i was wondering what the academic atmosphere at University of Chicago is like? Are students constantly in the library or is there room for fun and hanging out? Thank you
Variation on that theme – is it a competitive vibe or an I’m doing my own thing vibe? (FWIW, I think academic intensity can fall into either mode, so this isn’t a question about challenge/rigor/standards – it’s more about atmosphere and what seems to drive students).
I’m just a parent, but from what I can tell my son finds the academic atmosphere challenging and tough in a good way that he enjoys more than not. I don’t get any sense of a competitive vibe, at least as far as he and his friends are concerned. Some put a lot of pressure on themselves to achieve or have pressure coming from parents; however, they seem to help each other out in handling and processing these pressures. They are all in the core and in tough majors together and thus are mutually supportive of each other as they respect the shared intense academic experience each is having. Collaboration seems more the norm as far as I can tell. He also doesn’t complain about the intensity. A friend at another top school complained about the rigor there seeming to be pile on for pile on’s sake – more of a weed out situation. U of C, as best I can tell, offers a hard but rich, intense, rewarding academic challenge that students appreciate in the long run. And yes, he still has plenty of time for fun.
Fun & hanging out? Sounds like the library to me.
I’m an incoming first year so take into consideration that i haven’t actually spent a day on campus yet, but from what i saw at the admitted student overnight the whole “where fun goes to die” rumor is greatly overstated and, honestly, completely untrue. Perhaps a decade ago uchicago was full of lifeless students who are interested in nothing but their gpa, but at this point, thanks to the changes instituted by President Zimmer, uchicago has essentially adopted the same culture seen at most high level institutions. Hanging out and generally having fun happens every day, so don’t be too intimidated by what some say. This was one of my biggest concerns about the college too, and it prevented me from committing a lot earlier than I did. But once i went to the overnight it became clear that the “where fun goes to die” slogan is complete bs
Otherwise known as self-deprecating humor.
Yeah some people definitely use it humorously but most people take it seriously. I can’t tell you how many people I ran into who asked me why I would want to go to the college “where fun goes to die” and how many prospective students were concerned about the potential lack of a social life on campus for many people. Combined with the numerous alums who attest to how incredibly difficult the school can be at times and it’s clear that the slogan is much more than just “self-deprecating humor.”
In post #6 you said it was complete bs. Oh well, you’ll have to report back to us in a few months when you will know first hand. Congratulations and I hope you have a great time there!
just to clarify then for anyone confused: if taken seriously, yes the slogan is false from what ive seen. but yeah ill definitely let people know how things go. i just don’t want anyone to shy away from applying based on the common rumor that uchicago really is where fun goes to die
There’s not really a competitive vibe mostly because everyone’s too busy getting screwed by their hard classes. That said, first year is definitely not that hard and you can have plenty of fun on campus.
Room for fun and hanging out? Sure! The whole A-level is a room for fun and hanging out. You can also reserve “break” rooms on other floors online, too. It’s very efficient, not to mention convenient!
^[Explanation for the uninitiated: @CalvinCoolidge is referring to Regenstein Library, “the Reg,” the main library at the University of Chicago. The A-level is its subterranean floor where, indeed, many undergraduates study, but the atmosphere is quite social. The fact is, there’s plenty of fun to be had at the University of Chicago, but it’s not uncommon to have a certain percentage of your fun occur at the library. Not all of your fun, but not none of it, either. That’s the kind of place it is. Libraries are pretty universally appreciated there. The big reading room at the Mansueto is also very popular, and the Cerar for pre-meds who don’t want to socialize.]
Quick question, although I’m not sure if I should create another thread:
I assisted an URM with her app a few years ago, and she was accepted & is attending uchicago. She had legacy but never took the AP or honors classes, got a 29 ACT with excellent tutoring, has learning disabilities, gets extra time & Chicago provides her with a class note taker & tutoring. She’s asked me to get feedback here on how challenging is a major in sociology? How difficult are the upper level courses?