Where to go? (click on the markers on the map)
View Decisions… in a larger map
As many of you know, I will finish the MD/PhD program at UW this Spring and over the past two months I have interviewed for residency positions in clinical pathology (aka lab medicine) at the institutions shown on the map above. Many of you are probably wondering, “what the heck is clinical pathology?” which is a very good question. In short, clinical pathologists run clinical labs that carry out a wide variety of lab tests in a hospital, including such things as cholesterol levels, blood counts, cultures of bodily fluids for microbes, blood typing, and genetic tests, among many others. They also design new clinical lab tests. It is a very good specialty for doing medical research, which is what I want to do.
I will learn where we will go through the residency “match”, where candidates and programs indicate their preferences in a ranked list and a computer matches them so candidates are placed at their most preferred program that hasn’t already been filled by more “desirable” candidates. All of my interviews went very well, and so being a desired candidate it would seem that I will get my first or perhaps second choice. Since most of the programs I am considering are very good, making my rank list will be very difficult. Quality of life, cost of living, and schools in these various places will also be very important to ensure that our entire family thrives. Taking into account all these factors, Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and Yale in New Haven, CT, are nudging out the others for the top spots on the list. However, there is still a lot of time before February 24, when our list has to be finalized. We will find out where we go on March 18.
Want to add your 2 cents? Vote for up to three places below. NOTE: Like all polls, this one WILL NOT DETERMINE THE ACTUAL OUTCOME! 🙂
[poll id=”2″]
You should set it up so we can vote!
Dave,
This is from Uncle Rob:
” Congratulations on having the endurance to complete that hellish long program. I’m sure you will do where ever you will go. We are looking forward to hearing about your decision.”
Good luck!
Rob & Sandy
I am not sure I would recommend Bay Area, California as the cost of living is exorbitant, and most of the good schools are in ritzy neighborhoods. However, there are other benefits to living in California….fresh produce year round, bike paths, etc. Personally, I would pick Minnesota or Wisconsin, as long as your kids don’t develop funny accents.
Don’t we ALL have a vote? Jeesh!!
Ok, so I am giving you a “fake” vote, see the post. Although I already know what you think our #1 should be! Thanks for commenting!
Now you do!
Thanks for your thoughts on San Francisco. UCSF actually gives residents extra money because of the high cost of living, which probably makes it technically possible for us to live there-but certainly not comfortable.
1. U of C
2. U of I
3. Wash U
I’m not voting for St. Louis (because seriously, would you really want to live in St. Louis over Seattle ;)?) but if you did go there, our next door neighbor, who is a good friend of ours, did his residency in plastics at Wash U and they have a rental house near campus. If you did want to talk to them about it (either the rental house, Wash U, or St. Louis in general) I could arrange it.
You’ll be great anywhere! But of course, I picked the east coast … selfish reasons really 🙂
Best of Luck!!!
Remember Anne, you are allowed to vote only once! 🙂