CCOM questions

[Doctor Bagel]

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Okay, I've been accepted to CCOM and have a few questions for you students. No, it's not about animal testing. 🙂 One, would it be realistic for me to plan on living somewhere like Oak Park instead of in the Downers Grove area? I took a really intense dislike to Downers Grove and would rather live somewhere with a more urban feel. I know you can live in Oak Park or even Chicago itself in the third and fourth years, but what about in years one and two. I know about the 7:30 tests up to twice a week, but other than that, I'm probably not going to go to class aside from labs and omm.

Two, are the clinicals as awesome as they sound? I've been looking at the sites, and it really does look like you get to rotate alongside other Chicago medical students.

Three, would I feel weird as a non-traditional student? Since the school has dorms, I got the impression most students were around 22 or so. I'm going to be 30 when I start and married.

Thanks for any insight!

 

[Claymore]

Okay, I've been accepted to CCOM and have a few questions for you students. No, it's not about animal testing. 🙂 One, would it be realistic for me to plan on living somewhere like Oak Park instead of in the Downers Grove area? I took a really intense dislike to Downers Grove and would rather live somewhere with a more urban feel. I know you can live in Oak Park or even Chicago itself in the third and fourth years, but what about in years one and two. I know about the 7:30 tests up to twice a week, but other than that, I'm probably not going to go to class aside from labs and omm.

Two, are the clinicals as awesome as they sound? I've been looking at the sites, and it really does look like you get to rotate alongside other Chicago medical students.

Three, would I feel weird as a non-traditional student? Since the school has dorms, I got the impression most students were around 22 or so. I'm going to be 30 when I start and married.

Thanks for any insight!

Congratulations for getting accepted. I'm pretty happy with the time I've spent here, and would certainly recommend it. Your questions:

1. Yes, you can live in Oak Park for the first two years if you want. I live in Oak Park now (MS-4) and it's only about a half hour drive back to campus. As long as you don't mind making that drive each day, it's a great town to live in...still a suburb, but more of that city feel. Plus the loop is like a 10 minute drive or easy El ride. I'd highly recommend Oak Park especially for years 3-4. I did know a couple of people who lived out this way during second year also. Especially if you know your class attendance will be minimal, I see no reason why you can't live here if you don't mind that drive each day.
2. Rotation quality is pretty hit or miss, and is largely dependent on what you're after. Some people are pretty passive and just take whatever sites are convenient or don't research the rotations before picking them, but if you plan ahead you can get some good experiences. We have a good deal of flexibility in choosing our sites (lots of area hospitals) and depending on what you're interested in many sites are very strong. I would say that I rotate with students from other (allopathic) schools on >75% of my rotations; the only times I don't are at Olympia Fields. For electives you can go anywhere you want, and most people do multiple rotations at some pretty good hospitals. Everyone gets stuck with a few crappy ones, but by and large things are pretty good. Definitely one of the school's strong points.
3. Re: non-trad, the majority of students in my class entered school in that 22-25 age but we certainly have a fair number of people in their upper 20's and 30's. There may even be a couple in their 40's, I'm not sure. Lots of people (including myself) are married. 30 is definitely not too old.
4. Congratulations again. Any other questions just let me know.

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

I only know the answer to the first question. One of my classmates lives in Oak Park, she claims its 10 miles, and it takes her up to 35 minutes to drive to class.


**** that. Im rockin the dorms second year too.

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

Oh, also, I thnk we only have three people 30 or over in my class.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

thanks for the info. i think i could handle the oak park commute, and yeah, 35 minutes is what i was figuring. now driving in snow will be a new one for me.

 

[CTashby]

Hello,

I too have lived in oak park since my second year. i'm a third year and quite content where i am. great place. gotta love saturday morning donuts and cider at the farmers market. we have two carribou's and a borders for studying (i'm partial to the carribou). Oak park has lots of med students with loyola being so close as well. Quite a few ccom people also.
There is an organization that i think is called the Oak park Housing commission (or something like that) and they will help you find an apartment for free. Its a great service that my wife and i used when we moved here.

Congrats on your acceptance. It all goes by very very fast.

casey

 

[mocheese]

congrats. I am a first year and I live in oak park as well. Oak park is exactly as you described. It feels very urban despite the fact that it is technically a suburb. you have access to the "L", which gives you access to downtown and it is just off the expressway, so traveling isnt that bad either. The downtown is a very cool place to hang out also. It usually takes me 15-20 minutes to get to school in the morning, the only time it might take around 35 minutes is if you hit peak morning rush and there is an accident that slows down traffic, which really doesnt happen all that often believe it or not.

There are alot of married people in our class and I think our average class age was like 25, so there isnt and overwhelming amount of people who are fresh out of undergrad and really immature. Most people have been out of school a few years and have some life expierence. If you have any questions let me know. Me and my fiance just bought a condo here so if you are thinking that route, feel free to ask me questions about that as well.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

okay, thanks for the new info! from looking at pictures and reading about it, oak park sounds really awesome. it also seems a bit cheaper than lombard and downers grove, but i might be wrong on that one. it's good to know that i could live there.

 

[Claymore]

okay, thanks for the new info! from looking at pictures and reading about it, oak park sounds really awesome. it also seems a bit cheaper than lombard and downers grove, but i might be wrong on that one. it's good to know that i could live there.

I doubt it's cheaper than Lombard, unless you are living in a real sketchy place...keep in mind that in Oak Park you are likely going to have to pay for parking on top of rent (anywhere from probably $40-100/month) whereas in Lombard parking is usually plentiful and free. I am paying about $150 more per month living in Oak Park vs. when I was in Lombard, largely because of parking (2 cars). Also that commute, while not terrible, will certainly up your expenditure on gas, which can be a big hit if the prices go back up to $3+/gallon again. Just be prepared that while Oak Park is pretty cool, it is definitely more expensive than Lombard. Downers may be another story, I'm not sure.

 

[bbake87]

City View and Yorktown II - both in Lombard are money spots. Buckeye, who is Mocheese?

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

City View and Yorktown II - both in Lombard are money spots. Buckeye, who is Mocheese?

I dont know. Their identity eludes me.

 

[bbake87]

I dont know. Their identity eludes me.

OOhh! I'm Buckeye I use 10cent words like eludes and identity.

 

[DiLLynqnt]

hey exxlawgrl, i am just curious to know how long it took for the school to contact u for about your acceptance you interviewed. neways, im sure your super happy since ccom is an awesome school!! congrats! 😎

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

OOhh! I'm Buckeye I use 10cent words like eludes and identity.

10 cents is more than your broke ass has.

 

[CTashby]

www.liveinoakpark.org

free apartment finding service