<p>Last year when I was looking at schools I thought that this would be the best place for me. Now that I'm in (and as of a couple days ago, attending!), I'm wondering how I even came to that decision. I'm not saying that I think I made a wrong decision, but I'm not too certain that I made the right one either. The school's claims of intellectualism seem to be the most niggling. I don't consider myself an "intellectual" by any stretch of the imagination -- sure, I like to learn, like to think, and I'm pretty introverted, but it's not something that I want to hold over someone else. Last year, feeling a bit alienated from my hard-livin' and so much more socially skilled classmates, a nerd school was appealing, but now that I'm really looking it in the face, I figure I could use a place that would let me branch out more, and not just plug into the nerdish part of my personality. I guess that this is partially the fault of the application process; in writing apps so far ahead of time, you run the risk of not having choices that will suit you, say, six months into the future.</p>
<p>I'm not complaining too much. I had a lot of trouble in highschool and underacheived throughout. This was the best place I got into, and the decision was fairly simple once I knew that I didn't want to go technical. In fact, I probably seem an ideal candidate for the Chicago image (which is probably why I got in). But I can't help the feeling of cold feet. The college you go to shapes you, and I don't need to be any more nerdy, weird or asocial than I already am!</p>
<p>After all of this, it's kinda funny to see people posting up their stats wondering if they can get in or not. My advice to you is: don't sweat it. When I posted up my stats, folks told me that I didn't have a chance at top tier schools, and I got into quite a few. You never know what the admissions people like, or are thinking when they read your essays, and sincerity, which has seemed at times like misplaced idealism, goes a long way. Be adventurous and take risks, even if they fail miserably. Too many candidates look the same, and admissions like people who seem unusual, or may have something else to them. That said, the application process sucks; best of luck to all of you. :)</p>
<p>Don't worry about having cold feet-- it only means that you're normal. College is an important decision, and anybody who steps into any school without having any doubts whatsoever is just dumb.</p>
<p>I had a lot of reservations about Chicago, too, even though in the bottom of my heart I knew it was the right school for me. I thought that kids there would be too self-important, too "let's drink tea and talk about Satre," too bitter about the fact that they didn't get into another school. Boy was I wrong.</p>
<p>If there was anything that confirmed that Chicago was the right place for me, it was working on the uncommon application and reading over the admissions material. It was clear that this was a place that cared about you and your thoughts-- whether they are intellectual or whether they are just plain bizarre. An uncommon question from a few years ago invites students to come up with a theory of Elvis's assassination using a list of given items.</p>
<p>And believe me-- there are still days when I have doubts (would I have been better off at another school? I'm so happy here, but is it possible for me to be happier?). As my tour guide at Chicago told us, you're going to have bad days no matter what, but he said he'd rather have a bad day here.</p>
<p>If you don't want to be any more weird, asocial, or nerdy than you are now, don't be. Choose to live in a social dorm. Make lots of friends. Go to parties. Meet people whenever you can. That's all you have to do.</p>
<p>It's normal to doubt your choice. If you have a specific concern, you can address that specifically.</p>
<p>bludger77,
"and the decision was fairly simple once I knew that I didn't want to go technical"</p>
<p>Well, if nothing else, you will be quite popular at Chicago. My son also made the decision away from the technical - and he finds that his skills with computers and mechanical engineering (e.g., assembling boxed furniture for other students) are quite in demand. If you are so inclined, you should be able to find work in Residential Computing or as an RCA (residential computing assistant) for your house. </p>
<p>Congratulations on your acceptance and best wishes for the fall. As others have said, buyer's remorse is common and it will likely work out.</p>
<p>Bludger- don't worry, lots of us are going through this. Chicago has always been my #1, but on May 1st I had a tiny twinge of "aaack! but... did I make the right choice?" after thinking about the financial offers I got from other schools. I've returned to my normal Chicago-loving self, but don't worry--- LOTS of people get the "student's remorse" you're mentioning. </p>
<p>Read this- an Aims of Education address from some years ago. It was posted on the Thickenvelope bulletin board, and was more than enough to send my twinge of remose packing.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ditext.com/abbott/abbott_aims.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.ditext.com/abbott/abbott_aims.html</a></p>
<p>Well, it's really gratifying to hear people replying to what I wasn't sure was a question in the first place.</p>
<p>Is Max Palevsky a social dorm? I asked to be placed there because it's in the middle of campus and I figured I had a chance of actually staying there as a freshman. The only reason anyone told me NOT to stay there was that it was really ugly. I can deal with ugly, but I can't deal with a ten minute bus ride to get back and forth to my dorm room.</p>
<p>Well, actually they're ditching the uncommon app now, so there will no longer be that to set them apart. But yeah, they did have some interesting questions. I cheated and inserted my common app essay instead of writing one particularly for the question (and no-- I didn't use "choose your own" either!). Guess they liked it...</p>
<p>Quite honestly there are a lot of things I like about the school -- but since they have been well established way back from the beginning of my college search, I don't really think about them anymore... I've had a couple "oh yeah" moments since. :)</p>
<p>I'm reading this article gracello, and lovin' it. Thanks for posting.</p>
<p>Max is quiet but social. The set-up isn't very conducive to being very social, but the people tend to be social, if that makes sense. It evens out, I guess. It's by a lot of the frats if you like to party, next to the library, and you'll eat at the best dining hall on campus (Bartlett). Max East is the most central location, then Max Central, then Max West.</p>
<p>I used the same essay for many of my apps, too. I changed the title and the last sentence or two and got it to fit a prompt. It's a good way to go if you can get away with it.</p>
<p>An "Aims of Education" address is given every year by a different professor, so you'll hear one during O-Week.</p>
<p>On the contrary, I think (and correct me if I'm wrong) that Chicago is keeping the uncommon app optional next year...</p>
<p>While Chicago has been accepted as a Common App school, the transfer won't be made until the year after next. And the uncommon application will still be available.</p>
<p>Wait! Current Juniors (college class '12) will have to apply with the Uncommon App! Yes!</p>
<p>^ Really? Hooray! Where did you get this delightful information?</p>
<p>If that's true about the Uncommon App then I'm extremely psyched!</p>
<p>That's the word on the street. I've come accross it a few places in my obsessive search for wait list info.</p>
<p>We went on a U of C tour a couple of weeks ago and the admissions rep said that they will be using the Uncommon Application for next year. The new president wants to change to the common app but the students and at least the admissions rep we talked to are hoping he will stick with the Uncommon App. So for the class of '12 there is no application change.</p>
<p>I'm honored that I'll be part of the last applying class to exclusively use the Uncommon App. And from a completely selfish perspective, I'll have less people to compete with than I would if the Common App were allowed.</p>
<p>Haha, me too! Only us true Chicago people will be applying! Woo-hoo for self selectivity!</p>
<p>I second that! Class of '12 shall be amazing, no doubt :)</p>