If someone is not planning to have a research or academic career, does going to a "top" derm program really matter? E.g. is ranking some mid tier places over a few top 5s crazy? -- Agree top 5 programs suck. I have them as my bottom 5 and my actual top 5 are all ranked 100+ on doximity. Better fit
well.. depends. do you want to do Mohs?
Even if you want to do mohs, if you have a regional preference that is swaying you towards the mid tier than I would still go with the mid tier bc Mohs fellowship interviews have regional preferences outside of top tier
Mohs fellowship is all about connections AND there were multiple small programs I interviewed at where the in-house spot goes to their residents if they want it OR they are so well-trained they do mohs occasionally in practice (at an academic center) without fellowship. For bread and butter derm, non-top programs are better in my opinion. Also having a PD/Chair go to bat for you is massive for Mohs.
< I know people who are planning to do academics/research and still are ranking mid tier (top 20?) over some top 5. There is life outside of residency for normal people, so if you have a reason you should do it
If you want a job in a highly desireable city/at a competitive job (not at academic) it does help to go to a "respected" program which could mean top 5. Helps get connections. If you want to do private practice in a smaller city, probably makes no difference.
Meh. What matters is a PD or chair who is going to pick up the phone and call everyone they know in XYZ city to get you that job. AND, importantly, that the PD or chair won't judge you for wanting a private practice job and will still put in as much effort helping you get that job.
Don't be dumb. The "bougie" pp centers love posting about how their doctors are trained at Hopkins or Harvard. Why do you think TV doctors all trained at Harvard? 95% won't care, but the bougie ones with the best payor mixes do.// << This is very sad but true, for the most competitive private practices name matters a ton :( If you want rural or smaller city or less competitive market, it won't matter where you go//...right, but who actually wants to go practice in those places? Most specialties have a "doctor shortage" because no one wants to live in those bad areas. Everyone wants to live in DC, Boston, SF, NYC, etc, so you do yourself a diservice by going to a lower program. Basically HAVE to do a fellowship to work in a competitive city.//
Nope.