best colleges in Chicago?

College Search & Selection
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<p>^^ Pizzagirl, your comment makes me feel old. I guess I'm thinking about the mid-1980s. "Not so very long ago" only to a dinosaur like me.</p>

<p>Seriously, Northwestern and the University of Chicago are both outstanding schools. As between them, Northwestern definitely has better football. For just about anything else I'd take Chicago, but that's largely a matter of personal preference---I'm sort of the nerdy intellectual type that's naturally drawn to the place. I think of Northwestern students as being more the fresh-faced, cheery, highly social, well-rounded, athletic, somewhat more preppy types---sort of Southern Cal without the sunshine but with better academics. But that may be an old stereotype. I think the University of Chicago stereotype of nerdy intellectuals still largely holds true, however.</p>

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<p>Cougar</a> Vs Bear - Video</p>

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<p>^^ Pizzagirl, your comment makes me feel old. I guess I'm thinking about the mid-1980s. "Not so very long ago" only to a dinosaur like me.>></p>

<p>I'm thinking about the mid 80's too! I was a freshman at NU when "The Streak" ended and we tossed the goalposts into the lake. </p>

<p>"Seriously, Northwestern and the University of Chicago are both outstanding schools. As between them, Northwestern definitely has better football. For just about anything else I'd take Chicago, but that's largely a matter of personal preference---I'm sort of the nerdy intellectual type that's naturally drawn to the place. I think of Northwestern students as being more the fresh-faced, cheery, highly social, well-rounded, athletic, somewhat more preppy types---sort of Southern Cal without the sunshine but with better academics. "</p>

<p>There are certainly a lot of those students there, but never fear, there are also nerdy-tech-types and dramatic theater-types. From what I know of USC, I wouldn't put the NU student body on that scale. The impression I've always had of USC is far more uniformly good-looking, well-to-do, social. There is certainly a subset of NU types who would be just as happy at U of Chicago.</p>

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<p>As for NU and UChicago, I plan on applying, but my act score is in the way(26). Every other stat is above average or at least up to par for those schools. What do you guys know about Depaul?</p>

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<p>DePaul is quite reputable here in the Chicago area; I can't really speak to how well it's known outside of here, but you'll do just fine if your plans are to stay in Chicago. It's in a great location, very student-friendly (Lincoln Park area); urban feel, but a different type of urban than U of Chicago (more yuppie-ville type of area). It is "technically" a Catholic university but it doesn't appear to be as traditionally Catholic as Loyola, and certainly undergrads of any faith tradition are welcome.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
LOL!! Still doesn't change the fact that NU is going to a better bowl this season.

[/quote]

Umm, OK, if you say so... I say Alamo Bowl = Sun Bowl...;)</p>

<p>
[quote]
And gee, how low is Cal when they have to compare themselves to a small, private university w/ significantly higher recruiting standards? (How 'bout comparing the Teddies to the Ducks or even the Trojans?)

[/quote]

I believe you were the one who started comparing the programs with this statement: "Well, at least the "mild"cats have won more conference titles than the Cal Teddies in recent history - lol!"</p>

<p>What's with the public vs. private digression? Both are FBS/BCS subdivision programs.</p>

<p>
[quote]
As for the last 6 yrs, only ONE losing season (when Coach Walker unexpectedly passed away right before the season started in 2006)

[/quote]

This is NU's record over the last 6 years:</p>

<p>2002: 3-9 (.250)
2003: 6-7 (.462)
2004: 6-6 (.500)
2005: 7-5 (.583)
2006: 4-8 (.333)
2007: 6-6 (.500)</p>

<p>NU only had a winning record in 2005 (as well as 2008). For that season it was awarded a trip to the Sun Bowl and lost to UCLA 38-50. </p>

<p>Despite a losing record in 2003, NU was bowl eligible and went to the Motor City Bowl and lost to Bowling Green 24-28.</p>

<p>NU has not won a bowl game since the 1948 Rose Bowl. I'll throw you a bone because you beat Cal in that game.</p>

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<p>I agree with PG that Loyola and DePaul are respected here in Chicago. I know a lot of alumni from both schools here, though I had never heard of them before coming to Chicago.</p>

<p>Other schools:</p>

<p>North Park University (Christian): ACT midrange 20-25
North</a> Park University: Christian - Urban - Multicultural</p>

<p>Columbia College Chicago: ACT midrange 18-25
Columbia</a> College Chicago : Home</p>

<p>Roosevelt University: ACT midrange 20-25
Roosevelt</a> University - Liberal Arts, Sciences, Business, Education Colleges in Chicago and Schaumburg</p>

<p>And... I know magneticpoet would throw a mini-fit... but I would also consider adding Lake Forest College (also Christian religious affiliation) to the mix, because it's accessible to Chicago. </p>

<p>Lake Forest ACT midrange: 24-29</p>

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<p>I'll leave it to others to debate how accessible Chicago is for students at Lake Forest College. However, I will point out that Lake Forest is "Christian" in the same sense that Northwestern University is "Christian." Lake Forest was founded by Presbyterians. Northwestern was founded by the Methodist Church. Today, only nominal connections with those denominations remain, and the vast majority of students at those schools is neither Presbyterian nor Methodist.</p>

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<p>Northwestern University Wildcats
University of Chicago Maroons
Lake Forest College Foresters
DePaul University Blue Demons</p>

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<p>Re: Chicago not being Evanston -- It takes 25 minutes for the train to reach Chicago from Northwestern.... that's about the amount of time it takes to walk to the northeast corner of UCLA from the Fraternity row.</p>

<p>In my book 25 minutes means same town.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Umm, OK, if you say so... I say Alamo Bowl = Sun Bowl...

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Uhh, it still remains to be seen whether the 'Cats go to the Champs or Alamo Bowl.</p>

<p>Even if NU is jumped by Iowa, the Alamo > Sun.</p>

<p>It's not just me speaking, but the $$$ talking (Alamo payout - $2.25 million; Sun - $1.9 mil).</p>

<p>
[quote]
I believe you were the one who started comparing the programs with this statement: "Well, at least the "mild"cats have won more conference titles than the Cal Teddies in recent history - lol!"

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Uhh, that was merely to point out that Cal alums/students are hardly in any position to talk smack,</p>

<p>
[quote]
What's with the public vs. private digression? Both are FBS/BCS subdivision programs.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Uhh, many private universities have higher recruiting standards - state schools don't.</p>

<p>The fact that you can't decisively point to greater success on the gridiron for the Teddies than NU in our lifetime is pretty pitiful (for Cal).</p>

<p>
[quote]
Despite a losing record in 2003, NU was bowl eligible and went to the Motor City Bowl and lost to Bowling Green 24-28.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Nice lack of knowledge of college FB.</p>

<p>In 2003, NU had a .500 regular seasosn record (hence, a bowl invite).</p>

<p>The NCAA does not allow sub .500 teams to get bowl invites (hello!!!).</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Uhh, that was merely to point out that Cal alums/students are hardly in any position to talk smack

[/quote]

My talking smack was directed at the econ competition...you're the one who brought up football...which is funny for an NU guy to be talking smack about football.</p>

<p>
[quote]
The fact that you can't decisively point to greater success on the gridiron for the Teddies than NU in our lifetime is pretty pitiful (for Cal).

[/quote]

Both programs have been dismal. Cal has had more recent success. </p>

<p>
[quote]
Even if NU is jumped by Iowa, the Alamo > Sun.</p>

<p>It's not just me speaking, but the $$$ talking (Alamo payout - $2.25 million; Sun - $1.9 mil).

[/quote]

Like I said, comparable bowl...you're grasping at straws here. Teams have to share bowl revenue with their conference. So, NU being in the Big Te(leve)n has to divide payout 11 ways vs. Cal's 10. </p>

<p>$2.25 million/11 = $204.5k
$1.9 million/10 = $190k</p>

<p>I'm sure NU will put that $14.5k to good use...</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Nice lack of knowledge of college FB.</p>

<p>In 2003, NU had a .500 regular seasosn record (hence, a bowl invite).</p>

<p>The NCAA does not allow sub .500 teams to get bowl invites (hello!!!).

[/quote]

OK...so it includes the bowl game outcome (13 games)...I stand corrected.</p>

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<p>^did you watch that video (post #22)? ;)</p>

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<p>^ You've posted that about 1000 times...</p>

<p>Insert another quarter and try again... :D</p>

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<p>
[quote]
My talking smack was directed at the econ competition...you're the one who brought up football...which is funny for an NU guy to be talking smack about football.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Oh, PLEASE - you have quite the history here of posting snide comments about NU football.</p>

<p>And it should be particularly embarrassing than an "NU guy" can talk smack about the Teddies, a state school w/ no recruiting restrictions.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Both programs have been dismal. Cal has had more recent success.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Depends on what you mean by "recent".</p>

<p>Not if you go by 1995 thru today or just this season.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Like I said, comparable bowl...you're grasping at straws here. Teams have to share bowl revenue with their conference. So, NU being in the Big Te(leve)n has to divide payout 11 ways vs. Cal's 10.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Nice WEAK attempt at trying to escape that one.</p>

<p>So (according to you), USC going to the Rose Bowl is not any better than UCB going to the Sun Bowl since they all share in the proceeds - LMAO!!!</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Nice WEAK attempt at trying to escape that one.

[/quote]

Geez dude, I was saying they are comparable bowl games...
List</a> of college bowl games - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</p>

<p>Out of the 30 or so bowl games listed by payout, the Sun Bowl and the Alamo Bowl are pretty close. I was dividing the payout to show your claim of it being a "better" bowl by payout is pretty minor.</p>

<p>
[quote]
So (according to you), USC going to the Rose Bowl is not any better than UCB going to the Sun Bowl since they all share in the proceeds - LMAO!!!

[/quote]

I didn't say that...of course I'd love for Cal to be in USC's shoes. The Sun Bowl, or the Alamo Bowl for that matter, are not the Rose Bowl...and the payouts correspond.</p>

<p>
[quote]
a state school w/ no recruiting restrictions.

[/quote]

Of course there are recruiting restrictions...NU and Cal football both fall under the same recruiting rules governed by the NCAA. "State school" has nothing to do with it...except make you seem snobbish.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Depends on what you mean by "recent".</p>

<p>Not if you go by 1995 thru today or just this season.

[/quote]

I mean since 2003 (last 5 years). Like I said, 6 straight winning seasons, 6 straight bowl game appearances and, so far, a 4-1 record in those games.</p>

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<p>Well, Columbia's an art school, so I don't know how OP will feel about that.</p>

<p>Lake Forest's got a pretty good reputation but it's also kind of known as a four-year country club for rich white people, if that affects anything.</p>

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<p>Columbia isn't just an art school. It has other programs as well. Has a real urban feel, not a real campus per se. </p>

<p>And I concur that Lake Forest isn't any more "Christian" than Northwestern, though it's undoubtedly more country club / preppy, NTTAWWT. They are trying to position themselves as "Chicago's Liberal Arts College." Chicago isn't all that accessible from Lake Forest, though (nor from North Central, which is out in the western suburbs).</p>