I want to major in physics or math. For both colleges, I’d probably be paying near sticker price, however I’m in-state for UVA which makes it cost like half as much. Either way, I won’t be taking on any debt as my parents make enough money to cover the cost of attendance at either school without financial issues and they already have a decent amount saved up, and they’ve told me not to worry about price at all (whenever I bring it up they tell me that it shouldn’t be a factor in my decision-making). UChicago is a top-tier, elite university, but UVA is also up there and it costs less than half as much. Do you think paying extra for UC would be worth it?
If your parents are comfortable with the financial aspect then it really becomes more a question of fit for you. Have you visited both ans researched access to things that are most important to you?
Oh boy. I may be wasting my breath here but please don’t choose your school only based upon how elite it is in reputation or admissions. Those are VERY different schools and someone who would love UVA would probably hate U Chicago… And vice versa.
It depends. UChicago has a superfamous physics department (and great math department too), UVA’s is nowhere near it in ratings. So if you’re a physics whiz who dreams about particle accelerators, I’d say it’s worth it to pay extra. But if you’re just “pretty good”, then you’ll have to compete and if you get in, be in the same classes with students who are significantly ahead of you.
As @milee30 said, you really need to do more homework on both colleges- they are profoundly different. For either math or physics, grad school is likely to be in your future, so consider both levels in your evaluation. What are you going to get out of each experience?
Fwiw, I was visiting my physics collegekid at her top-tier grad school today, and her view is that she is very glad she didn’t go there for undergrad, but she loves it for grad. She had a very happy experience at a solid but not big name college, where she was a bit of a star & got a lot of attention from her profs. She had great LoRs, and got into great REUs (including at Argonne & Sandia) and ultimately a great grad program. Just something to think about.
As I mentioned, I’m in-state for UVA; that’s the main reason I’m considering it. I think UChicago is a better fit, both in environment and academics, however I think I would enjoy my time at UVA as well if I were to go there.
Really comes down to “can you afford UChicago”, if you can, then for your majors it would be a big plus. If you don’t get in…then UVA.
Seems like if you feel that UChicago is a good fit, then I’m guessing that UVA won’t be.
EA/ED deadlines are in two weeks. Don’t apply ED if you’re not 100% sure! Just don’t do it.
Per google, both have EA deadlines on Nov 1 and UVA only offers EA anyway. I would do EA and compare afterwards, when you still have options and the whole year to decide/visit. If you’re going to be paying the full cost, you can’t get out of ED by saying you can’t afford it like other people might be able to do, so you want to be sure.
Don’t apply ED!! And good luck 
This was my SO’s experience as a math student. He attended a southern flagship for undergrad (honors program), had some great professors, and did well there. He recently finished a PhD in math from a top 10 program and got a post-doc at a top private university. There’s no doubt he chose the right college for him despite its relatively modest reputation for STEM.
Chicago has excellent programs in math and physics, but UVA can get you where you want to go too. It’s an awesome school and a bargain for in-state students.
“UVA can get you where you want to go too. It’s an awesome school and a bargain for in-state students.”
This is my opinion also. Well said.
@minimoon I agree with the above that UVa can get you where you want to go, if you find it a good enough fit.
Are you 100% certain that UChicago is a good fit? I’m asking because it’s a unique atmosphere and definitely not for everyone. Very smart people, to be sure, but also very competitive intellectually amongst the students themselves. People who take pride in being the smartest person in the room – like a whole school of them. Some people find this stimulating and an environment that makes them grow and strive. (I say this as someone who has had multiple generations of UC alumni in the family. I know the type well!! ) Others may find it overly competitive, and anxiety producing. It’s a large enough school that no matter your approach you will probably find your own peeps, but just be sure that you know what you’re getting into. This is a school that takes pride in the joke/not joke motto of “where fun comes to die.” Sure they probably have fun and again this might just be your type of place. Just make sure that you’re sure before you ED at an expensive school.
@Dustyfeathers gives a reasonable idea of my son’s UChicago experience so far. Since my sons are very opposite in personality, I can clearly see how UC could be heaven for one person and hell for the other. Both sons have similar IQs and academic skills, so it’s not a matter of intelligence it’s a matter of fit.
Son #1 is competitive, wants to constantly push every intellectual envelope, wants to be surrounded by people who are intellectual equals and also similarly competitive and pushing the intellectual envelope. Enjoyed debate, math competitions, lengthy discussions about the minutia on subjects. Was curious enough about certain subjects to do his own reading and research projects in his free time - not in the context of publication or science fairs - but just because he was interested. The kind of kid who asks for obscure textbooks for Christmas.
The other does equally well in school and tests, but is collaborative and more concerned with human interaction than academics. He does the academic work necessary to do well in school but then he’s done. He would rather hang with friends, cook a new food or relax with the family in his free time. Finds debate and competition uncomfortable because he’s worried about the opponents’ feelings more than winning. Enjoys actually doing things, working with his hands rather than discussing things. The kind of kid who wants equipment for his hobby for Christmas.
Two equally intelligent kids who will probably end up with near identical GPA and test scores… who couldn’t be more different. Son #1 just started at UChicago and believes he has found Nirvana. He has never been so comfortable, happy and excited - ever. So far it feels like the college and people there were designed specifically for him. He is already trying things he never tried, expanding in exciting ways and simply over the moon. But I can tell the exact things that make UChicago a fit for him would make his brother a miserable, uncomfortable ball of sadness.
If you’re one of those wonderfully happy (or tough) types that bloom wherever they’re planted, then this may not be an issue for you. But if you’re a person with strong inclinations that does best in certain environments, pay attention to fit. UChicago is one of those places that people tend to either obsessively love or hate so know who you are before you make your decision. Good luck.
I should add that I’m in a similar position to your parents. We are full pay for UChicago and DS#1 could have gone to our in-state flagship virtually free. Our flagship isn’t as highly regarded as UVA but it’s in the next tier down, so reasonable. But… our state flagship would not have been a good fit for him. I had no idea UChicago was as good a fit for him as it looks like it’s turning out to be, but if he continues to be half as happy as he is now then I consider it as money very well spent.
My advice is generally to not choose a school for a particular major because 1) students often end up changing majors 2) you don’t want that to trump overall fit and 3) reputations usually come from graduate programs and research, which are not necessarily reflective of the undergraduate experience. I’d focus on fit first and then whether any differences are substantial.
Finance is difficult to comment on for me because it is someone else’s money. It is nice that your parents want you to take that off of the table.
One other comment. You might want to also take a look at W&M since you are in-state. It is pretty strong in undergraduate science education. You may find the student and academic vibe may be a bit closer to Chicago. If you like UChicago because of its location in Chicago, though, you can be certain that Charlottesville and Williamsburg (while nice towns) are not Chicago.
“Seems like if you feel that UChicago is a good fit, then I’m guessing that UVA won’t be.”
I think this is an overstatement. There are plenty of intellectually focused nerds at UVA. A student who thinks Chicago is ideal can find lots of like-minded friends at UVA.
@Hanna not really what I was trying to say, there is a big difference from large state public schools where you find a very diverse group of student interests and a smaller private school where you find students like my DD and @milee30 DS.
Sure you can find like minded students at UVA, but a minority of students at UVA will be truly into the “life of the mind” vs at UChicago where the vast majority will be.
Today, UVA president Jim Ryan announces free tuition for Virginia students with family income under $80k and free tuition and room/board for those under $30K
I’m fairly confident that I will like UChicago, but I just remembered that transferring is an option; if I somehow decide that I hate it at UChicago, then I can always transfer to UVA.