Loyola or Northwestern? Any experiences?

[athena01]

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Hi,

I'm just beginning to check out post-bac programs in the Chicago area. Has anyone had any experience with Loyola's post-bac program? How about Northwestern's (through the school of continuing studies)?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[medicomel]

Both are comparable in regards to availability of evening classes and the quality of the professors. The true difference comes when you have completed your prerequisites and are ready to apply. Loyola walks you through every step in their committee process. They assign you a committee advisor, stage mock interviews, write a composite letter, compile/mail out your letters, help you write your personal statement, and offer advising. You have to have completed about 2 yrs of post-bac with them to undergo the committee process, though.

Northwestern only has a letter service, where you have your LORs sent, and they subsequently mail them out. You're left to figure it out on your own.

The flip side is that Northwestern offers some great upper-level sciences like anatomy and cell bio in the evening.

 

[chopper]

The 'official' line is that you need to do at least 1.5 years at Loyola. That can mean a full year and a summer. Call the office if you have any specific questions.

I did Loyola, and having the comittee process is a huge benefit. Your life will be so much easier come secondary time, and since they force you to have letters in before the comittee meets in April, you are DONE with all that when most people are just starting to think about it. 🙂

 

[athena01]

Thanks for everyone's responses! You guys are so helpful. I wasn't aware of the level of support that Loyola offered regarding applications.

 

[mark04]

I am currently taking two courses through Loyola's postbac program. While the instruction is solid, I don't require evening classes and haven't seen much utility in the advising yet. I work part-time via telecommute so I can take classes day or night.
Does anyone see any particular detriment to switching to the University of Illinois at Chicago in the spring? I am doing very well in my two courses currently underway but the tuition is killing me. Fulltime tuition at Loyola is $11K/semester while UIC is under $4K.
Will the Loyola advising through the application process really be worth the loads of debt I will incur, or will I be okay if I can rack up the grades at whichever University I attend? And will switching look bad? Thanks for your help.

Mark

 

[medicomel]

I am currently taking two courses through Loyola's postbac program. While the instruction is solid, I don't require evening classes and haven't seen much utility in the advising yet. I work part-time via telecommute so I can take classes day or night.
Does anyone see any particular detriment to switching to the University of Illinois at Chicago in the spring? I am doing very well in my two courses currently underway but the tuition is killing me. Fulltime tuition at Loyola is $11K/semester while UIC is under $4K.
Will the Loyola advising through the application process really be worth the loads of debt I will incur, or will I be okay if I can rack up the grades at whichever University I attend? And will switching look bad? Thanks for your help.

Mark

if you can save that much, then i would switch asap! as long as you have good grades from a respectable university, it's fine. it might be a little more work in terms of organizing your own admissions timetable, but there's tons of literature out there that can help you. it's kinda a no-brainer if you have a calendar and are organized.

save major bank IMHO 👍

 

[junebuguf]

I agree--if you can't afford the tuition or dont want the debt, get out. Also, if you plan on being in the IL/Chicago area for med school, then all that matters is that you do well in a program that is respected by Chicago schools--I would think that UIC would be a very respectable option, as long as you do well. On the other hand, if you really have your heart set on Loyola or Northwestern, then completing their post-bacc progranms can give you an ever so slight edge, all things being equal. Question is, whether its worth the cost.

 

[sidewalkman]

I'd be curious to hear what anyone thought about Northwestern. They're attractive to me because they offer both lower and upper level science courses at a reasonable price. Apparently their SCS is switching to the quarter system, and I wonder how their postbacc would be affected by this.

 

[DRTOBE1]

I am currently taking two courses through Loyola's postbac program. While the instruction is solid, I don't require evening classes and haven't seen much utility in the advising yet. I work part-time via telecommute so I can take classes day or night.
Does anyone see any particular detriment to switching to the University of Illinois at Chicago in the spring? I am doing very well in my two courses currently underway but the tuition is killing me. Fulltime tuition at Loyola is $11K/semester while UIC is under $4K.
Will the Loyola advising through the application process really be worth the loads of debt I will incur, or will I be okay if I can rack up the grades at whichever University I attend? And will switching look bad? Thanks for your help.

Mark

I am also a Loyola post bac. The tuition is killing me as well and the finaid stinks! I suppose that because I had a full time "ok" paying job last year and a half beyond they assumed I could pay for my own education. WRONG! U I C would be less expensive and its closer to me than Loyola is. Does U I C have a program or is it self directed? Its definitely worth looking into. If you could give me more info Id appreciate it. Thanks

 

[Tonic1025]

I had a terrible experience applying to Loyola's post-bac program. My materials were sent in very early, but I had to call multiple times to get it reviewed. The people that answered the phone seemed to have no idea how to access my application. They first claimed they didn't receive some things, but I had them check again, and sure enough, it was right there. After not hearing from Loyola for months, I received an acceptance in the mail far AFTER the date I had planned on starting. Did anyone else have such a bad experience applying to Loyola?

 

[dok101]

I would like to hear more about the Northwestern post-bac program from current and/or previous students as well. My top three choices for post-bac programs (formal and do it on your own) are Drexel, Northwestern, and the University of Chicago's Graduate Student at Large program. I have narrowed it down to these schools due to the fact that all three allow for part-time study at night and because my current employer has offices in both Philadelphia and Chicago.

 

[mark04]

I am also a Loyola post bac. The tuition is killing me as well and the finaid stinks! I suppose that because I had a full time "ok" paying job last year and a half beyond they assumed I could pay for my own education. WRONG! U I C would be less expensive and its closer to me than Loyola is. Does U I C have a program or is it self directed? Its definitely worth looking into. If you could give me more info Id appreciate it. Thanks

UIC does not have any kind of formal program. I am registered as a non-degree graduate student for next semester. The huge downside is that I can register only after the lowliest freshman has had his pick. And classes are filling up fast. I would recommend applying as a second degree student which would give you some seniority with registration. That's what I'll be doing for next fall. Maybe put in an application as a non-degree grad student as well, in case things don't work out. The undergrad advisors are actually helpful. Give them a call.

 

[rockstar2525]

Will the Loyola advising through the application process really be worth the loads of debt I will incur, or will I be okay if I can rack up the grades at whichever University I attend? And will switching look bad? Thanks for your help.

Mark

No. I went through Loyola's post-bac program and thought it was NOT WORTH THE MONEY I paid. Granted I went to a great undergrad institution (small liberal arts wth lots of personal attention) and after going to Loyola I totally appreciated my undergrad even more. The best thing Loyola offers is that they forward your letter of recs out for you. I didn't find the advising to be helpful, because all they know about is getting into Loyola medical school. In several cases, they gave me misinformation about what I need to do because they assume that all med schools have a process similar to Loyola's. Seriously, get out, don't waste your money.