In reply to your question about University of Chicago Peds...
I graduated last year from u of c pritzker and am a peds intern elsewhere due to geographic/family reasons. I have to say though, that in terms of Chicago programs, University of Chicago is a great place to be right now. For a long time they were overshadowed by Northwestern due to the lack of an actual children's hospital, instead they were just two floors in the main hospital. But now, there is a huge, beautiful free standing children's hospital that is totally going to change the horizon of university of chicago peds, and you would definitely be working there, i believe its slated to open at the end of this year.
In terms of resident education, u of c is top notch. Their morning report rivals most of the elite peds program i interviewed at. noon conferences are also of high quality. We have some very prominent pediatric attendings in their respective fields, and the construction of this new hospital has attracted many more. The residency program director is PHENOMENAL. The area of the hospital is not optimal in Hyde park, not much to do in the area, but there are great areas to live in within 20 minutes.
overall if you're looking for a a friendly, not too large (12) program that provides an excellent education, it's the place to be. you get great general peds exposure since the surrounding area is a smorgasbord of inner city mixed in with academic folks and middle class families. it doesn't seem like a very high stress program, and the residents always seemed very happy. If i could have stayed in chicago i would have definitely gone there. If and when you interview there, definitely talk to Barrett Fromme, the director of recruitment, she's amazing.
oh, I would just e-mail Serena the secretary in the peds office about the letters, she's super nice.
hope this helps. i might be a little biased, but i think u of c would be the place to go over northwestern. the residents are happier and heck, you have a brand new hospital to work in!
let me know if you have more questions. good luck.
