<p>Okay, I was very interested in this school. From the size, to the student population, from the surrounding area, to the impressive arctecture, I had fallen in love with a school about as much as you can without visting it. Well, I have recently gone to a meeting in Washington D.C. that was offered to all students interested. Basically, they were trying to paint a picture of Chicago without us having to go there. Well, to say the least, I was not very impressed. They focused on how great the school was and blah blah, and not as much on the atmosphere and the feel. Now, I know this is a great school, in regards to its acidemics ect., so I don't need to know that. So, I really want some feedback. What makes Chicago better? What is something the students share? What is it like?</p>
<p>I am fully aware that this is grotesque, not only in regards to spelling, grammer, and articulation, but give me a break! Friggin' IB tests are coming up!</p>
<p>You have to experience UofC yourself to make any conclusions about the school. If you are accepted, I suggest you visit the school on your own because prospective student nights are not always the best way to fall in love with the school. If you have already been accepted and are still asking these questions, you do not deserve UofC.</p>
<p>Well, as a current student I would agree that it’s difficult to convey the atmosphere of campus without visiting; it’s definitely got its own quirky but intimate flavor that definitely deserves a personal visit. I wouldn’t try to base my conclusions on a single info session, if you were logical you’d see that it’s jumping a little too quick to the gun.</p>
<p>Now whenever you are in between studying for IB, like when you made this post, you can search older posts on this forum, or visit the admissions blog for the U of C, or contact someone to ask questions more specific than, “What’s it like?” You’ll probably get a better feel that way.</p>
<p>i hope you ignore imperfect315’s comment you do not deserve…blah blah.</p>
<p>of course you do, and you have every right to wonder this. plus, not everyone is able to fly over to chicago that easily. </p>
<p>definitely look through the boards, they’ll give you a good picture. i can tell you this: i went for an admitted student weekend and I loved it. absolutely loved it. so much fun, so beautiful, and really nice kids. i have no idea if it was marketing or reality, but the experience was wonderful.</p>
<p>As a parent, I was not terribly impressed with the DC-area dog-and-pony show Chicago gave two years ago. Neither was S1. Nevertheless, he is a VERY happy first year. Hang out here, ask questions, check out some of the FB groups, and get to campus if you can (and sit in on classes). You’ll get a much better perspective.</p>
<p>Get on the mailing list, too – the Life of the Mind viewbook and course catalog are delicious.</p>
<p>I agree. UChicago’s college presentation was one of the worst I went to as far as selective schools go. They also had a table at a prospective student fair related to a well known HS summer program that was quite lame.</p>
<p>First off, are you '10? This is the time of year when it starts running together!</p>
<p>It’s gloooooorious! Personally, I always came away from those presentations with a lower opinion of the school. I didn’t attend a UChicago presentation until I was in the “infatuated” stage and couldn’t find fault with anything about it. I know I went to a Northwestern one where the lady smiled way too much and still hasn’t emailed me back, almost a year later. I think those programs are kind of technicalities these days. The internet and youtube and things have made them almost useless. I never learned anything about a school at an info session that I didn’t know from the website. But I’d definitely say that if you’re looking for the “vibe” without visiting, check out the admissions web site, read the uncommon blog, talk to current students on Facebook and on this board, and keep your mind open. If you’re a junior, good luck with applications and such. If you’re not, I dunno why you posted this, haha. Application tip: spell check is a man’s best friend, I definitely feel your pain!</p>
<p>I agree with the comments before that the school is not its admissions sales pitch-- I remember I once went to a hotel ballroom where representatives from very cool schools were made to look like used car salesmen based on their presentation. It’s hard to look past, but it’s also necessary. Real students don’t live the sales pitch.</p>
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<p>I also agree that there really isn’t anything that makes Chicago “better,” beyond the fact that we have among the strongest and selected student bodies in the nation (just based on SAT scores and admissions rates). So beyond the fact that Chicago is an “elite,” and that I think there’s something to be said for going to school with a lot of people who worked hard to get there, I think of Chicago as “different.” How different, why different? Again, I echo the other posters: it’s worth a visit.</p>
<p>What I think students share, beyond the qualities that helped them get in the first place (motivation, intelligence, talent, etc.) is a desire to attend Chicago. Again, it’s not a school for everybody, but it is a school for a lot of people who like the idea of surrounding themselves for books, ideas and activities. Depending on your background, you will probably note significant differences between the U of C student body as a whole and your high school population. For me, U of C seemed a lot less appearance-focused (a good thing) and much more learn-for-the-sake-of-learning (also a good thing).</p>
<p>Thanks for the response. Yeah, I am only a junior right now. I am planning on still applying, but I desperately need a college visit. Road trip!</p>
<p>OP, S1 had already visited UChicago when he went to the local presentation, so he knew it was a place he was VERY interested in attending. S2 went out there to visit his older brother over Spring Break and also liked it a lot, though for completely different reasons. S2 also went to the presentation by the Chicago rep when he/she visited his HS last fall. We didn’t even bother with the local show this year. Besides, it was just this past Sunday and he was busy with AP/IB/other HW.</p>
<p>If you can swing a trip, I strongly recommend it. S1 would suggest you sit in on a Core HUM/SOSC class to see if that style appeals to you, esp. if you are a science/math person.</p>