Know what the paramedic school will offer to you. In most schools, EMT and Paramedic Education will be dependent on the type of education you are looking for. Most students will spend between two and four years in college or a medical school in preparation, studying emergency response as well as earning their medical degree as an EMT.
Find out which school is right for you by knowing the top three paramedic schools in Chicago. These include the University of Illinois at Chicago, DePaul University and Loyola University Chicago. These schools offer EMT degrees and certification. You should schedule an appointment to meet with the counselors from the school to find out if the schools are right for you..
Look into the specific courses and degree programs offered by the paramedic schools to determine if they offer the type of education you are most interested in. Some schools offer accelerated education programs, part time or evening courses, and offer job placement after certification.
Research the history of the school's EMT program. Learn about the student's success rate while passing the certification testing that is required by Illinois to be a paramedic. Find out from the counselors how many students do well and graduate in the program to know your likely success rate there.
Think about the benefits of taking some of your paramedic courses online. Several schools in the Chicago area offer programs where you can start your degree online and finish with hands on training locally. Some schools that offer this include Keiser University, Sanford-Brown College and Fox College.