<p>Hi,
I was recently admitted to the Class of 2018 and I am extremely excited (and addicted to the admitted class FB group) but I have heard about students and particularly alum at UChicago who recommend not attending and who don't seem very happy for whatever reason. I know that no college can be perfect but what are your experiences with UChicago? Even if you love the school, do you notice a number of people who seem unhappy?
Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>No one has answered yet, so I’ll jump in. I just picked my son up from the airport after his second quarter and his smile is as big as it has been since he got there. He is having a great time. He loves his courses, his house, HvZ, his two other extracurricular activities and the campus. He has made good friends, challenged himself intellectually in new and exciting ways and felt at home from the moment he arrived on campus. Everything a parent could want. He and his friends and housemates are already planning for Scav, and when I suggested he consider taking only three courses next quarter to ease up on the hard work a bit, he told me that would seem like a waste as he’s only here for four years and he wants to make the most of it. Is he happy? Yes. Do his friends and housemates seem happy? Yes. Are there unhappy people at U of C? Yes, of course, and on every major campus in America, but no more than usual at U of C from what I can tell (but I’m not there of course.). My son said the biggest issue he saw kids face was realizing they weren’t the smartest person in the room any more, but then they move on and enjoy sharing a life of the mind together.</p>
<p>I think your best source is current students, not alums b/c times have changed. U of C was a less happy place in the past, but that is not the case now. Maybe now that they are done finals and are on break some current students will weigh in. But based on my second hand experience of one son, if you have fallen for U of C, you’ll find plenty of happy people there to share that vibe with you.</p>
<p>I just emailed our daughter, asking her to respond to this question for you. It may take a week – she is in Rio with her UofC boyfriend’s family for spring break. But this is not the school most alums attended, so please talk to current students. Fun is no longer dying in Hyde Park. Chicago is now delivering an undergrad experience comparable to the Ivies, based on our immediate family’s experience at Yale and Princeton. Daughter loves it and we are very impressed.</p>
<p>If you search this board, there were some complaints on food service. Academically, I have not hear anything.</p>
<p>There are definitely a lot of unhappy people and a lot of happy people. It really depends on the friends you make and your general personality before entering. Everyone I know who is depressed was depressed before going to college. </p>
<p>@ttm321: Thank you for your detailed response. I have done some research and a lot of what I have read says that UChicago is what you make of it. While I recognise that there will be unhappy anywhere I wasn’t sure if people are unhappy because of the environment and atmosphere or their own internal issues as hevydevy suggests. I went to an Admitted Students Reception a few days after I posted and (particularly the older) alums seemed apathetic towards the school and their experiences seem to have been coloured by a particularly heavy atmosphere. If current students feel differently I guess it just goes to show how good a job Jim Nondorf has done. </p>
<p>wisedad: Thank you so much for asking her but please tell her to take her time. Enjoying Rio is probably more important than this!</p>
<p>artloverlpus: Thanks for the heads up, I’ll look into it.</p>
<p>As to asking about older alums about their opinions, be wary. Just this weekend, I talked with a guy who graduated here in 2001 and had a terrible experience. He said he got an amazing education, but his time was marred with feeling unsafe going out, no social life, and inability to commute out of Hyde Park. As someone just starting at UChicago, these concerns have, luckily, not been a concern for me. </p>
<p>Safety wise, the University has since implemented an extensive night shuttle system, security guards on select corners, and other safety features. </p>
<p>As far as social life, he mentioned that people rarely went to parties during the weekend. As opposed to now, there is always a large contingent of people looking to party and who end up at frat parties.</p>
<p>In terms of being able to leave Hyde Park, downtown has never felt far away, with the 6 right by my door and with the Metra nearby. Perhaps much hasn’t changed in this regard, but it is interesting to note the difference in our perceptions of the issue.</p>
<p>So this is a long way of saying that older alums’ opinions of the university are perhaps not the best indicator of what your experience at the university would be. However, I’m not discounting their larger perspective on the university’s role in their lives. As well, the educational experience has not significantly changed, although the Core has been made easier in recent years.</p>
<p>You will learn to be happy and value life at UChicago when you encounter or survive several drive-by shootings.</p>
<p>@Bouncer this is very useful information. you must be really well informed on UChicago. </p>
<p>@riftypence- Uchicago is not your average college. You really need to be well informed before you make this call…I agree with a lot of statements made by Seapence.
The college is very heavy on academics, which is a good thing. However, college seems to be out of sync with the rest of the world. College wants to ensure that you are prepared for a life of research. A grade of B or C is quite acceptable. GPA is not an issue. So, if your goal is not research and you want to eventually get into a pre-professional program, then this college will actually work against you. To get that elusive A, students study like crazy. _Where fun comes to die- there is some truth to it.
However, if you don’t care about the GPA, are more geared towards social science subjects- the college has a world class teaching program. The Core is incomparable. If you do reasonably well in college, it is quite easy for you to enter into research programs anywhere afterwards.</p>
<p>Another thing, if you want to study science subjects, they will demand rigor in any selective college. You have to remember, now you are swimming with the sharks. All will make you work for an A. However, in other ivies- B or C will not be a class average. It pulls down self-esteem. </p>
<p>The food is quite BAD here. No, it is HORRIBLE. It is supplied by Aramark and this I have experienced firsthand. Rest is my child’s experience. She gave up IVY to come here. </p>
<p>As students are studying so much, social life is limited. </p>
<p>I was spooked by the incident about the student body lying undiscovered for 8 days in its room. That tells you a bit about the kind of students at the college at this time.
A black male entered a dorm right on the QUAD itself and picked up several laptops and walked out. That tells you something about the security. This should be the securest dorm. I hope these are just freak incidents but there are complaints about an apathetic administration. </p>
<p>Before deciding on any college, you have to also ask yourself some questions. Did you want to study science or math? Are you a truly brilliant student or did you also have some hooks when you got your acceptance. Are you ready to challenge yourself. The hooks will matter less in college. Academic rigor will matter a lot.</p>