Applicants have been
asking how is this program? So, what do you look into to find if this program
is right fit for you?
All residency programs
are certified by ACGME. So, all programs meet certain quality standard set
by them. There are other factors you would like to look into to find how the
programs are. Once you get interview, you should start researching on those
programs and hopefully once you visit them and interview with them you have all
your questions answered.
1. Community vs
University program
Community programs are
usually small and have limited specialty services and research activities.
University program are affiliated with a university and may have multiple
specialty service and more research programs. Some community hospital may be
affiliated with university, but others may run independent programs without any
affiliation.
You could still conduct research during your
residency at community programs on quality improvement projects or retrospective
chart reviews, writing case reports or case series. Ask faculty or residents
during your interview regarding what different academic and research
activities are residents involved and how does program facilitate them?
2. Number of
residents/ Size of program/ Diversity
Certainly, your chance
will be higher if program you are interviewing have many residency spots. Not
necessarily, because the program will be interviewing more candidates. Also,
program want to maintain diversity. Number of foreign graduates the program had
in past may give you an idea regarding diversity in the program.
3. What do you want to
after residency?
If you are planning to
go for fellowship, look for programs whose graduates have very good fellowship
placement rates. Programs also look for candidate with varied
interest. Think it this way, if all residents in a program want to go for
cardiology, it will not be possible for programs to support them to prepare for
fellowship. So, programs from the beginning may want to take candidate who
are interested in different specialty.
4. H1B vs J1 visa
With J1 visa, at the
end of training you must go to underserved area for 3 years for a waiver job. IN
special circumstances you could apply for hardship waiver. You will be eligible
to apply for green card (GC) only after completing your waiver. So, with J1 you
wait for at least 3 more years before you get your GC. However not all
residency program offers H1B visa. You need to complete step 3 to be eligible
for H1B. There are limited programs that support fellowship on H1B.
So, if you plan to go for fellowship immediately after residency J1 as well
might be good option for you.
5. Friends and family
Try to be around
friends and family. You would need a lot of support. Being around them will
increase your overall satisfaction and well being.
