Northwestern Feinberg: Housing for Medical Students

Northwestern's Chicago Medical Campus

• Located in the high-rise Streeterville area of downtown
• Many Feinberg students reside near the campus in modern apartment buildings

On-Campus vs. Off-Campus Housing

• Feinberg does not have on-campus dorms for medical students
• Previously, there was graduate housing, but currently, there are no university-owned apartments for medical students.
• Students rent apartments or find roommates off campus
• The medical school is in Streeterville, an upscale neighborhood near Lake Michigan and the Magnificent Mile
• Most students want to live within walking distance of classes and the hospital
• Streeterville, Gold Coast, and River North are popular because of many rental buildings
• Classroom and clinical sites are within a 5-15 minute walk
• It is easy to commute by foot and go home during the day
• A one-bedroom is about $1,800–$2,200+ per month
• Studios are often in the $1,400–$1,700 range, price depends on the building
• Sharing two-bedroom units (often $2,500–$3,000 total) helps save money
• The estimated allowance for housing/utilities/food is ~$1,877 per month
• Streeterville housing is pricey, but that budget is in financial aid calculations

Off-Campus Neighborhoods

• Chicago is a city of neighborhoods that students use.
• Living further away is cheaper or has a different vibe
• Old Town (1–2 miles north) and Lincoln Park (3 miles north) are popular, with residential feels and mid-rise apartments/condos/coach houses that cost less
• A one-bedroom in Lincoln Park might be ~$1,300–$1,600
• These neighborhoods may have tree-lined streets and walk-ups
• Public transit makes the longer commute manageable
• The CTA Red Line train and bus routes connect to the medical campus in 15–30 minutes
• Students live in Lakeview/Wrigleyville, Uptown, West Loop, or Wicker Park to find better deals or living environments (e.g. closer to a spouse's workplace)
• Most students stay near campus, though some M3/M4 students choose affordable areas once they are familiar with the city
• Northwestern provides resources to aid the housing search:
  • A housing guide with info on neighborhoods and landlords
  • Lists of apartment finder services (like StudentSpace)
  • Platform to list sublets or apartments
• Incoming students connect through Facebook groups or social media

Shared Housing and Transportation

• Groups of 3-4 Feinberg students rent multi-bedroom apartments in the summer before M1, and can reduce costs
• Living costs vary, but costs of living outside of rent are moderate
• Groceries and dining are similar to national averages, and cheaper than East/West coast cities
• Students often live without a car as cars are generally not needed for Feinberg students
• Walking distance for students in Streeterville
• Other students use the CTA, which provides an unlimited transit card
• It is a free hospital shuttle from the downtown campus
• Parking downtown is expensive; some students who need a car will use monthly parking or street parking
• For daily needs, Streeterville has grocery stores, and other neighborhoods have markets

Safety and Demographics

• Safety is generally good by the campus and North Side
• Northwestern University Police patrol the immediate campus area
• Most Feinberg students live throughout Chicago
• Most cluster in Streeterville and nearby for convenience
• Living downtown is vibrant with beaches, restaurants, and nightlife
• Students who prioritize savings or a particular environment can find options a bit further out
• The medical school has housing support to make the relocation easier
• Students join a community when making Chicago a home during school

Campus Culture and Community

• Known for a collaborative and supportive culture
• A collegial rather than competitive environment
• Encourages respect for diverse perspectives
• Students from diverse backgrounds
• Celebrates diversity through organizations and events like SNMA, LMSA, and APAMSA
• Classmates share study resources and help each other through study groups, peer-tutoring, and study guides
• The pass/fail preclinical grading removes pressure and reinforces teamwork
• Upperclassmen mentorship is a big part of the culture
• "Colleges system": M1 gets grouped with M2-M4 students and a faculty mentor for a small "family"
• Broader societies link students across the years, built-in mentoring, and social connections
• M4s guide on which electives to take, and M2s host review sessions for M1s before exams
• Student Senate and administration maintain open communication
• Students are encouraged to voice concerns/ideas, and changes can result from feedback
• A vibe of friendliness and teamwork: students refer to the “Feinberg family"

Student Organizations and Activities

• Over 90 organizations encompassing a wide array of interests and something for everyone
• Every specialty has a student interest group, which hosts lunch talks and networking with physicians
• Groups focused on services and advocacy:
  • Feinberg Service Committee coordinates volunteer outings
  • Chicago Street Medicine group goes out to provide care to the homeless
• Advocacy groups push for healthcare policy changes
• Physician-Scientist Interest Group and annual Research Day
• Clubs for all kinds of hobbies, such as “Cooking up Health”, a music club, sports teams, or a theater group
• Wellness Committee organizes activities like yoga, meditation, and art therapy
• Many affinity/identity groups, such as SNMA, LMSA, and AMWA
• Host cultural dinners, outreach to local schools, and panel discussions
• A thriving Gold Humanism Honor Society

Facilities and Campus Life

• Campus integrated with Northwestern's hospitals gives students access to facilities
• The Galter Health Sciences Library:
  • Has multiple floors of study space
  • Quiet reading rooms to collaborative areas with city views
• Students study there or in the Ward or Searle buildings
• Dedicated student lounges and study rooms offer wellness efforts
• Campus is downtown, so students share spaces with other professional students
• Hospital cafeterias and eateries offer convenient meals
• Ryan Family Atrium:
  • A glass-enclosed space with tables and couches
  • Has pockets of greenery for students to study in

Social Events and Traditions

• Feinberg students know how to have fun together
• Orientation Week and Mixer introduce students to each other
• Founders' Day, new M1s receive white coats in front of friends and family, officially welcoming students
• All-School Formal (Med Prom) or Skits Night/Talent Show
• Match Day: the biggest event for graduating students, and each class has their own post-Match celebrations
• Feinberg partakes in Northwestern University's homecoming, Field Day competitions, and more
• Students have access to Northwestern Gym facilities
• Student groups organize outings for social dinners, museums, and more
• Location means students might celebrate in the West Loop or Chinatown, and explore the city
• Student life consists of academic immersion, close community, outlets, and the excitement of Chicago

Extracurricular Opportunities

• Tailor experience and pursue personal interests
• Research and Scholarship: AOSC project with thesis
• Students select an area, and Northwestern makes it easy to find a mentor in any field
• A top-tier research institution
• Received ~$471 million in research funding in a recent year
• The Summer Research Program after M1 provides a stipend and dedicated time
• Medical Student Research Symposium with posters
• Pursue dual degrees or take a research year out
• There's a research elective in fourth year
• 3/4 of students publish a paper or present at a conference
• Students find opportunities readily
• Feinberg hosts the prestigious MD/PhD (MSTP) program

Community Service and Volunteering

• Community engagement is ingrained
• Core: Student-run free clinics
  • The Chicago Youth Programs (CYP) Pediatric Clinic
  • The Chinatown Clinic
  • The Devon Clinic serving Asian immigrant community
• Students volunteer at the CommunityHealth free clinic
• Engage in a spectrum of service, such as Action for Health student group
• COVID saw students aid vaccination clinics
• Active Student Volunteerism & Service Learning office
• Medical school's Global Brigades trip occurs in non-COVID times
• Some volunteer with the Chicago Department of Public Health
• Emphasis on service is reflected in a Faculty Director of Service Learning
• Make an impact outside the hall, whether it's the clinic or Adopt-a-School
• Community benefits, but students also possess purpose and teach practicals that supplement formal training

Opportunities for a Global Career

• Offers global health opportunities
• The Center for Global Health supports students to find rotations and research internationally
• Students may apply for electives in places ranging from Africa to Asia
• Northwestern has partnerships with institutions around the world
• Students can engage in settings, do research, or do public health work
• Spring break opportunities in Guatemala or India
• Welcomes student researchers, maybe spend a summer on healthcare
• Global Health Interest Group hosts speakers and coordinates refugee screenings
• Build competency and understand settings

Shadowing and Exploring Specialties

• Beyond required, students often wish to explore fields or skills
• Integration with makes easy since students can contact at memorial
• Office of Student Affairs facilitate alumni contact
• Groups often do mentoring programs
• Emergency Medicine might set up schedules, and is valuable career
• Students must chose at, and they have “sub-sub-internships” in interest
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Other Ways to Expand Your Involvement

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Overall Extracurriculars

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Tuition and Fees

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Cost of Living in Chicago

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Financial Aid and Scholarships

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