UIC or BU....Please Help!

[Woatalk]

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So here's the deal:
I was accepted at UI-Chicago earlier in the application season and just receive accepttance off the waitlist at BU. What to do? Both schools are out-of state, so proximity to family and friends is not an option here.

Here are my thoughts:

BU PROS: Great research opportunities
Nice Clinicals
Solid school of pubic health


Cons: Expensive
Competitive student-body

Uncertainties/Questions: the city of Boston?how does it compare to Chicago?
What does the resisdence match-list look like for BU?



UIC Pros: Some research opportunities
Chicago-Diverse
Though expensive 1st year, I can become an Illinois
state resident, an pay in- state tuition the following years.

Cons: Somewhat competitive student body
Little student to faculty interaction

Uncertainties/Ouestions: UIC surrounding area.Since I interviewed at the Rockford campus and not the Chicago campus, I was wondering what the area is like (diversity,access to downtown and so forth). Also, what is the average housing cost in the area?


I would really appreciate any help you guys could give me here. Thanks! 🙂

 

[ImmunoRocks]

If you're interested in peds, BU is pretty good in that area.

From looking at the Financial Aid page, UIC's tuition is around $40,000 for out of state, while BU is probably $3-4,000 less than that.

If you want to look at their match lists, they're in the Allopathic forum somewhere. People have been posting their school's match list on there.

Hope that helps,
ImmunoRocks

 

[skiz knot]

My biased opinion is to go to Bean Town. (I'm waiting for a spot to open up in the Chicago campus.

Actually there are an incredible number of research opps at UIC-Chicago. The campus is really close to downtown with easy public transportation. Good apartments in the city (and near campus, it is safe regardless of the BS you'll hear elsewhere. It is safer than other so called nice areas. PM me if q's) can easily be found for 800-1200 for a 2 BR.

 

[Spitting Camel]

From my experences, which were only a couple days in Chi-town, the diversity there is all black OR white. Boston in general was much more diverse, in the true sense of the word.

 

[mackaikai]

I would say go to UIC because I am waiting for a spot to open up at BU, haha 😀

 

[Smithjay2k]

just receive accepttance off the waitlist at BU.

Just wondering....when/how did BU contact you?

 

[GBFKicks]

So heres the deal:
I was accepted at UI-Chicago earlier in the applicationg season and just receive accepttance off the waitlist at BU. What to do? Both schools are out-of state, so proximity to family and friends is not an option here.

Here are my thoughts:

BU PROS: Great research opportunities
Nice Clinicals
Solid school of pubic health


Cons: Expensive
Competitive student-body

Uncertainties/Questions: the city of Boston?how does it compare to Chicago?
What does the resisdence match-list look like for BU?



UIC Pros: Some research opportunities
Chicago-Diverse
Though expensive 1st year, I can become an Illinois
state resident, an pay in- state tuition the following years.

Cons: Somewhat competitive student body
Little student to faculty interaction

Uncertainties/Ouestions: UIC surrounding area.Since I interviewed at the Rockford campus and not the Chicago campus, I was wondering what the area is like (diversity,access to downtown and so forth). Also, what is the average housing cost in the area?


I would really appreciate any help you guys could give me here. Thanks! 🙂

Well, here are a couple of things on my mind...
-UIC has a great School of Public Health (if you want to go by rankings, USNews has it at 16, I think)
-the neighborhood is not nearly as bad as people say. I walk around by myself at 3 or 4 in the morning. I wouldn't feel safe if my girlfriend did that, but I do it and don't think twice about it.
-There are tremendous research opportunities at UIC, but there are also U of C and NW that have top notch research. The new research building at UIC is almost finished and it is amazing. (right next door to the college of medicine)
-I don't know much about the conversion of residency, but UIC is a rip off for out of staters
-The COM is half a block away from the blue line, and the campus is five minutes from the loop-- you can walk to the Sears Tower in 15 from the East campus
-It is true that Chicago is very diverse, but it is also one of the most segregated cities in the country. There is also great diversity in the COM.
-Chicago just plain rocks... there is so much to do here. Great bars, great cultural activities, North ave. beach, great shopping, cubs, sox, etc, the list is endless.
-the winter can be brutal
-the administration takes some getting used to

 

[Fusion]

I've been to Chicago several times and have lived in Boston (just finished the Medical Sciences program at BU). As for cities, Chicago wins in my book. Boston definitely has its moments, but it's a difficult city to live in. Chicago is a big city in every sense of the word and is a little more livable, esp w/ regards to driving a car. You'll get a good education at both places, and the clinicals at BU are supposed to be really strong as well. I am sure that you will get great experience training in Chicago area hospitals, so the clinical experience that UIC provides will be great. Weather sucks for both places, though I've never been colder in my life than when I lived in Boston.

Go where you think you will be happy spending four years of your life. 🙂

 

[kingcer0x]

Just wondering....when/how did BU contact you?

I am also wondering this... phone, email, mail... would you care to divulge this information?

Thanks!

 

[skiz knot]

From my experences, which were only a couple days in Chi-town, the diversity there is all black OR white. Boston in general was much more diverse, in the true sense of the word.

Chicago has a tremendous population of hispanics, as well as thriving Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Polish, Ukranian/Russian, German, Italian, etc... communities. I do agree that minority populations are often very segregated from each other.

 

[Woatalk]

Thanks for all of your inputs!

For those wondering, I was contacted by phone. Good luck to all those waiting for either one of these schools.

Please, keep the info coming....Thanks

 

[bokermmk]

Some more infor for your decision...

I am going to UIC this fall. Here are my pros and cons of the school.


PRO: As someone who enjoys research UIC present a ton of opportunities. I spent a week in Chicago and had a chance to meet with 4 profs regarding research options. All of them were tremendously helpful. In addition, there is a research scholarship (open to anyone) that covers about 1/4 tuition plus a monthly stipend. You just have to find a professor who will act as your asvisor and is willing to hire you on in his department. Of the 4 profs that I met with all offered me a postion in their lab - (although I probably wont do it first semester for various reasons. but nonetheless the opportunity is out there). I think I counted 3 huge research buildings on my trip (the molecular bio one is incredible) plus they are in the process of building a new one.

University housing (apartments) are also available for grad and professional students at UIC. It is resonable priced at about 650 a month (good for CHicago) and it includes cable, internet, and all utilities (there is an acivation fee for utilities). UIC itself is in a good part of town there are definagtely shady neighborhoods on its outskirts. Nonetheless I felt safe there.

There are hospitals everywhere you turn. No wonder it is called the Medical District.

Cost is good for instaters but that really doesnt apply to you. Health insurance is also cheap (350 a semester).

Everyone says the administration is kinda short and non accomodation but everyone I have dealt with from scholarships and financial aid to housing to admissions has been more than helpful.

Cons

THey charge you for 10 semester of school rather than 8. Many schools do this, just more deceptively - so I guess its not a total sham on their part. But still, it is 20K in extra loans I need.

They dont give many scholarships. Aside from the research scholarship, they only offer up to 1500 in merit based aid a year.


IN conclusion it will still be cheaper for you than BU. IN my opinion it will offer you more opportunities but I may be biased. I am on Pitts waiting list but I think I am headed to UIC even if accepted.

 

[Woatalk]

It was a tough decision but I have decided to stick with UIC... 🙁 🙂 🙁 🙂

 

[GBFKicks]

It was a tough decision but I have decided to stick with UIC... 🙁 🙂 🙁 🙂

congratulations... I don't think you will be disappointed!!! 🙂 👍 🙂

 

[Woatalk]

Thanks GBFKicks, as well as everyone else who contributed info in helping me decide between these two schools. 👍

 

[Spitting Camel]

Thanks GBFKicks, as well as everyone else who contributed info in helping me decide between these two schools. 👍

Aw man... so it's still just me at BU. I hope they accept a couple other people so I'm not lonely... 🙁

 

[supereagles]

It was a tough decision but I have decided to stick with UIC... 🙁 🙂 🙁 🙂

Whoa, that was quick. Congrats Bro and have fun 👍

 

[mackaikai]

yah com'on accept me BU! so i can join Camel!

 

[Spitting Camel]

yah com'on accept me BU! so i can join Camel!

OMG, I started browsing apartment websites and the cheapest studio (which I could NEVER live in) is almost 1000.00 dollars! Looks like I'm going to have to find a buddy to room with. A nice 2 bedroom will only cost each person like 700-900. not bad, considering the other options... Good Luck mackaikai!

 

[kingcer0x]

Aw man... so it's still just me at BU. I hope they accept a couple other people so I'm not lonely... 🙁

i'd like to join you too, Camel... still no waitlist word yet.

Did you try Craigslist.com for apartments? I found some studios in Allston/Brighton for 700-800... probably pretty small though. The South End rent will put a hurt on your wallet...

 

[lyragrl]

From my experences, which were only a couple days in Chi-town, the diversity there is all black OR white. Boston in general was much more diverse, in the true sense of the word.

As a longtime resident of Chicago, this is not true. Chicago has a huge latino population and a large Asian community (the South Asian and Thai communities are especially large). According to a recent study, Chicago was the third most popular city for new immigrants in the United States. The area around UIC is a predominantly African American neighborhood, but the city as a whole is incredibly diverse.

 

[skiz knot]

As a longtime resident of Chicago, this is not true. Chicago has a huge latino population and a large Asian community (the South Asian and Thai communities are especially large). According to a recent study, Chicago was the third most popular city for new immigrants in the United States. The area around UIC is a predominantly African American neighborhood, but the city as a whole is incredibly diverse.

This is also a falacy. The residential areas surrounding UIC are predominantly white. The campus is in the heart of Little Italy. The majority of the housing projects in the area have been/ are in the process of being torn down.

If you head south of Roosevelt it is heavily populated with African americans, then quickly turns into a Latino neighborhood.

 

[Woatalk]

I was wondering which airport I should land (O'Hare or Midway) to get to the UIC campus...I interviwed at Rockford, so I have no clue as to which airport is closer to the school. Thanks

 

[Odaroloc]

Hey Spitting C...do you have any regrets about not going to Loyola? Just curious...I think we are all a little sentimental towards our first acceptance (I think it was your first).

 

[lyragrl]

This is also a falacy. The residential areas surrounding UIC are predominantly white. The campus is in the heart of Little Italy. The majority of the housing projects in the area have been/ are in the process of being torn down.

If you head south of Roosevelt it is heavily populated with African americans, then quickly turns into a Latino neighborhood.

Well, it's not a falacy, but I'll admit I did forget about Little Italy. However, my original point stands: Chicago is a really diverse city. I should know, I've lived here for 24 years.

 

[Spitting Camel]

Hey Spitting C...do you have any regrets about not going to Loyola? Just curious...I think we are all a little sentimental towards our first acceptance (I think it was your first).

It was REALLY hard. I tried to write a letter that expressed just how hard it was. They are such good people there and they put their hearts into finding great people to make their class (I'm not saying I'm all great or anything) but I felt taken care of. I seriously became friends with judy and rosemary. I sang for them... it was wonderful.