<p>I am a sophomore in High School and currently beginning to look at colleges. The University of Chicago pops out at me because of its location (I love Chicago), its philosophy on education (I think a core is important), its economics program, and its intellelectual culture. According to all that I've read the major shortfall of Chicago is its social life. I am a self-proclaimed nerd, debate team and all that jazz, but I don't want to go to a place in which the only social interactions are over Dungeons and Dragons. I want a school in which the people are quirky but approachable. How true is the Princeton Review's opinion, "Typically 'wonkish, nerdy, cloistered, extremely studious, and religiously dedicated to academic performance,' Chicago students are 'brilliant, on par with those at any other school, but not the kind of people that you want to have a casual conversation with.' That is somewhat attributed to 'personal hygiene and social skills [that] are sometimes lacking,'"</p>
<p>After talking with many Chicago ppl on facebook and talking with the prospies here on CC, I'm pretty sure that what the Princetonreview says is exaggerated. Chicago is a pretty big school and there are different social groups, and it isn't just one homogenous mass of intellectuals. As long as you keep and open mind and come wanting to learn and have fun, I'm sure you'll have plenty of fun. Also, if you're only a sophomore, I don't think you should be worrying over colleges yet. Panic mode doesn't set in until senior year when you realize that you ahve to decide the next 4 years of you life in about 5 months.</p>
<p>I'm not anywhere near panic mode, just started thinking and beginning to formulate a list. I figure I should have a good idea of where i might want to go by junior year when i start doing visitations. Thanks for the reply however.</p>
<p>jdroz32- I'd say you are sufficiently nerdy to fit in just fine! </p>
<p>I've visited the school several times and have met quite a few current students, and I'm yet to encounter anyone fitting the PR's description. Having said that, it's probably because THOSE kids are locked away in a library somewhere. But, for the most part, Chicago's brand of nerdiness has more to do with a passion for academics than a lack of personal hygiene.</p>
<p>It sounds fantastic.</p>
<p>p.s. I understand the desire to get a head start on the college search. I've been visiting/researching schools since freshman year- which is pretty funny, considering that I've ended up at a school in my hometown which I've been in love with since I was 6 years old.</p>
<p>Hey! Nothing wrong with some AD&D every once and a while...</p>
<p>Chicago sounds like a good fit for you. There is more to it than a bunch of nerds, so don't worry. You are not starting too early on your college planning. The research, visits, and preparation are hard to fit in, so you are doing the right thing. A lot of experts say that the basic planning- selecting extracurriculars, deciding on the level of school, and considering expenses, needs to start even earlier- in the eighth grade. (Well, the people who write books on how to get into the Ivies say this.)</p>