<p>from what I have read/heard (since I don't know anyone who goes there), it seems like a place where people talk nonstop about their theories, how math is fascinating, etc. etc.</p>
<p>but yesterday at a Christmas party my cousin was telling me that he knew a girl who is going to the U of Chicago and that she told him that the people there keep to themselves a lot. They are extremely competitive (which is totally me, but I do love intellectual discussions) and for this reason it keeps them from every socializing. I was baffled: it was exactly the opposite from the impression I've been getting so far..</p>
<p>Talk about their theories? I doubt it. Most people (myself included) don't have many novel scientific thoughts worth using as conversation starters. Of course there are those who are pretentious and don't know ***** about what they say, but you can always tell. I agree it's not an antisocial place, but I hold reservations about the idea that most social aspects are centered around academic topics.</p>
<p>My S has a very active social life (and many new friends) that revolves around ...fun. Yes there are intellectual conversations aplenty, but there ethnic restaurants, movies, parties, plays, music, exploring Chicago, and just hanging out and laughing. S has compared notes with friends from Duke, Stanford, Harvard, and Yale over the break and has found he has had as good and often a better time than any of them. He and his Chicago friends have kept in constant contact over the break and all can't wait to get back. His east coast friends even got together with other Chicago friends to party over the break. Doesn't sound too much like a keep to yourself group to me.</p>
<p>read the book "the gatekeepers." looke specifically around two thirds of the way into the book about a visit that julia (i think that was her name) had at uchi. it dovetails nicely with your concerns.</p>