THE THREE KINDS OF RESIDENCY PROGRAMS

University Programs: The cream ! Research Opportunities, Academic orientation, Teaching Faculty and better fellowship placements.

University - Affiliated Community Programs: Research & Academic Opportunities - well atleast better than community programs !

Community Programs: These by definition are meant to serve the community. The faculty is not really obliged to teach residents but many senior physicians will tell you stuff anyways and help you. Generally speaking there will be more work ( often more than the 80-hour Resident week rule) and often more 'scutwork' Advantage ? More hands-on experience. However, this is a generalisation - not a law !

So which ones are better? If you are hell bent on getting that fellowship, University programs make that easier than community programs. Note the word 'easier' - which means if you get into community programs don't think it is the end of the road ! It means you will need to be more enterprising to get into a fellowship program later (which is not that tough I hear)

Thus, if you are thinking Fellowships :

University > University - Affiliated > Community

Questions for me ? Use my USMLE - Residency Forum