Chicago Programs

I've just heard from some of my senior classmates that Northwestern has a tendency to take people who rotate thru. BUT, doing a rotation there doesn't mean that you get an automatic interview. The clerkship there was described to me as a "nice" experience but you don't get to do much b/c of all the residents & fellows. The facilities are apparently really nice though. Univ. of Illinois has a most hand's on clerkship experience. I've heard the Loyola experience is also excellent with lots of teaching and hands-on work.

It seems like most of the programs in the city give strong preference to rotators. Northwestern - Strong sports, everything else is pretty solid. Light trauma and no tumor. Nice lifestyle, big resident class.
Rush - They have big players in every area - joints, spine, sports, tumor, hand. The trauma experience is at Cook County. There are fellows at the program. Gentleman's program.
UofC - The attendings there are pro-resident and they enjoy teaching. They do have ortho onc. Dr. Reider is the editor in chief of AJSM.
Loyola - Very solid program. Their sports is weak. They are a level I trauma and also are required to cover the VA hospital. Residents are a good bunch.
UIC - Cover a variety of hospitals across the city. They have the most autonomy and probably the most independent operating experience.

just out of curiousity, what is a "gentleman's program"?

Gentleman's program = a program that does not work you like a dog 24-7 (i.e. light on trauma) and offers a wide range of elective cases.
:tongue:

I rotated at Loyola and loved it. Great lifestyle, six months research (golf) rotation 3rd year, great VA experience, enough but not too much trauma, strong in all areas. The sports weakness is temporary. They have a very good sports attending that was on sabbatical in Italy last year but is returning. Also the chair told me they are actively recruiting at least one and up to three more faculty in sports and spine. I highly recommend this program. I ranked it 2 and did not get in despite 235 step 1, AOA, great letters and a rotation. A lot of students rotate there from the midwest (chicago med school has no ortho program and lots of their students go to loyola) so it is very competitive. If interested I'd definitely do a rotation.