Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
UIC vs Loyola Pre-med
Looking for some honest input on choosing between UIC and Loyola Chicago for pre-med. Here’s my situation:
Cost: Both come out to roughly $40,000/year after aid, so finances are essentially a wash for me.
Research: This is my biggest concern. I’ve heard UIC has stronger research opportunities given its long-standing R1 status. Loyola only received R1 designation in 2025, so I’m wondering how that affects undergrad research access in practice. Which school realistically offers better research pipelines for pre-med students?
GPA Strategy: I know UIC uses a standard 4.0 scale, while Loyola uses a +/- system (so an A- is below a 4.0). For AMCAS, does this actually matter since everything gets recalculated anyway? Or does the grading culture at each school affect GPA outcomes more meaningfully?
What I already have covered:
\- Shadowing is not an issue — I have strong connections in medicine
\- I have a sibling who went through Loyola’s pre-med track and can guide me on coursework
What I’m trying to figure out:
\- Where do pre-med students actually thrive — UIC or Loyola?
\- Which has better professor accessibility and pre-med advising?
\- Are there meaningful differences in research opportunities at the undergrad level?
Any insight from people who attended either school or know the programs well is hugely appreciated!
Looking for some honest input on choosing between UIC and Loyola Chicago for pre-med. Here’s my situation:
Cost: Both come out to roughly $40,000/year after aid, so finances are essentially a wash for me.
Research: This is my biggest concern. I’ve heard UIC has stronger research opportunities given its long-standing R1 status. Loyola only received R1 designation in 2025, so I’m wondering how that affects undergrad research access in practice. Which school realistically offers better research pipelines for pre-med students?
GPA Strategy: I know UIC uses a standard 4.0 scale, while Loyola uses a +/- system (so an A- is below a 4.0). For AMCAS, does this actually matter since everything gets recalculated anyway? Or does the grading culture at each school affect GPA outcomes more meaningfully?
What I already have covered:
\- Shadowing is not an issue — I have strong connections in medicine
\- I have a sibling who went through Loyola’s pre-med track and can guide me on coursework
What I’m trying to figure out:
\- Where do pre-med students actually thrive — UIC or Loyola?
\- Which has better professor accessibility and pre-med advising?
\- Are there meaningful differences in research opportunities at the undergrad level?
Any insight from people who attended either school or know the programs well is hugely appreciated!
