<p>Mackinaw - actually as the months went on...I realized Chicago and I might not be right for each other....but I knew my Dad would really push it because it is a totally wonderful school. and great in the field I want but my first choice is the school I'm going to, and they offered me the most money! I just got swept up into the u of c frenzy. I never thought i'd get accepted there and I would have never applied if my Dad didn't urge me to give it a shot. But yeah it worked out and now I'm insane to get to college. thanks for listening ....</p>
<p>Spiker,</p>
<p>never heard of UofC frenzy before! The admissions office should be proud, as the competition for students like you is pretty intense.</p>
<p>So where did you decide to go?</p>
<p>I'm heading off to Oberlin for east asian studies. My other schools were Colby, Bates, UofC, Oxy, and St. Marys College of Maryland (the public school - the name is because it is in St. MAry's City) ....I'm happy it all worked out...i love Oberlin.</p>
<p>Oberlin! One of my favorite schools; I know several people who went there or taught there. I also like Colby a lot (I know several graduates of Colby, too, including a brother in law).</p>
<p>Regarding Chicago's fin aid:
I was accepted at four schools that offered only need-based aid (the other three schools I got into offered merit aid). The fin aid I received varied considerably among the four need-based schools. I was awarded $0 at Chicago and Vassar, $4000 in loans and work study at BC, and $12000 in grants at Penn. The fin aid made it hard for me to justify choosing Chicago or Vassar, and Chicago especially had been a favorite. I'm happy that I'm going to Penn in September, but I'm just posting this to show that fin aid offers can vary a great deal!</p>
<p>Back to the topic at hand: I definitely think demonstrating interest at Chicago could help (certainly couldn't hurt). They place a premium on quirkiness and individuality (plus, there's the whole previously mentioned yield thing), so go ahead and distinguish yourself by e-mailing your adcom, attending a local info session, setting up an interview, etc. Good luck!</p>
<p>Oh Twin mom ...you started this chat, huh...I dont think i mentioned my grandparents live in one of those high rises in Hyde Park near the lake front. I've walked all around Hyde Park ..it's such a cool neighborhood... and i've walked from their apartment to Harper Court by myself to get something to eat many times and I never thought it was ultra dangerous. it's a city. you need to pay attention. only once did i sense a threat..a car pulled up in a parking space behind our car at night in a parking lot and they didn't get out of the car....we just noticed it, went around the block and found another parking space space. that's the extent of it. good luck to your daughter.</p>
<p>Thanks Spiker!</p>