Advice Needed for Chicago (ALL aspects, academics, athletic, etc.)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
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<p>Hey all, I was recently accepted into Chicago's class of '09, and I want some general info/advice from those with qualified knowledge. (Meaning you've gone there, are going there, have done an overnight, or have first-hand info from friends who have done any of the above...) SO...my questions are basically concerning:</p>

<p>1) ACADEMICS - what are the classes like? Are they as rigorous as everyone says? And are the curves as harsh? Is it really impossible to get above a 3.3 GPA?</p>

<p>2) HOUSING - What are the traits of the different houses? Which are the bigger ones? Which are the new ones? Which are the "social" ones? Which are the single ones?</p>

<p>3) COLLEGE TOWN - What is Chicago like? Is it very easy to go uptown/downtown into the heart of the city? How is the shopping and entertainment? (Stores, bars, dance clubs, etc.) And how expensive is the cost-of-living?</p>

<p>4) FOOD (this kind of links back to the dorm question) - What kind of meal plans come with each dorm? Which are the best? How is the food? And how expensive is food if you get it in the city?</p>

<p>5) SOCIAL - I know this is a can-of-worms topic on this forum but...quite honestly, how is the party life? I know it is minimal compared to other colleges, but do people generally respond when you talk to them? How easy is it to socialize with other colleges?</p>

<p>6) ECs - What organizations are available? Which ones are the most popular? Which ones are the most fun?</p>

<p>7) ATHLETICS - how talented do you have to be in order to join a team? And what sorts of sports are offered asides from the usual ones?</p>

<p>8) SECURITY - Honestly speaking, how safe do you feel at Chicago? What are safety precautions to take, etc.?</p>

<p>9) STUDENT POPULATION - What is the student body like, generally speaking? Is there a wide variety of ethnicities? Are there a lot of homosexuals? How often do you see D&D type/frat boy & dumb blonde type/etc.?</p>

<p>Please answer these questions as fairly and unbiasedly as you can . . . I am really trying hard to decide on a college.</p>

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<ol>
<li>I'm also class of '09, so obviously, I can't give you info on what a class is like as I'm not a student yet. But I have visited a few times, so I can answer most of your other queries. I will tell you that people are as intellectual as they say.
2.You can live in any kind of housing you like, from modern and social, to old and lonely to anything in between. Max P. is new, quite social, suite-style, at the heart of campus. Pierce, older and uglier, but quite social, has its own dining hall and is near the center of campus. Shoreland, Broadview and Breckinridge are farther away (15-20 mins) and vary in degrees of socialization. Burton Judson has a lot of singles, its own dining hall, is known for bookishness and Chicago stereotypes (wonks, etc.) but who knows. It's across the Midway, thus, right near the center of campus. Snell-Hitchcock is the oldest dorm, Gothic, full of singles and doubles. I can't speak for Snell, but Hitchcock is quite social, also in the heart of campus, the only dorm on the quads. Maclean is near the center of campus (maybe 5 mins away), and has lots of singles and is quite lovely.</li>
<li>Chicago is a real, thriving city, very cultured and tons of fun, has every store NYC has, great restaurants, and UChicago is definitely urban. To get to the heart of the city, the Loop etc., is a twenty minute bus ride, approximately. There is also a train. It's very easy to get there and back; I was able to navigate the system my first time in the city, so it can't be too tough.</li>
<li>I can't speak to meal plans as I don't know them well, but the food at the dining hall I've eaten at a few times, Bartlett, was quite tasty. </li>
<li>Again, I'm not an expert, but I went to one party when I was there and had a great time. I get the sense the social life is what you want it to be. You can hole up in your room or go out clubbing to everything in between, which I like. I like that you can be yourself and have your own brand of fun, whatever that may be.<br></li>
<li>Again, don't know.</li>
<li>Haha, don't ask me! I pretty much am going to fit the Uchicago stereotype of hating sports. However, I've heard others have a great time with sports at UChicago, they're the folks to ask.</li>
<li>Again, ask a current student. I felt quite safe during daylight hours, and I travelled in groups at night, which is prudent in an urban setting. Obviously, one has to be cognizant of one's surroundings, but it felt pretty similar to wandering around Brooklyn, NY to me. As a New Yorker, I felt safe. Like Columbia U., Chicago is much improved when it comes to safety.</li>
<li>Seems pretty diverse to me! In the dining hall, I noted that the group at large could not be pigeon-holed at all, which I liked. I saw every type of person and very few poseurs, which is a plus.<br></li>
</ol>

<p>Sorry I can't be more helpful! Good luck choosing, hope to see you there :)</p>

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<p>Sarahbara, do you think all the slots in Snell-Hitchcock have been taken by EA applicants? I'm still trying to fill out my housing sheet...</p>

<p>6) Orchestra/music groups and the Model UN are the largest organizations, or at least that's what I was told.
7) As for athletics, intramural sports are very popular. I'm not very athletic, but I've already communicated with the track/cross country couches.
8) As for security, I'm from a fairly small city, and safety is important to me. I felt VERY safe when I visited, despite it being an urban campus.</p>

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<p>dude, warblers, did they just take away the hot guys at chicago thread?</p>

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<p>I think so. CC doesn't like "hot people" threads...remember the "50 most beautiful people on CC" thread?</p>

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<p>With regards to meal plans, every Freshmen gets one of two: Barlett Freshman or Pierce/BJ Freshman. You don't have a choice, it depends on where you live.</p>

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<p>warblersrule86--I was accepted EA and Snell was my first choice, which I sent in in December right when I was accepted, haha. So I'm one of those folk. My friend in Hitchcock says it's mostly EA folk. But there are a couple of different options for singles relatively near the center of campus, you should check those out.</p>

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<p>What are the others close to the campus center? Pierce? The closest to Snell was Max P...Not exactly very similar... :/</p>

<p>By the way, how many meals come with the meal plans, keelee?</p>

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<p>(Maclean, BJ)</p>

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<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>I meant to comment on classes earlier. The thing that struck me when I visited was that most of the classes were very small, almost LAC-like. I really liked the small classes. I sat in on a biology class. It was mostly discussion about assigned readings, if I recall correctly. I <em>think</em> most classes are discussion-based, but don't quote me on it. I also peeked in a lab; the lab groups didn't seem inordinately large either...Yes, Chicago does make you work for your grades. I think I read somewhere that a 3.7 = summa cum laude...</p>

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<p>Neither MacLean nor BJ are close to the centre of campus. MacLean is not even on campus, while BJ is on the south campus, not the north campus.</p>

<p>There are three dorms in the centre of campus: Pierce, Snell-Hitchcock, and Max.</p>

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<p>I'll ask again- how many meals come with the meal plan??? :)</p>

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<p>Currently:</p>

<p>Barlett: $1100 per quarter; the dining hall is ala-carte
BJ/Pierce: 154 or 132 meals per quarter, depending on where you live.</p>

<p>However, both plans are being reduced next year. Although the price is still going up...</p>

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<p>its a strange system of points/bartlett dollars/flex dollars but the general consensus is that you get more than you use.</p>

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<p>How is a five minute walk not close?</p>

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<p>Lol, yup I think the hot thread was removed, it was about to get "heated".</p>

<p>I would just like to reiterate coffeecakes questions?
I'm also trying to decide on colleges. And I'd like to know more about..</p>

<p>1) Academics</p>

<p>3) College town</p>

<p>5) Social</p>

<p>6) ECs</p>

<p>7) Athletics</p>

<p>8) Security</p>

<p>9) Student population</p>

<p>thanks..</p>