Thoughts on Loyola Stritch part 01

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As someone who parties frequently with loyola kids, I can tell you that a great compromise to living in the city vs. living in maywood is living in oak park. so its not exactly cheap. But if you live on the nice side of oak park you have very convenient access to the Green Line (CTA "L" train) which can get you downtown, and a very reasonable drive to school (i.e. expressway is avoidable) The only possibly drawback is that the green line stops running around 1:30 am or so, so with a number of chicago bars closing at 4 am fridays/5am saturdays, this presents a small problem. The blue line runs 24 hours, and also runs through the south side of oak park, but most students don't live there as that side of oak park is well, "questionable".

 

[LaurieB]

For those of you who have interviewed/been accepted/are current Loyola students....what is up with that yellow paper you have to fill out on interview day? Did that freak any of you out? What do you think about what you said? My interview day was so busy that I barely had time to really focus on that and now it is scaring me!

I don't really remember the yellow paper, but if it asked questions about test prep, it is probably more along the lines of a survey and not something to stress about. If anything, what you say may change how they structure the process in years to come, but since you already got an interview, you've passed most of the major hurdles. I should note that Loyola is really big on surveys, feedback, and reflection. We are required to do all course evaluations and we even have one class where we each have to thouroughly critique 2 preassigned lectures. The nice thing is that they are actually really responsive to feedback.

Hope this calms your fears. Hang in there to all of you waiting for answers (Timmy) and interviews. We really do interview until April and the admission's office doesn't schedule things too far in advance.

Wish me luck on my GI exam on Friday!
Laurie

 

[mln]

I don't really remember the yellow paper, but if it asked questions about test prep, it is probably more along the lines of a survey and not something to stress about. If anything, what you say may change how they structure the process in years to come, but since you already got an interview, you've passed most of the major hurdles. I should note that Loyola is really big on surveys, feedback, and reflection. We are required to do all course evaluations and we even have one class where we each have to thouroughly critique 2 preassigned lectures. The nice thing is that they are actually really responsive to feedback.

Hope this calms your fears. Hang in there to all of you waiting for answers (Timmy) and interviews. We really do interview until April and the admission's office doesn't schedule things too far in advance.

Wish me luck on my GI exam on Friday!
Laurie

Is Loyola PBL or integrated curriculum? Can you explain how the lecture and small group sessions work?

Also, good luck Timmy!

 

[LaurieB]

Is Loyola PBL or integrated curriculum? Can you explain how the lecture and small group sessions work?

Also, good luck Timmy!

Check this link out and then let me know if you still have questions.

http://www.meddean.luc.edu/prospective/first_second.htm

 

[mln]

Check this link out and then let me know if you still have questions.

http://www.meddean.luc.edu/prospective/first_second.htm

Sorry if I'm seeming a little dense right now. More specifically, I was wondering students are graded on participation in small groups (especially if you're introverted). Also, do you have a new case everyday that corresponds with lecture, or is it one case a week? Do you define your own objectives, or are learning objectives laid out for you? Is it something where as a group, you split up the objectives and each do individual research to meet up and discuss the same case later in the week?

 

[TimmyTheWonderD]

Wish me luck on my GI exam on Friday!

You will totally kick its butt! Being a GI exam I guess the word butt is appropriate!

I pick up my letter this morning.....send HAPPY CALMING vibes my way!

 

[Flopotomist]

You will totally kick its butt! Being a GI exam I guess the word butt is appropriate!

I pick up my letter this morning.....send HAPPY CALMING vibes my way!

thinking of you Timmy!!

 

[LaurieB]

Sorry if I'm seeming a little dense right now. More specifically, I was wondering students are graded on participation in small groups (especially if you're introverted). Also, do you have a new case everyday that corresponds with lecture, or is it one case a week? Do you define your own objectives, or are learning objectives laid out for you? Is it something where as a group, you split up the objectives and each do individual research to meet up and discuss the same case later in the week?

Those are all good questions. Each class is different. Cell Bio has small groups every day after lecture, whereas pathology has about 2 a week. You get feedback in some groups regarding your performance/contributions, but you are really only graded on attendance. Basic science small groups are case based mainly and there are guided questions; the clinical (intro to the practice of medicine) groups are led by 1-2 physicians and are more open forum style.

Here are links to some of the cases we work on to give you a better idea of the format:

Pathology:
http://www.lumen.luc.edu/lumen/meded/mech/cases/smgp.htm

Patient Centered Medicine (formerly called IPM):
http://www.meddean.luc.edu/lumen/meded/ipm/ipm2/sem3/heart.htm
http://www.meddean.luc.edu/lumen/meded/ipm/ipm1/SP_Workshops/DifficultTopics.pdf

I don't know how other schools do small groups, but I would say that ours are pretty structured and tend to focus on leading us to understanding key concepts. There are plenty of introverts that seem to do fine with small groups.

Hope this helps answer your questions!
Laurie

 

[gdbaby]

And the crowd chants silently "Timmy...Timmy...Timmy...Timmy...."

 

[SpeedRacer]

dude shouldn't timmy have picked up his letter by now?

 

[gdbaby]

That's just what I was thinking. She does work nights, so maybe between noon and 2 is considered morning for her.

 

[TimmyTheWonderD]

http://www.mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=03886

 

[brats800]

http://www.mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=03886

sorry timmy. does that mean you got waitlisted? don't lose hope. remember that our waitlist does move so you could still make it. 🙂 still crossing fingers for you.

 

[USArmyDoc]

Good luck Timmy. I bet you get off the waitlist!

 

[jrae]

Good luck Timmy. I bet you get off the waitlist!

I second that......
does that mean that everyone else here who is in the "re-review" pile is holding out for waitlist spots? Cuz if so, that's a downer to my day......

 

[TimmyTheWonderD]

does that mean you got waitlisted?

You know, this is why I was really nervous, I rather figured this was going to happen. My first interviewer kept telling me not to fret if I made the "alternate" list, as they do take a lot of people off of it and he said very rarely do people on the list get caught in a numbers game for a seat. Still, I am waiting, forever waiting! As Tom Petty had said, "waiting is the hardest part"....isn’t that true! 🙁

I have not given up hope, but I am not going to keep my undies in a bunch about it until May....I think that would kill me! Instead, I am going to quit checking my "med school" email address every five minutes, and I refuse to check the Rush or UIC status pages any more! If those people have anything they want to tell me they can mail me a letter! I will invest all of my nervous energy and pent up frustrations into running, Pilates and crunches and by the time school starts, I will be rock hard, buff and healthy, too!

Thanks everyone for all of your support. Like I said, I have not thrown in the towel yet and I am still praying that I will see you all in July! (You can make fun of my 3.5 pack....I had abdominal surgery so I can never have a 6 pack no matter how many crunches I do, it is really funny!) May I still be part of your Loyola club even though I am merely clinging to your hem?

Have a good day! I am going to sleep now (I have to go back to work tonight....9 hours from now to be exact!)

p.s. I guess that Coldplay "X&Y" is not what I should be listening to right now.......

“TALK”
Oh, brother, I can’t believe it’s true, I’m so scared about the future and I want to talk to you. Are you lost or incomplete? Do you feel like a puzzle, you can’t find your missing piece? Tell me how you feel. Well, I feel like they’re talking in a language I don’t speak, and they’re talking it to me! So you don’t know where you’re going and you want to talk and you feel like you’re going where you’ve been before. You'll tell anyone who’ll listen but you feel ignored and nothing’s really making any sense at all.

“SPEED OF SOUND”
How long before I get in, before it starts before I begin? How long before you decide or before I know what it feels like? Where to, where do I go? If you never try then you'll never know. How long do I have to climb up on the side of this mountain of mine?

 

[hpm4]

You know, this is why I was really nervous, I rather figured this was going to happen. My first interviewer kept telling me not to fret if I made the "alternate" list, as they do take a lot of people off of it and he said very rarely do people on the list get caught in a numbers game for a seat. Still, I am waiting, forever waiting! As Tom Petty had said, "waiting is the hardest part"....isn’t that true! 🙁

I have not given up hope, but I am not going to keep my undies in a bunch about it until May....I think that would kill me! Instead, I am going to quit checking my "med school" email address every five minutes, and I refuse to check the Rush or UIC status pages any more! If those people have anything they want to tell me they can mail me a letter! I will invest all of my nervous energy and pent up frustrations into running, Pilates and crunches and by the time school starts, I will be rock hard, buff and healthy, too!

Thanks everyone for all of your support. Like I said, I have not thrown in the towel yet and I am still praying that I will see you all in July! (You can make fun of my 3.5 pack....I had abdominal surgery so I can never have a 6 pack no matter how many crunches I do, it is really funny!) May I still be part of your Loyola club even though I am merely clinging to your hem?

Have a good day! I am going to sleep now (I have to go back to work tonight....9 hours from now to be exact!)

p.s. I guess that Coldplay "X&Y" is not what I should be listening to right now.......

“TALK”
Oh, brother, I can’t believe it’s true, I’m so scared about the future and I want to talk to you. Are you lost or incomplete? Do you feel like a puzzle, you can’t find your missing piece? Tell me how you feel. Well, I feel like they’re talking in a language I don’t speak, and they’re talking it to me! So you don’t know where you’re going and you want to talk and you feel like you’re going where you’ve been before. You'll tell anyone who’ll listen but you feel ignored and nothing’s really making any sense at all.

“SPEED OF SOUND”
How long before I get in, before it starts before I begin? How long before you decide or before I know what it feels like? Where to, where do I go? If you never try then you'll never know. How long do I have to climb up on the side of this mountain of mine?

I'm sorry to hear you were waitlisted timmy but I was just there yesterday interviewing and I got a similar impression from my interviewers...they kept telling my the waitlist was hopeful and even though there are supposedly a few spots left on the accept list, I got the impression they were almost impossible to get....and I they said that 33% of the people off their waitlist get in and they like letters of interest and my interviewer told me to call like every other thursday because they like when you show how interested you are...makes me think they keep track of how many times people call there....and for everyone else wondering, the next adcom meeting is February 6th 🙂

Dont worry timmy (easier said than done because I am waiting waiting too)...I bet youll get in May 15th when they rankn the waitlist!!

 

[USArmyDoc]

I'm sorry to hear you were waitlisted timmy but I was just there yesterday interviewing and I got a similar impression from my interviewers...they kept telling my the waitlist was hopeful and even though there are supposedly a few spots left on the accept list, I got the impression they were almost impossible to get....and I they said that 33% of the people off their waitlist get in and they like letters of interest and my interviewer told me to call like every other thursday because they like when you show how interested you are...makes me think they keep track of how many times people call there....and for everyone else wondering, the next adcom meeting is February 6th 🙂

Dont worry timmy (easier said than done because I am waiting waiting too)...I bet youll get in May 15th when they rankn the waitlist!!

They have a ranked waitlist? I see the class is filling up. 😡

 

[mln]

Thanks, Laurie B! That helped out a lot.

Timmy, don't lose hope. Waiting sucks, but it'll work out in the end.

 

[NapeSpikes]

I gave in and called today. My application "is being reviewed." Not re-reviewed, not favorably reviewed, just being reviewed. *sigh* 😕

 

[ND2005]

I gave in and called today. My application "is being reviewed." Not re-reviewed, not favorably reviewed, just being reviewed. *sigh* 😕

I promised myself I wouldn't call this week. Can't stand to hear the same thing again.

I'm sending an update letter on saturday, then I'll call on Thursday to status-check/verify receipt.

 

[gdbaby]

I promised myself I wouldn't call this week. Can't stand to hear the same thing again.

I'm sending an update letter on saturday, then I'll call on Thursday to status-check/verify receipt.

I called. I heard the same thing again. "Re-reviewed between now and the end of Feb." I said the same thing again, "Okay, great, thank you." I cursed the same words again after I hung up. And now I am fuming again.

I am glad my Thursdays are so predictable.

 

[USArmyDoc]

Same as you gdbaby! This is getting slightly rediculous!!

 

[TimmyTheWonderD]

well, at least i don't have thursdays looming over my head now (at least i don't think i do, as what would i call to check up on now? the alternate list doesn't move until after april, right?)

i feel for you guys....i have gone from one kind of waiting to another!

speaking of "what would i check up on now" i feel scared that i have nothing to update them on....my letter encourages me to keep them posted on any "additions/changes" to my academic progress (done with undergrad, i graduated in 2004, can't take any classes in the interim as i work full time so my husband can be a student right now), any other "pertinent info to my app"...i have given them all i have to offer and i believe that i made it undoubtedly clear that I 😍 Loyola (and only Loyola really).

so, i made this promise to myself and to God....i will only check my "med-student" email once per day (after 5pm) and i will wait with patience and faith that loyola will pull me from the waitlist. i have put my med school destination in God's hands now....this time for real!

here's to some peace of mind for all of us! 👍

 

[tacrum43]

I called. I heard the same thing again. "Re-reviewed between now and the end of Feb." I said the same thing again, "Okay, great, thank you." I cursed the same words again after I hung up. And now I am fuming again.

I am glad my Thursdays are so predictable.

I called today too. My app has also been reviewed, and will be re-reviewed again. I'm not exactly holding my breath, plus an interview this late at Loyola is likely for a waitlist spot from what I understand.

I think they're mad at me because I didn't go to their MA medical masters program, even after they sent me cool Loyola freebies like a coaster and luggage tag.

 

[TimmyTheWonderD]

so, what sort of "exotic animals" do you hold?
any reptiles? 🙂

 

[tacrum43]

so, what sort of "exotic animals" do you hold?
any reptiles? 🙂

"Holder of exotic animals" is my job in the University of Vermont coalition, as started by gdbaby. I guess it's kind of an inside joke. I am such an SDN nerd and addict.

 

[USArmyDoc]

"Holder of exotic animals" is my job in the University of Vermont coalition, as started by gdbaby. I guess it's kind of an inside joke. I am such an SDN nerd and addict.[/QUOTE]


Arn't we all?

 

[gdbaby]

"Holder of exotic animals" is my job in the University of Vermont coalition, as started by gdbaby. I guess it's kind of an inside joke. I am such an SDN nerd and addict.

I know I could go check, but have any of the Coalition of the Grovelling gotten Vermont interviews aside from me? When I declined, I specifically gave them the list of acceptable applicants in my opinion. I would be shocked if they DIDN'T heed my advice!

Back to Loyola. Poo on you.

 

[TimmyTheWonderD]

"Holder of exotic animals" is my job in the University of Vermont coalition, as started by gdbaby. I guess it's kind of an inside joke. I am such an SDN nerd and addict.

USArmyDoc is right....we are ALL huge nerds who need to check ourselves into SDN rehab (translation of rehab = the med school of your dreams)

so, am i the only freak who literally holds exotic animals? 😛

 

[tacrum43]

I know I could go check, but have any of the Coalition of the Grovelling gotten Vermont interviews aside from me? When I declined, I specifically gave them the list of acceptable applicants in my opinion. I would be shocked if they DIDN'T heed my advice!

Back to Loyola. Poo on you.

poo on Loyola. Ha. Sorry, I'm just in an easily amused mood right now.

I don't think any of the coalition has, but I'm not sure. There's still a good chance though, or at least that's what the nice people in the admissions office keeping telling me. They are so nice there, especially compared to that one lady at PSU's office. I called to check, since I've been on hold there too for a while, and she said something like "If you were put on hold, then you're still on hold. You will get an e-mail if you are invited to interview." And she wouldn't look up my file. Not very friendly at all.

 

[gdbaby]

so, am i the only freak who literally holds exotic animals? 😛

I had an iguana named Roy. Lost him in the divorce.
My son's favorite animals at the zoo, after the Tapir, are the Komodo Dragons.

 

[TimmyTheWonderD]

http://www.mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=03886

well, that settles it then! the magic of heavenly cruise control is already in effect! you free yourself of the constant worry and turn things over to God and he takes control of the situation - narrowing the playing field and my scope of concern in one move and giving me a chance to catch some sun and visit my favorite peeps in another! what a day!

 

[USArmyDoc]

Timmy there is two things I have to say about your avatar.

1. That snake is gross!!
2. You are definitely a good looking woman.

 

[TimmyTheWonderD]

Timmy there is two things I have to say about your avatar.

1. That snake is gross!!
2. You are definitely a good looking woman.

well, in response....

1. you don't like snakes? i have 2 (and an iguana) 😛 this is "Billy", he is a 19-year-old ball python. the other is a red tail boa who is only about 3. he is about 6' long now....he still has a LONG way to grow!
2. awww, thanks! 😉

 

[Vizsla]

I had an iguana named Roy. Lost him in the divorce.
My son's favorite animals at the zoo, after the Tapir, are the Komodo Dragons.

komodos are awesome....so are vizslas

 

[TimmyTheWonderD]

komodos are awesome....so are vizslas

they are very timid dogs, aren't they? is that your dog in the pic?
i had a nile monitor for a while (before i freed myself of its possession to someone who breeds the nasty little b*st*rds)....that is the closest i want to come to a komodo! that thing was SO MEAN!

anyone else out there who interviewed early january and is waiting for the results from the 1/23 committee meeting???

 

[TimmyTheWonderD]

Roy.

that's great!

 

[tacrum43]

so, am i the only freak who literally holds exotic animals? 😛

I guess you are. I would totally have an echidna for a pet, but I'd have to move to Australia for that. Well, that wouldn't be so bad...except for all of the poisonous snakes there. Actually, I don't like snakes in general (sorry). Or monkeys. Or chimps. Creepy. Gorillas are okay I guess, but I wouldn't want to make one mad.

Sorry to hear about your being waitlisted at Loyola, but at least there's still a good chance, right? Didn't you say you were born in their hospital in another thread?

 

[TimmyTheWonderD]

Gorillas are okay I guess, but I wouldn't want to make one mad.

thanks for the giggle, i needed that!

Didn't you say you were born in their hospital in another thread?

i most certainly was! and it was brought up in my interview, too! 😀 i actually have a pair of scrubs from that hospital that are as old as i am 😱
i guess they gave them to my mom to wear home as she was ill prepared in the clothing department or something, i do not recall, but i have worn those things since i was little and have kept them all this time!

i am not giving up any hope due to the waitlist. sure it was a bit of a blow at first, mainly to my ego. i will just emerge from this a very patient and calm person i suppose!

 

[USArmyDoc]

well, in response....

1. you don't like snakes? i have 2 (and an iguana) 😛 this is "Billy", he is a 19-year-old ball python. the other is a red tail boa who is only about 3. he is about 6' long now....he still has a LONG way to grow!
2. awww, thanks! 😉

I HATE SNAKES!! 6'!! UGHHH

 

[gdbaby]

USArmyDoc, I always knew that you would be like Indiana Jones!

 

[USArmyDoc]

USArmyDoc, I always knew that you would be like Indiana Jones!

🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

 

[jrci215]

that's where i'm dying to go...well, i'm still a freshman an ia have alot of time to work on it...how did you get in??? what were they exactly looking for?

 

[jrae]

Timmy, I don't think I would want to hold a snake. I used to deal with the pet iguana in the children's department of the library in my home town when I worked there in high school. There was also a hedgehog. They were so cold. I'll stick with my cats and dogs, one of which is a purebed Vizsla and another is a Vizsla mixed with some great dane. They really are a good breed. (pets are all at home with my parents....)

Alas, I think I'm going to give up on Loyola. I'm considering buying a condo in IC that would be sillly to pass up. Espically since it's under 100K and a 20 min walk to campus. Plus I think they may let me have a dog, which I miss oh so much......

 

[USArmyDoc]

I think giving up on Loyola would be stupid considering they are probably about just over half of the way done with interviews. They interview till April and people are getting calls to interview for the next week. Therefore, if you get a phone call today or tomorrow your interview would be in the beginning of February. Not to mention they havn't completely filled the class.

 

[jrae]

I think giving up on Loyola would be stupid considering they are probably about just over half of the way done with interviews. They interview till April and people are getting calls to interview for the next week. Therefore, if you get a phone call today or tomorrow your interview would be in the beginning of February. Not to mention they havn't completely filled the class.

The only catch is that I would probably be on the wait list and not find out if I was to get in until May or June. In order to get the really cheap condo (most in town go for 120K) I'd have to decided ASAP since I wouldn't be able to get a morgatage on student loans--I'd have to get it while I still have a real job. I guess if they call and interview me in early Feb that would be a slightly different story. At this rate though, I'm not too optimistic.

I doubt writing a letter saying "look, I'm wanting to know if you are going to get to me anytime soon so I could decide wether or not to get this condo." would go over too well. Last I checked I was under re-review between now and March. I don't understand why they just can't review people once, make a choice, then schedule an interview if they think they would be a good fit. I think this re-review nonsense is crap. But that's just me and my frustrations. I'm a little cranky today.

 

[USArmyDoc]

The only catch is that I would probably be on the wait list and not find out if I was to get in until May or June. In order to get the really cheap condo (most in town go for 120K) I'd have to decided ASAP since I wouldn't be able to get a morgatage on student loans--I'd have to get it while I still have a real job. I guess if they call and interview me in early Feb that would be a slightly different story. At this rate though, I'm not too optimistic.

I doubt writing a letter saying "look, I'm wanting to know if you are going to get to me anytime soon so I could decide wether or not to get this condo." would go over too well. Last I checked I was under re-review between now and March. I don't understand why they just can't review people once, make a choice, then schedule an interview if they think they would be a good fit. I think this re-review nonsense is crap. But that's just me and my frustrations. I'm a little cranky today.

OK....I got ya now. If I were you in your situation, I would go to Iowa, buy the condo, and start medical school. It doesn't make sense to lose a good deal on a condo if you already have an acceptance you are happy with.

 

[gdbaby]

Timmy, I don't think I would want to hold a snake. I used to deal with the pet iguana in the children's department of the library in my home town when I worked there in high school. There was also a hedgehog. They were so cold. I'll stick with my cats and dogs, one of which is a purebed Vizsla and another is a Vizsla mixed with some great dane. They really are a good breed. (pets are all at home with my parents....)

Alas, I think I'm going to give up on Loyola. I'm considering buying a condo in IC that would be sillly to pass up. Espically since it's under 100K and a 20 min walk to campus. Plus I think they may let me have a dog, which I miss oh so much......

On this note, jrae, where's a good place to look long distance for IC, IA real estate? We own our home in Denver and I would love to buy something if we end up in IC. PM me if you have suggestions.

 

[ExtraAverage]

that's where i'm dying to go...well, i'm still a freshman an ia have alot of time to work on it...how did you get in???

Hello there. Since you appear to be replying to the OP, I'll assume you are talking to me.

You're a freshman? Wow. Yeah, you do have a lot of time to work on it. I would advise you take that time and have fun.

how did you get in???

You should check out my MDapplicants profile if you want a detailed analysis of my journey (click link in "signature"). However, based on the number of question marks I see, you might have already been there. If this is the case, my answer is persistence and pure luck... or prayer. Whichever you prefer. 😉

what were they exactly looking for?

I would never be able to tell you exactly what they were/are looking for. I can tell you that they put a strong emphasis on people who have defined altruism in their apps. (e.g. subject of personal statement, activities helping underserved populations) and are interested in clinical medicine. Being a Jesuit institution, they are naturally more oriented towards this than research. I could go on but would advise you to go to www.meddean.luc.edu and get the straight poop. Good luck.