From a resident's perspective and personal experience: MCW-great program. Well rounded. Academic but not overbearing. Residents get to operate. Grand Rapids-good community program. Lots of operative experience. Night float. Butterworth is very busy. SUMMA-Great community program. Great chairman. lots OR experience. Kalamazoo-Great community program. Lots OR experience. Fewer visiting students then other mentioned programs...greater chance to shine and improve chance to match.

I would say the following are the best midwest programs: Northwestern Rush Iowa Wisconsin That's based on interviews and conversations with people at the programs as well as people who rotated at the programs

I always have to give a plug to my old program; University of Wisconsin. It provided great training in all areas. The few weaknesses in the past have been resolved with multiple new staff since I was a resident. Definitely, worth a look if you are interested in staying in the Midwest.

Thanks for the info so far... Anyone have anything to say about U of MN? What about some of the other Michigan programs?