easier programs in Chicago

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mountaindew2006

Senior Member
7+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
anyone know what the 'easier' gas programs in chicago are? or perhaps a ranking of the programs? i only ask because i am wondering what my chances would be since my applications isnt the strongest.

if you all could PM me that would be ok too.

thanks
md2006
 
Don't wonder, just apply. Don't focus so heavily on chances...it'll only hurt you in the long run. Break out your visa card and start clicking the little boxes next to programs.

Now copy this message and stick it in your SDN signature.

Vent
 
I wish I could just do that. Hmm..i might have the best SDN signature if I were to do that. lol dont worry just click away...

However, I'm not one that likes to set myself up intentionally for diasspointment.

any other opinions??

👍 👍 👍 👍
 
mountaindew2006 said:
However, I'm not one that likes to set myself up intentionally for diasspointment.
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"Cowards die many times before their deaths. The valiant never taste of death but once."
-- William Shakespeare


Think about that. Then, go for it.

-Skip
 
right..

ventdep i get your point. but i'm just looking for specifics about chicago programs, that which cant be found on website/brochures 😀
 
boy do you know how to hyperbolize feelings...."insecurities".

I was asking for advice, not shakespeare bud. Grow up a little. if you cant offer any positive advice/suggestions then dont even bother. Now i know why ppl were bashing you in the usmle forums.

again...grow up.

anyone elses advice would be appreciated. Thanks
 
mountaindew2006 said:
boy do you know how to hyperbolize feelings...."insecurities".

I was asking for advice, not shakespeare bud. Grow up a little. if you cant offer any positive advice/suggestions then dont even bother. Now i know why ppl were bashing you in the usmle forums.

again...grow up.

anyone elses advice would be appreciated. Thanks
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:wow:
 
If you mean easier to get into, I guess Cook County would probably be that. Though they didn't interview me so go figure, even though I interviewed at more competitive Chicago programs. Illinois-Masonic I got the impression was 'easier' to get into, but it was small at least in through the match positions so those 3 something spots might not be so easy afterall. UIC is a good program and maybe overlooked by some from outside the area, but not non-competitive by any means. After that you're playing in the big leagues...Loyola, Rush, Northwestern, Uchicago and these places interview people from all over the country and take good applicants. Apply to all of them and see what happens.
 
It seems that if you are not an FMG then Cook County won't even bother looking at you. G'head and apply though.

If my addlepated brain "remembers" correctly 9/10 UIC spots where filled by UIC students. They take mostly their own and as you can see even more so this past match.
 
VentdependenT said:
It seems that if you are not an FMG then Cook County won't even bother looking at you. G'head and apply though.

If my addlepated brain "remembers" correctly 9/10 UIC spots where filled by UIC students. They take mostly their own and as you can see even more so this past match.
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Hmm...Cook County offered me an interview even though I am an AMG. Maybe they thought I was an FMG because I was Asian??? LOL. Anyways, I agree with VentD that you should apply to all the programs. As for myself, I had a slightly below average GPA and slightly above average USMLE 1 score and applied to all seven of the Chicago programs. I was offered interviews at U of C, Loyola, Rush, and Cook County. It appears to me that U of C is the most competitive with Northwestern a close second. I would say Cook County is probably the least competitive, with Rush and Loyola being semi-competitive. UIC is very inbred and tough to get into if you're not already a UIC grad. No input on the others though. Good luck!

Hey what's up VentD, looks like we're going to be fellow residents next year!
 
Count2ten, looking forward to getting slammed in the OR's with ya next year. Rush is quite busy to say the least.

10 more days of IM floors. Thank the Lord. I feel like a friggen social worker who writes scripts and dodges bullets from crashing cross cover patients.

Vent
 
You do not have to be a FMG to apply or be a resident in cook county anesthesia. The faculty do scrutinize the applications, but do apply, everyone has a chance. Board scores are probably the most important. And the program is pretty good. You get good time to study, a structured didactic program, and a level one trauma center that no other hospital in chicago has except loyola ( i believe). All the gun shots, and mva come to cook county, not to rush or UIC. True the other hospitals, U of C, Northwestern, Loyola, have more prestige because they have research. But if you want to do anesthesia and practice in a private setting, and be able to handle any case that comes your way, cook is great. But if you want to stay in academics, research, then cook county is not your best choice.
 
I just finished a surgery rotation at Illinois Masonic as part of my transitional year. We get tons of GSWs, not just Cook County...

aneschicago said:
You do not have to be a FMG to apply or be a resident in cook county anesthesia. The faculty do scrutinize the applications, but do apply, everyone has a chance. Board scores are probably the most important. And the program is pretty good. You get good time to study, a structured didactic program, and a level one trauma center that no other hospital in chicago has except loyola ( i believe). All the gun shots, and mva come to cook county, not to rush or UIC. True the other hospitals, U of C, Northwestern, Loyola, have more prestige because they have research. But if you want to do anesthesia and practice in a private setting, and be able to handle any case that comes your way, cook is great. But if you want to stay in academics, research, then cook county is not your best choice.
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aneschicago said:
and a level one trauma center that no other hospital in chicago has except loyola ...
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and Christ Hospital, Illinois Masonic, Northwestern, Lutheran General. These are some of the other level one trauma centers in Chicago. There are others but I don't rememer them off the top of my head. An urban area of around 6 million people cannot have just 2 level one trauma centers. Historically, Cook County is well known for trauma but these others are just as busy if not busier than Cook. Christ is especially known for its volume of traumas since it serves the south side of chicago which is home to many "socio-economically disadvantaged people" (wow, a politically-correct term if ever there was one.) Lutheran General being close to O'Hare and several expressways gets lots of MVAs. Illinois Masonic serves the gang-bangers of the North Side especially Humboldt Park and Uptown areas.

The affiliations as I believe they exist:

Illinois Masonic - itself
Northwestern - itself
Christ - UIC
Lutheran General - U of Chicago
 
thanks guys very interesting posts!

hey question though. is this 'private practice' thing, which I assume is usu pain management, is it very common to do? I dont know much about it that's why. I figure you give people shots of nacrcotics or write scripts for narcotics for these people?

The reason I ask is I hear that CRNAs are taking over or soon will be the ANES.. at hospitals, so it appears people in gas will have to go to private practice to really make $$$ if they wanted to. would you all agree? granted I know they would still make a 'living' doing stuff at hospitals, but nothing near as what they used to make. On this note, besides pain management, what else can gas people do if they want to have their own practice?

thanks
MD2006
 
mountaindew2006 said:
thanks guys very interesting posts!

hey question though. is this 'private practice' thing, which I assume is usu pain management, is it very common to do? I dont know much about it that's why. I figure you give people shots of nacrcotics or write scripts for narcotics for these people?

The reason I ask is I hear that CRNAs are taking over or soon will be the ANES.. at hospitals, so it appears people in gas will have to go to private practice to really make $$$ if they wanted to. would you all agree? granted I know they would still make a 'living' doing stuff at hospitals, but nothing near as what they used to make. On this note, besides pain management, what else can gas people do if they want to have their own practice?

thanks
MD2006
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Anything they want...... :laugh:
 
mountaindew2006 said:
thanks guys very interesting posts!

hey question though. is this 'private practice' thing, which I assume is usu pain management, is it very common to do? I dont know much about it that's why. I figure you give people shots of nacrcotics or write scripts for narcotics for these people?

The reason I ask is I hear that CRNAs are taking over or soon will be the ANES.. at hospitals, so it appears people in gas will have to go to private practice to really make $$$ if they wanted to. would you all agree? granted I know they would still make a 'living' doing stuff at hospitals, but nothing near as what they used to make. On this note, besides pain management, what else can gas people do if they want to have their own practice?

thanks
MD2006
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I advise you to speak with an anesthesiologist, actually speak with them. I don't want to sound too rude, but it appears that you don't really understand much about anesthesia or have that great of an interest in the profession. Is there any particular reason as to why you're applying to anesthesia?
 
undecided05 said:
I advise you to speak with an anesthesiologist, actually speak with them. I don't want to sound too rude, but it appears that you don't really understand much about anesthesia or have that great of an interest in the profession. Is there any particular reason as to why you're applying to anesthesia?
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i agree i dont have a great deal of knowledge about this field, and that is why i am asking you all.

in terms of interest, i am like your screename states...somewhat 'undecided'.

so as my decision process should be narrowing down, as i am a third year, i really hope to get as much info as possible. it's all good, no harm taken 👍
 
1st off, ask yourself why you're interested in anesthesia and maybe tell others here why you're interested. You're not going to find much support from others if it's just about $$ and hours, but that being said those are pluses to anesthesia when compared to other aspects of medicine.

2nd, like I said earlier, talk to an anesthesiologist. In my opinion, many of your assumptions in a previous post were way off base. There is a big difference between working private practice and at university hospitals. But that's not just about the $$$. It's about hours, support staff, types of cases, and patients. Feel free to ask multiple attendings about CRNA's (not to generate another lame thread) but most of it has been hype that has gone on for the past 30 yrs. there are more CRNA's, with extended autonomy, in less desirable locations like the middle of Kansas, Nebraska, or Wyoming. Not necessarily a bad thing since not too many docs want to go there.

3rd, don't commit yourself to anesthesia as a 3rd year, esp if you have not done a rotation. You may find that you hate it; ie boring or terrifying. You may find that you love something else. Just my $.03.
 
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