University of Chicago Top Questions

Going to school in Chicago is great. Besides the depressing winter months (it really is depressing walking to class in the frigid cold staring up at a gray sky beyond the gothic architecture), living so close to the city provides so many things to do and places to explore. It is important to take advantage of the urban setting- you can take a bus, the metra train or the red line El downtown and even though it does get expensive since the UofC has not yet approved a UPass (every other Chicago school has a UPass that you pay for with tuition and consequently get free CTA transportation for the year), it's fun to get out of Hyde Park. I go to the movies a lot and like to try out restaurants in different parts of the city. Wicker Park is fun and trendy, Lincoln Park is yuppie but exciting, Logan Square is full of hipsters and some swank spots, Rogers Park has the best Indian food in the city, Pilsen has the best Mexican food, Bucktown has strips of thrift shops and the Magnificent mile is upscale and packed with all kinds of shoppers. I spend most of my time in coffee shops around campus and cafes in the city-I go in between classes and also to study and treat myself to cookies and cappuccinos. They make me feel collegiate and they are more social than the library!

UChicago runs on coffee. There are caffeine shops in literally the basement of every building (or the occasional second floor) and this is where the "life of the mind" UChicago is so proud of really flourishes. It's also where people catch up on their reading or their sleep while snagging some sugar-rich snack. As for the school's rep, it's really kind of funny: those who know about it, respect it, but half my family still thinks I attend UIC-University of Illinois at Chicago. They're always so impressed when I start quoting Marx...who you will read, along with Weber, Smith, Durkheim, Freud, Nietzsche, and other "greats". And the scary part is, you'll understand them. And probably agree, in some cases. This school enables you never to lose an argument again. Ever. Except possibly against other graduates ;^)

The campus architecture, design, landscaping are really impressive and look great in the spring and early fall. Winter is a frigid bitch and its hard to gauge the ways in which that makes so many other aspects of life worse. There is a lot of pride in the school's academic reputation, in some circles, but very little athletic spirit or pride, which doesnt bother me at all. A lot of people hang out in Reynolds Club and A-level of the library, which are pretty decent hang out spots for nerds.

I think that UChicago tends to blend into the background of other colleges--we aren't known for boasting our greatest achievements to the world or grabbing to take credit for our accomplishments. I think that it's both good and bad; it's good that we aren't pompous and full of ourselves and egotistical, but at the same time, we deserve a lot more credit than we are getting in a lot of different fields. At the same time, I am really disheartened when I tell people in Ohio (where I'm from) that I go to the University of Chicago and they think it's a state school with a fancy name. It's not. When people say that, I feel like it's taking a shot at all I've worked so hard to accomplish and all that I'm still working so hard to do with my life. Where I come from, you never hear that you can get into a college as hard and impressive as UChicago, so just the fact that I'm here now is a big deal. To have that undermined by other people's lack of knowledge is pretty sad. And I think that makes the student population a little bitter about being the so-called little sister or brother of the "big deal" colleges like Harvard, Princeton, or Yale. I've heard it and seen it a million times from a bunch of really happy, really content UChicago students. Although, I feel that our biggest issue right now is the Alderman's re-routing the 171 Bus Stop away from 57th and University.

I love the group of students who goes to this school. I have found my best friends here, because they understand my quirks and are here for the same reason: to learn. The school is a good size. It feels small at times, but this allows for us to be closer to classes and to each other. People react well usually when I tell them I go to UChicago. They think of it as in line with Harvard or Yale. A few issues I have are the new path the school is taking. I feel it is losing what makes it special, but moving to the common application. I also feel that some bad decisions were made in the science campus. The school does not respect plant research, and this is reflected in their decision to build the new Biomedical Center so that it blocks the school greenhouse. My favorite tradition is the bagpipe procession. I am looking forward to it at graduation.

Its a hard life, a hard school and you have to be very intellectually motivated. The people generally are not hardcore party-goers and you will definitely get frustrated by the lack of beautiful, promiscuous women. The winter will KILL you. Those 4 months are awful. Really. However, good conversation and nice people might make your day. As well as sosc and all the amazing classes you could take.

The best thing about UChicago is it teaches you how to think. Since I've been here, I've undergone a complete intellectual transformation. The core is probably the best academic workout in the world, and it will make you a better person in the end, even if it's painful. The school is a good size, but it's a shame the recognition isn't as high. People are rarely impressed when you tell them where you go.

need more career things? not too much though. they probably do a better job now, from what i hear.

The best thing is the quirky student body. It's the right size. People respect the name UChicago.

The educational lectures made outside of class as public events with big-name speakers are the best thing. I think everything is way to rushed here we need breaks just some down time to catch our breath--so I'd change the pace. When I tell people I go to UofC they act like I accomplished something wonderful. I spend most of my time in the library, reynolds club, and the dining halls. WE HAVE NO COLLEGE TOWN! The biggest recent controversy would have to have been when Amadou (May God have mercy on him) was shot and killed while walking from teh library to his dorm. No, not a lot of pride. I don't feel like very many people love this school, but most people come to like it. It grows on you. I would have to say the fact that UChicago doesn't believe in grade inflation is pretty unsual and strange. The days after Amadou's death and O-week. The most frequent complain I hear is that no matter how hard we try and study and push ourselves to do well our grades don't reflect our effort.