I got in. Should I go? Also some questions.

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
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<p>I'm seriously considering Chicago, but I have a couple questions I was hoping you guys can sort out. If I say something that's ignorant, inform - don't flame.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Finance. Obviously UChicago has a good Finance major and it's something I'm interested in, but my interests are more be a CFO jumping startup-to-startup than a Midwest Low-Tech focused finance. Since Chicago is more Midwest Finance from what I gather, I'm not sure if it's a perfect fit for me. Am I better off going to Stanford/UC Berkeley?</p></li>
<li><p>Is it too much of a graduate prep school? I'm a very rounded guy, Robotics/Improv&A Capella/Student Council etc and I like interesting people but I like practically interesting people, people who don't know who Kant is, if that makes sense. Basically, if getting a high-paying job after college is a top priority, does that mean Chicago might not be the best fit? I fit chicago's profile well, but I think that another four years of 'development' might be too much and that some actual vocational training might be in order.</p></li>
<li><p>Also, I am looking into Max Palevski because I like that it's in the center and from what I gather it's a modern and social place with a lot of doubles. If someone can confirm that it would be great.</p></li>
<li><p>I've always had an affinity for Finance, but my other interest is engineering so I have a couple questions</p>

<ol>
<li>What is the quality of Computer Science at Chicago? If there's a chance I won't end up doing Finance, should I consider a school that is good at both Finance & actually has engineering? I'm not super into Comp Sci but it's the only thing I've been able to get a good job with stock options with so far so it's a good fall back even if I don't want to do it for the rest of my life</li>
<li>In terms of extracurriculars at Chicago, is there anything to do with Mechanical? I'm a mech guy with a big robotics background so are there actual machine shops on campus with clubs that actually compete?</li>
</ol></li>
</ol>

<p>Where I am right now is I got into Chicago so won't bother applying MIT/Yale/Harvard because I would rather go to Chicago but I'm applying to Stanford/Princeton because those are my top two, even if they are hard to get into.</p>

<p>Thanks for responding.</p>

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<p>I’m confused. UChicago undergrad does not have a finance department. What are you talking about?</p>

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<p>Well it’s not a separate department, but the Finance major is ranked very highly.</p>

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<p>Defintely try Stanford and MIT. Berkeley could be very good for you too. UChicago does not seem like a good fit for what you want.</p>

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<p>I’m sorry Learning Lover, could you present a link or some information on the “Finance major” UChicago supposedly offers? I don’t see anything about a finance major available for undergraduates. I wasn’t aware a finance major even existed for the College.</p>

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<p>I use econ/finance interchangeably. I mean obviously the econ at chicago is more theoretical and less business related, but there’s a lot of finance-tangent classes.</p>

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<p>Learninglover:</p>

<p>Sorry if this information is redundant for you, but I’d strongly recommend checking out the following link:</p>

<p>[Economics</a> - University of Chicago Catalog](<a href=“http://collegecatalog.uchicago.edu/thecollege/economics/]Economics”>Economics < University of Chicago Catalog)</p>

<p>There are some finance-related classes offered in the econ department, and I think undergrads can take a few classes at the business school. At the same time, the amount of practical, skills-based classes offered at UChicago pales in comparison to what’s offered at some of its peers. (I could see, for example, that UChicago has nearly as many “environment, agriculture, and economics” classes as it does finance-related classes.</p>

<p>Just make sure there is enough of the courses you want.</p>

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<ol>
<li><p>Being centrally located is a huge advantage for Chicago - the network stretches pretty far and wide. Stanford’s a phenomenal school if you plan on living and working on the west coast. Both schools have name recognition, so you will be fine anywhere.</p></li>
<li><p>UChicago students might have a propensity for going to grad school, but that’s by choice. I have a friend who graduated not long ago, no grad school afterward, and by 26 he was making $300k at a hedge fund on the East Coast. If you want to make a lot of money, I don’t begrudge you that at all. Take the right major, do very well in it, and you will not struggle to find a high paying job.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>As for Kant: unfortunately, pretty much everyone will know who Kant is, because you will likely read him in your core classes. This ensures that absolutely no one will be talking about it in their spare time. It’s like broccoli: some people love it, some people hate it, everyone knows it’s good for you, but when you finish your meal, no one is going to discuss how they felt about it. </p>

<p>The core is hard, because it takes you out of your comfort zone, but a few years out, I’m immensely grateful that I’m personally armed with the knowledge it gave me. It helps you become a more well-rounded thinker.</p>

<p>As for extracurriculars, UChicago has a huge range of student groups, and people who are interested in everything you are interested in, I promise you that. UChicago students are a great and talented bunch. And if you find there is no student group for what you’re interested in, you can just start it yourself. Problem solved.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>With the exception of the color scheme, I would say that Max is a great, fun dorm. </p></li>
<li><p>UChicago is the wrong school to go to if you want to be an engineer. There is no engineering program. CompSci is very good, though.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>For what it’s worth, as someone who got into Princeton and chose UChicago, I’d strongly advise against going there. It’s isolated and suburban in a bad way, the lack of graduate school programs drags down the undergraduate program, and in the real world, I have never met a single person who has gone there. Plus, say “I go to Princeton” aloud a few times. You will instinctively feel the urge to put on an argyle sweater and ponce about your high school.</p>

9

<p>Regarding computer science, although I don´t have any personal experience with the department, it has fared pretty well in some recent CS related competitions. This might be a good indicator of quality.
[UChicago</a> continues winning streak at programming tournament | UChicago News](<a href=“http://news.uchicago.edu/article/2012/12/10/uchicago-continues-winning-streak-programming-tournament]UChicago”>UChicago continues winning streak at programming tournament | University of Chicago News)
[Computer</a> programming team advances to World Finals again | UChicago News](<a href=“http://news.uchicago.edu/article/2012/11/21/computer-programming-team-advances-world-finals-again]Computer”>http://news.uchicago.edu/article/2012/11/21/computer-programming-team-advances-world-finals-again)
Standings for that competition:
[ICPC</a> : Standings : Mid-Central USA](<a href=“http://icpc.baylor.edu/public/standings/1386]ICPC”>http://icpc.baylor.edu/public/standings/1386)</p>

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<p>

It pains me to say it, but we definitely have more people interested in finance and high-paying business careers than we have people interested in Kant. I don’t know how different (if at all) this is from the U of C of the past, but we are no “graduate prep school.”</p>

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<p>Is Econ for Undergrad in Chicago a bad choice to make money relative to Finance at a school of a similar level, then?</p>

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<p>LearningLover:</p>

<p>If you’re interested in making money (which, as others have pointed out, is a fine goal), UChicago is about as good as any other top school for this endeavor - save, perhaps, for the very tippy top (Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, Yale). The networks at the other schools, along with the range of opportunities to join lucrative enterprises, are probably a little greater at those four schools. Any of these places lend themselves to lucrative opportunities, though.</p>

<p>From a curriculum standpoint, if you’re interested in taking as many finance-oriented classes as possible, and want a more classically practical education, some of Chicago’s other peers may be good options. Duke, Northwestern, etc. probably offer more finance-type classes.</p>

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<p>@LearningLover</p>

<p>I strongly recommend you to look into the UChicago Careers in Business program. You may find more information here.</p>

<p>[UChicago</a> Careers in Business](<a href=“https://careeradvancement.uchicago.edu/business/about]UChicago”>https://careeradvancement.uchicago.edu/business/about)</p>

<p>You apply for the program during your first year, and enter the program as a sophomore. It is not that difficult to get accepted. As part of the program, you will be required to take three classes at Booth with full-time MBA students. You can take very challenging finance courses there.</p>

<p>Do not worry about your job prospect with an economics degree from the University of Chicago. I am a senior here, and all of my economics/math (and even some public policy and political science) friends who graduated last year are making around $100,000 per year (not including bonuses). Just make sure you do well in your classes.</p>

<p>You will find plenty of extracurricular activities here. Our A Capella groups are amazing, and they put up some great concerts every now and then.</p>