Here’s the deal with Stanford (AMA)

[RealStanfordResident]

“More inclusive” meaning more than 24 applicants.

[Guest]

^Pick me!

[Guest]

Well, looking beyond the Stanford name your program isn't really great at any one thing. UCSF blows you out of the water in research productivity and faculty, and programs like Barrow and Mayo are much better for operative training. Perhaps you can tell us exactly what Stanford offers better than anyone else, that isn't close proximity to Silicon valley

---

OP I think what everyone's worried about isn't that your residents left mid training, but the fact that you had unfilled positions coming out of the match. If interviewing only 24 people was the reason why, then who in the department was so confident in the program that thought 24 was more than enough? I think this shows some serious oversight by the faculty and hints that this is a stagnant program riding the coat tails of the Stanford name to attract high quality residents without constantly trying to improve

[Guest]

This forum has 4 purposes 1) To shit on Myron Rolle and MGH 2) To figure out Mummaneni's next moves 3) To worship the almighty Al Mefti 4) To give some occasional good advice depending on our moods.

And here you are writing essays OP. Someday, there will be a serious neurosurgery forum that doesn't have the web design of 2008 Myspace. Today is not one of those days.

[RealStanfordResident]

(03-22-2023, 05:08 PM)Guest Wrote: Well, looking beyond the Stanford name your program isn't really great at any one thing. UCSF blows you out of the water in research productivity and faculty, and programs like Barrow and Mayo are much better for operative training. Perhaps you can tell us exactly what Stanford offers better than anyone else, that isn't close proximity to Silicon valley

---

OP I think what everyone's worried about isn't that your residents left mid training, but the fact that you had unfilled positions coming out of the match. If interviewing only 24 people was the reason why, then who in the department was so confident in the program that thought 24 was more than enough? I think this shows some serious oversight by the faculty and hints that this is a stagnant program riding the coat tails of the Stanford name to attract high quality residents without constantly trying to improve

I guess I would like to push back on your assertion that the training is not really great in any measurable way. Our vascular experience - I mean actual, hands on, solo-scrubbed, fellow-less vascular experience, including endovascular - is really one of the best anywhere. We have a dedicated peripheral nerve surgeon who only does peripheral nerve cases- how many programs can say that? The functional experience is near perfect. JFM is widely considered to be the heir to Rhoton, and he has us drilling over the carotid as PGY2s. I really encourage anyone who believes the operative experience to be “not great” to come check it out firsthand. It is quite different than it used to be.

Regarding unfilled positions, you’re absolutely right. Only interviewing 24 has always worked for the faculty until this point, but it is and was wrong and does show a level of complacency. There’s not one person that can be blamed on, but rather a “this is how it’s always been” situation. That’s why it’s changing next year, because it clearly no longer works.

[Guest]

How many do you plan on interviewing and for what level year?

[Guest]

I feel like if people are leaving your program to pursue other careers — even if high paying — it indicates to me that the program is not a place where people love their jobs. ie. There’s no light at the end of the tunnel.

[RealStanfordResident]

(03-22-2023, 06:10 PM)Guest Wrote: How many do you plan on interviewing and for what level year?

Probably 40-50 range for 3 or 4 PGY1 slots next year.

---

(03-22-2023, 06:10 PM)Guest Wrote: I feel like if people are leaving your program to pursue other careers — even if high paying — it indicates to me that the program is not a place where people love their jobs. ie. There’s no light at the end of the tunnel.

Yeah, maybe for those two people. The rest of us do love our jobs. This is not a unique situation to Stanford by any means.

[Guest]

What about Kalanithi? Didn't read entire book, but from the few excerpts I read he made it sound like Stanford is a horrible place. Seems like more than a few sub-i's agreed with his assessment.

Also, I've heard that several programs still have open spots, so that is not unique to Stanford.

[Guest]

I meant how many are you going to interview for the current open spot?