<p>They're both in the same city, so that saves the trouble of comparing their environment, available resources from surrounding area, etc. But U Chic and NU aren't like Columbia and NYU, where the two schools differ by far in terms of academics. </p>
<p>Yes I'm aware that NU is ranked higher than Chicago, but what do rankings matter anyway? So how do Chicagoans usually decide between the two schools? and the rest of you?</p>
<p>Chicago and Northwestern are two universities of about the same rank, but with very different outlooks on education. When I visited the University of Chicago, it took me no time at all to fall in love with it. It is nerdy and intellectual, the type of school that breeds academic flourishing and challenges you to think. When I visited Northwestern, I was put into an entirely different type of environment for a perhaps equally as talented but different type of person. It's preppy, active environment is perfect for someone who is goal- and career-oriented. Both are excellent universities, it just depends on what type of person you are.</p>
<p>Pffft...Northwestern is ranked higher that UChicago? Pfffffft...</p>
<p>UChicago >>> Northwestern</p>
<p>I just had this conversation with a few of my friends.</p>
<p>You might get shot at Chicago</p>
<p>You have ten seconds to leave this forum or you'll be banished by the hardcore U of C fans out there, myself included.</p>
<p>No, just kidding. But seriously, an education from U of C is infinitely more respected in the academic community.</p>
<p>I second Christine123.</p>
<p>
[quote]
U of C is infinitely more respected in the academic community.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>"INFINITELY more"? You got to love the attitude of some hardcore UC fans.</p>
<p>NU students beat UC's (economics majors) on their way to just win the College Fed Challenge two years in a row. Looks like NW students can think as well as any nerd/intellectual at any school when they need to. ;) <a href="http://www.cas.northwestern.edu/econ/undergraduate/newsletter.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.cas.northwestern.edu/econ/undergraduate/newsletter.html</a></p>
<p>I'm not applying to either school, but from my experience both schools are up there so there both wonderful schools in all areas, however Sciences/ Engineering seem way strong at NU than at the Social Studies/ ENGLSIH oriented University of Chicago.</p>
<p>NU has a very good economics program similar to UofC. However, other subjects at UofC are significantly more respected in the academic community. Take philosohpy and physics, for example.</p>
<p>Edit: armcp, why do you think that the sciences are stronger at NU?</p>
<p>armcp,</p>
<p>NU doesn't have stronger sciences. UC has very good math and physics. However, NW has a better chemistry program which is enhanced by collaboration with NU's strong chemE and material sciences depts .</p>
<p>mattr,
I know it's not intentional but saying "other subjects are stronger" is a bit misleading because UC is a significantly smaller school with quite fewer departments. In sciences, humanities and social sciences, I agree with you that UC is more respected in most areas. But those subjects make up only half of NU. Most departments in NU's other 5 schools (engineering, journalism, education, communications, and music), which UC doesn't have, are among the top in the nation and contribute the greatest strength of NU.</p>
<p>UChicago just has a different attitude, like Christine said.</p>
<p>And you don't see things like Milton Freedman and the Manhatten Project coming out of NU, do you? And not to mention Barack Obama (<3). So, UChicago definitely has a stronger legacy too.</p>
<p>Any rankings that put NU ahead of uChicago are heavily flawed. As most posters here have said, Chicago is far more respected in probably 80% of the programs than NU. It fosters seroius learning and expanding one's mental capabilities. It's slightly harder to get into and looks at academics from the perspective of expanding one's mind and fostering one's curiosity rather than a means to a good career, etc. It just depends how serious you are about academics as to which school will suit you better.</p>
<p>hahaha no comment...i don't want to be cursed and what not...</p>
<p>Chicago is a place where one can find higher truth through means other than money, whereas NU...</p>
<p>Not to diss Northwestern students (my mom got her MBA there), but that's what she told me. Perhaps undergrad. is a different story.</p>
<p>Well, tell me which MBA program doesn't have students after money?? </p>
<p>This is getting so over the top. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.law.harvard.edu/admissions/jd/colleges.php%5B/url%5D">http://www.law.harvard.edu/admissions/jd/colleges.php</a> If Chicago is so "far", "significantly", "infinitely" more respected, how come its placement to Harvard law school isn't all that glamourous but about the same as NW (and Vandy, Emory...which some of you would surely say "far" less respected)??</p>
<p>US News Report's peer assessment score is a measure of academic reputation. HYPS have 4.9, Chicago has 4.6 and Northwestern has 4.4. If you say Chicago is "far more" respected than NW, then perhaps you need to concede HPYS are also "far" more respected than Chicago. You can't have your cake and eat it too.</p>
<p>More respected in arts and sciences? Yes. "Far"/"significantly" more? No!</p>
<p>Significantly less UofC students apply to Harvard Law. Thus, placement will be different.
Here, let me end this argument... Seventy-seven Nobel Laureates have been faculty members, students or researchers at the University of Chicago at some point in their careers. Fourteen have won the Nobel Prize in the last decade alone.
Of the 77 Laureates 26 have won in Physics, 22 in Economic Sciences, 15 in Chemistry, 11 in Physiology or Medicine and three in Literature.</p>
<p>back up,
i familiar with chicago, my sister goes to school there(Illinois College of Optometry, which is about 2 miles away from UC) and the atmospheres outside of campus at UC and NU are completely diferrent. NU is on the affluent northside and transit in and out of Chicago via the "L" is very convenient(i vistied NU). UC is on the working class Southside in the middle of Hyde Park (which driving through seemed a little scary) and is about 3-4 miles to the nearest "L" stop(with a walk through Hyde Park)- i walked from ICO to the "L" stop closest to it with my sister and i don't think I've ever been that tense in my life-and IIT and ICO are in a better area- if comes down to campus enivirons there's no doubt that most of you wealthy CCers would definitely prefer the NU option(disregaring the resources of chicago for internships etc. and the intra-campus atmosphere---i'm talking about when your and freshman and your only transit out are your legs)-plus I could seen the town-gown relations around UChicago being very strained-UC might like talking about social justice in an esteemed anthropology class, but i'm sure the locals can plainly see the $40,000 tuition paradox- come on guys don't you know anything about the cubs/ white sox rivalry- i'm sure metaphorically speaking that the majority of UC students are cubs in the wrong den</p>
<p>Um.... you aren't right at all.</p>
<p>IIT and ICO are in a *<strong><em>ty neighborhood, I go to IIT. It's *</em></strong>ing terrible.</p>
<p>UChicago is not 4 miles to the nearest L stop - but it's a bit of a walk through the ghetto west of Hyde Park. Take the Jackson Park Express bus to downtown, it's much less scary. I hate IIT - its ghettoness is terrible. If you walk out the wrong door in Stuart Building you are in the back yard of a project. Nowhere on UChicago will that happen - UC is a much better neighborhood than IIT.</p>
<p>doesn't somebody find it ironic that Chicago, a school that prides itself on disregarding numbers, is being evaluated THROUGH numbers?</p>
<p>UChicago and NU offer different things to different types of students. If you're at either and you want to go to Harvard Law, it won't hold you back. (Not mentioning that just like there are presitigious schools that aren't Harvard, there are prestigious law schools that aren't Harvard.)</p>
<p>NU probably offers better applied sciences/engineering. It also offers a more party-ish social atmosphere. It also has an absolutely fantastic school newspaper, (the best college newspaper in the country in my opinion) and has well-respected academics in every field.</p>
<p>Chicago is probably better for humanities. Chicago probably has a more work-oriented social atmosphere. Chicago has a different campus and attracts a different kind of student.</p>
<p>And you know what? Employers' eyes probably widen to both.</p>
<p>woah there armcp- let's not dismiss an entire school just because on your few excursions to the area you've felt a little ill at ease. It's understandable that somebody who hasn't strayed far from their sheltered little suburban enclave might not feel comfortable on their occasional visits to the city, but not everybody has the desire to be quite so sheltered and I'm sure the majority of U of C students will be happy to adjust to a neighborhood without a starbucks on every corner. As far as the difference between NU is concerned- if you're interest in education is in becoming a doctor/lawyer/journalist..etc Northwestern is the place for you..but if education is for you an end in itself, if you are passionate about it, if it drives you in your every pursuit and if you wish to join a community of like minded individuals- then I'd choose Chicago.</p>