<p>I’m going to be applying into a college that has sufficiently great classes/programs in correlation with Medicine. I want to become a cardiologist, so I was wondering how Chicago was in preparing great future med students?</p>
<p>Eeeeeeeeeek.</p>
<p>Okay.</p>
<p>Okay.</p>
<p>Okay.</p>
<p>The first answer to your question is that there’s a great hospital across Ellis Ave. from the quads, so that if you’re interested in going into medicine, there are tons of opportunities for undergraduate students.</p>
<p>The second answer to the question you’re not asking is whether Chicago is the right school for you. I tend to believe (and again, this doesn’t work 100% of the time and I realize that) that Chicago is better for introspective students than it is for those who have a confirmed, concrete sense of what they want to do with their lives and how they want to take their classes. Case in point: the core curriculum. You’ll love it if you don’t know what you want to major in and are the kind of person who finds making course selections painful. You’ll find it a waste of time if you think you’re going to be babied by it and you already know what you want to do.</p>
<p>Also, most of the people I know here (unscientific, I know, but important to point out) are more of the wanderer/daydreamer type than they are focused on career paths. (As one of my friends points out, we all like to go to grad school because it’s the snooze button on life). I know a couple of very ambitious people who have done extroadinarily well in the career worlds of business, law, and medicine, but I’d say that most students are not as into professional callings and would rather frolic around academically and think about careers later, if that makes sense. </p>
<p>I think Chicago’s (unconfirmed) reputation for low grades also helps encourage a college atmosphere of students who love learning for the sake of learning and who don’t worry that lower grades are going to impede on whatever those professional plans might be. That’s another thought.</p>
<p>I don’t know a great number of people in the sciences. I’m a prelaw person myself and have been since I stepped foot on the campus. It hasn’t decreased my enjoyment in it at all but then I have an interest in a variety of subjects the core satisfied very well. </p>
<p>I do know that a number of people I know come in here saying they’re going to premed. Then they spend a week or two in our chemistry classes. A lot change their minds in about a quarter. The chemistry classes here are really intense. That being said I know a lot of fourth years from last year who were all applying to med school and all of them got into several (whether or not those several were there first choices I don’t know). Judging from that I’m inclined to say that if you make it through Chicago’s program with decent grades you will get into a good med school. However, such a process might entirely kill your enjoyment of the school. A lot of the premeds I know are super competitive (compared with the pre law people and people who are undecided) and a portion of them seemed stressed a lot. But then, I know a few people who thrive on the competition and really seem to love it (my suite mate adores o-chem, I have no idea why). If you’re considering Chicago you might want to come visit (maybe attend some classes) and direct your questions to students actually involved in the sciences here.</p>
<p>If you are mostly interested in med school, there are easier, cheaper ways to get there. Just attend your local state university and save $20,000 or more in tuition each year for med school. It is that simple. Chicago will not boost your odds. (You alone control that.)</p>
<p>If you want to learn, have a more exciting intellectual atmosphere and so forth, then you might think about Chicago, but your post tells me you have no idea what you are looking for.</p>
<p>FWIW, Chicago is excellent in the medical sciences. Unlike most universities, the medical school is right on campus (not even “across the street”, Unalove. In the middle. Remember, the campus goes outside the quads.) The main teaching hospital complex is a 5 minute walk from the main library, and even closer to the Crerar, the science library.</p>
<p>This means there are tons of opportunities for students of all kinds, not just pre-meds, to interact with the medical school and its faculty. It is an accessible, valuable resource for everyone, from sociologist to anthropologist to economist as well as to the science types. </p>
<p>But again, you don’t come to Chicago for a great pre-med program. You come to Chicago because you love the core and all the rest of the opportunities it offers.</p>
<p>From what I understand, there is a review of how chemistry is currently taught and its impact on premed students. Don’t know how all that is going to turn out, however.</p>
<p>To unalove:
I am interested in colleges that can provide me with the right opportunities of learning and developing skills within the medical field. Excuse me for my lack of research, but I heard that Chicago had one of the greatest med programs, so I was interested in knowing a bit more about it. So far, it seems to me that it has a challenging, yet great atmosphere for med students. I just heard from friends that Chicago was more of an exploratory college so I was somewhat hesitant in applying, but I can see the excitement with new opportunities given at this school.</p>
<p>To busterthebunny:
To my recollection, I think organic chemistry will prove to be one of the hardest classes I go through in college. Hopefully, I can work hard and thrive within the class. The competition is what makes me a bit hesitant, but I think learning from the right environment is more important than thriving at a less opportunistic school because in the long run there is one purpose in my life-a great doctor. I would love to visit because I do not know much about the Chicago atmosphere but unfortunately I live in California and do not have the expenses to travel there.</p>
<p>To newmassdad:
I understand what you mean. Due to my past experiences, however, I have chosen the my own path. The medical field to me embodies everything I aspire to become. I am well aware that Chicago has other great programs at the school, but I am more interested in the sciences. Although I might come off closed minded-I cannot deny my passion for science. I am looking for a college that can fit my interests in science and can enrich my future with great opportunities. I wanted to know if Chicago provided the great medical institutions you have mentioned and to me it seems great. Maybe along the way I can develop some other interests in Chicago as I am bombarded with all the given opportunities at the school.</p>
<p>To everyone:
Thank you for the great information and notes of concern. Any others please feel free to educate. =]</p>
<p>Jules and Gwen Knapp Center for Biomedical Discovery</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>See:</p>
<p>[Fact</a> Sheet: Center for Biomedical Discovery - University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital](<a href=“http://www.uchicagokidshospital.org/fact/cbd.html]Fact”>http://www.uchicagokidshospital.org/fact/cbd.html)
[Dean’s</a> Message | The Division of Biological Sciences, University of Chicago](<a href=“http://www.bsd.uchicago.edu/deans-message.html]Dean’s”>http://www.bsd.uchicago.edu/deans-message.html)
[The</a> University of Chicago Magazine](<a href=“http://magazine.uchicago.edu/0604/chicagojournal/double.shtml]The”>The University of Chicago Magazine)
[Spark</a> Discovery, Illuminate Life](<a href=“http://sparkdiscovery.uchicago.edu/forefront/genetic.shtml]Spark”>http://sparkdiscovery.uchicago.edu/forefront/genetic.shtml)</p>
<p>And for grad students: [The</a> Biomedical Sciences Cluster | The University of Chicago](<a href=“http://biomed.uchicago.edu/common/curriculum/curriculum_new.html]The”>http://biomed.uchicago.edu/common/curriculum/curriculum_new.html)</p>
<p>For undergrads:
<a href=“https://frogs.uchicago.edu/fellowships/award_description.cfm?key_opportunity=135[/url]”>https://frogs.uchicago.edu/fellowships/award_description.cfm?key_opportunity=135</a></p>
<p>Also:
</p>
<p>See: [The</a> University of Chicago Magazine: December 2003](<a href=“http://magazine.uchicago.edu/0312/features/theory-print.shtml]The”>The University of Chicago Magazine: December 2003)</p>
<p>To idad:
Thank you for all the great info. =]</p>