Who's your Numero Uno?

WashU

Scott and White as well.

Scott and White as well.

Apparently Scott & White - Texas A&M isn't the "hidden" gem I thought it was. Doesn't stop it from being a gem though. I was blown away by this program on my interview. Hands down the best group of residents I met on the trail. Attendings that care about resident education and are dedicated to teaching and letting the residents operate. Great operative experience and good didactics. Unmatched joints experience. May not be for everyone, but if you have a family and don't mind small towns this place is well rounded and unmatched IMHO. Would be absolutely stoked out of my mind to end up there.

UTAH

???... What's the infatuation with this program? Seems like everybody talks highly of it. Why? Is it a top program? Coveted match? What's the deal?

I ranked Utah first because during my month there I can honestly say there wasn't a single day when I thought to myself "this guy (whoever I was working with) is being a jerk today, I just want to go home, sleep, and try it again tomorrow." I got along very well with everyone I came across and very much liked the PD. Also, it's very well balanced as you do everything twice, with the exceptions of tumor (once) and trauma (four times including night float). The didactics I attended were informative and enjoyable for everyone. Finally, geographically it's great for me because I'm from the West and there are great mountains to play in. That rank was the easiest one on my list to figure out, but that's just for me and obviously other people may be looking for different qualities and personalities in their #1 program.

UTAH

???... What's the infatuation with this program? Seems like everybody talks highly of it. Why? Is it a top program? Coveted match? What's the deal?

I rotated there but didn't get to interview, which I later found out is a common occurrence. They pre-screen rotating students before they are allowed to rotate but then only interviews a handfull of their rotators. I had heard good things about the area and I figured my scores, grades, and ambition to match there would make me a shoe-in, but such wasn't the case.

What is nice about it? Compared to other places I rotated, their didactics, operative experince, and overall experience is very similar and isn't any better or worse than at other places. The real selling point of the residency is the location. All the residents I talked to loved the skiing, hiking, biking, etc all within easy access. That was definately the common thread. So if you can get over the suffocating atmosphere created by the prevailing culture, the location is unmatched.