Iowa vs. Loyola (updated)

[AnEndlessSourceofLove]

*making decision w/o tuition+COL in mind bc they end up being within $5k of each other for me*

Overview: Not set on a specialty, but interested in ENT and want to make sure my school could set me up well should I choose to apply competitive/surgical specialty. Looking to do residency and practice in the midwest (probably Minnesota). Both schools are equidistant from my home (long drive, short flight). School culture is huge for me: supportive and engaged students/faculty are a must.

LONG STORY SHORT: Right now I am leaning Loyola. However, I am wondering if Iowa is regarded so much better than Loyola/is so much stronger of a program than Loyola that it would be a mistake to not choose Iowa. If you have any thoughts on this please let me know! More details below for reference.

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University of Iowa (Carver COM) - OOS
Pros

• Research opportunities (would do research distinction track)
• Really down to earth, kind people on interview day
• Prestige (esp. in midwest)
• Extended family in the area
• Can bike/walk to campus
• Iowa Hawkeye spirit is so strong, which is very cool

Cons

• Red state + state-funded school has me scared about how curriculum/research could change over the next few years
• Far from significant other of three years (Chicago)

Loyola University (Stritch)
Pros

• Met the nicest students and faculty on interview day
• Chicago (close by) is cool and fun, would live in a lovely little town by campus
• I feel drawn to Jesuit values (although I do not identify as religious)
• Supportive extended family in the area + significant other of three years
• Blue state and private school may be more protected from potential craziness of the next few years

Cons

• More limited research opportunities (would do research honors program)
• Appear to be a bit disorganized (at least from an admissions perspective)
• Step 1 and Step 2 pass rate/average score
• Have to drive to campus (12 to 15 min)

Any and all thoughts appreciated!!!

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[snorkmaiden6]

It seems like you're more excited about Loyola! Don't think you can go wrong, but honestly regarding your con for Iowa, I'd also be a bit concerned with the politics/funding rn. Maybe I'm paranoid though haha

 

[AnEndlessSourceofLove]

It seems like you're more excited about Loyola! Don't think you can go wrong, but honestly regarding your con for Iowa, I'd also be a bit concerned with the politics/funding rn. Maybe I'm paranoid though haha

I appreciate the feedback!! I agree; it's so hard to tell how much politics will affect opportunities at different institutions in the coming years 🙁

 

[hittheroad]

Loyola! like snorkmaiden said seems like you’re more excited for it.

 

[AnEndlessSourceofLove]

Loyola! like snorkmaiden said seems like you’re more excited for it.

Thanks for the feedback! I'm finding this really interesting because I would probably consider myself more excited about Iowa--looks like I need to do some introspection hahaha

 

[JungleTrouble]

idk if you care about P/F vs graded preclinical but some Iowa students I met at a conference said they were graded, so look into that

 

[AnEndlessSourceofLove]

idk if you care about P/F vs graded preclinical but some Iowa students I met at a conference said they were graded, so look into that

Ok yes, just checked on this. Their 2025 handbook says "Scholastic performance in most courses and clerkships is recorded as follows: Honors (“H”); Near Honors (“H–”); Pass (“P”); and Fail (“F”). Performance on some courses and clerkships is recorded as Pass (“P”) or Fail (“F”).
It's a little strange that it isn't consistent P/F across the board. Thanks for your comment.

 

[m1redsox]

If you’re interested in ENT, you should definitely go to Iowa. Iowa is a top ten program in ENT and ophtho, and I assure you it is very well known. The name alone will be a massive aid to you in those specialties. It’s that big of a game changer.

 

[AnEndlessSourceofLove]

If you’re interested in ENT, you should definitely go to Iowa. Iowa is a top ten program in ENT and ophtho, and I assure you it is very well known. The name alone will be a massive aid to you in those specialties. It’s that big of a game changer.

Oh wow, ok that's great to know. Thank you.

 

[AnEndlessSourceofLove]

[commenting to bump up bc of updates]

 

[m1redsox]

What updates have there been? Just because of funding threats? IMO, if you’re looking to do ENT in Minnesota, Iowa is an absolute no brainer here, especially if cost is the same. It’s a top 10 program in ENT. You’ll rub shoulders with well known faculty, earn great LORs, and have excellent home program leadership to help you network. Loyola is a fine school, but Iowa ENT is a big name everywhere, and especially in Minneapolis.

Edit: I didn't see your pro for Loyola about your SO. Are they willing to move with you for med school? Obviously that's a pretty big deal, but if there's any way to bring them with you, I think Iowa is the clear winner.

 

[AnEndlessSourceofLove]

What updates have there been? Just because of funding threats? IMO, if you’re looking to do ENT in Minnesota, Iowa is an absolute no brainer here, especially if cost is the same. It’s a top 10 program in ENT. You’ll rub shoulders with well known faculty, earn great LORs, and have excellent home program leadership to help you network. Loyola is a fine school, but Iowa ENT is a big name everywhere, and especially in Minneapolis.

Edit: I didn't see your pro for Loyola about your SO. Are they willing to move with you for med school? Obviously that's a pretty big deal, but if there's any way to bring them with you, I think Iowa is the clear winner.

He got his dream job in Chicago, and it would be essentially impossible for him to find something in Iowa City, so if I go to Iowa we would be long distance. We're ok with long distance if needed, but long distance with one long-hours full time job and one med student plus a 3 hour drive between us sounds like we would pretty much never see each other 😬 The support difference seems non-negligible

 

[chilly_md]

If it weren't for your SO in Chicago, I would say Iowa. I assume it's a long-term relationship or you're married. If not, that aspect might be worth reconsidering how important it is to be in the same city.

 

[m1redsox]

He got his dream job in Chicago, and it would be essentially impossible for him to find something in Iowa City, so if I go to Iowa we would be long distance. We're ok with long distance if needed, but long distance with one long-hours full time job and one med student plus a 3 hour drive between us sounds like we would pretty much never see each other 😬 The support difference seems non-negligible

I see. Yeah that's obviously a huge deal. It'll be harder, but ENT is still definitely doable from Loyola. It's also, of course, worth mentioning that most med students change their mind about specialty during med school anyways, so choosing Iowa based on your current ENT inclination may not be prudent.

 

[shinymagikarp]

I see. Yeah that's obviously a huge deal. It'll be harder, but ENT is still definitely doable from Loyola. It's also, of course, worth mentioning that most med students change their mind about specialty during med school anyways, so choosing Iowa based on your current ENT inclination may not be prudent.

Coming in as a lurker to this thread to say as a personal anecdote my first ENT doctor was a Loyola grad and he was amazing! Iowa would get your foot in the door with regards to ENT for a lot of well known programs, and its research is top notch, but given your circumstances you will have plenty of opportunities at Loyola.

Disclaimer: post-II R at Iowa

 

[AnEndlessSourceofLove]

Coming in as a lurker to this thread to say as a personal anecdote my first ENT doctor was a Loyola grad and he was amazing! Iowa would get your foot in the door with regards to ENT for a lot of well known programs, and its research is top notch, but given your circumstances you will have plenty of opportunities at Loyola.

Disclaimer: post-II R at Iowa

Thanks for sharing! I appreciate it.