<p>Hey, I am trying to decide between a few colleges, UC being one of them. I just wanted to know about the student life. I know that Chicago is very academically challenging, but I wanted to know the flip side of that. You don't hear about it much and it plays a large factor in my college decisions. I'm one that believes you work hard and play harder.</p>
<p>Does UChicago have concerts, and bring in bands to perform and such? I know a lot of colleges bring out big names like Chiddy Bang, Avicii, and Tyler the Creator. I was wondering if UC brings out any artists for concerts and other such venues?</p>
<p>Also does UC have an active night life? I know that I should chose a college just to party, but it is a predominant factor. I want to have fun and have the best 4 years of my life, and not solely be academically pushed. If you want to be entertained at night, is there something to do?</p>
<p>Pretty much, I just want to know: Outside of Frats, can you have fun at UChicago?</p>
<p>I am not a current student, just an admitted one who is planning to attend, but the phrase ‘where the fun goes to die’, while probably containing some truth, seems to be more of a affectionate self-deprecating joke uchicago students like to make instead of something meant to be taken seriously. A visit to admitted student reception and talks with alumni have all given me the impression that while everybody agrees the work is hard, the student life is improving from the days when they were undergrad, though it probably still is not as “fun” and partyish than other comparable schools. (ahem… Northwestern)</p>
<p>Concerts: On the official side, they have a big spring concert and a less-big fall one that get subsidized by the university, and that pull in more-or-less standard college band types, usually split between hip-hop and indie rock. Also, some one-offs. Here’s the list from the past few years: </p>
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<p>The radio station, WHPK, also does periodic shows with local bands. Apropos of this, my daughter recently told me, “It’s hard getting used to taking the Smith Westerns seriously as a popular group. They were like our mascots – adorable high school kids who would show up at our parties and play if we gave them beers, and then we would let them do the first slot if we had a show.”</p>
<p>Remember, Chicago is a huge city and a major music center. Wednesday through Saturday of any week you probably have a choice of at least 4-5 artists with some national standing playing somewhere you can get to on the CTA, especially once you are 21. (The choices are more limited for under-21s.) Not to mention the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera, and dozens of other classical groups, including several at the university.</p>
<p>Childish Gambino came last year! Also Alison Bechdel and Art Spiegelman are doing a conference at UChicago right now that’s open to undergrads.</p>
<p>Also, don’t forget Summer Breeze, which happens once a year after the weather gets nice. There are concerts and carnival-esque things, really cool RSO performances, etc.</p>
<p>We also dropped Kim at that Matt and Kim concert… a word of warning to incoming artists that think students here will know what to do when they try to crowd surf.</p>
