<p>I've been juggling the two schools...not sure if I want to apply to both. What are the pros/cons? Differences? Any info would help.</p>
<p>Not sure it is what you are looking for, but Northwestern has an active athletics program and all the glitz and social atmosphere that go with that. Chicago has athletics, but they are not a big thing…That said, Chicago is also downtown. Northwestern not so much.</p>
<p>What majors are you considering?
NU has programs in engineering and journalism/communications. Chicago doesn’t.</p>
<p>If you’re going to be a liberal arts major, how do you feel about Chicago’s Common Core? This is a significant, fairly distinctive part of the undergraduate program. You should be clear about what it involves and whether you want that or not.</p>
<p>If you’re going to be a liberal arts major, and you’re o.k. with the Common Core concept (but not super gung ho about it), then it probably comes down to personal “fit” and net costs. Try to do an overnight visit to both schools.</p>
<p>By the way, the University of Chicago isn’t exactly “downtown”, if by that you mean close to major shopping, entertainment, and cultural attractions (other than what’s available in and around the University itself).</p>
<p>The two schools have such different personalities it always puzzles me when kids lump them together and can’t decide between the two! As people have posted here, differences include athletics, core requirements, “city” vs “suburb,” majors offered, and that’s just the technical differences. University of Chicago’s catch phrase by students is “Where fun goes to die.” NU is a bit more loose and their students more creative in the traditional sense of the word. Do some research and you’ll see the differences for yourself.</p>
<p>Although, UChicago’s old “where fun comes to die” catchphrase has, well, died. The school is very different now than it was years ago, when there was probably more truth to that phrase.</p>
<p>Nowadays, the student body seems pretty vibrant and probably a bit more pre-professional, making NU and UChicago more similar than they ever have been. That being said, there are tremendous differences between the two schools, as stated above. The OP should consider what he/she wants first, and that should help.</p>
<p>Cue7 - Not an old saying that’s died according to the three kids I know who attend (they say it proudly) and a great friend who’s been a prof there for years (he thinks it’s kind of funny but true).</p>
<p>amtc:</p>
<p>I shudder, then, to think how current students would characterize the school back when I attended (in the mid 90s). At that time, grade deflation was still very much apparent (at least in comparison to now), the dorms were in a state of disrepair, and many student clubs and groups were still in a state of infancy.</p>
<p>Perhaps then UChicago would be the place where fun comes to die, is sent to hell, and then further bludgeoned? </p>
<p>(I say this all a bit tongue in cheek, but the mantra - and the sort of grim face of the school - all seem to have faded recently.)</p>
<p>I’m a rising senior who has toured both schools in the past year so ill give you my opinion of them. An obvious difference in academics is Chicago’s “core curriculum” as others have pointed out. Northwestern gives you a bit more freedom in choosing classes. Northwestern is more in a suburb, but uchicago definitely is not in downtown Chicago. It’s actually in an area called Hyde Park which is a half an hour away from downtown Chicago. And although I’m not too familiar with Northwestern’s professors and alumni, uchicago talked nonstop about all their renowned faculty and alumni that students could have the opportunity to work with. This is just my opinion, but the whole “where fun goes to die” thing seemed to be 100% true. While I was at Chicago I didn’t see anyone who looked happy. All the students were walking alone and on such a nice day there was no one outside hanging out or anything. I felt depressed just being there for the tour. The only people I saw who seemed to be having any sort or fun whatsoever were some frat guys who were hanging out on their front porch. At Northwestern I felt the students seemed to be a lot happier and friendlier, and got the vibe that it seemed to offer a slightly more traditional college experience including parties and sports. Also, uchicago’s campus is absolutely beautiful, but Northwestern’s food and Rec centers are waaayy better. So really I think it takes a very specific type of person to like uchicago, and if you’re that type of person you’ll absolutely love it, but overall I liked Northwestern a lot better.</p>
<p>We were very impressed with the students we met on our tour of UChicago. They seemed very energetic and smart and interesting.</p>
<p>Northwestern has about twice as many undergrads as Chicago. Most/many classes at Chicago are taught seminar style. And of course you have to decide if the core is for you. You will get a incredible liberal education, but you have to be good at everything.</p>