Chicago Psychiatry Residency Programs- opinions, rankings, experiences

[meerkat]

Hello- I am applying for Psychiatry residency this year, and I am only ranking Chicago programs. I have interviewed at all of them (in no particular order: U of C, UIC, Northwestern, Rush, Loyola, Rosalind Franklin CMS, and Lutheran General). I am trying to put together my ROL, and it would be helpful to get some more feedback on other's experiences/opinions of the programs. Many of these program sound excellent to me, but it still feels difficult to get a true idea of what these programs would be like.

Some things I care about: call schedules, broad pt experience, resident/faculty cohesiveness, and vacation days.

Also, what are people's general feelings and impressions of these places?

Thanks so much for your help!

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[jane70]

I only interviewed at UIC but I really liked it. I think it's one of the largest in Chicago with 10-12 res/year. I thought the people were great, very friendly, down to earth. The call schedule seemed really good - q5 PGY1 psych for 4 months then wknd call for 2 months, no neuro call at all, no call during 2 months of gen med or 3 mo if do peds. So 4-5 months totally call free intern year! They said they worked about 60h a week and no wknds on psych months unless you're on call. All in all a pretty good schedule. 1st therapy pt 2nd yr, there is an institute in Chicago, more clinically than research oriented, no specific psych ED but enough psych through regular ED.
I couldn't really tell about the faculty resident relationship, but all the residents seemed happy so I would think it's good. I don't remember the vacation days, but Frieda should have that. If you can handle Chicago weather, which you obviously seem fine with, I think UIC would be a great program.

 

[chitown1123]

To answer your question I go to medical school here and know a good amount about the various programs. I interviewed at UIC and loved it!!! Even if I hadn't UIC is the strongest program by far in terms of what it offers its residents, what you are exposed to and the facilities. So in my opinion and from what I have heard I would rank them as follows:


1. UIC
2. Northwestern
3. Rush
4. Loyola
5. U of C/Chicago Med

Hope this helps😀 😉

 

[BlueSkies01]

Northwestern was my clear favorite. They have a truly amazing program director, Dr. Anzia. I was very impressed by the program in general. Great training, fantastic facilities, and the powerhouse reputation of Northwestern behind you.

On my interview day at UIC, there were a TON of applicants and it was somewhat disorganized. There weren't enough chairs for everyone and they forgot to distribute our interview schedules until it was time to start interviewing. Only a couple people got to meet with the director, which I thought was a little odd. Also, one of my interviewers talked down on the other programs in Chicago, which I thought was very unprofessional. However, I acknowledge that other people might have had a better day, and that UIC has many resources to offer. They seem to have really great fellowships.

Rush and UIC seemed very similar to me, perhaps partly due to their location! One plus for Rush is that it can offer all the personal attention of a smaller program. Its residents seem to genuinely get along, and they hang out together outside of the hospital. I wanted to love U of Chicago, but all the problems they've had in recent years with faculty leaving and re-starting the Child program is definitely a consideration.

1) Northwestern
2) UIC / Rush
3) U of Chicago

 

[Dartos Vader]

I'm currently at LGH and am pretty happy with the program. I also really liked UIC, which I ranked right below LGH. I think the best part of our program is the faculty. We get a LOT of teaching, through scheduled lectures and on the fly. It's a good mix of attendings, some of them are exceotionally good at the biological/pharmacologic aspects of psychiatry, while some really excel at the therapeutic interventions. I get along well with all the other departments. Our class is pretty close, which is good because there are only three of us. Every week we have a function (volleyball in the summer, pool/bowling or dinner in the winter) that is pretty well attended. One of our attendings organizes it and is always there, and various other attendings drop in periodically.

For me the location is a plus b/c I have a family and wanted to live in the burbs. Call is 4-5/month first year, 3/month second year, once a month third year and no call 4th year.

LGH has no fellowships, so I would say that is a downside.

I recently did an out rotation through UIC at the VA. All the residents I met out there were very nice. The attending I worked with was great. Really an enjoyable experience.

I interviewed at U of C. I didn't feel like it would be a good fit for me so I did not rank them. Not saying anything bad about the program, it just wasn't for me. I didn't apply to any of the other chicago programs.

Good luck!