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I mean, the influence of UCLA throughout the country can't be understated, just look at how many chairs and pd's are UCLA trained... But everyone is going to have their bias. My residency pd (kidney/panc guy) hates on Columbia (despite one of my chiefs starting there next year), wanted me to go to Northwestern (talk about being out of touch) and knew nothing about USC (but was called regarding me by UCLA). My junior most guy at my program raved that if Henry Ford (his Alma matter) wasn't in Detroit it'd be a top program in the country.... My pd/mentor did fellowship (in the 80's) with the USC pd and just published with them last year and is trying to collaborate with them again now, so clearly he thinks favorably of them and was very supportive of my interest in their program.I think that's an overstatement re: UCLA/USC. None of my mentors, including one sitting on the fellowship council, included it in their list of programs. But clearly jojo heard good things from his mentors and really liked the place. I'm sure he'll get great training. True, UCLA didn't fill this year. Perhaps both are great programs... Regardless, all going on this forum should talk w their transplant faculty as they consider applying, instead of relying on random folks online, solely. (And I'm definitely not interested in arguing about it- so, I'll leave it at that.)
Re: MGH- I personally didn't hear it was a great program, despite the Harvard affiliation, but ask around and see what you hear.
One thing to keep in mind- some great transplant centers are not great transplant fellowships (e.g. Mayo).
A lot of this process, and this fellowship, is finding the program that fits your personality, your desires (cause they are all different in focus, structure, and personalities) and do what works best for you and not what anyone else tells you.
And, if people are telling the truth, of the 24 us grads, I know of at least like 8 people who matched at their #1 choice.
Mgh (which is where my research mentor really wanted me to go) was not appealing to me, but anyone with a strong research interest may find it appealing. Lower volume, first year fellow is overworked, but second year fellow really gets to focus their interest. But not in the top tier by any estimation, despite the Harvard name