UIC--Current and New Pharmacy Students

[pinkpnther86]

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For those of you who are current pharmacy students or will be attending pharm school at UIC, what are your suggestions for housing. Is it cheaper/more advantageous to go with campus housing or is getting apartments a better idea? If campus housing is better, what residence halls are closest to the pharm school (SSR?) . If getting an apartment is better where can I start to inquire about them and how much do they generally run (cost wise?)

During my interview, I spoke to some P1’s who said they commute. I live in the Schaumburg area as was considering commuting via Metra for my P1 year as well. With the coursework of a P1, do you think that I’ll be ok?

One last question :0) …. Does anyone work while in pharm school? The few students I spoke to said they worked very little, but I was thinking that I’d work at least 20-25 hours per week like I have been doing through out pre-pharm. Is this possible with UIC’s P1 curriculum?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated…thanks!
👍

 

[NYCillini]

Schaumburg is definately quite the commute especially if you plan to work 20-25 hrs/wk. You would have to choose to live either on campus or work that amt but not both. Well, MAYBE, you could pull it off during first semester since you are only going to class from 8:30-12:30. However, second semester is around 9:30-4:30 (if you are taking as many electives as possible...recommended.. since p2 yr is has a lot of exhausting busy work and you may not be able to do too many electives). Everyone that I know who has commuted for p1 yr is now moving to the city so even with the easy schedule they can't stand the commute. I'm working ~20 hrs now (i'm a p1) but I work from home. Honestly, even that is exhausting and my commute is only 30-45 minutes. Most people do not work that much even if they did that before. SSR is nice cause you can literally roll out bed and run to class since it is only a block from class. I would have considered it but opted to live my non-UIC roommate of 3yrs instead. I think it costs around 675/month (I pay the around the same thing for my apt). You can find cheaper apts but they will be further away.

 

[NYCillini]

you can pm if you have anymore questions as I rarely check this thing out.

 

[chitowngyrl]

First of all, Congrats on your acceptance.

Well, I am currently a p2 at UIC. I used to live in SSR during my P1 year. Now I live in an apartment on Taylor Street. Personally, SSR was okay. It was convenient. But I like living off-campus, in my own place with my non-pharmacy friends. Plus, my apartment is really close and I found a good deal. we pay $525 each a month for a three bedroom. So it is very possible to find a good sized apartment for a decent price. You just have to know where to look and what to look for.
I know alot of people who commute. Even in their 2nd year, so it can be done. Actually, a good number of people in my class commute still. So that is an option. It is hard for some, but some actually prefer it. You can get some studying done on the train too. So thats a plus.
As for working, that can be done too. I know several students who have children and households to maintain, who have to work alot. Plus, they commute. So it all can be done. It just depends on what type of grades you want. If you want all As, then 20 hours and commuting will be rough. But I wouldn't stress about grades if I was you.

P1 first semester, you have a good amount of free time. So you will be able to gauge what works best for you at that time.

Also, just on a side note, dont worry so much about electives in your first year, cause they really dont offer that many to the first years anyway. I only had 3hrs at the end of my P1 year. Now I have 8hrs at the end of my p2 year. It is easy to get them completed. They give you a lot of space P3 year for electives and more class choices. So let that be the least of your worries. They offer alot of blow-off electives later on. But try to get at least 2hours done in your P1 year and you will be in good shape.

 

[nikkai]

Shameless Plug for AMCP P&T Competition during P1 year.

 

[sna]

$525 for a whole apartment??!! or just one bedroom out of the three??
How close is it to UIC? What is the apartment complex called?

First of all, Congrats on your acceptance.

Well, I am currently a p2 at UIC. I used to live in SSR during my P1 year. Now I live in an apartment on Taylor Street. Personally, SSR was okay. It was convenient. But I like living off-campus, in my own place with my non-pharmacy friends. Plus, my apartment is really close and I found a good deal. we pay $525 each a month for a three bedroom. So it is very possible to find a good sized apartment for a decent price. You just have to know where to look and what to look for.
I know alot of people who commute. Even in their 2nd year, so it can be done. Actually, a good number of people in my class commute still. So that is an option. It is hard for some, but some actually prefer it. You can get some studying done on the train too. So thats a plus.
As for working, that can be done too. I know several students who have children and households to maintain, who have to work alot. Plus, they commute. So it all can be done. It just depends on what type of grades you want. If you want all As, then 20 hours and commuting will be rough. But I wouldn't stress about grades if I was you.

P1 first semester, you have a good amount of free time. So you will be able to gauge what works best for you at that time.

Also, just on a side note, dont worry so much about electives in your first year, cause they really dont offer that many to the first years anyway. I only had 3hrs at the end of my P1 year. Now I have 8hrs at the end of my p2 year. It is easy to get them completed. They give you a lot of space P3 year for electives and more class choices. So let that be the least of your worries. They offer alot of blow-off electives later on. But try to get at least 2hours done in your P1 year and you will be in good shape.

 

[chitowngyrl]

$525 for a whole apartment??!! or just one bedroom out of the three??
How close is it to UIC? What is the apartment complex called?

Nah its $525 per person. It is a 3 bedroom flat. So it is a pretty big apartment and the buildings are only 5 years old. and the rent also includes a garage space (well we managed to get three spaces for each of our cars). So I think that $525 is a very good deal for all that. Oh and the landlord let us paint all the rooms, so it has a real homey feel to it. Cause most landlords will only allow for the walls to be white. It is just up Taylor. So its pretty close. I walk on nice days. On cold days, I catch the UIC shuttle that stops right on the corner. The flat right above me is for rent right now. It has a group of med students living there now, but they are graduating and moving out. I can give you the number to my landlord, if you want it?

 

[genesis09]

It is strange, but the best rent deals I have seen in the UIC area are for 3 bedroom apartments or townhouses. I know of a number of people who rent townhouses.

 

[chitowngyrl]

It is strange, but the best rent deals I have seen in the UIC area are for 3 bedroom apartments or townhouses. I know of a number of people who rent townhouses.

That is so true. Cause originally, I was looking to live by myself. But it was so expensive to rent a 1 bedroom, or even a studio. it is much better to find 2 people and get a 3 bedroom. There are alot of good deals. I guess they know its a lot of college student in the area and students generally dont live alone. So maybe they are trying to cater to students.

 

[sna]

do you think it's good to live in SSR the first year to get to know people?
or just start off living off-campus? I have no idea who to live with yet.

 

[chitowngyrl]

do you think it's good to live in SSR the first year to get to know people?
or just start off living off-campus? I have no idea who to live with yet.

Its always an option. Like I said, I lived in SSR my first year. Alot of pharmacy students live there too. So it definitely gives you an opportunity to get know people. Also, it gives you a better opportunity to go apartment hunting for the next year, if you decide you want to move out. Its easier to find a good apartment when you aren't rushing home and trying to beat rush hour traffic.