Thinking about doing a sub-I in the DC area. Can anyone comment on the differences between these two programs? Thanks.

good question....anyone?

Georgetown is ok, but not a powerhouse by any means. They just went to 2 a year. Not very competetive to get in compared to other programs. GW is poor. Interview day was horribly organized. They take 1 a year. NIH is a plus for both. I’d take Georgetown over GW if I HAD to stay in DC. I’d take many other programs over Georgetown if I could go anywhere. I’m not trying to hate, this is the general consensus amongst many in neurosurgery.

I’ve heard that the best program in DC is the military program, but I don’t think you can rotate there if you aren’t in the military.

Anonymous User - 01 March 2008 02:11 AM

GW is poor. Interview day was horribly organized. They take 1 a year. NIH is a plus for both.

I did a sub-I at GW last year and I don’t think it’s fair to call them “poor”.  I will agree with you that the interview day was sub-awesome, but not on your one-word characterization of their program.  They went through a rebuilding phase when Sehkar left, and now they are growing with young and energetic faculty and an established chair.  They are very strong in trauma, vascular, epilepsy and spine.

One word of warning to those trying to do a sub-I at GW, the neuroscience rotations are all handled by the neurology department and they will try to set you up with two weeks of neurology and two weeks of neurosurgery.  Insist on doing four weeks of adult neurosurgery at GW University Hospital.  For sub-I’s last year, they gave us weekends off, which was unexpected and appreciated.  Fall is a beautiful time to get out and about in D.C.

I would take neither. Wash DC is a terrible place to train. Wasn’t too long again that everry neurosurgeon in the area had been sued at least once. Some places are not good places to train because of a lack of tort reform and lawyer-ascendancy. Wash DC is once such place, NYC is another. These 2 cities are quite literally dominated by lawyers. You’ll be watching alot and doing not very much. Sekhar in large part left Wash DC because he couldn’t practice neurosurgery without being sued. He was doing nothing wrong except operating on people other surgeons would have left to die and not achieving miraculous results.

This thread raises valid points.  Unfortunately DC Neurosurgery has been in flux since Laws left.  It’s sad for a capitol city, but true.

Maybe things will change in the next 5-10 years, but for the immediate future I’d recommend going to a program with a focus on resident education.

I agree with all stated above. I was not too impressed by georgetown/GW either.

two chairmen have told me that training in DC is sub-par. one attending told me that GW is not a place to train and I shouldn’t even apply. i’m a third year med student with no personal connection with either program (but I’m from DC and would have wanted to move back if there were good programs).

I can’t speak for G-town, but I think GW is getting a bit of a bad rap here.  They have the drawback of having their training spread out over several hospitals (GW, Fairfax, Children’s, NIH).  But combined, their experience is robust.  They have the one of the strongest vascular programs in the region, with young faculty that are great new additions to the program.  Compared with the ‘rebuilding’ period everyone is referring to, the program is now strongly headed in the right direction.

What is the deal with Georgetown?  It is a slightly above average medical school yet looking at the match lists it places candidates pretty solidly.  Thoughts? Any insight as to why?

Also, are there any updates on this “up and coming program.” I know they just went to two per year.

Anonymous User - 23 July 2008 06:08 AM

What is the deal with Georgetown?  It is a slightly above average medical school yet looking at the match lists it places candidates pretty solidly.  Thoughts? Any insight as to why?

Also, are there any updates on this “up and coming program.” I know they just went to two per year.

Georgetown is one of the best medical schools in the country, so of course our gunners get into top NSG programs.  It’s a fuckin cakewalk for the G-men.

So SUCK on that.

Funny because I go there.  I do appreciate you making us look like a bunch of 12 year olds.  Any intelligent responses? Thank you.

Anonymous User - 23 July 2008 07:48 AM

Funny because I go there.  I do appreciate you making us look like a bunch of 12 year olds.  Any intelligent responses? Thank you.

amen, brother!

Anonymous User - 23 July 2008 07:25 AM

Anonymous User - 23 July 2008 06:08 AM

What is the deal with Georgetown?  It is a slightly above average medical school yet looking at the match lists it places candidates pretty solidly.  Thoughts? Any insight as to why?

Also, are there any updates on this “up and coming program.” I know they just went to two per year.

Georgetown is one of the best medical schools in the country, so of course our gunners get into top NSG programs.  It’s a fuckin cakewalk for the G-men.

So SUCK on that.

grow up.  i highly doubt you know any of the “gunners” at georgetown.  btw, the guy who posted right after you kinda put you in your place, ‘eh?  how’s that make you feel, dumbass?

Does anyone have any helpful insight? I would really appreciate it.