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So I thought if I gave this thread an extremely lame title, people may be more inclined to give some feedback? Haha anways, I have been incredibly lucky this year in sneaking through the admissions process with two Chi-town acceptances. However, as much as I wish I could just combine both schools into one and attend that hybrid, I can't. Also, I know that this topic has been discussed extensively in the past, however after perusing those threads I would still like some current input.
Anyways, here is my list of comparison tools.
Cost : wash.. discussed extensively, but UIC jacks up the price 3rd and 4th year + higher COL in the city compared to Forest Park/Oak Park (Loyola). I would end up saving maybe 15K total going to UIC.
Location: UIC. I was born and raised outside of Chicago and I know how much more there is to do in the city compared to "chicago-land area".
Facilities: Loyola. They are nice and new.
Clinical Training: Honestly don't really know about this one. Loyola has a level 1 trauma center and a VA. UIC has the med-district, Stroger, VA as well. I feel like either would provide adequate clinical training.
Curriculum: Again, both are polar opposites. UIC is oldschool with longitudinal lectures spanning 6-8 hours per day. Loyola is more condensed and block scheduling, but much lighter course-load. However, considering medicine is a team sport, I appreciate the problem based-group learning addition at loyola. After-all we aren't going to be isolated rogue physicians at the end of the tunnel.
Environment: This is where I have been biased and would like some first hand feedback from UIC students in particular. Loyola seems to emphasize teamwork and promote more of a community/family. I've heard stories about the competitiveness at UIC and that a large portion of the class is not happy and frankly don't even know each other. Again the UIC stories have been "hear-say" and I haven't gotten any direct feedback so I would appreciate to be told differently!
Research: Not at all a factor for me. I realize one must do it(for certain residencies) to "play the game", but not interested in being a physician/scientist at all. Therefore, the US News rankings really do not factor in to my decision making at all.
Faculty: Any input on this would help as I do not know anything about either schools faculty.
About me---> I am very social person and am excited to bond with my future classmates. I do not want to go to a school where people do not interact with each other outside of the class. I also do not want to live by the whole "delayed gratification" idea. I want a school that will allow me to do well without being a complete miserable recluse while doing so. Also, my family and girlfriend are both in Chicago-land and would be happy with either choice.
Please help me out!
Anyways, here is my list of comparison tools.
Cost : wash.. discussed extensively, but UIC jacks up the price 3rd and 4th year + higher COL in the city compared to Forest Park/Oak Park (Loyola). I would end up saving maybe 15K total going to UIC.
Location: UIC. I was born and raised outside of Chicago and I know how much more there is to do in the city compared to "chicago-land area".
Facilities: Loyola. They are nice and new.
Clinical Training: Honestly don't really know about this one. Loyola has a level 1 trauma center and a VA. UIC has the med-district, Stroger, VA as well. I feel like either would provide adequate clinical training.
Curriculum: Again, both are polar opposites. UIC is oldschool with longitudinal lectures spanning 6-8 hours per day. Loyola is more condensed and block scheduling, but much lighter course-load. However, considering medicine is a team sport, I appreciate the problem based-group learning addition at loyola. After-all we aren't going to be isolated rogue physicians at the end of the tunnel.
Environment: This is where I have been biased and would like some first hand feedback from UIC students in particular. Loyola seems to emphasize teamwork and promote more of a community/family. I've heard stories about the competitiveness at UIC and that a large portion of the class is not happy and frankly don't even know each other. Again the UIC stories have been "hear-say" and I haven't gotten any direct feedback so I would appreciate to be told differently!
Research: Not at all a factor for me. I realize one must do it(for certain residencies) to "play the game", but not interested in being a physician/scientist at all. Therefore, the US News rankings really do not factor in to my decision making at all.
Faculty: Any input on this would help as I do not know anything about either schools faculty.
About me---> I am very social person and am excited to bond with my future classmates. I do not want to go to a school where people do not interact with each other outside of the class. I also do not want to live by the whole "delayed gratification" idea. I want a school that will allow me to do well without being a complete miserable recluse while doing so. Also, my family and girlfriend are both in Chicago-land and would be happy with either choice.
Please help me out!
