Wow, almost a year since I updated. I could probably spend hours updating on a month-by month basis, but tonight, let's stay in the present.
I am now rapidly approaching the end of my journey. Two advanced degrees in eight years seemed liked a million years back in 2004, and now it feels like time has barely passed. I applied for residency positions, much in the same fashion as I did in 2003 for MD/PhD programs. Applications are nerve wracking, as no one likes the sting of rejection. I guess I am blessed as I was offered interviews at 10 out of 16 programs I applied to. This week I started the interviews.
My first interview was appropriately at the place where I am most at home, UMN. Despite getting an awful cold I think the interview went well. Minnesota is a great place, which is why I have been happy hear for the past 8 years. The question now is if I should spread my baby bird wings and fly to coup, or stay and build on to an already strong foundation.
My second interview was about as 180 degrees opposite to Minnesota as you could get, the Big Apple, NYC. Mount Sinai is a great program. Over my academic career I have interacted with their faculty and students at various conferences, and I was always impressed. The program continues to impress me, and I highly enjoyed the interview. Needless to say, I felt like a bit of a novelty item at the interview, as I was the only applicant one person had ever met from North Dakota. Thank god I memorized that Peggy Lee was from Jamestown! Who would have guess that piece of trivia would come in handy. I consequently read through the Wikipedia "celebrities from ND" page today in case this comes up in the future....
Now I am back in my humble home nursing my sore throat, aching joints, and runny nose. Next week finds me traveling to Nashville, TN (Vanderbilt) and Chicago, IL (Northwestern). I am excited to go see these programs, but to also catch up with old friends in both locations.
It is going to be an excited two months, and at the end of it all Match Day. I will not write on the pages of this blog which program will be 1,2,3, etc as I am #1 a bit superstitious, and #2 trying to weight this major life decision carefully. As far as I can tell so far, the interview process is mostly recruiting, and ultimately the Match helps balance personal choice with institutional preference. Therefore, as I travel many thousands of miles in the next few months so stay tuned for more briefs.
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