Pitt vs. CCF

[Guest]

Deciding between these two institutions for an AI. Can anyone shed light on the differences in clinical exposure, volume, and autonomy between these two places?

[Guest]

Had this same dilemma a few years back. Chose Pitt for personal reasons and it was a great experience. Interviewed at CCF and it would've been a great Sub-I as well.

Pitt:
Pros: Crazy volume, pretty involved Sub-I without scut work, residents were down to earth and were tight knit. Friedlander writes great letters. Pittsburgh is a better city than Cleveland. You'll see everything on the SubI in terms of case variety.
Cons: The culture is demanding and some would deem it to be malignant. UPMC hospital system is huge and there's a lot to cover as a resident. Seemingly known for attrition and divorces. This is a popular SubI for med students and Pitt always produces a few med students going into neurosurgery so it might be crowded.

CCF:
Pros: Attendings seem nicer, residents were happy, seems to be a diverse program. The program appears to be getting better every year. The SubI won't be as crowded.
Cons: Cleveland isn't the most exciting place. I think they've lost a few residents over the past couple years but the reasons were unclear.

[Guest]

(03-06-2018, 03:28 PM)Guest Wrote: Had this same dilemma a few years back. Chose Pitt for personal reasons and it was a great experience. Interviewed at CCF and it would've been a great Sub-I as well.

Pitt:
Pros: Crazy volume, pretty involved Sub-I without scut work, residents were down to earth and were tight knit. Friedlander writes great letters. Pittsburgh is a better city than Cleveland. You'll see everything on the SubI in terms of case variety.
Cons: The culture is demanding and some would deem it to be malignant. UPMC hospital system is huge and there's a lot to cover as a resident. Seemingly known for attrition and divorces. This is a popular SubI for med students and Pitt always produces a few med students going into neurosurgery so it might be crowded.

CCF:
Pros: Attendings seem nicer, residents were happy, seems to be a diverse program. The program appears to be getting better every year. The SubI won't be as crowded.
Cons: Cleveland isn't the most exciting place. I think they've lost a few residents over the past couple years but the reasons were unclear.

That is actually s honest and balanced post. But I hate the vague gossip. You “think” Cleveland “lost a few”. 1) relative to Pitt or other program should is it more?  2) to the best of my knowledge Cleveland tiredness one resident and one transferred.

[Rezzy]

(03-06-2018, 03:28 PM)Guest Wrote: Had this same dilemma a few years back. Chose Pitt for personal reasons and it was a great experience. Interviewed at CCF and it would've been a great Sub-I as well.

Pitt:
Pros: Crazy volume, pretty involved Sub-I without scut work, residents were down to earth and were tight knit. Friedlander writes great letters. Pittsburgh is a better city than Cleveland. You'll see everything on the SubI in terms of case variety.
Cons: The culture is demanding and some would deem it to be malignant. UPMC hospital system is huge and there's a lot to cover as a resident. Seemingly known for attrition and divorces. This is a popular SubI for med students and Pitt always produces a few med students going into neurosurgery so it might be crowded.

CCF:
Pros: Attendings seem nicer, residents were happy, seems to be a diverse program. The program appears to be getting better every year. The SubI won't be as crowded.
Cons: Cleveland isn't the most exciting place. I think they've lost a few residents over the past couple years but the reasons were unclear.

Fwiw Pitt is a very tough program but we have only lost 1 resident in the last 7 years and I am not aware of any recent divorces though I do believe it happened a decade or so ago.