Thoughts on Loyola Stritch part 01

[Vitriol]

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I second the congrats! I got a call today too... and am still trying to decide. I REALLY want to be at Loyola, but it will cost around $75,000 more than SIU. 🙁

I am going to get a drink and discuss it with my boyfriend.

Does anyone have the match list results? I know I have seen them somewhere, but can't seem to find them using the SDN search! I know they don't really count for much, but I am trying to throw EVERYTHING out there for the decision.

You all are awesome and a big reason to say F*** it! to the money and deserve a big group hug. The people at Loyola are definitely a large "pro" on my list.

fwiw, i think that SIU is a good school also, i have a few friends who go down there and they really love it. their staff is also personable, albeit not as personable as loyola, either way, you wont be losing much with either school! congrats!

 

[gdbaby]

any news yet? anyone? 😀
you know timmy, i am gonna beat a dead horse to a pulp! 🙄

Timmy, I just finished providing sexual favors to the entire Loyola admissions committee on your behalf. They said they should have a decision on your acceptance by next Friday. "Next Friday?" I replied, "After everything I've done for you?"
They replied that my "extracurricular experience" couldn't be trusted since I had such a low MCAT score.

I'm tired now, but I am sending you all of my luck!!!!

 

[elguapo187]

got the call today too...super excited...loyola is my #1 choice...woo!

 

[Stoky44]

Congrats to all who got "the call" today.

Just a few quick questions:
1. What time of day did you get the call?
2. When did you interview?

 

[IDforMe]

bump.

Anybody want to hold my hand and make me feel better about going $75,000 deeper in debt? I've never had this kind of money and am scared of spending more of it than is tangibly real to me; money is the only real concern I have left. Everything else can be worked out or is already in Loyola's favor. I think I could be happy at SIU, but not as euphorically happy as at Stritch. ARGH! I don't like making financial decisions under pressure!

 

[USArmyDoc]

bump.

Anybody want to hold my hand and make me feel better about going $75,000 deeper in debt? I've never had this kind of money and am scared of spending more of it than is tangibly real to me; money is the only real concern I have left. Everything else can be worked out or is already in Loyola's favor. I think I could be happy at SIU, but not as euphorically happy as at Stritch. ARGH! I don't like making financial decisions under pressure!

Ummm.....75,000 is ALOT of money. I would go to SIU.

Disclaimer: I am not on Stritch's waiting list.

 

[IDforMe]

I figure that would be the difference over 4 years, taking into account the one time tuition waiver at SIU for 20,000 that I received.

I know it's alot.

Thanks for the input. (and disclaimer) 😉

 

[Dr.UserName]

for those that got a call of acceptance from waitlist and were already holding an acceptance elsewhere, how long do you have to make a descision? Are they sending any info in the mail?

 

[brats800]

it was about $50k different for me over 4 years to go to loyola vs. my state school. i picked loyola and couldn't be happier. my take was that you will be at this place at least 4 years (maybe longer because lots of people end up staying pretty local for residency) and you should pick a place that would make you the happiest. you'll pay off the $ eventually. with that said, if you think you are likely going to go into a low-paying, primary care specialty, you might want to consider the cheaper option so that you aren't so strapped for cash when you are out of school and not making tons of $$. one of the course directors at loyola (family med doc) went to loyola and said that everyone pays off their loans, its just a question of how fast you do it (based on if you make the minimum payments/month and how much debt you have). in my opinion, you need to decide 1) if you'd be happier at loyola and 2) if that happiness is worth the $$. for me it was. but you gotta make that decision for yourself. i haven't regretted that decision yet (well, maybe each time i get my new loan statement and still get suprised at how much i'll owe when i'm done...but otherwise no long-lasting regrets) 🙂 good luck with your decision. its a nice decision to have to make. and i'm sure there's people on this board (*cough*timmy*cough*) who would really like you to turn down that spot and give it to them...

 

[IDforMe]

Thanks brats. After sleeping on it, and discussing it until late last night, I think I am going to choose Loyola. You are definitely right about the happiness aspect of everything, and I know I will pay it off eventually. I don't have any debt now, and will certainly be responsible in paying it off as soon as possible. (Part of the reason this is so hard for me is because I have always been very frugal and financially responsible.) Thanks so much for the advice; I will let you know my final decision very soon.

Oh! Also, I have not received any budget info/ fin aid award yet, I expect it to be ready this afternoon. Does the budget Loyola provides allow you enough to live comfortably on? At SIU I was surprised by how much I would have to cut out to live within their budget.

 

[Stoky44]

Anyone going to call/ have called the admin office to see if the class is now full and if (when?) they plan on having anymore movement?

 

[jbrice1639]

Oh! Also, I have not received any budget info/ fin aid award yet, I expect it to be ready this afternoon. Does the budget Loyola provides allow you enough to live comfortably on? At SIU I was surprised by how much I would have to cut out to live within their budget.

the budget they showed for me i thought was pretty low for the chicago area...they gave me a yearly budget of about $11,000 (if i remember right) for rent, utilities and food. supposedly you can change your budget with the financial aid office, though, but i don't know what types of documentation you would need to do that.

congrats on picking loyola though. good to see our class starting to shape up and this whole application season finally start to end. hard to believe it's been an entire year since we were all filling out amcas and waiting on mcat scores and whatnot.

 

[Flopotomist]

I am noticing that there is a large number of Loyola people here in the bay area of CA. Anybody want to get together and have a BBQ to get to know each other while we are here in CA? I am thinking Tilden park in Berkeley (sorry to the SF people, you might have to venture over to the dark side of the bay). I will supply the grill and a shuttle to/from BART. Any takers?

 

[brats800]

i thought my budget was quite comfortable. i've never eaten ramen noodles yet. 😉 everyone seems fine with going out to the bars on the weekend or taking out the significant other for dinner and a movie now and then. i kept a record of my first semester expenses if anyone wanted to see.

 

[TimmyTheWonderD]

Timmy, I just finished providing sexual favors to the entire Loyola admissions committee on your behalf. They said they should have a decision on your acceptance by next Friday. "Next Friday?" I replied, "After everything I've done for you?"
They replied that my "extracurricular experience" couldn't be trusted since I had such a low MCAT score.

I'm tired now, but I am sending you all of my luck!!!!

thanks! heaven knows i need it now more than ever!

 

[TimmyTheWonderD]

....I think I am going to choose Loyola......

I cannot even put into words how much this ROCKS!

Holy freaking ****!!!!!!!!!! DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!

YEA!!!!!!

Congrats! Here's to hoping we can share that weekly lasagna, be study buddies and workout partners afterall! Keep your fingers crossed for me!!!!! 😉

 

[IDforMe]

I cannot even put into words how much this ROCKS!

Holy freaking ****!!!!!!!!!! DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!

YEA!!!!!!

Congrats! Here's to hoping we can share that weekly lasagna, be study buddies and workout partners afterall! Keep your fingers crossed for me!!!!! 😉

Timmy, I love ya! This made my day; I can envision you yelling it at me! 🙂 And it is official. I've made up my mind. I am going to Loyola. I can always earn more money, but (like those commercials keep telling me) some things are priceless. Like the people and the experience I will have there.

SO.....
😀 😍 LOYOLA, HERE I COME!!! 😀

And Timmy, like I've already told you, I KNOW you will get in. I feel it. It is now fate! 🙂

 

[flippa7]

Timmy, I love ya! This made my day; I can envision you yelling it at me! 🙂 And it is official. I've made up my mind. I am going to Loyola. I can always earn more money, but (like those commercials keep telling me) some things are priceless. Like the people and the experience I will have at there.

SO.....
😀 😍 LOYOLA, HERE I COME!!! 😀

And Timmy, like I've already told you, I KNOW you will get in. I feel it. It is now fate! 🙂

Welcome aboard IDforMe!! Looking forward to meeting you and Timmy!! LOTS OF LUCK TO TIMMMY!!

 

[IDforMe]

Welcome aboard IDforMe!! Looking forward to meeting you and Timmy!! LOTS OF LUCK TO TIMMMY!!

Thanks flippa! I can't wait to meet all of you ladies and gents too!

 

[jbrice1639]

i feel like we're all gonna "know" each other before we even meet...all the poor non-SDN students in our class are gonna think we're nuts

Congrats to all of you getting calls, and to those waiting!

 

[IDforMe]

Since alot of us here holding acceptances are wishing Timmy luck and think she would be an awesome classmate, I thought it couldn't hurt to make an SDN petition to "LET TIMMY IN!" Who knows? Maybe somebody at Loyola who is in a position to be an advocate will see it. Can't hurt, right? 😛

I'll start:

I Want Timmy as a Classmate for Loyola's class of 2010. LET TIMMY IN!!!
IDforMe

 

[Stoky44]

Anyone call the admin office today to find out about the past/future alternate list movement?

 

[TimmyTheWonderD]

Anyone call the admin office today to find out about the past/future alternate list movement?

i did an hour ago - and, matt said that there has been little movement - only 3 or so have withdrawn and those spots have been filled (we know who 😉 )so as of today, class is full, sitting at 140.

 

[TimmyTheWonderD]

Timmy, I love ya! This made my day; I can envision you yelling it at me! 🙂 And it is official. I've made up my mind. I am going to Loyola. I can always earn more money, but (like those commercials keep telling me) some things are priceless. Like the people and the experience I will have at there.

SO.....
😀 😍 LOYOLA, HERE I COME!!! 😀

And Timmy, like I've already told you, I KNOW you will get in. I feel it. It is now fate! 🙂

i really think that i am meant to walk away from this process having real patience bolstered by pure, unadulterated self-confidence and unshakable FAITH! chilling out and telling myself that whatever happens is what is meant to be is the only thing that is all that is going to help me 😀 and not 🙁 through the days between now and july 24th - well, that and trying to keep myself insanely busy with a frenzy of housework and yard work so i don't have any free time to sit and worry!

i am so glad you got in! you go girl!
and thanks for being my cheering section - it makes me happy 🙂

 

[Stoky44]

i did an hour ago - and, matt said that there has been little movement - only 3 or so have withdrawn and those spots have been filled (we know who 😉 )so as of today, class is full, sitting at 140.

Any word on future/anticipated movement?

 

[Flopotomist]

I think we should get T-shirts that say "SDNers for Timmy" We could even design them to look like the "vote for Pedro" t-shirts. At least then we could all recognize each other during orientation!

 

[IDforMe]

I think we should get T-shirts that say "SDNers for Timmy" We could even design them to look like the "vote for Pedro" t-shirts. At least then we could all recognize each other during orientation!

HAHAHAH! I Love it! Count me in! 🙂

We'll have to make Timmy's shirt another color or something though... or give her a cheering welcome when she walks in. There should be some kind of commendation for having unwavering faith and limitless patience!

 

[Flopotomist]

HAHAHAH! I Love it! Count me in! 🙂

We'll have to make Timmy's shirt another color or something though... or give her a cheering welcome when she walks in. There should be some kind of commendation for having unwavering faith and limitless patience!

Only 3 withdrawals so far? Wow! There seems to be less waitlist movement this year at most schools.

 

[IDforMe]

Only 3 withdrawals so far? Wow! There seems to be less waitlist movement this year at most schools.

That's what I was thinking too. Only three withdrawls seems pretty discouraging...

Yet, keeping in mind that I haven't been around to see the trends of previous application cycles, I would say there is still hope of quite a bit more movement. I mean, some of the people who don't post on SDN and are planning on Loyola now may get off a waitlist elsewhere and give up their spot. That process takes some time. So if you think of it like a chain of events, each link of which takes a few days every time someone has to decide, I would say we should see more movement in the next few weeks.

 

[TimmyTheWonderD]

Any word on future/anticipated movement?

nope - the only bit of info was that in previous years, movement has tended to be more toward the end of the month - but who knows - each year is totally different!

all we can do is have FAITH 😀

 

[TimmyTheWonderD]

.....I would say we should see more movement in the next few weeks.

i'm hoping you have never been more correct in your life! 😉

 

[TimmyTheWonderD]

I think we should get T-shirts that say "SDNers for Timmy" We could even design them to look like the "vote for Pedro" t-shirts. At least then we could all recognize each other during orientation!

you guys ROCK!

 

[IDforMe]

i'm hoping you have never been more correct in your life! 😉

Me too!!!

 

[Dr.UserName]

I was called May 15th and offered an acceptance. Prior to the call I had an acceptance at Penn State and was counting down until I moved out there. I guess my question to you guys is how would you compare the two schools. I understand the bias that might occur since this is a loyola thread but I was still wondering why you feel so passionate about loyola. As a side note, I hope that the waitlist continues to move so that if by me choosing loyola I don't take someone's spot within this thread. Thanks again for any advice.

 

[Flopotomist]

I was called May 15th and offered an acceptance. Prior to the call I had an acceptance at Penn State and was counting down until I moved out there. I guess my question to you guys is how would you compare the two schools. I understand the bias that might occur since this is a loyola thread but I was still wondering why you feel so passionate about loyola. As a side note, I hope that the waitlist continues to move so that if by me choosing loyola I don't take someone's spot within this thread. Thanks again for any advice.

I know nothing about Penn state, so I am of course biased. What attracted me to Loyola was the students. I was SO amazed at how the students worked so well as a team in the anatomy lab that I sat in on. People were helping each other, were laughing, were clearly having a good time - it just felt like somewhere that I would be very happy. The online resources just really made it look like I would have an easier time learning the material than at some other places. I also really liked the block style curriculum, and Chicago is an amazing place.

 

[socerbal94]

I was called May 15th and offered an acceptance. Prior to the call I had an acceptance at Penn State and was counting down until I moved out there. I guess my question to you guys is how would you compare the two schools. I understand the bias that might occur since this is a loyola thread but I was still wondering why you feel so passionate about loyola. As a side note, I hope that the waitlist continues to move so that if by me choosing loyola I don't take someone's spot within this thread. Thanks again for any advice.

I was in the same position as you a few days ago. I got the Loyola acceptance in early april. Then, on May 10, my state school, UT Memphis, decided to show me some love and I got an acceptance there too. I was having a real tough time deciding where to go. UT would work out to be about 56,000 cheaper over four years, but I definitely liked Loyola better, so I had to decide if the extra money was worth what I liked about Loyola. As someone just said, the students and the learning environment made the difference. From what I saw, the students had good support from both the university and fellow students.

Before deciding, I talked to a lot of doctors, including ones I had shadowed, and got varied opinions. Some said to comepletely discount the money issue, as you'll be making enough as a doctor to eventually pay off the debts. Others said the difference in the quality of the schools was so minimal that not going to UT (my state school) would be crazy.

I am assuming that Penn state is your state school and would be cheaper. If its not cheaper, then I dont see your dilemna. CHOOSE LOYOLA. If it is cheaper, youve got to weigh how much you like loyola better then you like money.

Things I liked about Stritch

1. Students were happy.
2. Clean anatomy lab.....
3. Chicago
4. Summer Immersion Programs
5. Great Faculty Interaction
6. Caring Faculty and Staff
7. Cheap cafeteria food
8. The Gym
9. A curriculum that dosent throw too much at you at once (block).
10. Decent board scores and residency placements (Though a good amount stay in Illinois or at the Loyola Medical Center)
11. Loyola Medical center is nationally ranked - great opportunity for med students to work with top doctors in top programs.

Hope this helps dude. Dont get me wrong, Ive got nothin against penn state, ive actually got some friends going there next year, but I just think Stritch is all you can ask for in a med school.

 

[ambulancedriver]

if it helps any, this is what I like about stritch:

your education is truly holistic in the sense that you learn not only the science involved in medicine, but also the ethical and spiritual aspects that accompany it. I am excited that we get to shadow a chaplain as first years to see how patients cope with death and disease. gives you another perspective that should stay with you long after you graduate. also, I like how loyola is truly committed to the jesuit ideal of social justice and service to others. if these things are important to you, and you can see yourself incorporating them into your future life as a doctor, then stritch will be a good fit for you

 

[Bella Prince]

Thanks to you all for keeping up the positives! I am going loony waiting for a call but now it is the weekend so....

For those who can't decide on the tough decision of "this med school or that" let me just say that at this point in the process, you should have the answer already. Just forget about money, opportunities, pros and cons, all that stuff, and visualize yourself in each future. The one you should pick is the one where you see yourself happy. If that doesn't do it, narrow it down to where you would rather live, 4 years is a long time to hate the weather.

 

[Stoky44]

_

 

[IDforMe]

I was called May 15th and offered an acceptance. Prior to the call I had an acceptance at Penn State and was counting down until I moved out there. I guess my question to you guys is how would you compare the two schools. I understand the bias that might occur since this is a loyola thread but I was still wondering why you feel so passionate about loyola. As a side note, I hope that the waitlist continues to move so that if by me choosing loyola I don't take someone's spot within this thread. Thanks again for any advice.

I was in the same boat, and just made my decision. As others have already mentioned, I had to decide if the difference in price was worth it. For me, the difference was $75,000 due to a scholarship at the other school. That is A LOT of money!!! I can't even grasp it other than by saying it was the total cost of a house, paid in full, in the area of the other school.

I chose Loyola and the eye-deep debt. Some of my reasons?

-The atmosphere. Everyone I met in my multiple visits was enthusiastic, kind and welcoming. From janitors to students to faculty to other med school staff. EVERYONE was glad they were there. That says a lot to me.
-The spirit of cooperation and the compassion evident in the curriculum. They live by their motto of "also treating the human spirit".
-I liked the block schedule; makes it easier to focus on what you need to learn. I also liked the mix of lecture and small group problem solving/ discussion.
-Better opportunities for research and for exposure to many different types of patients.
-Learning/ Clinicals in a Nationally Ranked Medical Center, as was already mentioned.
-The gym. There are no excuses for not working out when you don't even have to go outside to get there...
-Closer to my family
-The location gives my boyfriend more options for his own education, and he doesn't have to find a new job.
-Finally: You can always make more money, but you can't go back and get the experience. I felt Loyola was much more in sync with my personality and what drew me to medicine in the first place.​

I hope this helps. Oh, and one last thing. Trust yourself. Whatever decision you make, it will be the right one. Once you make it, don't look back. Good luck! I know how hard it was for me.

 

[Vitriol]

**Bump** for a new week!

 

[Vitriol]

it seems that there are still some spots at loyola that people are not letting go, even after the may 15th deadline. I hear that there is some movement towards the middle of june (perhaps this is when they can start rejecting people who are holding more than one spot). at any rate, anyone with any news, update this thread. and if you are holding a loyola spot and are on the fence, please post, we wont harass you, but instead will help you with your decision!

please and thank you

 

[christi5784]

I wanna go to Loyola 🙁

 

[Flopotomist]

Anybody at Loyola wanna roomie? PM me and lets chat...

 

[Vitriol]

bump... am i the only one still watching this thread??

 

[Stoky44]

bump... am i the only one still watching this thread??

Well I am still watching and probably, no definitely, way too much. I just think there is nothing more anyone can post. Unless they got an acceptance. Otherwise, we are all in the same boat. We'll just have to keep hoping and waiting.

 

[christi5784]

Watching and waiting as well...

 

[Dock-TAH!]

Not sure if this means anything but I think this past Friday, May 26 was an important date for Loyola's waitlist to start moving. My intent to enroll form had to be submitted by May 26 and I also received a phone call on Friday asking me what my decision was since I was still holding a spot at another school. I had to withdraw from the other school immediately and make sure that Loyola had a copy of that e-mail. So the pressure is on as of Friday which could have freed up some spots for this upcoming week.

All the info I have...hope it helps a little...

 

[christi5784]

Not sure if this means anything but I think this past Friday, May 26 was an important date for Loyola's waitlist to start moving. My intent to enroll form had to be submitted by May 26 and I also received a phone call on Friday asking me what my decision was since I was still holding a spot at another school. I had to withdraw from the other school immediately and make sure that Loyola had a copy of that e-mail. So the pressure is on as of Friday which could have freed up some spots for this upcoming week.

All the info I have...hope it helps a little...

Thanks for the update!

 

[Vitriol]

that gives me hope, hopefully not false hope 🙂

heres to hoping for the best, expecting the worst