Preface: I really enjoyed many of my visits and feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to visit many of these programs. This also means that I am having a very difficult time prioritizing. Additionally, I am couple's matching, and therefore paying a lot of attention to programs past my "top 3".
Please help with the following 2 comparisons from the perspective of someone going into cardiology:
Comparison #1:
- UCSF: excellent patient diversity, strong tradition for general internal medicine training, close to family, but less-cards focused
- Hopkins: really resonated with the residents, like the q5 o/n call, excited for early autonomy, stronger in-house cardiology, less driving around, renovating medicine wards, switching to 6+2, attracted to the rich history, don't mind B'more
Comparison #2: Wash U, U-Mich, Columbia, UW
- Wash U: excellent program as a whole, but hand-written notes and so-so location
- UW: great clinical diversity, other half of my couple's match loved it, although less-fellowship oriented, lots of driving around
- U-Mich: also strong program, liked the people, like AA
- Columbia: excellent cardiology, +'s and -'s of NYC; reputation of ancillary services is a big (-)
I know I will end up being very happy with any of these and take solace in the fact that any of my top 10 choices will yield a very fruitful residency experience. Still, NRMP requires a preferential ordering, and I could really use some help.
Thank you and best of luck!
