Mount Sinai School of Medicine Program Individual Response

On what date did the interview take place?:

2/1/2008

How do you rank this residency among ALL other residencies?:

8 out of 10

How do you rank this residency among other residencies to which you've applied?:

6 out of 10

What is your ranking of this program's facilities?:

5 out of 10

What is your ranking of this program's location?:

6 out of 10

What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?:

6 out of 10

What was the stress level of the interview?:

2 out of 10

How did the interview impress you?:

Positively

How long was the interview?:

15 minutes

How many people interviewed you?:

4

What was the style of the interview?:

One-on-one

How was your interview day? Please summarize.:

The Bottom Line/Impression: A pretty solid program…but can $$$ buy happiness? <p> Lodging/Dinner: No hotel, no dinner. The PD specifically mentioned it but I can’t remember why he said they don’t do it. <p> Schedule: Interview day starts at 0900, show up at 0830 in a suit even though you’re gonna change into scrubs immediately, they give you a big locker to put your stuff in. Dr. Levine, the PD, who is a severely up-front, honest, straight-shooting, vibrant guy, then basically covers everything you’d want to know about the program (didactics, curriculum, etc.) until around 1100. Including the questions everyone asks or thinks they’re supposed to ask. Then lunch with the residents, who mostly seemed disinterested in engaging or even acknowledging the applicants as a group though there were a couple friendly ones. Is it because it’s NYC and you’re supposed to avoid eye contact? Then tour where we got some decent exposure to 4 of the residents who all said they came to Sinai b/c of Dr. Levine. Then interviews: Levine, Reich (chair, famous cardiac guy, pronounced “Rich”), 2 others. Out between 1630 and 1730. <p> Program Info: 18 spots all advanced. All rotations at Sinai except trauma at Elmhurst in Queens, also, neat office-based rotations at various private groups. Most fellowships. <p> Pros: Definitely a Levine “cult of personality” that infuses the whole department with his infectious personality. TONS of money for ANYTHING – moonlighting, presenting at meetings, books, toys, $20K/yr research track, etc etc. I heard this was the most-desired “top” residency in Manhattan and I could definitely see that based on the $$$, the hours, the job placement, the location. Consider that the intern salary is $51K and you get usually around $100/hr for moonlighting/taking longer-than-required call. Clinical teaching. Sinai was a private group about 25 years ago and have transitioned to a fairly strong teaching and researching faculty. Residents said most of their attendings were great and would eat lunch with them. Livers, hearts, OB, and ENT are the strengths. Sounds like the right amount of CRNAs/SRNAs – enough to do cases, not enough to take your cases. Subsidized housing sounds pretty good (ranging from $1200/2BR to $1600/1BR). Location in Upper East Side is apparently good. <p> Cons: Profound weaknesses in pain and peds: don’t come here if you want an academic career in either! Manhattan if it ain’t your thing. As above, a pretty neutral vibe since the residents were kind of unfriendly though they seemed happy. To be honest, some of the other applicants on my day (e.g. potential future co-residents) were a tad weird. Report as inappropriate