<p>I'm trying to decide between U. of Chicago and Tufts. My interests are political science and government, but also music (american folk music). I like both Chicago and Boston a lot, but I'm not sure which school is better for internships and getting a first job. It seems that U. of C. is more prestigious and Tufts is more into real-world learning. Is that right? Any advice out there?</p>
<p>Chicago is more academic and about theory instead of practice. Also, I don't believe it has a government major per se, although it does have one of the best poli sci departments in the country. </p>
<p>You might want to check out the CC University of Chicago thread for more information on the school.</p>
<p>By the way, I will be attending UChicago in the fall.</p>
<p>I believe Tufts would be better for political science, or so I hear...that's what they're best at. Both tough choices, but take comfort knowing that they're both good and you can't make a wrong decision.</p>
<p>id pick University of Chicago.</p>
<p>Socplayer, you are confusing Political Science with International Relations. They are totally different fields. Tufts is excellent in IR, but it is not as good as Chicago in PS.</p>
<p>Chicago is a national -- even international -- university to an extent that Tufts really isn't. It is also the top academic school in its area, while Tufts is #3 or 4 at best. So from a "branding" standpoint Chicago is much more powerful. And Tufts, like many "We Try Harder" institutions, actually works at placement in internships, etc., to an extent that Chicago would consider beneath its dignity.</p>
<p>Chicago has much stronger graduate programs, therefore (a) more graduate students, (b) better graduate students, (c) more competition for faculty attention. But I see good grad students around as a huge plus, not a minus.</p>
<p>That said, I suspect that you really shouldn't have that hard a time choosing. For better or worse, Chicago is one of the most intellectual places going -- more so perhaps than the Ivies, which have a lot of world-conquerors-in-training attending them. If that is attractive to you, Tufts doesn't come close. If that is not attractive to you, Chicago will feel oppressive and full of you-know-what.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback. A few more questions --
Do Chicago students do well with internships? (is "branding" important here?)
Are classes at Tufts much smaller?
Do Chicago profs spend time with undergraduates?
Do Chicago students spend much time in the city, outside of Hyde Park?
Do Tufts students get into Boston much?
I've checked the Chicago and Tufts discussions, but expect that the general discussion is less party platform.</p>
<p>I know both schools are good... still a hard decision.</p>
<p>
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Are classes at Tufts much smaller?
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I don't know about Tufts, but classes at Chicago tend to be small. 80-85% have fewer than 30 students, and 30-33% have fewer than 5.</p>
<p>
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Do Chicago students spend much time in the city, outside of Hyde Park?
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Yes, definitely. It's one of the major draws of the school.</p>
<p>"Do Chicago profs spend time with undergraduates?"</p>
<p>My experiences with UChicago profs have been very favorable. They are the smartest people I have ever (and will ever) meet, and they are happy to answer questions both in and after class. They also have office hours, and one can arrange a time with the prof if the scheduled office hours don't work. They respond promptly to questions sent via e-mail, as well. </p>
<p>Victory06, you might want to start a new topic under "University of Chicago" with your questions. Current students and parents of students visit the board, and I am sure they would be happy to answer any of your questions.</p>
<p>Victory06 - Did you know that UChicago has a folk music festival every year? I believe it's a week-end in Feb. I think they still have it. </p>
<p>Regarding first jobs out of UChicago...my husband who is a UChicago
grad was worried that our 1st S who attended UChicago and graduated in '05 would not come out with a job because he believed that UChicago's education is more theoretical than practical. (My H did the BA/MBA pro-opt program in five years - I don't think they have this anymore) He used to wake up in the middle of the night and worry about this!! No joke. But this couldn't be further from the truth. We did insist with our S that if we were paying full price for him to go there that he needed to make full use of what they offered. He did! The Career and Placement Services Office did an awesome job of helping him secure a job. They helped him with his resume, interviewing, brought in the companies to interview, etc. and he ended up with 4 job offers six months before he graduated! He majored in math and is in the finance area and may eventually get an MBA. My H sleeps better now except he gets heartburn - hah, there's always something!
There are many opportunities at UChicago but Tufts is a good school too.</p>
<p>The folk festival is still going on, and, yes, I believe it is in February. I went this year (as I do every year). There is free music, folk dance workshops, etc. at Ida Noyes all Saturday and Sunday during the folk festival weekend, and then then are performances (where one has to pay for admission) at night at the theater in Reynolds Club.</p>
<p>I had a really great time this year. I ran into a friend of mine whom I met over the past summer at the Reg. We decided to do the Scottish and English Country Dance workshops together and had quite a lot of fun.</p>
<p>The International Festival is coming up, by the way. This is something not to be missed.</p>
<p>If you really really like to study, and academics are the #1 criterion, this is a no-brainer in favor of Chicago.</p>
<p>I wonder if I had called this thread "Tufts vs Chicago" -- would I have gotten a different set of answers! </p>
<p>I'm leaning towards Chicago. I really like to study, but I'm not sure if I really, really like to study. Folk festival sounds great, though.</p>