Hello all. I can certainly post some of my impressions/opinions. Of course opinions are like a#@holes, everyone has one..but I hope these are helpful:
BU: Very good attendings. They are an "academic private practice," and from what I know, one of the biggest. I guess what that means is that if you did your residency there, you would be set for a great job in New England. The physical layout, is fine, not the best and not the worst I have seen. Since BU is a major trauma center in Boston and has 2 hospitals, one which serves the poor and one that does more teritary care, then the patient population is very diverse. (Anyone ever seen a case of Amyloid...well, you will at BU) The residents are very nice and very approachable,although there are quite a few FMG's (whether that is good or bad is for you to decide) The chairman was very dynamic. If you want to learn how to do TEE as a resident you can do it here and you can stay on and do a fellowship in less time. Overall a very good place but not the big Harvard rep.
BI: Smaller program, 13-17 residents. My interview day, there were only a few of us so it was very easy to talk to residents and faculty. I think that every resident I talked to was incredibly happy, particularly about the lifestyle they had while at this program. The financial woes of the hospital that were so prevelant 5 years ago, seems to be a thing of the past and the hospital is hiring all sorts of new faculty, especially in surgery, which will make anesthesia more interesting. Physical layout was very good, especially on the West Campus (I think this is the newer one) The new ER is very cool (although this is not particularly relevant.) Peds is done at Childrens. (The best, or at least top 3) Flexible third year schedule. Everyone was great. Maybe this is the "third best Harvard program," but is there really such a thing? Having "Preparation H" on your resume can be a powerful thing and I think the residents have gone on to do whatever they want. Bad news is they got 650 apps and are interviewing 110-130 for 13-17 spots....you do the math.
MGH: Everyone says they just leave you without supervision, but this place goes crazy when it hears that. Even the program director addresses it when he speaks to you. The residents are an interesting mix, but in the time I was there everyone was very nice, very laid back and incredibly helpful. The physical layout is on par with the BI (Both very nice and both easily accessible by public transport,) but it has some area which are nicer. (Particularly the etherdome and the top floors of the hospital which are reserved for the super-elite) I don't think you can argue that this is one of the top programs in the country and that once you graduate you are positioned to do anything you want anywhere you want. Peds is at Childrens, you do one month of OB at MGH and another at the Brigham so you get a different view. Research can be done, but is not forced on you and in fact may be discouraged since there so much to learn as a resident. The surgical Critical care unit is run by Anesthesia and has been for many many years, so there is no one stepping on your toes and you do a required 3 months during your residency (vs 2 in may onther places.) Big program, 25 or so. Overall a great place, maybe you are a bit more independent but not to the point you are putting people in jeopardy..and isin't it better to be independent.
Penn: Much like BI and MGH...but in Philly. And let me tell you, you will either love or hate philly. Their interview day is fantastic with a tour of the city included. The residents are all very cool people from all over the country. Penn is the major referal center for that area of the country and so the pathology is excellent. CHOP is fantastic and is also a top 1/2/3 childrems hospital and that is where you do your peds. The program is somewhat bigger but not overwhelming and the opportunities are great. Lots of research is available and they tell you about it on interview day. They are changing the chairman (not for a bad reason but because he went on to take over the entire penn healthcare system as Chief Medical Officer) but this could add a bit of instability although no one seemed too worried. Physicaly the hospital is ok, as is the location, but the surroundings seem to be getting better. The whole Penn campus is all together and that is convenient and cool. A top 10 program, maybe top 5 but certainly excellent... just stuck in Philly.
UCLA: Well, its in CA so I'm slightly biased, but it is West LA, which is super nice and the weather was 75 degrees in December so there really isin't anyone who could complain about that. The program is bigger, 25 or so and there is a lot to do. The residents said they worked hard, but it is residency after all. UCLA does more liver transplants than anyone else in the country and more pediatric cardiac surgery as well, so that was something interesting. They have Childrens Hospital LA, the Jules Stine Eye Institute and they are a major referral center for all of Southern CA, for every specialty. They are also building a brand new hospital with help from the 100 million that David Geffen donated and it is going to be a pretty fantastic place. The current hospital is very nice but the new one will be incredible. I think it might be weak in Critical care but they are adding additional rotations which everyone seems to be very happy with. 75% of residents stay in Southern CA to practice...so if you want to do Anesthesia in Southern CA (or anywhere is CA for that matter) there is no better place. Haven't seen Stanford yet but beat the pants off UCSF and UCSD in my mind.
Northwestern: Nothing to add from the above posts..I felt the same way.
Gotta go for now hope this helps some others. I still have Stanford, the Brigham, UT Southwest and USC to visit but will try to throw those in if I can. Good luck to all....any specific questions please feel free to post and I'll try to answer.
