<p>I have started posting on this board again because after my first quarter at UChi I realized that I could potentially be a helpful resource to people applying to the school. I think it's a wonderful institution, obviously, and I'm incredibly proud to represent it to people who are interested in it. </p>
<p>One of the main reasons I applied here, however, was that it was a quality institution in a major city. Big qualification for me, as I was born and have never lived more than an hour out of NYC, and I'm a full-out city person. Chicago fulfills most of what I was looking for in a city school and I'd be happy to answer any questions potential students have about the city itself. It is where you could be spending the next four years of your life. </p>
<p>Any Chi students who post here are welcome to answer questions as well.</p>
<p>people think ur an abnormal antisocial intellectual.
sure they're impressed. uchicago is a good school. but again antisocial
i'd say northwestern is more popular and talked about
plenty of chinese food. china town very close to campus</p>
<p>Honestly, most people I've told in Chicago that I'm going to UChicago think I mean UIC. A few recognize the difference when I correct them, but most don't seem to know much about it at all. </p>
<p>When I'm at home and I tell people I go to the University of Chicago, most ask "Why did you go there?" Every once in awhile I'll run in to someone who has had some experience with UChicago and has a vague sense about it's academic prowess, but most average joes couldn't differentiate between the University of Chicago and any other University of _____. A few times a year I will find someone who responds to Chicago with "Oh. Wow. That's a good school."</p>
<p>how far is it from O'Haire. I'mfrom Cali, and presumably i'd be flying back once or even twice a month, so it'd be nice to know. oh and also, is Devon street nearby? I'm South Asian, and nothing satiates my munchies like good ol' curry :P</p>
<p>i dont see why you'd fly back so frequently, but o'hare is really far. midway is a half hour cab ride from campus, and i imagine o'hare must be an hour ride away. so fly midway if possible. devon is also really far away, probably an hour by public transportation. that would be a typical saturday night dinner excursion though (no dining halls saturday night.)</p>
<p>You just have to be very smart about where you are, and at what time. The campus itself and the area to the east of it is fairly gentrified, with a lot of student apartments and small businesses that cater to students, so it's generally considered a safer area after dark. Going west of campus after dark is a bad idea, unless you're going to the Green or Red line trains, and even then it's best to go with a group. </p>
<p>Crime is pretty rare but it does happen, students have been robbed at knife and gunpoint before. However, this is to be expected of any urban campus and the University has a dedicated, and large, police force that keeps the area safe. </p>
<p>Hyde Park IS "the hood"; it's an urban neighborhood that, like the rest of the south side, suffered an incredibly punishing economic decline in the 50's and 60's. There are a lot of homeless and unemployed people, and until recently it was close to the worst project housing in America (the Robert Taylor homes, where the CHA estimated $45,000 in drug deals occured daily). However, the University sponsored a number of controversial urban renewal programs that have kept the neighborhood from becoming completely run-down (and forced out a lot of the lower-income residents). </p>
<p>So in short, it's perfectly safe during the daytime, and go with other people (and know the neighborhood) if you need to go out during the night time.</p>
<p>O'Hare is really far away, there is a bus (the 55) that will take you right to Midway in about 30-40 minutes.</p>
<p>Devon Ave. is waaaay north, closer to Northwestern than UChi. Chicago is a weird city in that you can take a train an hour north of downtown, be in what for all intents and purposes are suburbs, and still technically be in "Chicago." It took me some time to get used to how different it is from Manhattan.</p>
<p>jack4640 -- thanks so much for this resource. I have a question that we have discussed before on these boards without really reaching a conclusion:</p>
<p>In light of the relatively elevated rate of robbing and mugging in Chicago, do any students carry firearms to protect themselves and others? Is that even legal? How much of a presence do Campus Police have at night?</p>
<p>To clarify about Hyde Park being "the hood." It's not. The areas immediately around it are, but Hyde Park itself is actually rather calm (and I'm from a midwestern town of about 25,000). It's still urban, but it is much safer than nearby neighborhoods. As jack4640 said, during the day it's no different than any neighborhood, at night, it's probably a good idea to go with other people.</p>
<p>To answer threnody's questions: Firearms are illegal in the City of Chicago. I know of no students who have them on campus. The campus police are noticeable at most any hour of the day or night.</p>
<p>hyde park is actually a decent neighborhood compared to some of the surrounding ones.
just make sure u know where ur going. because hyde park isnt huge and a wrong turn could take u down the ghettos of the south side of chicago. which really isnt nice.</p>
<p>Absolutely nobody carries a gun or any sort of weapon (at least that I know of). The UCPD has an elevated presence on campus at all hours and the CPD comes by regularly.</p>
<p>I've been wondering for a while: do you think it's a good idea for me to Google Earth UChicago and get a basic feel of the region? I know this may sound ridiculous and slightly OCD but I'm from the suburbs, have never even set foot in Chicago, and have a wonderful knack for getting myself lost. Knowing myself, I'd probably wind up in like, Africa the first day there. </p>
<p>In other words, how did you deal with getting used to the sprawling, complex city? Should I make any preparations?</p>
<p>If you are used to navigating any remotely large city plus public transit - it will be easy. The infallable numbered grid system of the city is a godsend.</p>
<p>yeah i have a question. what's the best housing option in terms of being closest to the city, and/or having the best access to public transport to the city. and also, what are these dorms like? thanks.</p>
<p>As a person who lives in Chicago, know that many people here have never heard of UChicago and if they have, they don't know if it is good or not. The best attitude here is one of friendliness. Don't walk around thinking you're a big shot or you'll be brought down to Earth quickly, especially on the southside. </p>
<p>For those worried about safety, just use common sense. Don't try to act hard but know your gang rules. The main rule is don't mess with them and they won't kill you.</p>