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How do you like Loyola's mix of lecture and PBL, and do you feel their curriculum/combination gets the information across in an effective and efficient way?
If you don't have the time or inclination to peruse the threads above, med students at other schools were complaining about how sometimes lectures are terrible, but they just walk out and teach themselves. On the other hand, that sitting for hours in PBL can frequently mean a very low yield and frustrating time when either it doesn't track well to the lectures, and/or the facilitator or fellow students weren't prepared. And of course, you can't just leave. The bottom line seems to be that PBL varies greatly school by school, and can be useful or horrible depending on how it's used/taught. I'm assuming that PBL at Loyola is well integrated in the curriculum and is actually useful and a worthwhile teaching method. Would you agree? Also, do past Loyola students you've spoken to feel that the curriculum prepared them well for Step I?
One more thing - how do you feel the clinical training in Loyola's hospitals in 3rd and 4th year will be compared to rotations at UIC through Cook County? I prefer Loyola over UIC in a great many ways, but I've heard great things about the big city clinical experiences and training at UIC, and haven't heard as much about Loyola's clinical years, which are in the burbs. Do many Loyola students do some rotations downtown? Thoughts? Impressions? Thanks!
Ok, I'll split up my response into two parts because you asked about two separate things.
1. Small Groups/Lectures. Loyola has done a revolutionary thing this year for their students which is that audio from each and every lecture is posted online along with video of the powerpoint slides from that lecture. This does SO many things for students:
a. allows us to be sick and not come to school and spread germs
b. allows you to leave if you don't think you're going to get anything out of a lecture and go back and decide if you're wrong and actually do need the lecture.
c. lets you go back and review a particularly difficult lecture
This has not cut down on class attendance at all and students are loving it. It basically takes the guesswork out of going to lecture. I used to sit and agonize about whether to leave lecture if I wasn't getting anything out of it or was having a hard time staying awake because I knew I would miss it. Now I just go back to it when I can according to my schedule.
Each class we have has it's own brand of small group, some more effective than others. Rarely would I say they've ever been a waste of time. Personally the small groups at the beginning of path and immuno were not so great but the format of the small group for each of those classes changes after a few weeks and i would say the small groups for those two classes became some of the most valuable. (follow that?) Small group is almost never just a rehash of lecture material but does add to it. It also gives you a chance to check your knowledge of a subject based on fellow students. (We all do it). Personally I've left small groups knowing a lot more than I did going in and sometimes with more curiosity about certain subjects leading to actually wanting to study.
That's all just my opinion and you'll find a learning style that suits you. With the addition of videotaped lectures online it gives every student the freedom to explore their learning style and use academic material efficiently.
2. Yes, most of clinical rotations are out in the suburbs and no that does not mean that everyone you treat will be white and middle to high income. Loyola is in Maywood, which is not what you would typically think of when you think of suburbia as it is more low income. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Not only do you get the suburban population but you also get everyone else. During the family medicine rotation there are loyola clinics EVERYWHERE including chicago proper where there is much diversity in income as well as culture.
I'm only a second year so I can't speak to this as much but I can tell you about the limited clinical experience I have had.
1. Volunteering at community health which is a joint program with rush and uic where students help to run a clinic right near rush and uic.
2. Went on an international service trip over the summer where we treated hundreds of patients in small towns in the mountains (volcanos) of guatemala.
3. My first year physician mentor worked at a not-for-profit community wellness clinic where the patient population was very diverse.
4. My second year preceptor where I do several history and physicals throughout the year is at a Loyola clinic in Chicago where MUCH of the patient population is spanish speaking.
I can't compare it to either rush or uic because I know nothing about their programs. Hope this helped...keep'em coming.
Yeah, I won't be doing myself any financial favors by staying in my place in River North. But it's a pain to move, and I really do like living downtown. I just hope that I don't miss out too much on meeting up with other students cause I don't live nearby. Hopefully sometimes you guys will all trek out to the city to celebrate post-exam. 😀 And maybe there will even be other city-dwellers to form a study group with.
