Accepted at UMich. Still apply to UChicago?

[lavertus]

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Hi All. I was accepted to UMich a while back and now as the app deadline approaches quickly, I'm trying to decide whether I should spend the time, effort and money to apply to UChicago. I'm more family practice/community oriented than the research type although I'm not opposed to research by any means, especially clinical. Does any of you have any valuable insight into either school that might help inform my decision?

From various feedback, UChicago sounds like a fantastic environment, especially when it comes to keeping its students happy. I know UChicago heavily emphasizes research, but I get the feeling I can get this from UMich with more flexibility. I think I might prefer a big city over a smaller town like Ann Arbor, but I really liked the school and Michigan's teaching philosophy and curriculum. I guess it won't hurt to apply to Chicago, but I expect the essays to take quite a few hours and I'm lacking both in time and money at the moment. I know no one can give me a definitive answer (nor is my getting into UChicago a sure thing), but I'd appreciate your two cents.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

If you'd consider going to Pritzker, then go ahead.

If you're don't really want to go, but feel like applying out of guilt, then forget it. It's a rolling school and the hour grows late.

 

[CarlosMielefan]

My boyfriend is getting his PhD at UMich. We like Ann Arbor.

Hope that helped.

 

[lavertus]

My boyfriend is getting his PhD at UMich. We like Ann Arbor.

Hope that helped.

It does help. Do you think you could elaborate on why you like it? I really didn't have much chance to check out the area at all.

 

[krelian]

I also got into Umich, but never applied to Uchicago and probably never will. I did apply to Northwestern and saw the Chicago area, but I think Ann Arbor suffices as a city for me. If you're into the college-town atmosphere, Ann Arbor won't dissapoint. My student host took me out to see the night life, and we had a great time. The place is teeming with Umich students, many of whom are frickin' hot 👍 . It's an excellent place for young people but may not be so great if you're already settled down and everything.

 

[CarlosMielefan]

It does help. Do you think you could elaborate on why you like it? I really didn't have much chance to check out the area at all.

It's a very reputable school with a state-school feel. It is a very, very big school. It's got the college town feel, with the Barnes and Noble and the students with the hooded sweatshirts bearing the "M" letter, crossing the streets without regard for cars. UMich has a good law school. Good eletrical engineering program. Good medical school. Good just about everything. It has many coffee shops with cute, wiry boys behind the counters. It has a quiet feel yet it seems so youthful. Chicago is only four hours away. Canada is a short trip away also. Fun little town: Ann Arbor. Oh yes! there is the Urban Outfitters in the middle of the school... and the mall at Troy is only like 45 minutes away. You will never want for great European-made jeans!

 

[DrRads101]

When choosing a medical school, your priorities should be 1) Curriculum, and 2) Location. Everything else is totally secondary and won't affect your life.

I picked Northwestern over Umich simply due to location and have thanked God every day that I made the decision to live in a real city versus a college bubble. I lived in a college bubble for 5 years--went to two great college towns: Madison and Chapel Hill. The diversity and day-to-day life in Chicago is TOTALLY different and I finally feel like I am living a real life versus some mythical reality where everyone is 18-23 years old and that girl you see at the bar might be using a fake ID! 🙂

I see babies and kids in Chicago. Old people. A lot of African Americans, Hispanics with big families, European tourists, etc. Chicago is a real city where 10 million people metro call permanent home. Ann Arbor is a college town where 90% of the population is transient and roughly the same age. You will be stuck there in the summer because of med school, while everyone goes back "home" to places like Chicago. For instance, in Chicago you can live year round in a packed city, whereas Ann Arbor pretty much empties out during the summer months. Not to mention you feel like a part of the work force here in Chicago versus a poor med student who has to get up early in the morning. If you have to be at class by 8, you will walk to class in Chicago on the streets with hundreds of other Chicago workers, or take the El and feel like you are part of something. In Ann Arbor, around that same time you'll be one of the only people walking to work. Plus you just can't compare things like public transportation, lake frontage, beaches, urbanity, museums, restaurants, etc. Chicago is a World Class city, and you will get much more than just a medical education here because of it. Plus, and you will be surprised to hear this, but Chicago is a much friendlier place than Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor in many ways, to put it pluntly, can be a stuck up elitist town with tons of people from New York and the East Coast that kind of wish they weren't in the Midwest. Check out this site: http://www.annarborisoverrated.com/

BTW I have nothing against Ann Arbor. It is much better than MOST places to live and I would choose it any day of the week, but versus Chicago? No way in hell.

 

[leechy]

lavertus - if you're more of a city person, then definitely at least check out UChicago. I was going through mdapplicants a few days ago, and saw a profile where the person chose UChicago over UMich, partly because the school had better "mentors" (in the opinion of that particular person).

 

[Bones2008]

UChicago and UMich have two very different curriculums. Chicago is very traditional with lots of lectures and discipline-based learning. UMich balances small group with lecture and has an organ-based system.

As a side note, why bother applying to UChicago now if you haven't already? It's really late in the process to just apply now, and you may not interview there until way late in the spring. Also, their secondary looks like it belongs in the ninth circle of Hell.

 

[marydee]

UChicago is NOT NUMS. Don't be confused by these totally different schools and their campuses. UChicago can still feel like an undergrad campus because it is. It is NOT Michigan Avenue, Lake Shore Drive, grad students only, downtown Chicago as NUMS. The scenery nor the people affiliated with these two very different schools are anything alike. I wouldn't base my decision on NU comments. NUMS ain't UChicago. Their curriculums are nothing alike nor the part of the City. Go with your gut and if you think you're interested in UChicago -- go give it a try. However, many people seem very happy at UMich. You can only be second guessing yourself because you already have a GREAT acceptance in hand. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!