UIC vs. Drexel vs. RFU

[n1k16]

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Hey guys.....what do you think of UIC, drexel, and RFU....i know UIC is ranked much better than the others, but for some reason, the residency matches for drexel and RFU seem amazing.....im an illinois resident, so the tuition for UIC is very attractive....just wanted to get some of ur opinions...good luck with the most messed up process i have ever been a part of..

 

[thedelicatessen]

I interviewed at both RFU and Drexel last year, and they both appeared to be last resort schools to the current students. RFU doesn't have its own official hospital, which lessens the uniformity and cohesion of clinical instruction, but it does have the neighboring VA. Both are outside the heart of the city, but neither is really significantly better than the other.

 

[n1k16]

i got accepted to all three, so im just tossing around ideas for what i wana do....the facilities at RFUMS are amazing compared to UIC, but all i really want is to get a competitive residency...im still waiting on a decision from boston (interviewd), loyola(no interview), and rush (no interview) though....

 

[blurry]

If all you want is a competitive residency, then your priority should be where you believe you will excel the most academically. Take at look at the curriculum for all the schools and decide which one you think will allow you to perform to your greatest potential, especially when it comes time to take the USMLE Step 1. In the end, you will get yourself that competitive residency spot yourself, not your school.

 

[MaybeADoc]

i got accepted to all three, so im just tossing around ideas for what i wana do....the facilities at RFUMS are amazing compared to UIC, but all i really want is to get a competitive residency...im still waiting on a decision from boston (interviewd), loyola(no interview), and rush (no interview) though....

all-in-all, RFU and UIC are pretty close in my opinion. trade-offs for possibly historically better match and board scores and facilities, but UIC is way cheaper. RFU has a a biochem prof that writes questions for the boards, so that helps a lot of students prepare. also, RFU has no hospital, but you get to do rotations at cook county and luthern general, great places to make connections for getting residency letters of rec. and great hospitals to learn at. also, the class at RFU is incredibly cohesive and supportive. ie, spending hours creating study guides and giving them away to the whole class, and going on class-wide trips downtown.
im not sure you can find that kind of atmosphere just anywhere.

ps RFU is increasing their scholarship funds this year through alumni donations, so maybe a few of you will catch a financial break.

 

[OrthoJock]

Wasn't there a rumor that RFU was at risk of losing its accreditation? Moreover, who has even ever heard of RFU? Not only is UIC a much better school, but you will always be able to associate yourself with the University of Illinois which most people around the country know is one of the top public schools.

 

[146233]

RFU doesn't presently have accreditation problems. It's predecessor, Finch/CMS, had some problems. RFU has worked hard to remove the tarnish from its image and has produced many quality physicians. I agree that U of I is a phenominal school with terrific opportunities, but Rosalind Franklin would provide a solid medical education as well (for a whole lot more money 😀). Good luck!

 

[n1k16]

so UIC is just a better value medical school with a better name and reputation???RFU has amazing facilities, but i dont want to choose a school just for its facilities...i want a good education..can anyone from UIC chime in to help??or drexel or RFU?please try to give an unbiased opinion if at all possible...thanks everyone

 

[154465]

I have a question too, sorry to sorta hijack your thread. Is it true that you can't get in-state status in IL? Cause 50k for 4 years at UIC would be crazy... if they ever take me.

 

[n1k16]

I have a question too, sorry to sorta hijack your thread. Is it true that you can't get in-state status in IL? Cause 50k for 4 years at UIC would be crazy... if they ever take me.

what do u mean you cant get in state???i think if u live here for over a year your good to go...where do you live?

 

[154465]

what do u mean you cant get in state???i think if u live here for over a year your good to go...where do you live?

I'm a Michigan resident and UIC is a long shot but I'm really liking the school. It was on the all knowing SDN that someone said you can't get in state tuition there. I was too dumb to check if that was valid but I'm here asking.

 

[KeyzerSoze]

I'm a Michigan resident and UIC is a long shot but I'm really liking the school. It was on the all knowing SDN that someone said you can't get in state tuition there. I was too dumb to check if that was valid but I'm here asking.

Yeah, it looks like they make it hard to get in state tuition.

The University of Illinois requires that you be a bona fide resident of Illinois for one calendar year prior to the term for which you are applying for resident status. The University's requirements to establish residency may be different than other Illinois institutions of higher education or government agencies. Bona fide residency involves being gainfully employed and actually living in the state for one year, and taking other specific actions which link you to the state of Illinois. It also requires that you reside in Illinois primarily for reasons that are not related to receiving an education. It’s important that actions be completed before the beginning of the term in which you are attempting to establish residency

http://www.usp.uillinois.edu/residency/res_faq.cfm#faq1a

 

[Classic17]

I go to UIC as an undergraduate and, in speaking with students who go to the medical school, know the rotation years 3 and 4 prepare you well for life as a physician. The main weakness of RFU are their rotation years and therefore UIC is an easy choice in my opinion. I have also spoken to a couple of physicians who said that UIC prepares students for life as a physician better than any other school in Chicago (which is amazing considering the other schools in Chicago). However, I am biased, so you might want to consider that when reading this post🙂

 

[MaybeADoc]

I go to UIC as an undergraduate and, in speaking with students who go to the medical school, know the rotation years 3 and 4 prepare you well for life as a physician. The main weakness of RFU are their rotation years and therefore UIC is an easy choice in my opinion. I have also spoken to a couple of physicians who said that UIC prepares students for life as a physician better than any other school in Chicago (which is amazing considering the other schools in Chicago). However, I am biased, so you might want to consider that when reading this post🙂

i dont agree that rotation years are a weakness. i lived with an m3 and m4 at u of i in champaign. his rotations are at crappy hospitals, some an hour away from champaign...meaning he had to get up at 5 am many many days to drive to decatur. remember that getting into UIC does NOT mean youll be in chicago. the champaign, rockford, and peoria settings are not very awesome. also, RFU students live downtown for m3,m4 years.

but i do believe the education you get at either school would be comparable.
if it were my opinion id probably chose UIC - CHICAGO CAMPUS over RFU but not any of the other UIC campuses.

 

[MaybeADoc]

i dont agree that rotation years are a weakness. i lived with an m3 and m4 at u of i in champaign. his rotations are at crappy hospitals, some an hour away from champaign...meaning he had to get up at 5 am many many days to drive to decatur. remember that getting into UIC does NOT mean youll be in chicago. the champaign, rockford, and peoria settings are not very awesome. also, RFU students live downtown for m3,m4 years.

but i do believe the education you get at either school would be comparable.
if it were my opinion id probably chose UIC - CHICAGO CAMPUS over RFU but not any of the other UIC campuses.

oh, and champaign is awesome btw. i went to uiuc. but as far as the hospitals and driving distance to some of the other rotations, it kinda sucks. The med building on campus is kinda weak too....but youve got the ILLINI to watch on TV. all trade-offs i suppose.

 

[Classic17]

id probably chose UIC - CHICAGO CAMPUS over RFU but not any of the other UIC campuses.

Good point, and I agree that the Chicago campus is the best, however most of the things I have heard about RFU are negative. They (RFU) have great facilities and their first and second years are solid, as with most, if not all medical schools, but all I hear are negatives when it comes to their rotations. If you have the money to throw around and really dig the pretty labs, then maybe choose RFU, although I think most consider it a last resort. In reality though, you have a choice of medical schools already and they all provide a quality education that results in an M.D., so good luck with your choice (and congratulations) and enjoy the the education😀

 

[MaybeADoc]

Good point, and I agree that the Chicago campus is the best, however most of the things I have heard about RFU are negative. They (RFU) have great facilities and their first and second years are solid, as with most, if not all medical schools, but all I hear are negatives when it comes to their rotations. If you have the money to throw around and really dig the pretty labs, then maybe choose RFU, although I think most consider it a last resort. In reality though, you have a choice of medical schools already and they all provide a quality education that results in an M.D., so good luck with your choice (and congratulations) and enjoy the the education😀

i definitely agree that money should be a factor in deciding. but like napoleon says, follow your heart, thats what i do.

 

[Phoenix.]

Well, I've been accepted to UIC and RFU, but have declined my Drexel invite so I can't speak to Drexel. I thought that the facilities and first two years were probably better at RFU (ignoring location), but UIC (Chicago) clearly had the upper hand on research opportunities and clinical training (although the rotation options for RFU were good too). I thought RFU was actually a solid medical school, and really just declined my acceptance for geographic reasons.

As for UIC, the first two years do give me pause. The facilities are old, dark and musty and lack much technology. And I haven't heard great things about the curriculum or administrative support/responsiveness, and it's definitely old-school with grading. I prefer an integrated block system with shorter lecture time and pass/fail. But then there's the amazing clinical experience you would get at UIC.

Anyway, I don't think you can go wrong with any of those choices.