Illinigirl-
There have been several threads about chicago programs that you might want to check out, just type Chicago into the search box for this forum. I can give you my opinions from my 4 Chicago interviews, but they are interview impressions only.
Northwestern: This ended up being my 2nd choice. I thought the facilities were beautiful with a new women's hospital under construction. They have crazy high OB numbers, a huge faculty, good connections for research and international opportunities. They also learn neonatal resuscitation, which I thought was a unique thing about the program. I liked the large class size (9/year) that also included male residents! THe residents really did seem to like each other and back each other up. Their 2nd hospital is in Evanston which is a bit of a commute... but ALL the chicago programs have commutes involved. My only concern was the private patient population.... but several residents reassured me a thousand times that it doesn't interfere with training.
U Chicago: This is my #5 choice. I thought the new chair was awesome and that he has made some really good changes. He has hired some new, younger faculty and seems to be very supportive of the residents. I thought the facilities were nice, really awesome clinics with super fancy ultrasound, and I liked the patient population (more diverse that NW, higher indigent population). Fellowship matches were impressive. The residents seemed a little less friendly than at Northwestern. Also, I liked Hyde Park although it was a negative for many people. I thought Hyde Park had character and I think its a lot cheaper than living downtown.
Rush: Friendly residents, nice PD, but something just wasn't right about it for me.... can't put my finger on it. More than 50% private patients, no elective ABs, improving lap training (at a community hospital in Indiana), did have a teen clinic that I thought was cool. I think the part that I really didn't like was how freakin' cold it was inside the hospital all day and how TINY the triage is (and its run by a PGY2 rather than an intern.... misery!!!)
UIC: I generally liked their curriculum. Awesome lap training here, work at two hospitals (the main univ hospital and a community hospital) with a good variety in patient population. Plenty of family planning training. Lots of autonomy. The location is nice (can live in the Loop with a short commute to work). I liked the PD.. he has had lots of experience in CHicago at several different programs. My concerns were that they lost a bunch of interns this year and I hardly met any residents on my interview day.... they all just seemed a little bit too tired and over worked. I left thinking, I'll get good trainign here but I'm not sure I'd really be very happy to match here.
This is just what I remember off the top of my head. Its been a long interview season... can't wait for Thursday!!!
