<p>Chicago's class sizes are kept small, when possible-- a "small" class for me might be 6, a "big" one might be 40. I don't think that a smaller class is always a better class (at my best friend's LAC, 40 is probably their BIGGEST class), but I do think it's important to feel like you're a part of the class community in some way and connected to the prof in some way, and I think that's very possible in either situation. There are some big intro classes-- big big might be 150.</p>
<p>Chicago doesn't really have prereqs for classes, nor does it have many "intro" classes on a subject. The course catalog is sort of set up as a free-for-all.</p>
<p>Professors vary in teaching style. Students have access to online course evaluations to read up on different professors before choosing a class.</p>
<p>i am a freshman going to uchicago this year. i made a thread in the uchicago section maybe a couple months ago about how it is really turning into "any other college." certainly the quirky culture is there if you want it, and people attend uchicago FOR that culture, but if you want that "normal" college experience with frats and heavy drinking, and plus clubbing in downtown chicago, then it is definitely there.</p>
<p>quote taken from 2009 princeton review:
" However, “There aren’t as many extremely strange and nerdy students as there have been in the past.” “A portion of the student body at the U of C [are] actually talented, cool, and (gasp!) attractive.” "</p>
<p>while i havent visited NU, i would still confidently say that the restaurants there are more expensive since its in a northern suburb thats seems pretty wealthy</p>
<p>Considering that Hyde Park has very little retail and a pronounced lack of higher end restaurants (it is definitely a residential neighborhood) I'll give the edge to NU. I haven't spent a great deal of time in Evanston, but it definitely has a more traditional commercial atmosphere for a college, with Urban Outfitters and the like on campus (U of C couldn't persuade any major retailers to set up shop in Hyde Park).</p>
<p>Northwestern is the better school for the undergraduate experience. It has Ivy-caliber academics and the Big Ten social atmosphere on a smaller scale. Chicago is more well-known for its graduate programs and it's located in a less desirable area on the South Side of the city. Northwestern is in the more wealthy northern shore suburbs (Evanston) which is safe and on the lake (Lake Michigan). You can easily take the train or shuttle to the Loop and other sections of Chicago.</p>
<p>^ I agree. I heard UChicago was originally built as a graduate school, which allowed undergrads in? With that said, UChicago is a monster in its production of undergrads students. You might have it easier at Northwestern. Idk, no first hand knowledge of each. just my opinion.</p>
<p>Evanston (often referred to as the "dining capital of the Northshore") has everything from highly rated restaurants for foodies to the typical college town fare.</p>
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UChicago is a monster in its production of undergrads students
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<p>I'm curious what you mean by that and what gives you that impression. (I'm not trying to challenge you, I just don't know why we're a "monster" in your opinion).</p>
<p>Okay seriously people... if you have no firsthand knowledge, why are you giving your opinions? It's not helpful for those who are trying to make up their minds where to apply.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Northwestern is the better school for the undergraduate experience. It has Ivy-caliber academics and the Big Ten social atmosphere on a smaller scale. Chicago is more well-known for its graduate programs and it's located in a less desirable area on the South Side of the city. Northwestern is in the more wealthy northern shore suburbs (Evanston) which is safe and on the lake (Lake Michigan). You can easily take the train or shuttle to the Loop and other sections of Chicago.
[/quote]
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<p>I think that this sums it up in a nutshell. I think, as an undergrad at Uchicago and especially as a freshman, the presence of graduate students makes some classes unreasonably rigorous. You're competing with students who have a lot more time on their hands, and who have been in the university system much longer and so are better at meeting those demands more efficiently. I know this was the case in a lot of my friends language classes... some of the more time-strapped were forced to drop because they had other priorities.</p>
<p>That said, I think I liked my graduate student TA's at Chicago more than at Northwestern. With the exception of this one foreign student who wouldn't give me my midterm back and I think messed up my chem grade... he pised me off.</p>