Thanks for the input!
I would agree with you that these should be my top 3.
Additionally, however, I'm having problems filling out the middle and bottom parts of the rank list. I'd prefer to be in NYC/ suburbs during training, but this is my end goal (and preferably as a fellow). I'd be willing to spend a few years outside of NYC/ suburbs if it meant that I had a better shot than staying in NYC to pursue a competitive specialty and end up there in the long run.
So, the question I pose to you (and anyone else):
1) Would you go to a more mediocre program for IM hoping that this would help me with NYC/suburbs specialist programs (for argument's sake, cards and GI)? Special consideration for home-institution fellowship matching.
This would generate the following rank list:
4. Montefiore
5. NS-LIJ
6. BU
7. Maryland
8. Brown
9. Miami
10. UMDNJ - RWJ
11. Beth Israel - Manhattan
12. Temple
OR.......
2) ...would you go to a better program within the Northeast that, although keeping you from being in NYC/suburbs temporarily, would improve your chances of getting ANY NYC/suburbs?
That would generate the following rank list in my mind:
4. BU
5. Montefiore
6. Maryland
7. Brown
8. NS-LIJ
9. Miami
10. Temple
11. UMDNJ - RWJ
12. Beth Israel - Manhattan.
In other words, go to NS-LIJ because they take a lot of their own for fellowship? Or go to BU to enhance my chances at any of the NYC/ suburbs programs?
If you got to far to my post, mazel tov!