<p>Which is a better school, UIC or Loyola Chicago for a Biology or Physics major?</p>
<p>Depends on what you want out of the school! UIC’s biology department is absolutely MASSIVE whereas Loyola’s is a bit more condensed. A degree from UIC tends to be much cheaper than a degree from Loyola. Also, with a school like UIC, you tend to gamble on professors (as you would with any state school)…some speak very poor english, some are very passive, some are PHENOMENAL, etc. But there just isn’t as much diversity at Loyola as UIC has! I decided on UIC for Bio myself in part because of the cost, but also because I got accepted to their honors college, am a PAP Scholar ($5,000 off cheaper tuition a year), and can only see myself in a diverse environment. I’m told that UIC’s classes are typically less intensive than Loyola’s as well. And I do know that UIC’s Physics program is more known that Loyola’s. But both schools are great for bio! 
Best of luck.</p>
<p>Thanks ChessQueen.</p>
<p>Maybe some credentials are in order if you want actual chances for both… are you an Illinois resident?</p>
<p>Not an IL resident.
UW GPA: 3.75
Accumulative GPA: 4.02
This semester GPA: 4.76
AP classes: Calculus, Bio, Chemistry, Language & Composition.
Advanced and Honors classes: Physics, Anatomy & Physiology + 8 more core classes.
All in all: Science 6 yrs; Math 4 yrs; English 4; Foreign Language 3 yrs; and more.</p>
<p>Extra Curricular: Medical Internships, shadowing doctors,NHS, Science & Math Clubs + 4 more amazing things (true story)
Volunteer: Doctor’s office, picked up trash in a low income/high crime neighborhood, Salvation Army, American Red Cross, tutoring, picked cotton (true story). 200+ hours. Plus a few other amazing things. lol</p>
<p>Job: Research Lab Assistant, Amusement Park.
Recommendation letters: 5 in all: School Guidance Counselor; AP English Teacher; AP Chemistry Teacher; Pediatrician; MD/PhD who is also a Distinguish Professor of a Medical School.</p>
<p>Here is the disappointing factor:
ACT score: 27 (low)…
Super score: 29 (still low). There’s a logical explanation for that, but what’s done is done.
Major: Biophysics</p>
<p>Schools: UC, Northwestern, Case Western Reserve, Loyola of Chicago. </p>
<p>UIC is primarily a commuter school if that is a factor for you coming from out of state. Loyola is located on the far north side of the city away from downtown, but in an interesting neighborhood. Very beautiful lakeside setting and compact campus. UIC is closer to downtown, but neighborhood is a bit iffy. Loyola is known for bio/premed in the area, but both schools have strong medical facilities. </p>