Loyola Stritch vs. Lewis Katz

[premedwhoopss]

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Hi all! I have a big decision to make with very little time as I just found out yesterday I was accepted to Lewis Katz SOM, so any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Loyola Stritch
Pros

• Have never been to Chicago, but have heard great things about the city and could be a fun new experience
• Have been accepted since October, and have been planning to go here for a while now
• Community seems really tight knit
• P/F

Cons

• No aid at all
• Far from family and friends, but partner lives in CA so closer than the east coast
• Weather

Lewis Katz SOM
Pros

• In an urban setting, though North Philly can be unsafe at times
• Family and friends live in PA/NY
• Lots of research opportunities
• Cheaper tuition than Loyola
• P/F

Cons

• Have not received a financial aid package yet
• Less excited about living in Philly than Chicago
• Haven't done too much research on the school, given that I interviewed 2 weeks ago and just found out I was accepted

Summary: I'm sure I would be happy at both schools, but this has been pretty stressful to make such a big decision with very little time left- if any current students or SDNers can provide some insight on the exam/class schedule, if both are truly pass/fail and what the cultures are like at both that would be really appreciated. Thank you everyone in advance!! 🙏 🙏 🙏

 

[TheRealBibFortuna]

I'd vote for Loyola. Aid looks like it will be the same, weather will be worse in Philly, you're more excited about Chicago, probably equal research opportunities at Loyola, etc.

 

[pinkdolphin361]

Chicago is a super fun city with lots to do and great medical opportunities! I spoke to my friend who is a current M1 at Loyola, and she said that their exams are in-house written in NBME style format. Lecture style was asynchronous first semester and had required in-person small group each day (for biology it was a worksheet and anatomy was 45 mins with cadavers). Psychology, health system science, immunology, and microbio were all asynchronous with an occasional required small group. Second semester is optional lectures and 1-3 in-person small groups each week. Pre-clinical years are true P/F and clerkships are honors/P/F. She said the fact that Loyola has its own medical center is super nice, and she did say while Loyola is not insanely research heavy, she has been able to find opportunities but has had to reach out to other institutions since she is interested in a niche area of a competitive specialty. Overall she loves it there and said everyone is super close and collaborative!!