I'm an M4 at Chicago and I'll try to give you my version of the skinny:
1) Courses: I'm a year or so out of basic science hell, but Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology are the most well-taught courses we have. Path was really struggling but I hear that they have new faculty who's decent. Biochem was somewhat of a joke. I personally thought the Micro department was pretty good, but the general consensus is that they didn't provide enough clinical correlation. My class was the guinea pig test group for a clinical correlates course, Topics in Medicine, and it just stunk when we had it...however, I've heard that they've improved it quite a bit. (Pay attention to that class!!!) And Intro to Clinical Medicine and our OMM classes are yours for the participating (read: you have to make the most of them).
As far as avoiding taking a class, I don't think that's really possible
. But skip out on whatever you feel comfortable and hope your notepool will be decent.
2) Tests: Ouch
These are our defining, unifying moments as Chicago students. You get about a one-month respite at the beginning of each quarter, and then the relentless onslaught begins...Two tests a week, plus OMM quizzes. Believe me they will wear you down. Ask the third-years...I think they tallied about 150 tests or so in 2 years.
My biggest advice to you is to study to LEARN, not simply to pass the test (whatever test). You will do yourself the most justice on clinical rotations if you understand the underlying pathophysiology, the characteristics of disease, and the therapeutics. It makes it more difficult for Chicago students, since we don't have the opportunity to see these processes while we're learning them (our hospital is not located on campus)...but if you keep in mind that you're learning with the sole purpose of treating and healing, you should make it through.
3) Study: Can't blow it off...but where to do it is the problem. They're in the process of building a library. People either struggle on campus at our suffocatingly small library space, at the LLC, or wherever they find a niche. Others go off-campus to the libraries of surrounding schools: Elmhurst, Benedictine, COD.
4) Living: I never stayed on campus but I can see how great it must feel to roll out of bed 5 minutes before class and take a test in your PJ's. Downers Grove and surrounding areas are pricey...get a roommate or live in a teeny studio like I did. I loathed the cafeteria; I do think that they changed the food, but who knows if that's an improvement
There are plenty of restaurants and movie theaters and malls. It's a good area to live in. Obviously you're close to downtown Chicago, and I definitely recommend forcing yourself to get out there regularly. It's too tempting to lock yourself in the West Suburbs for two years, but the city's too great to wait for third year.
5) Get involved: I may be biased, but as a former SOMA chapter officer I have to say it's the best group on campus. They give you a discount on medical equipment that basically pays for your membership fee. Their committees put out some great projects that allow you to do some type of community service, to keep you from being so self-involved. Other groups on campus have a specific focus: UAAO, ACOFP, SOSA, etc...check them out for yourself.
6) Clinicals: It's never too early to start thinking about what you'd like to do when you graduate and where you'd like to be. Olympia Fields, our main hospital, is a big source of ambivalence for our students. Some like it, some don't...but while you're in a city like Chicago, you owe it to yourself to make the most out of each rotation. The way I see it, you HAVE to go to Cook...Rush...Christ Hospital...Lutheran General. We have affiliations with some really amazing hospitals in the area, and you simply have to capitalize on the opportunity.
Alright I'll get off my soapbox. Last bit of advice: Enjoy your summer like it's 1999
...don't worry about a thing for the next few months, because you'll have plenty of opportunity to stress later. Congratulations.
Daphne '01
