VisionaryTics and Snoopy -- maybe i'm just super naive and this might be true about other medical schools but it seems liek the administration and deans and even professors don't care about their students -- at least that's what i'm getting out of the comments from actual students in that powerpoint. I was really turned off by the whole "profs only care about their research, that's why there's no class attendance by m2 year" and "the facilities and buildings suck." How much does this stuff ultimately matter in choosing a med school though and do you have the same feelings? I don't want to feel like a "number" instead of a person and worse, I don't want to feel like a voiceless number 🙁 This is the first disparaging thought I've had about UIC, damn.
I can only speak to my experiences at my campus. I was really surprised by the comments about the professors. Keep in mind that survey only contained results from Chicago students. I've felt, overall, the professors I've had (esp. in Peoria) have been solid to good. I personally never got the impression that the Urbana profs cared more about their research than teaching. In Peoria we are often taught by Ph.D researchers from the cancer research center, who can sometimes go into more detail than clinically necessary. It's an annoyance, but not one that happens too often, and not really a huge deal.
The facilities in Peoria are pretty good. In Urbana? Yeah, they sucked. But it was more minor annoyances, like chalkboards instead of whiteboards, creaky chairs, etc. Nothing that affects your M1 studies. I've never seen Rockford but they have brand-new facilities, from what I've heard. Chicago and Urbana are just older overall.
I actually have a very difference experience compared to Visionary as far as being informed by the administration - and this may reflect the differences among the campuses. Down here, we had the tuition hike sprung on us completely by surprise. There was no communication, and as far as I know, there still has been no explanation from the administration. The overall Dean came down to visit our campus once last year, and aside from that, I can't remember ever receiving a single email or notice from his office. I feel like the communication is the thing most lacking from our administration. Most students aren't just angry about the higher tuition (let's face it, the current students won't have to pay it), but the fact that big changes are being made quickly without keeping the student body updated, or even explaining things after the fact.
I do agree that it isn't necessarily all UIC's fault. They were put in a bad hole by the state. But the execution of these changes and their communication is lacking.
One thing, though - while I feel out of the loop in terms of overall administrative changes, I've
never felt like "a number" in terms of my individual future. In Urbana, Dean Few was great about calling us in to her office and was willing to listen to any problems we were having. In Peoria, Dr. Aiyer plays a similar role. She meets with you individually and is always available for personal career advice or questions about classes, clerkships, and residencies. I've always felt like I have someplace to go to for any personal questions I have.
Sorry for the essay. I'd say in general, every med school has its issues. The state of IL has been hit so hard that UIC is struggling more than most medical schools financially. I think student anger is coming from the lack of transparency and communication in terms of policy change. But as a student and not a policy-maker, I felt like I've received individual attention at the Urbana and Peoria campuses. I also feel like I've received a good education here. The tuition hike was abrupt and not well communicated, so there's an immediate reaction of anger, but I wouldn't let that student survey sway you one way or another.
For you guys, what's most important (besides financial picture) is talking to multiple M1s/M2s at the Chicago campus and finding out if they share the opinions in the survey
as far as the teaching is concerned. If there is an overwhelming opinion that classes are poorly taught by disinterested professors, then that's a legitimate concern. This is true for every school you consider - hence the importance of asking your tour guides questions on interviews!