UCSD Resident taking questions

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UCSDIM

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Would be happy to take questions.

I know UCSD seems to be in that unique position of attracting top applicants, but its rep isn't quite up to par (no pun intended for the SD area) with where these applicants also interview. So I'd be happy to help anyone out who may be equivocal about moving UCSD up or down your rank list.

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So I loved the program. My only concern is that nearly every intern I spoke with stated that "you'll work really hard here." Now, I'm not opposed to "hard work" but could you comment on the work environment for residents (i.e. are you doing a lot of busy work, are attendings good about teaching)
Thanks for the input
 
So I loved the program. My only concern is that nearly every intern I spoke with stated that "you'll work really hard here." Now, I'm not opposed to "hard work" but could you comment on the work environment for residents (i.e. are you doing a lot of busy work, are attendings good about teaching)
Thanks for the input

To clarify, the interns are working hard because there are fewer prelims this year. That's because we had some extra residents who took a year off or those who are in the med/anesthesia program come back as an R2. This forced a lot of the interns to take additional inpatient months ~8-9 months of inpatient.

Resident input is largely personal; you could be as lazy as you want to be or as involved as you want to be. Residents are picking helping out the interns (if there is any) and making the higher order decisions (triaging, admitting acceptable patients, pushing back on consults, pushing back on attendings if necessary, etc.). And, attendings are variable- some are great and some are awful. Attendings are more consistent at Hillcrest than the VA as far as quality. And, for the most part, attendings are good at teaching.

I know that sounds nebulous, but every program is going to have their good/bad residents and good/bad attendings. But, I'd say that 90%+ are good here.
 
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Would be happy to take questions.

I know UCSD seems to be in that unique position of attracting top applicants, but its rep isn't quite up to par (no pun intended for the SD area) with where these applicants also interview. So I'd be happy to help anyone out who may be equivocal about moving UCSD up or down your rank list.
sent you a private msg
 
It is true as has been noted elsewhere that UCSD is where careers go to die?

I've heard that no one will ever love you if you do residency there.
 
It is true as has been noted elsewhere that UCSD is where careers go to die?

I've heard that no one will ever love you if you do residency there.
I think you are confusing your Cali programs. If you go to Stanford people stop loving you. You go to UCSD if you want your parents to disown you.
 
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It is true as has been noted elsewhere that UCSD is where careers go to die?

I've heard that no one will ever love you if you do residency there.

True. We don't find jobs and we don't match for fellowship. However it does appear incestuous down here, especially with the propensity to stay in southern california.

But at least we're in San Diego! (seems to be the theme on these forums)
 
How do you like the EMR at UCSD? Forgive me I forgot what you all used from the interview day. Thanks for doing this.
 
How do you like the EMR at UCSD? Forgive me I forgot what you all used from the interview day. Thanks for doing this.

We use EPIC at all UCSD hospitals and clinics (I think EPIC has become pretty ubiquitous on the west coast). I think EPIC is fantastic, but I came from a place that really didn't have an established EMR system. It has its shortcomings, but if you spend time with it then you can be extremely efficient.

The VA uses CPRS, as expected.
 
why is it difficult to find jobs after doing residency there?
 
Because sarcasm.


Not so fast. There may be some truth to that.
If you stay in SD for whatever......PCP, hospitalist, specialist......you will be trying to find a job in one of the hardest markets to land a job. That just goes with the territory of being in a place where a bunch of people would love to call home and just not enough jobs to go around.
 
Not so fast. There may be some truth to that.
If you stay in SD for whatever......PCP, hospitalist, specialist......you will be trying to find a job in one of the hardest markets to land a job. That just goes with the territory of being in a place where a bunch of people would love to call home and just not enough jobs to go around.

As a resident who is aware of the "difficulties" in finding jobs in San Diego, the job market is tough. However, UCSD residents are well regarded/respected and are known to be trained well. I have yet to talk to a resident who has had difficulties finding jobs in the area OR outside the San Diego area.
 
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Hmm well I dont know if SD is really a hard market to find a job as a PCP...maybe other specialties but I've heard theres actually a shortage of PCP in SD. The reason I was told is because SD has a very high cost of living and medical school graduates are searching for jobs while having high loan amounts to pay off so SD isnt as appealing in that sense. Dont know how true that is but thats what the new FM residency program in SD said.
 
Thanks for making yourself available for questions UCSDIM. I have a few
1) I read in the phamplet that on ambulatory months interns cover nights for the nightfloat interns. How does this affect the total number of days off on the ambulatory months?
2) I have family reasons for ranking San Diego programs highly. Do UCSD residents work with Scripps residents in any capacity? What is your impression of the training at the Scripps programs (Mercy and Green) versus USCD? My subspecialty interest is allergy/immunology or rheumatology.
3) Is there anything in particular you would change about the program if you could?
 
Thanks for making yourself available for questions UCSDIM. I have a few
1) I read in the phamplet that on ambulatory months interns cover nights for the nightfloat interns. How does this affect the total number of days off on the ambulatory months?
You cover Friday and Saturday night on Gynecology and Urgent care, only. Other ambulatory rotations you may or may not be on cross cover; so, you may or may not be pulled to cover for X, Y, or Z rotation.
2) I have family reasons for ranking San Diego programs highly. Do UCSD residents work with Scripps residents in any capacity? What is your impression of the training at the Scripps programs (Mercy and Green) versus USCD? My subspecialty interest is allergy/immunology or rheumatology.
No, we do not interact with Scripps residents. I do not have a specific comments about the Scripps programs, except that Scripps Green is a more desirable program due to their fellowship match and relative "competitiveness". UCSD, reputation wise, is above both by quite a bit from what I gather; you're comparing a strong University program vs two community programs, granted Green is considered one of the best community programs in the country.

I personally interviewed at Green, but did not get a good feeling from the program. Others have loved it.
3) Is there anything in particular you would change about the program if you could?
4+1 scheduling, however this might be a grass is greener kind of thing.
 
Hi UCSDIM - thanks for offering input. So I am from a midwest medical school, and unfortunately many people at my school just aren't that familiar with UCSD when I ask them about it. I got a good feel for the program on my interview day, and all the residents seemed pretty happy (& I love SD... ), but I just have less "word of mouth" exposure about your program. Also... there were only 3 residents that made it to the pre-interview dinner, which I was a bit concerned about, and it made it harder to get a good feel for things...

-In general, how do you feel about your training, the program, your co-residents? Would you pick UCSD again?
-From above postings, I get the impression that this year's interns may be more overworked than usual because of the prelim year thing - how responsive was your PD and administrative staff to this issue? How much do the PD/APD seem to advocate for the residents? (Btw, I thought Dr. Muchmore seemed quite nice - was curious about how long she has been PD?)
- Also related to above postings - aside from the exception this year with the prelim issue - do residents typically push 80+hrs/week? I got the impression from interview day that intern year is particularly intense, but PGY-2 & PGY-3 are comparatively much more manageable - does that seem accurate? (Or are PGY-2&3 still pretty intense, near 80hrs as well?)
- How's the commute going back and forth between Hillcrest vs. La Jolla, and to your continuity clinics?

Sorry for all the questions! I am just really quite interested in USCD, and it is definitely in my top 3, I"m just still deciding where in that top 3! Thank you so much!
 
Hi UCSDIM - thanks for offering input. So I am from a midwest medical school, and unfortunately many people at my school just aren't that familiar with UCSD when I ask them about it. I got a good feel for the program on my interview day, and all the residents seemed pretty happy (& I love SD... ), but I just have less "word of mouth" exposure about your program. Also... there were only 3 residents that made it to the pre-interview dinner, which I was a bit concerned about, and it made it harder to get a good feel for things...

-In general, how do you feel about your training, the program, your co-residents? Would you pick UCSD again?
Training- Good. Inpatient intense. A good amount of ICU experience (~8 months). Good ID/HIV, Cards, H/O, and GI exposure.
Program- Good. Nothing about the program itself is truly unique or sets ourselves apart (ie 4+1, etc). Most programs are fairly cookie cutter these days given the ACGME regulations. We do offer a Mozambique elective and an 8 week research block during your R2 or R3 year.
Co-residents- Amazing. As others have mentioned in the ranking threads, we have some of the most "chill" residents around.
Yes, I would pick UCSD again. But, your reasoning won't be my reasoning.
-From above postings, I get the impression that this year's interns may be more overworked than usual because of the prelim year thing - how responsive was your PD and administrative staff to this issue? How much do the PD/APD seem to advocate for the residents? (Btw, I thought Dr. Muchmore seemed quite nice - was curious about how long she has been PD?)
The PD and administrative staff are response, but getting paradigm shift changes in the program are rather impossible and fighting against bureaucracy is tough- this is largely due to funding and ACGME regulations (see above). The PD's/APD's are there if you need them and are visible at times. They are supportive. Dr Muchmore has been the PD for >5 years, I believe.
- Also related to above postings - aside from the exception this year with the prelim issue - do residents typically push 80+hrs/week? I got the impression from interview day that intern year is particularly intense, but PGY-2 & PGY-3 are comparatively much more manageable - does that seem accurate? (Or are PGY-2&3 still pretty intense, near 80hrs as well?)
Yes PGY2 and 3 are more manageable and less intense. You will split the year doing 6 months inpatient and 6 months sub-specialty/outpatient. The interns are doing 8-9 months inpatient this year.
- How's the commute going back and forth between Hillcrest vs. La Jolla, and to your continuity clinics?
Hillcrest to La Jolla? ~15 minutes with light traffic; 30+ minutes if traffic is heinous. This isn't LA, and traffic isn't a serious problem for most residents. Continuity clinics are everywhere and just depends on where you get matched up; you will not have issues getting there.
 
2014 Match List

UCLA, Rheumatology
USC, Gastroenterology
UT Southwestern (Dallas), Gastroenterology
University of New Mexico, Gastroenterology
UCSD, Cardiology
UCSD, Cardiology
UCLA, Cardiology
UCLA, Cardiology
MD Anderson, Hematology/Oncology
University of Washington, Hematology/Oncology
UCSF, Hematology/Oncology
Emory, Infectious Disease
UCSD, Infectious Disease
University of Washington, Infectious Disease
Oregon Health Science University, Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine
UCSD, Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine
Oregon Health Science University, Nephrology


Again, I can field questions if anyone wants to know more about the program.
 
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I know that there is a lot of self-selection in the regional bias for the fellowship match, but is this something programs take into account as well? Say I'm interested in doing my residency in San Diego, but want to return to the South or the East Coast afterward for fellowship -- will I have a harder time getting interviews out there applying from UCSD?
 
2014 Match List

UCLA, Rheumatology
USC, Gastroenterology
UT Southwestern (Dallas), Gastroenterology
University of New Mexico, Gastroenterology
UCSD, Cardiology
UCSD, Cardiology
UCLA, Cardiology
UCLA, Cardiology
MD Anderson, Hematology/Oncology
University of Washington, Hematology/Oncology
UCSF, Hematology/Oncology
Emory, Infectious Disease
UCSD, Infectious Disease
University of Washington, Infectious Disease
Oregon Health Science University, Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine
UCSD, Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine
Oregon Health Science University, Nephrology


Again, I can field questions if anyone wants to know more about the program.
Now that is an enviable match list!
 
I know that there is a lot of self-selection in the regional bias for the fellowship match, but is this something programs take into account as well? Say I'm interested in doing my residency in San Diego, but want to return to the South or the East Coast afterward for fellowship -- will I have a harder time getting interviews out there applying from UCSD?

Many of the people who matched this year wanted to stay on the West Coast, as you suspected.

Will fellowship programs care that you are come from a place that isn't regionally located next to SD? Maybe.. maybe not. It's really hard to say. I think it really depends on what you want to do and who you get to know while you're at the program.
 
I know that there is a lot of self-selection in the regional bias for the fellowship match, but is this something programs take into account as well? Say I'm interested in doing my residency in San Diego, but want to return to the South or the East Coast afterward for fellowship -- will I have a harder time getting interviews out there applying from UCSD?

I matched from UCSD for fellowship and I received interviews across the country; they often ask "why would you want to leave sunny San Diego and move to City X?" often. So, having ties elsewhere supports the narrative of returning east or south.
 
What's your opinion on residents' competitiveness for the in-house GI fellowship? One of the residents I spoke to during my interview day mentioned its the one dept at that tends not to take in-house applicants. I'm wondering whether that more of an opinion or widely accepted as fact. Thanks!
 
What's your opinion on residents' competitiveness for the in-house GI fellowship? One of the residents I spoke to during my interview day mentioned its the one dept at that tends not to take in-house applicants. I'm wondering whether that more of an opinion or widely accepted as fact. Thanks!

N/A sent PM
 
I REALLY liked UCSD. They had a good feeling on interview day. I am planning to go into cardiology and was just wondering how they do in more competitive fields for fellowship match. Are there a large group of unmatched cardiology hopefuls? Did people get good interviews?
 
I REALLY liked UCSD. They had a good feeling on interview day. I am planning to go into cardiology and was just wondering how they do in more competitive fields for fellowship match. Are there a large group of unmatched cardiology hopefuls? Did people get good interviews?

We do well in the match in all fields. As far as unmatched cardiology hopefuls, I believe everyone matched this year and last. Unfortunately, I don't have the exact programs of where people interviewed, but I suspect people did get good interviews.
 
Thanks for being willing to answer questions! I really liked UCSD and San Diego itself. I was particularly intrigued when the PD said she was hoping to make UCSD a top 5 IM program in the next few years. It was the end of the day and I didn't have a chance to follow up, but would you care to comment on what types of changes she wants to make to effect this? How realistic are her expectations/hopes?
 
Any chance of UCSD adopting a 4+1 system in near future?
 
I REALLY liked UCSD. They had a good feeling on interview day. I am planning to go into cardiology and was just wondering how they do in more competitive fields for fellowship match. Are there a large group of unmatched cardiology hopefuls? Did people get good interviews?

5 applied; 4 matched.
People get very good interviews.
PM me for details.
 
Anyone know around what time the interview day ends?
 
I went to UCSD for IM residency and graduated last year. I was part of the class that had the front loaded intern schedule due to the returning 2nd and 3rd years taking some intern spots (obviously not the case anymore). I only have positive things to say. The schedules for interns are much improved. You have protected time when you go to clinic and they even have something called Friday School where you go off the wards for didactics every two weeks while the residents cover you on the wards. The program director changed at the start of my 2nd year and she has been amazing. She is literally the kindest person I have ever met, and as I am interviewing for fellowships, she has taken the time to email me and ask how they are going (I am a year out from my training taking a gap year). I told her I was missing out on a program so she emailed them right away and I got an interview a few days later. If you want to go to an institution where the clinical training is excellent and your co residents are amazing, then you should consider UCSD. Just look at our match list, you won't be disappointed.
 
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I'm an IMG, did an international elective rotation. I believe the program director for my elective rotation was impressed. I do not go out of my way to impress, I just work hard, keep to myself, and am usually quiet but I am a good team worker.

My question is this, my rotation wasn't an internal medicine program, it was a surgery program. Initially I had some serious language barriers, however the attendings/program directors were impressed with my teachings (did 3 teachings about cardiology) A few attendings and a program director asked me if I wanted to be a cardiologist, also asked when I was going to participate in the match... Four faculty members were willing to write me a letter of recommendation including a program director / associate professor. If the staff were truly impressed by my ability, would it increase my chance of matching to UCSD IM program?

I'm an international medical graduate, I want to practice in the US in the future, and I absolutely love cardiology. I also love UCSD! What are my chances of getting an interview/ IM residency match at UCSD?

(I know this is an old thread, but hope someone will answer! and thanks in advance~)
 
I'm not from UCSD, but a quick look at their current IM house staff list shows a grand total of 4 IMGs. 2 in the PSTP (Oxford and Vienna) and 2 PGY3s (Christian Medical College, India and Smolensk State Medical College in Russia). I'd say that, in general, your chances of getting an interview there are pretty small.

No reason not to apply though.
 
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