I'm not a current student, but I had similar concerns. The following info I'm providing is what I learned by talking to current students during second look day:
I am of a completely different religion, and I felt very welcome and comfortable at Loyola. There are various student orgs for students of different religions. If you are not religious at all, the religion is not incorporated into the curriculum at all from what I gathered from the current students. The only "required" religious component is a class called Catholic bioethics, which touches on Jesuit values, many of which transcend religion.
I do not know the average Step score, but the 2019 match list was posted on the office of admissions' door during second look day. I believe you could also email the ssom email, and they will send it to you. To me, it looked very impressive. From what I can remember, there were 5-7 ortho matches, 3 derm matches, 3+ optho matches, 3+ ENT matches, etc. Sorry I can't tell you the exact numbers but I remember being very impressed! They also had a good mix of academic and community programs with prestigious names in there. 50-60% matches in the midwest, 20% in the west coast, etc.
I can't speak on the women's health component, but I can say that matches into OB/GYN were prevalent. I want to say that the highest percentage of match was into primary care (including internal medicine), then emergency medicine, then OB/GYN, etc.
What I know about the dean leaving was that she was originally from California and has wanted to move back for some time. I believe that UC Riverside offered her an employment package that was hard to turn down. Her reasons for leaving were personal (wanting to be back in Cali) as opposed to anything having to do with Loyola.
Hope this helps - again, I am NOT a current student. Just an applicant like you who asked a ton of questions during second look lol. You can PM me if you need more info, I was also deciding between 3 schools and am going with Loyola.
I've been accepted at Loyola and I'm deciding between Loyola and another school and I'm having a hard time choosing. I think my gut is saying Loyola, but I'm nervous about a few things.
Firstly, I'm not religious so I'm wondering if I'll feel out of place. I asked my tour guide about this on my interview day and he said he isn't religious either and it doesn't affect him much. I'm very supportive of women's reproductive rights so I'm nervous about butting heads with my classmates or even patients. Can anyone who is non-religious speak to their experience at Loyola? Are you comfortable? Do you feel like you're missing anything from your education because of it? Are your classmates/mentors/faculty supportive of your belief in women's reproductive rights?
Does anyone know the average Step 1 score?
Does anyone have a copy of the 2019 Match List they can share?
It sounds like a few deans left recently to pursue positions at other institutions. Is this something to worry about?
Overall, I was really impressed with Loyola when I visited for interview day and second look. It feels like a great community and I love how there are so many non-traditional students like me! I want to trust my gut and commit, but I'm hoping maybe someone can comment on some of my questions to help me feel better about this decision. Thanks!