Cleveland Clinic Foundation Program Individual Response

What is your in-state status?:

In state

On what date did the interview take place?:

2/1/2008

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

7 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?:

10 out of 10

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

3 out of 10

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

2 out of 10

What was the stress level of the interview?:

8 out of 10

How did the interview impress you?:

Negatively

How long was the interview?:

20 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 huge program with tons of residents, tons of cases, a new famous education-oriented chair, and a well-known name. But, terrible didactics/treatment and crap location.<p> Lodging: You’re put up at the on-campus hotel.<p> Dinner: Bussed to a local restaurant for dinner the night before – residents low-key and tired-looking. No EtOH – by design?<p> Schedule: Interview day starts at 7am (show up by 0650) with light breakfast. Chair came in to give a short spiel. Shelly Sords, the coordinator, then prepped us for the day. Dr. Tetzlaff then gave an overly long, overly detailed (1.5hr lecture at 0745, yes, really) powerpoint lecture filled with CCF history and lots of superlatives (“…biggest in the U.S.…best in the U.S.”). Then, interview with Dr. Tetzlaff (5-10 minutes, he asked my name, reviewed file in front of me), 2 faculty, and one abruptly honest resident. Then lunch with residents, then tour, then exit interviews where Tetzlaff tells you where you stand – vaguely. We heard they go low on their rank list and I totally buy it, it does not seem like anyone’s first choice. Day is over around 1600.<p> Program info: 20 though the main match and 10 out-of-match for January starts (almost all FMGs). A huge tertiary/quaternary referral center. OB, trauma off-site. In-house moonlighting aka “REXing,” sometimes whether you like it or not.<p> Pros: “Big cases on sick people” is the party line. Name. Physical layout/support/tech/toys/$$$ is insane. In-house research program certainly one of the best in the country. All fellowships in-house (except regional). Lotsa moonlighting $$$. Good CBY with a lot of non-ward time.<p> Cons: Cleveland. ‘Nuff said. OB is all a bunch of suburban chicks (e.g. little to no high-risk). Peds stinks. Trauma stinks. Lots of CRNAs and SRNAs. Concern that they take your cases. Take this how you will. Didactics stink, in-OR teaching is almost nonexistent. Faculty focused on turnover and throughput rather than teaching/learning. EXTREMELY variable quality of residents. Superstars to “really? you’re a physician?” caliber. Report as inappropriate