I got placed in Chicago (interviewed last week of october, accepted Nov. 24th, walked my preference card in to the school on the 25th, im doing research about a block away) but I interviewed in Rockford. The Rockford campus to me had its ups and downs...one of the major positives about it, is that you get to know the faculty and other students extremely well it seemed. The students in Rockford were pretty outspoken on how great the clinical opportunities are though...lots of 1 on 1 with the physicians, and Med students get alot more hands on experience than in Chicago where they are working with Fellows, Residents, RNs, PAs, etc.
On the other hand, the Rockford campus is really, really small. It felt like a middle school to me, and obviously has no teaching hospital right there like so many other med schools. There are research opportunities but when I asked the Dean about research he didn't really talk much about it. I got the impression that it would be quite a bit more difficult to do research, but at the same time 1st summer should provide opportunity to do some research in Chicago if you want. (at least what can get done in 3 months). Also Rockford has all the Rural Med students, so a heavy emphasis seems to be more on primary care and less on research. That said, if you want to do research, I'm sure you will still be able to, it just seemed the students in general were less concerned with it than at other places I interviewed
All in all, I am happy I got Chicago, and I understand some of you guys are bummed, but I've also heard that you can do a pretty good load of 3rd and 4th year rotations in chicago even if you are in Rockford. Also while champaign isn't the best place to be for a year, everytime i've been there its been a blast, and going to an Illini Bball game is about as good as you will get out side of Cameron Stadium.
