MCW vs. UIC

[thinknofu3]

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Hi guys - so I've been accepted to both MCW and UIC. I thought that if I had to choose between these two (which its looking like I might), that UIC would be a no-brainer, but I'm starting to waffle a bit, so I thought I might throw it out to you guys for your input. Basically, I love Chicago and all it has to offer, and have always wanted to live downtown, and I know Milwaukee is not Chicago in terms of culture, entertainment, etc. But, I'm wondering how, if any, superior MCW is in terms of academic quality. Maybe I was just swayed by their goregous new facilities. According to US News (which I know isn't necessarily the most valid thing, but anyway) MCW is ranked only slightly higher than UIC, but I wanted everyone out there's opinions (esp if you're a student at either of these institutions!) on the pros and cons of each. Thanks guys!

 

[Wake2Wake7]

Hi guys - so I've been accepted to both MCW and UIC. I thought that if I had to choose between these two (which its looking like I might), that UIC would be a no-brainer, but I'm starting to waffle a bit, so I thought I might throw it out to you guys for your input. Basically, I love Chicago and all it has to offer, and have always wanted to live downtown, and I know Milwaukee is not Chicago in terms of culture, entertainment, etc. But, I'm wondering how, if any, superior MCW is in terms of academic quality. Maybe I was just swayed by their goregous new facilities. According to US News (which I know isn't necessarily the most valid thing, but anyway) MCW is ranked only slightly higher than UIC, but I wanted everyone out there's opinions (esp if you're a student at either of these institutions!) on the pros and cons of each. Thanks guys!

I take it youre an Illinois resident? If so, I would definitely choose UIC... you've gotta ask yourself where you'll get more 'bang for your buck.'

Just my $.02

 

[DoctorFunk]

I guess it probably comes down to your scholatic preferences. I can speak a little bit for the positives of MCW academically:

-As you said, sparkly new facilities. There is still a ton of construction going on around the grounds as well, with a brand new research building being built right next to the school, as well as a parking structure. Negative: parking right now is pretty problematic, with most students walking 5-10 minutes from their parking spot.

-Quality of the education seems pretty good to me. Sure, you're going to walk out of your lecture hall daily wondering why some PhD just dumped a ton of minutiae on you, but at the end of the semester when you're studying for finals, you'll be amazed at the amount of material you know.

-Great educational resources. There is a communal note-taking service which you can take part in. Powerpoints of each lecture is posted online and every lecture is recorded to mp3 and posted on the web the day it was given. Seems to me like someone who wanted to "home school" themselves and never attend lecture would have it made here.

-Research is a priority. There is an excellent research program offered to first years during their summer after M1 year. You search for and find a primary investigator on campus whose interests match yours and together you submit a grant proposal. The school then evaluates the proposals and funds a high percentage of them for the summer. Basically it means you can make some money during the summer and still pad your resume by doing something interesting to you. Really cool.

-Best of all, the students are pretty cool. No real nasty gunner-types that I've run across yet.

Anyways, as far as negatives, here goes:

-Milwaukee is Milwaukee. I don't get out much, but it sure seems like this place is a cultural deadzone if you don't go bonkers for live outdoor music, beer, and brats.

-Cost. MCW was one of the more expensive schools I looked at.

-Class size. I don't find this a negative, but if you are used to small class sizes, the 200/class number would probably be intimidating.

-Time spent in class. This seems to be highly variable by semester. For example, first semester with Gross lab I probably spent 5-6 hours on the average day just attending classes. This semester, it's a long day if we're in class past noon. Probably 3-4 hours/day, which is great.

Anyways, let me know if I can provide any more information. In the end, go where you think you'll feel the most comfortable, because that is going to be all that matters--the rest will fall into place.

 

[Hawkeye Kid]

It seems as though the major thing drawing you to MCW is it's physical plant. As my dad eloquently pointed out a few years ago, the building won't teach you a thing. It otherwise sounds like you're set on UIC. If you like the people, the school, the curriculum, the city, the tuition (notice how that's last), then go there. If you come to MCW for the facilities you'll second guess yourself for four years. If there are other things, do a few second looks--there's certainly time and the schools are pretty close to each other. BUT, it seems like you're just getting cold feet. Everything besides the buildings are telling you to go to UIC--do it and don't look back. Or go to MCW--it's your life. 😉

**Disclaimer: I go to MCW, love MCW, would rather be nowhere than MCW (and I'm sure you could find plenty of people at UIC to say the same thing).

 

[chitown82]

hey, i go to uic and i love it here...look at my post history for specifics and PM me for any more questions..good luck

 

[jsong812]

can some others give their input as well? As i'm in the same situation...

 

[45408]

I'm at MCW, and I love it here, but that's also because I love Milwaukee. I think location is a very important factor, so if I were you guys, I probably would be choosing UIC. I doubt you'd really be hurting yourself. All the schools teach the same material anyways.

 

[el1984]

this may be an obvious point, but still very important. the clinical opportunities at uic are so diverse. uic is the largest medical compound in the country. you will see a larger diversity of patients and a larger diversity of cases. plus, they have a va hospital where you can actually get the chance to perform some procedures, where as other hospitals you mostly just observe. i don't know how the curriculum at mcw is designed, but i do know at uic, you start getting patient contact starting from the very first quarter, which i think is important.

 

[medicomel]

i'm at uic, and i considered it my top-choice in-state. i think the facilities are fine; the buildings have character and nothing is brand-spanking new. that's pretty much how i prefer it. i say you should go for a second look at both schools and figure out where your heart is. at the end of the day they're pretty much the same in terms of class time and academics, large class, etc. we have gunners here, but there are a lot of down-to-earth people, lots of diversity and anonymity if you so desire. buyer beware, though: our anatomy department boasts of its difficulty, often bringing good students to their knees. seriously.

good luck in your choice. you can't go wrong with either school. milwaukee is a nice city. it isn't exactly brimming with tons of culture but you're not going to be going out all the time anyway.

 

[45408]

this may be an obvious point, but still very important. the clinical opportunities at uic are so diverse. uic is the largest medical compound in the country. you will see a larger diversity of patients and a larger diversity of cases. plus, they have a va hospital where you can actually get the chance to perform some procedures, where as other hospitals you mostly just observe. i don't know how the curriculum at mcw is designed, but i do know at uic, you start getting patient contact starting from the very first quarter, which i think is important.

Nope, no first quarter patient contact, which is fine with me, honestly. As for the hospital system, we've got a very significant population up here as well (especially for children - we've got the #3 children's hospital in the country). Wisconsin may be mostly white, but Milwaukee is not. We've got large African-American, Latino and Asian populations here, and everything in between (more Hmong than probably anywhere else in the country, haha). MCW is on a very large medical campus that attracts all sorts of rare conditions. We've also got the obligatory VA nearby, which is about the same as the two VA hospitals in Chicago (I've been to both).

Chicago does have a much larger population, but I imagine that it's being shared by Northwestern, UC, Rush, Loyola, partly RFUCMS, and UIC.

 

[chitown82]

im at uic and i love it. like the other poster, look at my history for specific info. also, no doubt the med school facilities are not the newest, but the clinical facilities are in my limited opinion amazing - esp the huge outpatient center and the speciality clinic buildings ive seen (cardio, female health, ent, optho)

 

[frustrated]

Hey all,

what are your opinions on UIc vs MCW??