Well, personally, although I'm sure you'll notice a bias, I think UIC is a great school. As far as it being the largest in the country, they like to brag about that but it's hardly relevant. That's if you combine all 4 of our campuses, but since I've never met anyone from a satellite campus, and they don't even all approach the curriculum in the same manner, it's hardly the case. Although at 204 students in Chicago we're nothing to shake a stick at...
Really, the student body is not that competitive. Most of us are in it to help one another, and yeah some people hope for low averages since achieving "honors" requires you to be a certain level above the average, but outside of that I've seen little competitiveness, at least so far. Faculty is very very approachable if you want to talk to them, but you will have to seek them out, they won't come find you, and you have to work around their schedules sometimes. Most of the profs will always make time for you though, and so will the people in the administrative offices.
As far as clinical guidance in the first two years, UIC makes sure you get some clinical experience, quite a bit your second year actually (and some required in your first), and since it's a course requirement it's hard to "miss". The curriculum changes so far have not been that dramatic. They are trying to move slightly away from the traditional, but it'll be a while before they implement any huge changes. Right now they're just integrating things in a more logical and student-friendly manner. They're trying to focus on a more "systems based" approach to the basic science classes.
That being said, UIC doesn't offer anything groundbreaking that would justify the out-of-state tuition. That number is just way too high. Even our in-state tuition is very high. Our resources here aren't bad, but they aren't quite as good as they are at some other schools, but the education is a good one and overall very solid. Like you said, great clinical rotations to be had. Depending on your other offers are from, and willingness or desire to relocate to Chicago, UIC I imagine should probably be a pretty hard sell when you have to pay OOS tuition.
I really couldn't tell you whether or not you should go to the interview. The interview is very laid back and chill, a good time, but being in-state I had a strong desire to go to UIC so I'm coming from a different perspective...
