We (kzoo) like people that are easy going and will work well in a small group of residents (we take 2 a year). Our chairman does like applicants with good USMLE scores but having a 260 and no social skills or being a conceited jerk wont get you anywhere either. We all get along very well and have fun and operate a lot with a minimum of scut. We do get a lot of perks (home call, free loupes, free food all the time at the hospitals, have cast techs to help out on call). We have had good success in people getting great fellowships out of here as well. If you are looking to come and do a ton of research, there are other programs where that will be easier to do. Not to say you cant do research here, there just arent a ton of projects that you can jump in on like at some large university settings. We abide by the 80 hour rule and do so without lying (not so at all places). We usually interview around 30 or 35 people. The residents just give their general feelings on applicants that interview (A=really like, B=no pluses/minuses, C=some serious flaw/weirdness) Interview process is very benign and I believe they still pay for your hotel and a nice dinner.
As for grand rapids, I did not interview there, but they are less than a hour away, and I have not heard any bad things about them.
Feel Free to ask any other questions.
