<p>Were amazing. discuss.</p>
<p>Oh sweet, you guys just got back. How were they? I'm curious.</p>
<p>All stereotypes and myths that could've possibly caused me to refund my deposit were destroyed. Kids have fun, there are many beautiful people, and I didn't meet a single pretentious pseudo-intellectual dirtbag. Most of the students I met said that yes, it is a very rigorous institution that asks a lot from you, but that they appreciate what its done for them academically and personally. If and when you visit, I think you'll enjoy it.</p>
<p>Is there a lot of time to speak with students?</p>
<p>I had a great time as well. My host and his roommate were both very cool, as were many other people I met on campus. On Thursday, I sat in on Human Being and Citizen, which I found very interesting. On Friday, I sat in on Topics in Biochemistry, which was by far the best experience I have ever had inside a class room. I liked the dorm I stayed in (Max P) and the one I toured (Pierce). The food at Bartlett was really good.</p>
<p>The one thing I didn't really like was the party at Alpha Del. It was boring and kinda lame...</p>
<p>That being said, I sent in my deposit the day i got back =)</p>
<p>I am curious to know how diverse the campus was. Ethnically, culturally, socio-economic status, gender, international students, student interests etc etc.</p>
<p>This just makes me all the more excited for September (the first time I will see Chicago.. TT__TT)!!!</p>
<p>it wasnt a bad experience. the only thing that kinda blew was that my host never showed up; nonetheless it was great to meet lots of people</p>
<p>well i thought that they all lacked social skills....at least the majority of the students i met...but that's just one student's perspective</p>
<p>What dorm did ya stay in? Heh..</p>
<p>My S had the same impression, Ms.Prez.</p>
<p>Ha, I think that most kids function here pretty normally socially, and while I would go on to defend my school, I also understand why and how it might not work out. </p>
<p>I despised intensely a lot of the schools on my initial college list-- a "MOMMY DADDY DON'T MAKE ME GO THERE!!!" -- and I know a lot of people who probably have the same reaction after visiting Chicago.</p>
<p>S1 while planning a large party at U of C told me he once remarked, "We have to make sure we don't have more girls than social skills attending."</p>
<p>My son had a great time. He stayed at BJ.</p>
<p>unalove, I think this was more a case of drawing a dud host. My S, who is a perfect fit for the U of C in virtually everyone's opinion, was hoping for kids as interesting/engaged as those at CTY--not an unreasonable expectation of the U of C, IMHO. Didn't happen. I think that the university would do well to consider recruiting hosts who are actually willing and able to <em>host</em> in some meaningful sense. (He stayed in BJ.)</p>
<p>BTW, I do have some experience with the school, having been a grad student there eons ago.</p>
<p>S stayed at BJ Sunday/Monday. Had a terrific time! He stayed at Shoreland on a previous visit. Consolation, I'm sorry your S didn't find "his people," as my S puts it. A friend of his also did CTY for a number of years and chose Chicago precisely because he found friends like the folks he had met at CTY.</p>
<p>haha that alpha delt party... I had to go by to pick up some money from a friend (and I'll be totally honest, I wanted to look at the lil prospies). It was a lot like senior prom. Don't worry if you accepted, O-week is a lot more fun. </p>
<p>If it felt like many people lacked social skills, well... yeah, most people do. There are cool people that make up for it :) I think I have a prospie tomorrow, should be fun.</p>
<p>
[quote]
he found friends like the folks he had met at CTY.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You have no idea how pervasive and far-reaching the CTY network is here. It's like being in the mob.</p>
<p>Thought you might enjoy hearing about my D's experience 4 years ago. </p>
<p>We dropped her at the airport on Wednesday, and she flew into Midway, took the bus and overnighted in I house. Met up with host, with whom she had nothing in common, Thursday. </p>
<p>Meanwhile, wife and I took a mini vacation to the Hudson River valley above NYC. Friday morning at about 7:30 AM, I got a text message basically saying D was really sick and was throwing up all night. Called her and learned that when she threw up the first time, her host left the room never to be seen again. And she felt really bad....</p>
<p>Started calling numbers at the university, but only got answering machines. Around 8:30, connected with someone. Got a call back a short time later from an admissions aid who could finally help. Turns out one of the admissions folks (Jerry, don't remember his last name) was also a dorm head. He rescued our D and put her under the care of his wife. They even washed her sleeping bag and got her feeling well enough to be able to fly home Saturday. </p>
<p>End result was that D was so impressed with how they handled this, and the TLC she received, that it removed her doubts, even though she never got to see the classes and meet with the activities folks she wanted to on Friday (since she was sick in bed).</p>
<p>Consolation -
"I think that the university would do well to consider recruiting hosts who are actually willing and able to <em>host</em> in some meaningful sense. (He stayed in BJ.)"</p>
<p>The hosting is all volunteer .. I think what the university could do is remind them that guests were coming a bit more assertively. When my son hosted, he forgot entirely about it ... but was luckily reminded by one of the girls in his house (just in time).</p>