<p>As MomofWildChild has said, Chicago's downtown - the Loop and Near North Side are just an eight mile, very convenient train ride away. And having Lake Michigan as a backdrop to Chicago is awesome. Just try a walk through the new Millenium Park downtown (between Michigan Avenue, Randolph Street, and the Lake) and see if anything in the other cities compares. As a student at U of C, I tried at least once a week to renew my urban spirit by going to some event or destination in the Loop or near North Side. For instance, a walk down La Salle Street (Chicago's version of Wall Street) will be a step back in time to 19th century skyscrapers - virtually a living museum of architectural history. Walk up north Michigan Avenue and see the most lavish shopping experience America has to offer (without spending a dime if you don't want to). Try world class museums such as the Field Museum or the Chicago Art Institute. It's all there for the taking in Chicago. And this is without saying a word about the U of C campus and its academic experience. Try walking around and through that Gothic mastodon, Rockefeller Chapel, and see if you don't feel that you are hobnobbing with Oxbridge dons. When you are visiting U of C and Chicago, be sure to get out of your car and walk. Otherwise, the Second City won't have the time to seep into your psyche. If you give it a chance, it may win you over.</p>
<p>If you want to go to JHU, plan on bringing a bulletproof vest. Of the four schools, I think Chicago is the best academically.</p>
<p>JHU is the best! IMHO</p>
<p>Of the four, Wash U and JHU would be boring to me. They are too preprofessional. U Chicago and Wesleyan both have the life of the mind and an ideology about being there to explore. I went to Chicago and would choose it out of the four for the size and urban location. Wes would be better for some people, though (especially artistic types).</p>
<p>I pretty much agree with OneMom's take on this -- except I'd be more inclined toward Wes. </p>
<p>I note, though, that JHU is really not in a particularly bad part of Baltimore. (Now, the Medical School, that's a different story.)</p>
<p>thanks everyone!</p>
<p>Interesting note, lonestardad (and all):</p>
<p>I live next door to Second City's founder's (Bernie Sahlins) brother. He is an anthropology prof at the U. of C.</p>