<p>Well, I got into Amherst and CHicago, and now I am biting my nuckles. Do I want that "life of mind" ******** and as u have implied a school considered "second best" by most high caliber applicants? Do I want to go to a school where those who were not admitted to harvard or MIT go? Or would I rather go to Amherst, which is number one? Or should I stick to the life of mind</p>
<p>What makes you think students who were not admitted to Harvard or MIT don't go to Amherst as well?</p>
<p>go to Amherst.</p>
<p>Thanx for advice, but I really need u to tell my why...I have asked about 100 people already, and about 50 of them said amherst and 50 chicago. i might as well toss a coin</p>
<p>You've started, like, three different threads on whether or not you should go to Amherst or Chicago...</p>
<p>Amherst is more laid back without the pseduointellectual crap that is so pervasive at Chicago. Both are great schools...but South Side of Chicago isnt a great place to live.</p>
<p>Nobody but a myopic Ivy fluffer would say the education at Chicago or Amherst is inferior to the Ivies. Your choice is between a fabulous university in a huge city and a fabulous small college in a small-town setting.</p>
<p>sorry but this is a decision you need to make for yourself - you won't be happy with results of a "poll" later.</p>
<p>bobbobbob
That's not true. UChicago is in Hyde Park an amazing part of the city. I wish I lived there.</p>
<p>dendakin
Stop asking other people and go with your gut. If your gut says Amherst then go there</p>
<p>Hyde Park itself is amazing...but expand that a mile or so and then it gets not so amazing.</p>
<p>Go to Amherst because you know deep down you want it :)</p>
<p>Also I'd imagine the social life is better there too and you want to be where you feel comfortable for your 4 years.</p>
<p>Chicago is one of those schools you shouldn't attend unless you really want to go and are highly excited about doing so.</p>
<p>Agreed. If you need prestige, go to Amherst. If you aren't willing to work hard (and play relatively little), go to Amherst. It sounds like you'd be much happier there.</p>
<p>UChicago is in Hyde Park in Chicago, which, although it is on the south side of the city, is also one of the most affluent communities in it as well.</p>
<p>Dendankin - The "go with your gut" comment is a good one. You have two wonderful alternatives, but with distinctly different personalities. Here's some feedback on the Chicago perspective. First, going to a major research university with strong Phd and graduate schools also gives one the chance to "test drive" as an undergraduate different potential careers/occupations before you commit to one. Specifically, with many strong graduate programs an undecided Chicago undergraduate student can talk to professors (such as in the Law School, Business School, Medical School, Mathematics, Physic, English, Economics, etc.) about the field, talk to graduate students in that field, sit in on certain graduate school classes, or actually take graduate classes for credit. (I took one graduate class in the Law School and one in urban studies, for instance.) Of course, many of the professors who teach in the College also teach in the graduate programs. </p>
<p>Then there is the city of Chicago itself outside the Hyde Park neighborhood. Specifically, downtown Chicago (with the Loop and near north side) is only eight miles away on a quick safe train ride. As a student I tried to go downtown at least once a week. World class museums (such as the Field Museum and Chicago Art Institute); fabulous shopping on north Michigan Avenue (window shopping is just fine); beautiful parks next to Lake Michigan, etc. all await the curious.</p>
<p>As to the Life of the Mind, it can be a wonderful, exhilirating experience for both students and faculty. One for instance, as a senior in the College I took an MBA finance class. The professor, Robert Hamada (who became Dean of the Graduate Business School some years later), had a Saturday morning "prep for the final" session. The second question asked by a student was, "Could you cover the major points of the course?" Everyone laughed. Hamada then got quiet; literally rolled up his sleeves; grabbed some chalk; and then proceeded over the next 90 minutes to indeed recap the entire finance course and its essential points. When he was finished and put down the chalk, the entire 80 or so students gave him a spontaneous standing ovation. Just one story from what can happen in a "Life of the Mind" atmosphere. I was privileged to experience a number of other "Life of the Mind" experiences over my four years at Chicago. The University of Chicago is a unique animal and most students from my experience do little "what might have been" afterthoughts once they get engaged in both the University and the Second City.</p>
<p>Go to Chicago.</p>
<p>Hmmm one of my sister's friend goes to Amherst. This is the type of student who got into a lot of the Ivies when she was in high school, but she just went to the school that gave her the most money. She was telling me how she desperately wanted to transfer out. (To Stanford, specifically). It's just too small for her, and secluded and way too liberal. However, she did meet a great professor who is pretty much helping her get all the connections. So she is staying. </p>
<p>Personally, I think University of Chicago sounds the best. I think there are alot more opportunities at UChic, becasue of the faculty and the "life of the mind" and the city. </p>
<p>Perhaps, you really should visit both schools to decide. They're both quite different, especially in environment and student body size.</p>
<p>University of Chicago sounds extremely hardcore.</p>
<p>So if you're not extremely hardcore, go to Amherst where it's laid back. Otherwise, go to Chicago and work your butt off!</p>
<p>:D</p>
<p>Thanx a lot for the comment. But how does uchi look at students who want to saty there for masters in Business? I mean if they had an undergrad business school I wouldn't even question going there</p>
<p>UChicago is not "extremely hardcore." Do the students work there harder than at many other schools? Probably many do, depending on their major. Do the students do nothing but work? Hardly. My daughter, who is a sophomore there, seems to be going out not only many week ends (parties, movies, comedy clubs, meeting friends from Northwestern downtown, Cubs games, White Sox games, etc.) virtually every weekend. The worse thing that this OP can do is make a decision without actually visiting the campuses, or at least talking to as many students at each campus as possible. You have two great -- but very different choices. Good luck.</p>