<p>I was accepted early to Chicago, but I've never been the campus and don't know a whole lot about the place.</p>
<p>What goes on there? What do people do for fun? What is the atmosphere like? How hard is it?</p>
<p>My first advice is to go to admitted students weekend in April so you can see for yourself. That being said I will make some comments as my son was accepted last year and is currently a first year student majoring in math.
Campus: The main campus is quite beautiful with classic gothic buildings all with similar gothic look. The main quad itself has much green space and trees and is several city blocks long and wide. Very - almost historic looking. When you are in this part of the campus you feel you are not in an urban/neighborhood setting. There is a defined campus. In summer, buildings are covered with ivy. Quite gorgeous. Since downtown Chicago is actually approx 8 miles north of the college you don't look up in the sky and see skyscrapers. The campus does meld in with Hyde Park. To the South of the campus is a more urban feel and some more shaky areas. Overall one feels quite safe on the campus but we are not talking a rural setting.
My son has described the college as awesome, unique and intense. Since there is a core curriculum many of the 1st year students are taking similar classes ie. a literature class where you will read Plato and Aristotle etc. On more than one occasion my son has spent his Friday or Saturday nights studying because he found it necessay to prepare for a Mid term or writing a paper. The first two weeks of a quarter are more relaxed but as the quarter develops the intensity rises as Mid terms and papers start gathering. Chicago is known for it's students pursuing "the life of the mind" and you will not be disappointed. My analogy is that Chicago is like going to graduate school while doing undergraduate work.
Is Chicago where "fun goes to die" No this is not the case it is simply there is less time to have fun because the academic work load is heavier here than at most colleges. My son has participated in campus wide snow ball fights, friday afternoon seminars with nationally known academics, attended doc films on Friday nights where Univ of Chicago shows limited released films or first run films at reduced rates. Tuesday night study breaks might include specialty tea drinks made by residents masters in the dorm, Wednesday nights are shake nights in the Hutchinson Commons around 10:00 PM for a dollar a shake. Usually these activities are well attended. Also he has visited downtown Chicago on several occasions to see the city, museums etc.<br>
Some of the classes can be very difficult. My son tested into several honors courses but found he had to drop down a level in one class due to the amount of work required for honors classes. My suggestion is if you were to attend Chicago and qualified for an honors course to take these one at a time so you will not be overwhelmed.
Although many of the students participate on a sports team the school is division three and these contests are not well attended.<br>
Chicago takes very seriously "the life of the mind". The school is quite intellectual and has an intellectual feel to it. Yes there are parties and fraternities,and students palying video games just maybe not to the degree you might find on other college campuses. Chicago markets itself very truthfully, my son has spent weekend nights in coffee shops talking philosophy until 3:00AM but also hours and hours doing homework or preparing for the next class. So if you are looking for a unique college experience and are serious about your academics yet where fun can be had (sometime different kind of fun)" Chicago is truly the place to go. If you want a less stressful four years and maybe a more "typical" college experience try one of the other wonderful schools available.
This is only one persons experience which so far has been quite positive. I encourage you to search out others.
Good luck to you and all considering the University of Chicago.</p>
<p>That was a very helpful and informative post. Thank you.</p>
<p>ah I want to go to uchi so bad! that is exactly what I want from my college experience, but I am afraid that they won't want me, here's to acceptance letters on April 1st!</p>
<p>I recommend reading Dean O'Neill's convocation speeches, which are available on the UChicago Admissions website under the "contact us" header, where you can then click on "Staff" (or some such heading). There's a link to his speeches, which really give a feel for the school, its values and sense of humor. Truly enjoyable, and the Class of 2008 speech was what drove home that Chicago truly was the place for me.</p>
<p>thanks I'll do that. So did you already get in?</p>
<p>Yup : ) Obviously, I said yes!</p>