<p>So hi! After posting in the other thread I wanted to introduce myself and find out a bit more about the University. I'm from England, and I'm applying as a nontraditional student (age 22, will be 23 when starting college) AND I need financial aid. SO I'm not expecting to be accepted haha, I know the odds are very much against me. But I want to study archeology/anthropology and then hopefully go on to do an MA in Egyptology so I know Chicago is going to be one of the best places to go.</p>
<p>I'm heading over to the US in October but can't visit Chicago, my funds are limited so I'm only visiting the schools closest to where I'm staying in New York.</p>
<p>So I'm really just looking to learn more about the campus, the people.. I want personal stories! I've read the website but it's not the same as hearing peoples real life experiences.</p>
<p>What are the dorms like? Food on campus? Social life? (I'm over 21 so if accepted I promise I'll be the designated legal-beer-buyer :)) What have your visits to the University been like? Why do you LOVE Chicago??</p>
<p>Well, at least you can take a virtual tour of UofC’s great Oriental Institute: [The</a> Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago](<a href=“http://oi.uchicago.edu/]The”>http://oi.uchicago.edu/)</p>
<p>I find it hard to understand why you opt for a college in the US. Do not forget that a college education in the US is not focused on one area of study. You will have to take courses from all the sciences to get a bachelor’s degree (Brown is an exception). At best you will be able to spend about half your time on subjects that are directly or indirectly related to your major while in Europe you would be able to devote all your time on archeology/anthropology.
An important advantage of the US system is that students do not need to choose their major until the end of their second year in college. In Europe where you (and I) come from students already have to choose their major during the last year of high school (before sending out their applications to universities). At the age of 17/18 it is virtually impossible for most of them to really know what they are interested in. For this reason the US college experience is a blessing for my son who is a very young student, but I fail to see how you could possibly benefit from it. Being an undergraduate in the US does not just mean sharing your dorm life, or your beer*, you will also be sitting in compulsory classes discussing subjects that may not interest you. Last but not least: In the US being accepted as an undergraduate does not mean that you will be able to continue your study at the same institution as a graduate student. You will have to apply again and only a limited percentage of ‘home grown’ students will be offered the the opportunity to stay. * Note: In Europe beer is a favorite at universities. Unfortunately the heavier stuff seems to be more popular in US colleges.</p>
<p>QuasiProfound: You are right! I did not answer portugueseninja’s questions and my apologies for this. Unfortunately I am not able to give sensible answers. The age of my S and where he is in life has a lot to do with how he feels about his dorm, the food, social life. There is a world of difference between the expectations and experiences of an 18 year old and those of a 23 year old.</p>