Welcome to Kaplan Medical !

205 W. Randolph St. STE 200 Chicago, IL 60606 2 My Kind of Town (Chicago is) Home of the …

3Chicago Style Pizza Photo 2 Millennium4 Park in the Summer & Winter: The Bean 5 Chicago Sports! Basketball, Football, Baseball, Hockey, & Soccer St.6 Patrick’s Day in Chicago Famous7 Buildings in Chicago: , Water Tower, Chicago Theater 8 Navy Pier from Dusk to Day Fun Facts about Chicago

•Chicago was incorporated as a city in 1837.

•The name Chicago is derived from an Algonquin word “Chigagou,” which translates to “onion field.” So why was it called that? Basically it is pretty self explanatory, lots of onions grew on fields where the city was formed.

•Chicago's nicknames include: The Windy City, the City of Big Shoulders, the Second City, and The City That Works.

•The term "Jazz" was coined in Chicago in 1914. The city's native musicians included band leader Benny Goodman and drummer Gene Krupa.

•Chicago River is the only river in the world that flows backwards.

•Did you know that the infamous “Route 66″ starts in Chicago at Grant Park on Adams Street in front of the Art Institute of Chicago?

•Four states are visible from the Willis Tower (aka Sears Tower) Skydeck (Indiana, Illinois, Michigan & Wisconsin).

9 10 Kaplan Medical Chicago How may we help you?

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13Computer Lab (1 of 7) 14 Class in session 15 TEAM Center Name

16 Daniel Sloan Zohra Ghaziani Louisa Hoyt Nitasha Kassam Center Director Med Program Manager Med Program Manager Med Program Manager

Dr. Rafael Barrera Dr. Abu-bekr Mohamed Dr. Khalid Mohamed Medical Adviser Medical Adviser Medical Adviser

17 Caroline Cygan Karen Arnold Gloria Llenos Standardized Patient Medical Program Sales Consultant Designated School Official Trainer / Coordinator Central Region Center Resources • Trained medical advising staff • Step 2 CS Prep Facility on site • 2 Live Lecture Auditoriums • 7 computer labs • Group and quiet study rooms • Student lounge: microwave, refrigerator, filtered water • Prayer room • Free Events • Wireless network

18 IMG Friendly Hospitals

• Cook County • Rush Medical • St. Josephs • Weiss Hospital • Christ Advocate • Illinois Masonic • Swedish Covenant • Mercy Hospital

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CHICAGO IS HOME TO... •237 square miles of land

•An estimated 2.7M residents

•More than 200 theaters

•Nearly 200 art galleries

•More than 5,500 restaurants

•77 community areas containing more than 100 neighborhoods makes for a DIVERSE city!

•Lake Michigan, 26 miles of lakefront and beaches!

•36 annual parades, including St. Patrick’s Day, Pride Parade, & Christmas Parade

•552 parks; An active city, perfect for biking & walking when weather permits

20 Where to Eat

Located in the Loop, there are many dining options within blocks of the Kaplan center! For some authentic middle eastern food, head over to Taza on Franklin. Very hungry? No problem, Perry’s Deli is home to the BIGGEST sandwiches in Chicago. Craving something sweet? Crepe’s Bistro is just the treat for you!

21 Things to Do

Museum Campus is home to 3 of the most notable museums in Chicago, the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Field Museum. It sits along Lake Michigan and Grant Park. www.sheddauarium.org www.fieldmuseum.org www.adlerplanetarium.org

Catch a sports game all year round! Chicago is home to 2 baseball teams, football, soccer, basketball and hockey. If you can’t find a ticket, join the crowds as they go to their favorite sports bar to cheer on their favorite Chicago team! http://espn.go.com/chicago/

Check out The Bean at Millennium Park, view the city from the Skydeck 1,353 feet in the air at Willis Tower, or ride the 150 foot Ferris Wheel for views of Lake Michigan at Navy Pier. http://www.choosechicago.com/things-to-do/

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Fitness Centers

LA Fitness 55 East Randolph St Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 281-0113 Lafitness.com

Women's Workout and Wellness W3 230 W Monroe St Lower Level Chicago, IL 60606 (312) 357-0001 w3body.com

Fitness Formula Clubs 444 W Jackson Blvd Chicago, IL 60606 (312) 627-0444 ffc.com/unionstation

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Our Neighborhood

Chicago's downtown area is known as "The Loop." The nickname refers to the area encircled by the elevated (‘L') train tracks.

The Loop is the central business district for Chicago. It’s architecture has been dominated by sky-rises, including Willis Tower, the Chicago Board of Trade, and the (now the LaSalle National Bank) the first .

It is also home to shops on Magnificent Mile, outdoor sculptures from artists such as Pablo Picasso, cultural landmarks like the Chicago Theater and Art Institute, and recreational areas such as Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain.

24 Getting Around

The easiest and most cost efficient way to get around will be by public transportation! We are conveniently located near several bus, train, and “L” stations. The nearest CTA stops are Clark/Lake, Washington/Wells, & State/Lake. You can also take the Metra to Millennium Station or Union Station and walk to the center.

Street parking and a discounted parking garage are also options.

25 Chicago Commute: Train/Bus

“L” Ride: $2.25 per ride

Bus Ride: $2.00 per ride

Monthly Pass: $100 per month

http://www.transitchicago.com

Metro26 System – Pasadena Area Chicago Commute: Metra

Check out the Metra website for fare pricing from your area!

www.Metrarail.com

Metro27 System – Pasadena Area Chicago Commute: Driving

Parking Garage: 177 N. Wells Corner of Lake and Wells $14 per day for up to 12 hours Monthly Pass available

Street parking available during certain times. $6.50 per hour

Metro28 System – Pasadena Area Tips to Finding an Apartment

Look outside of the Downtown area for affordable housing options

Neighborhoods such as Rogers Park, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, and Logan Square are a short train ride away from the center

Work with the center team to determine safe areas

29 Finding your Apartment: Hotels Club Quarters www.clubquarters.com 111 West Adams Street Chicago, IL 60603 Phone: 312-214-6400

Club Quarters is a cost friendly hotel for the downtown area. It is a 15-minute walk from the hotel to the school. This is a nice short-term option for students who need a place to stay for a few nights but also a great option for those who decide to stay long-term. Rates $97 - $120 per night dependant on length of stay

Travelodge Chicago www.travelodgechicago.com 65 E Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60605 Phone: 312.427.8000

This hotel offers 15% discounts to Kaplan students if you mention code NBORS.

30 Finding your Apartment: Short Term Housing

215 West (Chicago Property Concierge) http://chicagopropertyconcierge.com/ 215 W Washington St. Chicago, IL 60606 Main Number: 888-761-7368

This apartment complex is located one block from the Kaplan Chicago Downtown Center. Furnished apartments run $83 per night or $104 per night during the summer. There is a minimum stay of 31 days, but after that you can choose the length of stay from 32 nights to 100 nights or more. Prices include tax, all utilities are included. Apartment building includes gym, pool, small movie theater with free popcorn, in-unit laundry, and internet.

31 Presidential Towers http://www.watertonresidential.com/ 555 W Madison St Chicago, IL 60661 Main Number: 312-902-2000

This apartment complex is located in the West Loop area of Chicago, which is about a 10-15 minute walk to the Kaplan Chicago Downtown Center. Unfurnished studio prices range from $948-$1100/month. Short-term leases usually have a 6-month minimum stay and may cost a bit more so you will have to call to inquire.

32 Millennium Park Plaza www.millenniumparkplaza.com 151 N Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60601 Phone: 312-616-6000

This apartment option is located on the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street, which is about a 15-minute walk to the center. Flexible short-term leases are available for a minimum of 30 days. There is a lot of information on their website so it is a good idea to take a look at it. They do not list their rates, so you will have to call to inquire. Kaplan has a partnership with Oakwood Properties for furnished, short-term rental apartments. Please visit their website to book your stay: http://www.oakwood.com/kaplanenglish

33 Oakwood Properties http://www.oakwood.com/ Locations throughout Chicago Main Number: 1.800.595.3102

This property company owns various buildings in Chicago all close to the “Loop” or Downtown area. These apartments are available furnished or unfurnished and require a minimum 30 day stay. 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments available. Please visit their website to book your stay.

34 Other Housing Options

• Brokers : Dwell Chicago Rentals (312) 445-9583

• Craigslist.com (Areas: Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Rogers Park, Loop, Wicker Park, Wrigleyville)

• Apartmentfinder.com

• Sublet.com

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Student Apartment 37 Student Apartment Monthly Budget for Chicago

Budget Expense (minimum) Price Housing $1,500 - $3,000 Utilities $100 Food $500 Cell Phone $100 Transport Pass Monthly (bus/metro) $100 •Total = $2,300 - $3,800

• Note: Housing costs depend on roommates/location/length of stay. Some students spend as little as $400/month and as much as $2500/month.

38 What’s the buzz about Chicago?

“If you have not decided yet what Kaplan center to choose - go to Chicago! This is the one where getting ECFMG Certificate becomes much easier with the help of a wonderful team. Going into USMLE jungles without a conductor is dangerous for both your career and a budget. To avoid troubles stay with Dr. Rafael Barrera. He is a real expert in how to survive during ECFMGation.” – Vladimir Kiselev, Russia

“Thank you for your help in passing the exam! In case you don't remember all your students from 2 months ago, I was the 50 year-old lady in the front row of the 5-day course, who graduated from medical school years ago and now wants to go back to residency. The Performance Profile looks like this: Spoken English was represented as a star at the end of the chart, easy being a native speaker. Communication and interpersonal skills was also high. Integrated Clinical Encounter crossed into the borderline area, but was mostly above, so I just passed that one. Being so long out of school, this was the area I needed the most help in: physical exam and writing the notes. It would have been impossible to pass without the Kaplan course. My gratitude goes to you for making it possible.” – Faith Kayes, United States

39 See40 you Soon!