<p>Hi guys.. I've been a long time reader of the CC forum, and now I've finally started posting! :)</p>
<p>I've been planning on going to UChicago since May 1st when I sent in the deposit. Today, I got off the waitlist at Yale! I live in Armoryville, Connecticut, which is very close to New Haven. My intended major is psychology.</p>
<p>I know I would fit in at UChicago. I <em>hate</em> partying, greek life, etc. I want to go to college to learn, and I know I'll be able to do that at the "intellectual powerhouse" that is UChicago.</p>
<p>But then again, Yale is Yale. It's one of the tip top schools in the country. I LOVE the campus. It's a relatively close to home, which for me is a plus.</p>
<p>Any opinions..? I really need help deciding.</p>
<p>go to both campuses and decide.
Also, i dont know which one has better psychology. But, yale does have the namepower not associated with U of Chicago(or at least as much, since U of Chicago is not as prestigious). If you are really looking for a super intellectual experience, go to u of chicago</p>
<p>Both schools will give you a wonderful education-- that shouldn't be your concern.</p>
<p>When I chose Chicago, I chose it irrespective of prestige and irrespective of how many people I knew who didn't get into it. I chose it because it was the right school for me, because everybody who walks through Hull Gate has to come to terms with Kant and Marx and Freud. I chose it because it had an environment that was rigorous in some ways and relaxed in others. I chose Chicago simply because it was the right school for me and I've had no regrets. Not once had I wished I were at a school that had a more universal name recognition and not once had I wished I were at a school more highly ranked on any of thousands of college lists.</p>
<p>I had visited Yale (it's much closer to home for me, too) and I always thought it was a nice school, but it wasn't for me.</p>
<p>Those are my two cents. But do what will make you happiest.</p>
<p>Yes, it's actually a serious thread. The OP obviously sees value in both schools, and lord knows many, many intellectual heavyweights presumably chose Chicago over schools like Yale.(See Saul Bellow, Phillip Glass, the brains behind improv, Susan Sontag etc)</p>
<p>
[quote]
Chicago is a great school. Do what your gut says and don't do anything that you'll probably regret 5-10 years later.
[/quote]
I hate it when people say this. How is it that going with your gut suddenly means that you won't regret it later in life? Isn't it the impulsive decisions that we end up regretting later?
Honestly, although Chicago is a great school, Yale is YALE. They've had one of their most selective years to date; I personally know at least 2 people who really wanted to go but got rejected. This is a great oppurtunity for you.</p>
<p>^^^How does going purely with prestige guarantee you will be happy--it doesn't, anymore than an impulsive (and gut does not necessarily = impulse, btw) choice would? It doesn't matter how bad someone else wanted to go...it matters how much you (the OP) want to go. If you really are perfect for UChicago, you should go there--Yale being Yale doesn't make Yale the perfect fit. Now, maybe Yale is the perfect fit for you, but from what you said, it seems like UChicago is a better fit for you--and UChicago, while admittedly giving up something in overall prestige (remembering that prestige is something different than academic/intellectual power) to Yale, gives up very little (if anything) in academic quality. </p>
<p>Go to Yale because it is a good fit for you--not because it is Yale.</p>
<p>Edit: Also, I know that proximity to home is a plus for you, but I would encourage you to take a risk and experience a new part of the country during college.</p>
<p>I would choose Yale in this case. Yale has better programs in psychology and neuroscience and considerably better offerings in biological anthropology. Add a campus you love, proximity to home, and you have a winner.</p>
<p>Chicago does a great deal to promote its intellectual nature, but I personally didn't find much difference between the Yale and Chicago students in my major.</p>
<p>There is something to be said for going with your gut, coz it actually means go where "your heart really wants to go". Prestige and brand name is a big factor, no doubt, but when you've gone through the hard stats of both schools over and over and over again (including considerations of prestige, selectivity etc etc) and STILL can't decide, that means that no one school was able to lure you based on pure stats. Perhaps then your heart has to do the talking. Most of the time, being true to it is the best course of action.</p>
<p>Having said that, I think that Yale is an absolutely fantastic university.It's an intellectual powerhouse too, and since you love the campus, this makes it an even harder choice. How about the students there? Are they people that you would be comfortable around with?</p>
<p>"Isn't it the impulsive decisions that we end up regretting later?"</p>
<p>Maybe this is what separates the men from the boys? Do you want to be successful or larger than life? Sometimes, gut impulsive decisions brings you a life you couldn't imagine living.</p>
<p>Both schools are great opportunities. I couldn't begin to say one is better than another. At this point, both schools are lucky to have the OP.</p>
<p>I, personally, would choose UoC. Yale is an amazing school, but there are also a lot of kids who are there because it is Yale, and not because they think it is the place for them. UoC still has a couple of those kids, but not nearly as many.</p>
<p>Just my perspective.</p>
<p>Plus Chicago >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> New Haven</p>