1. Love this format. So glad you all are doing podcasts.
2. I’m not convinced these rankings matter as much as they may have 20 years ago. Today, most students I talk to are applying to huge numbers of schools (because they can in the digital format) and they go where they get in. (Often not a choice). 20 years ago, you might look at the list, figure out your safety/reach schools and then write and mail your applications.
3. I do think virtual interviews are better on the whole. Interviewing for residency/fellowship is incredibly expensive (10s of thousands of dollars for some people). By doing virtual interviews you are leveling the playing field for people who have unlimited financial resources vs people who are finding their own education (many of whom I would argue have more of the lived experience that will make them exceptional doctors).
4. I agree with distinguishing programs that will make an excellent doctor who cares for patients vs an excellent physician scientist. The two are not the same. I have worked with residents from top tier schools who are terrible communicators and have no ability to escape black and white thinking in order to effectively function in a clinical environment. I have also worked with residents from DO or Caribbean schools who are some of the best residents I’ve had the pleasure of training. I think another couple of factor here is ability to take feedback for improvement and connect with patients with very different lives than they have. Harvard is not going to teach you that.
I enjoyed the episode. I’d love to hear more about medical topics in future episodes which I know is coming. Any opportunity for pediatric topics? Particularly would love this groups take on level of evidence for gender care.
A few thoughts
1. Love this format. So glad you all are doing podcasts.
2. I’m not convinced these rankings matter as much as they may have 20 years ago. Today, most students I talk to are applying to huge numbers of schools (because they can in the digital format) and they go where they get in. (Often not a choice). 20 years ago, you might look at the list, figure out your safety/reach schools and then write and mail your applications.
3. I do think virtual interviews are better on the whole. Interviewing for residency/fellowship is incredibly expensive (10s of thousands of dollars for some people). By doing virtual interviews you are leveling the playing field for people who have unlimited financial resources vs people who are finding their own education (many of whom I would argue have more of the lived experience that will make them exceptional doctors).
4. I agree with distinguishing programs that will make an excellent doctor who cares for patients vs an excellent physician scientist. The two are not the same. I have worked with residents from top tier schools who are terrible communicators and have no ability to escape black and white thinking in order to effectively function in a clinical environment. I have also worked with residents from DO or Caribbean schools who are some of the best residents I’ve had the pleasure of training. I think another couple of factor here is ability to take feedback for improvement and connect with patients with very different lives than they have. Harvard is not going to teach you that.
I enjoyed the episode. I’d love to hear more about medical topics in future episodes which I know is coming. Any opportunity for pediatric topics? Particularly would love this groups take on level of evidence for gender care.