Chicago Gen Surg Programs

[Nephrectomy101]

Can anyone comment on the major Chicago programs? Looks like most of the threads commenting on Chicago programs are rather outdated. I will be applying to general surgery this year and I would appreciate any information from anyone who has rotated/worked at/interviewed at Loyola, Rush, UofC, UIC, or Northwestern.

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[ACSurgeon]

Can anyone comment on the major Chicago programs? Looks like most of the threads commenting on Chicago programs are rather outdated. I will be applying to general surgery this year and I would appreciate any information from anyone who has rotated/worked at/interviewed at Loyola, Rush, UofC, UIC, or Northwestern.

I ranked them in this order (I think):

1- Rush: Nice residents/attendings low intensity program (ie very benign). They have cook county which offers great operative experiences. Downside: less academic opportunities (although residents match well)

2- UIC: Strong clinical program, but you'll work your ***** off. Lot's of IMG's. Rotate at 5 hospitals. Big on robotic surgery.

3- Loyola: All your training is on one campus (I liked this). They have a VA. They are outside of the downtown area, and the surrounding area wasn't a dump. They have a malignant reputation, and the residents didn't try to hide that.

4- The U of C: big academic name but ****ty training. An attending told me he thought the residents did not learn to operate by the time they were done. The program is short on cash too - it was the only program I interviewed at that didn't buy its residents loops OR have a book fund. They made applicants pay for parking on interview day. They are building a new hospital though for surgical care... so not sure.

You'll have to make your own criteria for why you rank a program higher than others. Some will jump at the big name, others at the type of treatment at the program. It varies.

 

[Nephrectomy101]

Thanks, lazymed. Any particular reason why Northwestern didn't make it on that list?

 

[ACSurgeon]

Thanks, lazymed. Any particular reason why Northwestern didn't make it on that list?

Yes. They didn't offer me an interview 🙄

But from what I've heard about NW: strong academic program with variable operative experience. It's supposed to be better now that they are affiliated with a local private hospital.

 

[Nephrectomy101]

It sounds competitive. Glad the match worked out for you, lazymed! Can anyone else comment on Northwestern? I read about their apprenticeship model, which I am very attracted to...