<p>I am posting here to get some insight and opinions on my* current situation. I am from California and have been accepted to UChicago. I am unbelievably excited and surprised to be honest! This is not my number one choice, but it is certainly in my top 3 along with two other reaches. My test score and gpa are on the lower end of the admitted students to UChicago in my opinion. I also dont think my essays were great. I am a minority however, and I have to think that helped a substantial amount.
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Here is my dilemma: I am unsure if I will succeed at Chicago. I have sometimes been doubting myself and my capabilities. I get solid grades mostly As, in high school, but honestly even though I go to a school with a very good reputation, its pretty easy to get good grades without a LOT of effort. I hate to say it but that is the truth. So, I do not feel like I have truly learned much knowledge the last year or so. And that worries me because I have constantly heard Chicago is VERY theoretical and the majority of the student body holds intellectual conversations with each other probably about things I do not even know of.
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I know this school has an unbelievable reputation and I think I would have a good time. I am just uncertain if I could find my niche at this place and thrive academically. I also do not know what I want to do really. I dont want to waste time or my parents money at such a prestigious institution by not having a set path or goal in mind. Money is a big thing too my parents are supporting me but we wont get much aid at all and they would be paying a LOT for me to attend UChicago (or other privates for that matter). I think I would feel guilty if I am not truly taking advantage of Chicago and preparing myself for a successful job and getting good grades.
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I know I am rambling. Basically I do not feel like I am the stereotypical UChicago student (although maybe I have the wrong perception of them). I also am doubting my learning capabilities which may be a bit pathetic but I am trying to be honest with myself. And also I do not know what I want to major in. I am not looking for reassurance from anyone here, but mainly just some opinions and maybe some idea of if Chicago may be a good place for me. I know I will be surrounded by future nobel prize winners and leaders, and to be honest that intimidates me because I just dont feel like I could hold my own against these fellow students. But at the same time I am very happy I got in to the school. Part of me feels like I would be missing out on a once in a lifetime opportunity by turning down Chicago. And who knows, maybe I could excel here. But* I also dont want to make the mistake of going somewhere where I will feel alienated from everyone else in terms of intellect and struggle to learn.
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I have relatives in Chicago and have lived there for several months before. I like the city and I am somewhat familiar with Hyde Park.
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I would really appreciate thoughts and maybe some current students insight on the academic rigor of the school, the social life, and anything else that may help me out.</p>
<p>Hi Calijackk,</p>
<p>I think your self-awareness and honesty will be tremendous assets no matter where you decide to go.</p>
<p>I can’t really comment on the whole question of whether or not you are a strong enough student for Chicago, since I don’t know the specifics, and even if I did, I still wouldn’t know. I did not attend there. My son is a very strong student, and a first-year at UChicago. And he was asking himself some of the same questions you are now asking. (As it turns out, he’s doing well academically and enjoying it very much.)</p>
<p>However, I did want to say a few words about the “not knowing what you want to major in” part of your question. I’ve long felt that Chicago (or other places with a significant core curriculum) are generally a good fit for those who don’t know what they want to major in. (While places with a weak or non-existent core are better for those who know exactly what they want to study, often to the exclusion of other subjects.) At Chicago you would (or at least could) spend almost all of your first two years on core requirements. This would both give you time to figure out what you want to major in and give you a broad sampling of courses to help you decide. So in that sense, I think Chicago is a good match for a student who is uncertain of a major (or even has not idea at all). </p>
<p>Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>As rlmmail said, we can’t comment on whether you specifically will sink or swim at UChicago. However, most people come in with some degree of uncertainty and most end up just fine here. Additionally, no one will look down on you if you come in with just raw intelligence and there are things you don’t know of. You’ll never be pressured to take part in “intellectual conversations”–but we hope you do!</p>
<p>Money is a whole separate issue. That’s something you and your parents will have to sit down and talk about, probably when all of your options become apparent in the Spring.</p>
<p>Thank you. Yes, we are waiting to see what my other options might offer financially. </p>
<p>How tough is the grading scale at the university and are certain majors more difficult than others? Is it true everything is very theory based and there are 5-10 students per class with heavy emphasis on discussion?</p>
<p>Regarding the students, is there a typical university of chicago student? when i visited when i stayed with family in chicago most of the student body didn’t seem to care much about their appearance. i mean that is NO rude manner - maybe that is my california bias coming into play, but it just seemed like they had no sense or care of fashion. i understand that may be true since academics are STRONG here. but i want to be around people that i will enjoy chilling with, and not for a lack of a better term "nerds"or what not. its funny because these “nerds” may be the people that are intimidating me to attend the university. im very scared i will struggle and feel out of place. its just so hard for me to decide because i dont know the WHOLE student body…and please I truly do not want to offend anyone by saying nerds. i just dont know how else to phrase it but i hope what i am trying to say is getting across. </p>
<p>I don’t participate in class as much as I should and I am nervous speaking. That is also something that intimidates me about the university. I am the kid who has fun at school, gets good grades, understands stuff, but doesn’t spend a ton of time on homework and rather hang out with friends than study (i think most people would rather hang out, but what i mean is that i may put off work or settle for an average job rather than making the extra effort). If I did attend university of chicago I would of course focus more on academics and give a lot of effort. I know the students are not cut throat but do all the students hit the books almost all the time?</p>
<p>Also, is this the place to go if I do not plan on going to grad school? Granted I do not know what I want to do…and thanks for the replies emphasizing the core and how that may help find my interest, that is a fantastic point that I am taking into consideration! But I don’t find science too interesting and I know the university is great for pre-med and physics. but i assume these people go to med school and go on to higher education. what if i want a job straight out of the work force? with the theoretical focus, will i still have the applied skills? i find the humanities and business interesting, although i have not taken specific classes on them. if i was to look for an occupation in these fields, how would that be?</p>
<p>Hey Calijackk,
I’m basically in the same position as you. I got in EA and have had some of the same worries as you. My SAT is definitely on the lower end of the scale for UChicago and I haven’t had to put in that much effort into my grades. I’d rather hang out with my friends than study (but then again who wouldn’t?!)
I feel like there’s a lot of people who share the same worries, but I guess I just find it funny and amusing that all of us potential students are intimidated by each other. I get the feeling that even though there are nerds, there’s also the “normal” kids as you would find at any other school.
UChicago is actually much less known for its pre-med and physics than it is for its economics and social sciences department. In terms of job placement, here’s a link to UChicago’s undergraduate exit surveys that detail what students have done in 10 months since graduating (61% were working full time, whereas 23% were in higher education): <a href=“Home | CareerAdv”>Home | CareerAdv;
Basically, a lot more students end up working full time after undergrad than pursue higher education.
If you’re looking into business as I have been as well, UChicago has the Chicago Careers in Business program that helps you train and prepare for a career in business.
Good luck with everything and maybe I’ll see you around on campus this September!</p>
<p>If it’s fashion you want, check out MODA, “a student organization at the University of Chicago that began in 2003 with the intention of showcasing fashion on campus, promoting the citys fashion scene, and being a resource for students interested in fashion.” [MODA</a> at the University of Chicago](<a href=“http://www.modachicago.com/]MODA”>http://www.modachicago.com/)
From what I’ve seen on UChicago’s Tumblr, there are plenty of fashionable Phoenixes.</p>
<p>I’m from California too, btw. Were you at the admitted students’ reception at Newport Beach last month by any chance?</p>
<p>^^
“UChicago is actually much less known for its pre-med and physics than it is for its economics and social sciences department.”</p>
<p>For the record, UChicago boasts an amazing physics department which is ranked #3 in Graduate School Rankings (irrelevant to undergrad education but this shows the strength of the department). It produced many famous physicists such as Edwin Hubble, Carl Sagan, James W.R. Cronin and many others and is linked with Fermi Lab and Argonne Laboratory.</p>
<p>^ Sorry, didn’t mean to imply that the physics department was poor as I’m sure that it’s great, just that economics is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you bring up UChicago.</p>
<p>The thing that I’ve noticed about UChicago is that everyone is supportive. If you don’t understand something - whether it’s in a homework session, a conversation on your house table, or walking around Hyde Park - ask. I’ve learnt the most interesting things here by just asking the people around me what they’re talking about, and they’re both open to and fascinated by the things I know about, but they don’t. This includes professors too. </p>
<p>Also, almost every student who enters into UChicago is just like you. They aren’t sure of what to major in, a little intimidated (I was SUPER intimidated), and unsure of whether they’re going to cope with the work-load. Walking through the gate at Convocation, at the beginning of Orientation week, is as scary as it is exciting. But - seriously - going to school here is amazing. It’s like you’re over-saturated with things to do, learn, and see. Check out the Tumblr for a kind of fun, quirky look into UChicago life: [UChicago</a> College Admissions](<a href=“http://uchicagoadmissions.■■■■■■■■■■/]UChicago”>http://uchicagoadmissions.■■■■■■■■■■/)</p>
<p>Duuuuude you got into UChicago. </p>
<p>Chill. </p>
<p>This is one of the best opportunities you will be presented with in your entire life…</p>
<p>I know this is an exceptional opportunity. But I have to give serious consideration to money and how I may do as a student there. Is it worth having my parents go into debt? That makes me feel very unsure. Also, I am scared I cannot hold my own against the brilliant people at the school - and that is just me being realistic. I have applied to several California publics and am not sure if I will get into them. I’m still in awe that I got into university of Chicago - I know my test scores did not in any way put me over the top. They were average-below average with the rest of the university of Chicago candidates.</p>
<p>If I’m having doubts about my intellectual capabilities, is this not the place for me to look towards? Or should I disregard my doubt and go for it? I don’t want to make a mistake</p>
<p>I do get how you’re feeling. The University of Chicago is unlike any other school. And if you’re unsure of whether you really want to be here, give it thought - making a college decision is a big deal.<br>
Have you visited the campus? Met some of the current students? Looked at courses, majors, student organizations? Ask questions, do research, visit and stay overnight. </p>
<p>All I can tell you is that despite the nights I spend doing work in the library (more like studying with my friends and milkshakes, but shh), trying to figure out whether I should audition for a play or take a yoga class, and holding my own at dinner table conversations…I haven’t ever regretted it.</p>
<p>Current UChicago student with some comments here. I’</p>
<ol>
<li>It’s fine to not know what you want to do or study. I find it laughable that so many incoming freshmen think they know what they want to study. Even if you think you know what you want to study right now, you’ll probably change your mind. So don’t feel nervous about it.</li>
</ol>
<p>And, as someone else pointed out, the Core is a great way to be introduced to many different fields of study. I would never have even considered my current major had it not been for the Core.</p>
<ol>
<li>UChicago actually has a subpar reputation amongst pre-med students. Because of its (alleged) grade deflation and (alleged) lack of a well-organized pre-med support, I believe the record isn’t that great.</li>
</ol>
<p>In terms of your prospects getting a job right out of college, it depends on what you end up wanting to do. It is stronger in some fields more than others. But, generally, employers hold U of C grads very highly, so you’re in a good place if you were to come here.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>We are a “nerdy” school and are proud of it. That is not to say that we do not have “normal” students, but the experience here (in general) is definitely not the typical college experience in terms of partying, etc. </p></li>
<li><p>Class size and style depends mainly on your major, as is the case at many universities. Sciences classes will obviously be bigger, while humanities and social sciences classes will be smaller. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>All humanities and social sciences are capped at 19 people. And yes, you will need to participate. Actively. </p>
<ol>
<li>Peoples’ appearance depends highly on what week of the quarter it is. By midterm week, most everyone looks terrible. Believe me, you’ll stop caring about your looks as well if you have a ten page comparative paper on Marx and Hegel, a math midterm, and another ten page paper on the meaning of American democracy in Tocqueville and Franklin in one week. I’m not trying to scare you off. It’s just the reality.</li>
</ol>
<p>WITH THAT SAID, the whole idea is that U of C kids all know it’s tough and weather it together. There’s something to be said about going through difficult times together. The most memorable moments I have with my best friends are in the Reg studying late nights or pulling all nighters. You’ll also be surprised by what you enjoy and what you don’t–they often diverge from your expectations.</p>
<p>You wouldn’t have gotten in if you didn’t belong here. Trust the admissions office. Also, it’s not as if everyone here is some brilliant, nerdy, future-genius. There are some people that are mind-blowingly intelligent, but there are also a lot of students who aren’t naturally intelligent and worked hard, or aren’t academically strong but have cool extracurriculars… don’t worry about being outclassed.</p>
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</p>
<p>I can. Very easily.
- You got in.
- As per the other thread, 99% freshmen return for sophomore year. (As in, 99% do not fail out, and for all we know the other 1% had intervening factors having nothing to do with academics that played a role in their decision not to return for sophomore year.)</p>
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</p>
<p>My general recommendations are for you to be as confident in yourself for WHO YOU ARE rather than WHY YOU THINK YOU WERE ADMITTED. Appreciate what you have to offer and realize that nobody can do or be everything, not even the “smartest” person you know. </p>
<p>Interesting and perhaps relevant: one of my close friends has every degree one could envy with every award one could imagine. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out I’m not as smart as he is.</p>
<p>So why are we friends? How is it that we can have a conversation on anything, given he’s likely read more on the topic and thought much more about it than I ever will?</p>
<p>It turns out that behind all the accolades and objective measures of success he’s a human, and a pretty insecure one at that. Our friendship has nothing to do with the accolades or the intelligence as much as it has to do with people who can hang out and drink beer together.</p>