<p>I think they are really great, and classes are small so you get to know them really well.</p>
<p>how necessary is it to have a car? how reliable is public transportation and does it run late into the night? safe?</p>
<p>Many public transportation lines run 24 hours a day, including the two most popular ways to get from campus to downtown - the 6 and the 55/Red Line. However, taking either after sunset isn't the safest option...split a cab with friends.</p>
<p>The CTA runs a school-subisized bus daily between campus, downtown, and the North Side. It runs until 2AM on weekends and is very safe.</p>
<p>"Even if 5% of the student body is into clubbing (shudder on this end)"
"I think if you really worry that much about being too cool for Chicago, you should go to Barnard."</p>
<p>I think this is precisely one of the reasons I feel so hesitant about going to Chicago.. people don't seem to be very accepting and tolerant to others who do appreciate going out for a night of dancing at a club to de-stress, but who totally appreciates an intellectual discussion.
I may be completely wrong, and it may just be the CCers that are like this (and giving me a false impression).. but seriously.. I think it's just as arrogant or acting "too cool" to remark to what I say in this way.
I'm sorry, but that's just my opinion.</p>
<p>I would love to click with a few current UC students to prove my feelings wrong. And pheonix, if you were just hanging out w/ friends doing homework then I totally misunderstood, sorry about that. I do love a good read, and one of my closest friends and I love studying English together, so I guess it may be just the same thing.
I thought a typical UC sudent's idea of fun was to go and read Aristotle in their spare time. </p>
<p>mama mia - I think if you have to give a number to the students who enjoy going clubbing.. (5% - and if this is even true) and from hearing what keelee2 says .. well, I'd have to disagree with you in your analysis of my character.</p>
<p>And on a side note... I'm just really fed up with some posters on this Chicago board who seem to think that they are so much better than others who come across as less intellectual, or confident about their looks, or interested in things they are not.
Just my two cents, and I HAD to say it.</p>
<p>It has to be said, the UChicago board is the most unfriendliest of CC boards...
Except for people like pheonix who graciously spends so much time answering our questions in detail.
I guess the Uchicago board is skewing my impression of the actual UChicago.. And I've heard that it turns other CCers off from the Uchicago board.. what a shame.</p>
<p>pheonix, I sincerely thank you.. your posts are truly helpful and insightful. :) I'm so glad that you started this thread. I should also be hearing from a UC student soon as well, according to Ms. Segal, my admissions officer.</p>
<p>Oh BTW, phenoix I have one quick question - I went through the c/o 2008 profiles and added a whole bunch of them to AIM to ask questions.. and this has been a couple of days already.. and NONE of them come online.. do students at UC just not use AIM anymore? Will I not be able to catch them online for a chat? And do you think they'd mind having a Q + A session avec moi?</p>
<p>everyone i have class most of the day today, so i will catch with all your questions this evening</p>
<p>Phoenix,</p>
<p>What is the political climate like at U Chicago? Overtly liberal, tolerant, conservative? I would consider myself a moderate conservative, and I want to be on a campus that would have many different views but would not be militantly liberal. What do you percieve as the political climate?</p>
<p>"I think ... , you should go to Barnard."</p>
<p>I agree.</p>
<p>I've been reading your posts, both on this board and on the Barnard board.</p>
<p>Its not a question about being accepting and tolerant. My impression of you, from your posts, is that you are very emotional. I think that Barnard, a small school, will better address your emotional needs. Also, Barnard is in a fantastic neighborbood in the equally fantastic New York City.</p>
<p>Barnard is a great school, with a great, smart student body. I don't think you need to have all this angst about the miniscule perceived differences in prestige between to two schools ... you will get out of your college education what you put into it, so if you want to be challenged, take challenging courses, and avail yourself of the oportunites that Barnard and NYC bring to the table.</p>
<p>At the end of the day, you need to be happy. I think you should stop making a decision with your head, since both schools are fine, and go with what your heart tells you.</p>
<p>Lol, yes I am emotional!! ..VERY emotional. What do you expect I'm a girl + an artist + a writer + a dancer + a romantic.. I'm BOUND to be full of emotion! :D ;)</p>
<p>Thank you for your comment fav.son... don't know where you came from.. but I guess you make a strong point.</p>
<p>At the end of the day, I'm not worried at all about which one I choose to go to, because I'm in a win-win situation and feel very blessed.. I don't think there's anyway I can go wrong with this one.
I still have till May 1st.. I think I'll stick it out a bit..
Is it so wrong for wanting to give UoC a chance? The courses reallllllllllyy impress me - the course catalogue they sent me is sooo comprehensive, I was like WOW!
and the "history" course on Tolkien's Lord of the rings made me laugh out loud - lol.. I've never heard of anything like this!
And I'm a huge fan of Lord of the rings hahaa.. I still can't believe they have a class called "Tolkien: Medieval and Modern"... that is awesomee! :)</p>
<p>Anyhoo, thanks.</p>
<p>Silver,
I agree that you would fit in better at Barnard. But - do you want to fit in at Barnard - or do you want to sparkle among the gargoyles?</p>
<p>Lol, both - what a silly answer....</p>
<p>I'm going to post my essays up... I just read it again and I know I'll love Chicago.. I guess (I repeat myself again) this is why I'm stuck in this predicament.. and I keep going round and round in circles... only to end up confused all over again.
I'm going to post it up on "I GOTTT INNNNNNN OMGGG!! I GOT IN - now whattttt what do i do!" thread.
I hope people will look at it.
I read the essays now.. and I can see how this is "sooo U of Chicago-esque"... I know I'll sparkle among the gargoyles (but I still want the cosy fit at Barnard). Greedy? yes. Trying to make a wise decision, having weighed out everything, and done the research? yes.</p>
<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=661240#post661240%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=661240#post661240</a> - that is the link</p>
<p>Did you read the course catalog to Barnard? And don't forget you can take courses at columbia. I can't believe that there are no courses in barnard/columbia that light a fire under you.</p>
<p>While I do think you'd be happier at Barnard (and I am saying that by reading your posts), I think you are incorrect in your assumptions that Chicago will offer only a lonely, dreary existense. I think this whole "where fun comes to die" rhetoric is the mantra of people that just want to be contrary, and nothing more.</p>
<p>I'm sure there are plenty of normal kids in Chicago. And I'm also sure that you and everyone else that chooses to to to Barnard are going to be putting in the same hours studying as the kids that choose to go to Chicago.</p>
<p>That being said, I still think you should go to Barnard. It just seems like a better fit for you. </p>
<p>Something you may want to consider (and I still say go to Barnard!) is asking to be in the single sex dorms in Chicago. Maybe the girls that ask for single sex dorms are also looking for a more nurturing enviroment.</p>
<p>No haven't read the course catologues for barnard/columbia.. they haven't been sent to me yet.
I'll look online now...</p>
<p>I will agree with you on me being "happier at Barnard"... but I will have to disagree with your assumption that I am assuming that the Chicago experience will be "only a lonely, dreary existence".
But like you said, and like my heart tells me.. yes I'll be "happier at Barnard".
I guess, essentially, what it boils down to is.... Should I choose the academics?
...... Do I want to be thrown in the deep end and work hard to swim up (Chicago) or do I want to be nurtured in an env. like Barnard..</p>
<p>:S
I don't know which one I want more..</p>
<p>Your mustard essay is very good. You're not going to be in the deep end for long.</p>
<p>i think that if your heart tells you that you'd be happier at barnard, then go to barnard. no one will tell you that the school is an academic lightweight; on the contrary, i think that barnard can provide an excellent education, one that is just as good as chicago's, if not provided in a different manner. i'm sure you're capable of doing the work at both places, so pick the one you feel like you'd be the most comfortable at.</p>
<p>Silver, go to uChicago, don't feel like "cool" people aren't welcomed here. They very much are, despite the impression that many may give you on this forum.</p>
<p>i agree--- i'll be attending u of c for grad school....but i'll tell you one thing....the concept of "cool" disappears after high school. if you are still wrapped up with what's cool or not once in college, that'll be pretty lame. you are about to start college, leave home for the first time, be exposed to things you have never been exposed to before.........college is a time to really form your identity........there are different types of people at every college....u of c i am sure has it's fair share of studiers, partiers, homebodies, etc...... as long as your stay optimistic and true to yourself...and you take advantage of all that college has to offer, you'll be fine..... seriously..... go enjoy the rest of high school and get excited about college...</p>
<p>thx for your comments :)</p>
<p>I think it is just the CCers that you are getting this impression from (after all, the posts are made when you could be out clubbing)</p>
<p>Hey everyone, I am sorry that I did not get to your questions earlier. I had a busy day today. If I missed your questions in the shuffle, I have alot of time free tomorrow so just resend them</p>
<p>SWGrad, i am not sure how much you will need a car. I think you should come without a car and then you can always buy one, if you need a car or if you have a car you can bring it out here. I think a car is really useful, but it may not be that useful for you. I really cannot give you more info then that.</p>
<p>Silver about what using AIM, the college dynamic is much different. People here just walk and see each other, or give each other a call and meet for a game of pool and/or a cup of coffee. About the group of people getting a q+a I am not really sure. Also, I do not want to get involved with this on going debate between barnard and chicago. THe only thing I can suggest is that you visit both, and then get the law of the land. If you cannot come visit, then remeber that you are in a win-win situation, as you already said. </p>
<p>Presidente, chicago is conservative for a college campus. By that i mean not that conservative at all. As a campus we are not that religious, but alot of us are econ majors. So, overall I would say that we are moderate, but all view points are represented, and then as long as you are intelligent in your view, you will be fine.</p>
<p>anything i missed or anything other questions just let me know</p>
<p>Hey, phoniex2008,
I am from NJ, recently got accepted, planning to visit April 21-22.
I read the first half of the forum, it was very helpful, so i join others at thanking you!
I have a few questions that i didn't see you being asked or answering in the fpart that i read, so if you did later, just refer me to them. thanks once again.</p>
<p>1 So, i take it the first year students CAN get singles?
Do you know how many do, and if i should send my deposit and request form asap, or if it can wait some time?
2. You mentioned you have some bio/chem/math majoring students, do you know how hard their work loar is? Is it possible for them to get as involved as you in extracurricular things?
3. At my interview, i was told that some people are involved in intramural sports and that it is not as committing as being on a team. Anything that you know/ can say about it?
4. i am planning to stay over the weekend on my own (with a friend) when i visit, so i am wondering if you know where it would eb better to find a hotel? Something not very expensive, within the city borders. I don't have any friends who live in Chicago that i could've asked :(
5. i know i had some more questions, but nothing comes to mind right now, so i guess i'll be updating soon :))</p>