Columbia vs UChicago

College Search & Selection
1

Hello internet people! You’re here because ever since being admitted to both UChicago and Columbia College RD (still confused how that happened), I’ve been having an existential crisis over which school I should choose. What I’d love some help with from you all is comparing the campus culture, social scene, and overall student life/experience at these two schools. I’d especially love insight into pros and cons from any current Columbia or UChicago students in regards to these areas. Thanks to everyone for the help:)

PS. I have visited Columbia at their Days on Campus admitted students event and I am visiting UChi this week for their admitted students fly-in program, so I will be able to compare my personal experiences too. I just want to hear thoughts from other people.

PPS. Also just to clarify, no I am not choosing based on this stuff alone but I have a better handle on other differences between the schools so I wanted to be as specific as possible in terms of what kind of insights would be helpful

2

A. Congratulations!.
B. Don’t try to choose until you have visited both.

There is no real way in which anybody can tell you that one is better than the other. Both are amazing universities in urban settings of comparable size and general academic challenges.

After you have seen both, toss a coin. If you like the result, well, there you go. if you do not like the result, well, now you know that as well.

3

Are the costs comparable for each?

4

Academically they are equals. If cost is the same, choose the one you like better. Which campus could feel like home for four years?

5

@albertsax Yes, cost is the same

6

@bluebayou Cost is the same so I will try to think about that when I visit UChicago

7

@MWolf thank you for the advice and congratulations. Hopefully when I visit UChi I will know which one feels more right for me

8

These schools are honestly so similar in terms of academic quality, quality of life, and weather, so hard to differentiate there. The only difference I can see is slightly less stress at Columbia and NYC>Chicago, which might edge things for Columbia, and a slightly more intellectual environment at Chicago, which could swing things for Chicago if you’re into that. The arts scene is also probably slightly better at Columbia if that fancies you. I’m not you, but I personally would probably opt for Columbia because NYC is just more exciting and having access to it is amazing, but either way you could end up living in NYC regardless so it wouldn’t matter in that case.