So, I'm from the midwest and interviewed at pretty much every academic institution in the midwest (where I want to stay) except I didn't apply to the Detroit programs and I didn't get a NW interview.
I was blown away by getting interviews at places like Michigan, MIR, and Mayo, but in the end, I went with MCW as my #1, Wisconsin #2, Indiana #3, Iowa #4, Minnesota #5. It honestly mostly boiled down to feel for me. I didn't feel that any of the programs I interviewed at were particularly "weak" or "concerning" from an academic standpoint (except a few outside the Midwest), and I had no concerns that I would get great training at any of the places I interviewed. I will give you some highlights from the names you mentioned.
MCW: I ranked this #1. I was anticipating on putting Wisconsin at 1 based on strength of program and my time there, but honestly MCW blew me away on interview day. The residents were amazingly friendly and fun, the PD is a kind person who was delightful to talk to, and the opportunities in IR and peds are insane, plus they're very clinical in their body rotation. The program treats their residents extremely well as far as reimbursement, AIRP funding, moonlighting, etc. go. It's very, very clear they care about their residents, they have a good name in the midwest with great fellowship placement beyond, but so many of the residents don't want to leave that a lot of them stay for fellowship, which was frankly a very good sign for me. Residents gushed about their training and the breadth of exposure, experience on call. I could go on forever.
Indiana: Amazing interview day with great residents, incredible PD, impressive showing (buying coffee on walking tour, beautiful campus, paying for hotel, etc.). I think this is an amazing program and it was my #1 for most of my interview trail. Just did all the little things right, and the PD was probably the most resident-advocate PD I met on my interview trail. The class is big, which is a plus for me, and the residents were cohesive and extremely welcoming. I would've received fantastic training if I had been lucky enough to match there!
Case vs. CCF: Honestly, I and most of my classmates who interviewed at CCF felt it to be a bit... off? The residents didn't seem as happy, the pre-interview presentation seemed like a lot of "we have $$$$$$$$" but no real specifics as to how we could benefit from any of that, and a ton of bragging (which I did NOT get at MIR, Michigan). Some very strange interview questions. Case was much friendlier and honestly seemed like a really solid academic program with residents who were a blast.
Iowa: Iowa has REALLY happy residents and REALLY solid clinical training. I think they're an overlooked program in terms of prestige due to location, but if you like cool, trendy college towns, Iowa City is neat. The PD is a funny guy and I loved my interview day there. I loved my interviews with the residents - probably my favorite interviews of the trail.
Minnesota: Interviewed here during an ice storm where it took everyone like hours to cross a few miles in the city, so the whole day was discombobulated and it was hard to get a good feel for it. That said, the PD is an enjoyable lady who is clearly a resident advocate, and I liked the residents as a whole. I felt it was still a solid program, though I disagree with the poster who said Iowa = Minnesota. I feel that Iowa is definitely a step above Minnesota, but that Minnesota is still really good training.
Cincinnati: Home program. PD is the kindest soul on this Earth, loves his residents, and the residents are well-trained and well-prepared to go wherever. I can attest to that. I worked with a few who were going on to Duke for body, which is incredible body fellowship. I recommend checking it out, but I'm biased! You won't find better pediatric rads training or attendings anywhere in the country, I'm fairly confident of that. Not much else to say - the program is great. I fell in love with rads here, so that says it all.
OSU: Another gem of a PD, loved that attendings I met. Residents were pretty cool. I felt they were very strong academically and would get me to where I want to go if I went there. They are very focused on AI and the advancement of technology in the field, I think they were the strongest in that aspect of my interview trail. If you're interested in that stuff, DEFINITELY check out an Ohio State University.
U Chicago: I don't think this is even fair to put at "mid-tier". I know dozens of people who ranked UIC > NW due to vibe and the fact that UIC is BARELY a "step down" from top tier midwest places. The PD is strange but his residents LOVE him, and honestly he had the best, most succinct, "this is what we will do for you" presentation on interview day. Truly impressed. LOVED the residents. If I didn't hate Chicago, I would've put it higher. I think you will see UIC move up the rankings in the next few years, they very much gave off a "prestigious" vibe.
Didn't interview at SLU, heard strange things from a friend who did but know another friend who loved it there. Not sure how they are viewed prestige wise.
tl;dr: Please message me with any questions you have about the interview trail, especially in the Midwest, where I interviewed extensively. I'm an open book and wish I had honest resources on my journey, so I'll gladly be one for you all.
