great contacts, wonderful publications, storied Hx, great location. Negatives: Losing 4 faculty including 2 very high-ups, new PD, 4 year program with only 6 weeks of electives (needs to be addressed ), seemed that the residents got very very worked (but great training). ? economic problems w/DG via a friend that is there.
7.Wake Absolutely loved Wake and realizing I shouldve put it up higher. Pros: it is a wonderful part of country, great ED, sees a good mix of patients, really happy residents, chair is awesome and well known (Hoekstra), starting to publish more. Negs: Pt volume, dont seem too big or publish a lot, and now that I look at it I probably shouldve put it 5th or so
oh well.
8.Hennepin Good program, I just didnt click with the residents when I was there. Also, of their senior class, none were going to stay in Minneapolis to work, which seemed to be a little like they wanted to get out of there. Cool ED, w/a great county feel, involved attendings, and Biros is a person who can publish. Negs: Minn, it was like -155 when I was there.
9.Utah I sincerely think that this will become one of the top programs in the country in the next 10 years, it just hasnt gotten there yet. Needs to work out a few of the kinks still, and a little young for me. I think that for me personally, I needed a more established program that I could go to, but I will 100% be applying there for an attending position some day. Nothing bad except its youth.
10.Duke PD is fantastic, really knows her stuff, and is very involved. It just seemed that the program needs a few years to get up and running better. It is a young program and as soon as its new ED is finished it will be outstanding. When interviewing I got a few neg vibes from residents, as well as several other people on the trail stating that it still needed to get the kinks worked out.
11.Cincinnati Amazing program (obviously) and was my #1 until it was Vetoed by my Fiance. Has everything from flight to inner city to high volume to the only level 1 in 80 miles. Two endowed chairs, very very well known historical program with contacts everywhere. Fly for the second year, run the ED in the fourth, great peds as well as adult volumes, and a PD that seemed to be a strong resident advocate. Residents all seemed very very comfortable, and they all came out for the interview dinner (and smiled). Sometimes gets a bad rap for being bad, I just thought it was overall bad as*!!! Got vetoed due to my Fiance having much experience in the Cincinnati area and not wanting to go back (bummer).