Our University of Chicago visit

Parents Forum
1

<p>Son #3 and I both kicked off his college touring with a visit to University of Chicago yesterday since he was off of school and it is only a couple of hours away from us. </p>

<p>We left home with time to spare, but there is no such thing when driving in and around Chicago. We got out of the car 3.5 blocks from the admissions office 5 minutes before the tour was supposed to leave. We raced to the address given on the website - no admissions office, but definitely remodeling taking place! No signs or anything. We asked several people where admissions was, finally got pointed in a general direction and ran into the tour group as it was leaving the building! (At U of C, no appointment is necessary for juniors. They are only allowed the tour and info session - no interview or classroom visits.) Apparently the office is moving over the weekend. The address we had will be accurate next week. </p>

<p>The campus is very urban. Large old gothic structures and and newer neo-gothic. A few modern ones as well. Very little open space. All the streets running through campus allow parking. Both son and I felt there was not much of a campus feel. It might have more of a campus feel when the weather is warmer and ivy is all leafed out. </p>

<p>The tour guide definitely emphasized the intellectual nature of the students and how she loves being around people who love to learn. Many of the classrooms are set up in seminar style rather than lecture and she said this is the norm. A large lecture would be 100. They also have advisors that are ONLY advisors. That is all they do. The academic advisor is assigned to you for 4 years and is up-to-date on all the requirements as well as knowing how study abroad will affect you, how to double major and study abroad, which classes will best help you accomplish your goals, etc. Dorms are divided into houses. Each house is 60-100 students and has a couple of RAs. Then each dorm has a resident counselor - usually a person or couple in their late 20s or early 30s that act as mentors and "big siblings". They also have a professor and his or her family living in each dorm to help foster the "life of the mind" in all aspects of the college. When talking about other campus activities, the guide said there were sports teams for those who were interested but not a lot of fan support. The largest student group on campus is the theater group. About 10% of students are Greek.</p>

<p>At the info session, the admissions rep said a couple of interesting things. When asked how they prioritize the various aspects of the application, he said that first is your high school transcript. They want to know what classes you took and how well you did in them. Did you challenge yourself? Next they look at essays and recommendations. They place a lot of emphasis on recs because the people at the high schools know the applicants the best. They look at essays for people who can think and reason and express their thoughts well. Next they look at ECs - how do you use your spare time? And last is test scores. He talked a little about the new SAT. He said they would be looking at the new writing scores, but really had doubts if those scores would really tell them anything that they needed to know. They would be looking at the new scores for the next few years and making decisions about how to use them. But at this point he said that he was encouraging students to not worry about the testing and to spend their energies working on the other aspects of their application. He finished by saying that what U of C was looking for were students who loved to learn for the sake of learning. They don't want people who view going to college as something they have to get through in order to get to the next thing. They are looking for people who like to think who like explore areas just for the sake of exploring them. These are the things they are looking to come out in the application.</p>

<p>While I have visited lots of schools with my older two, this is the first time this son officially visited a college. He liked the whole intellectual atmosphere and "life of the mind" thing. He also liked the idea of being in Chicago. and he likes the fact that sports and frats are not a huge part of campus life. (He is an arts kind of guy.) He didn't like the campus and thinks the school might be too big. He and dad will visit 4 schools in a few weeks over spring break and then a big tour east over the summer. I will be interested to find out what he ends up with.</p>

2

<p>Shennie:</p>

<p>If your S liked Chicago, he might also like Swarthmore and Reed, both of which are smaller and are also very focused on learning.</p>

3

<p>Shennie's son number #2 is already at Swarthmore - so I don't know if the kiddie would want to go where big brother is! :)</p>

4

<p>Swat is on the list. I don't think this child wants to go west. We have one at Lewis and Clark and visited Reed. Older brother was turned off by it and so younger one doesn't really want to look at it. That's ok with me. He will have lots of schools to choose from.</p>

5

<p>Shennie--how was the weather? My S who is there, experiencing his first winter weather ever, just e-mailed that he would like to come home to California over the break in order to escape the horrible weather for a few days.</p>

<p>I like what you said about how they don't want people "who view going to college as something they have to get through in order to get to the next thing."</p>

6

<p>thanks for the post, Shennie.</p>

<p>Go Cubs!</p>

7

<p>Oops, sorry about post number 3. I was confusing the OP with someone else..</p>

8

<p>Shennie,</p>

<p>I would suggest Carleton, Oberlin, Grinnell, and Kenyon as possibly having the intellectual atmosphere that your son would like (assuming he's ruled out Reed and wouldn't consider Pomona). Also, Beloit is a very credible place though maybe too close to home. And while you're looking at Swat, you might take a look at Haverford and Penn.</p>

9

<p>Thanks for comments. Achat - you are right, I don't have anyone currently at Swat. My #1 is at the Eastman School of Music and #2 is at Lewis and Clark. </p>

<p>The weather when we were there yesterday was not bad. High in low 30's, overcast, no wind or precip. Pretty typical for the upper midwest in late Feb. Since we are from WI, weather is not an issue for us.</p>

<p>Mackinaw - thanks for the suggestions. #3 wants to either be in a metro area or have reasonable access to one. So we are not looking at Grinnell or Kenyon. Over spring break he and dad will visit Carleton, St. Olaf, and Macalaster, then go to WUSTL. Summer visits will include Oberlin, CMU, Swat, Haverford, Weslyan, Brown, Rochester, and maybe Tufts. I think as he visits schools over break he will begin to refine what he really wants and may make changes. He also wants to continue playing his viola in a decent college orchestra, but not have to compete with heavy duty performance types. I think that fact will end up scratching Oberlin (plus lack of easy access to Cleveland.) Beloit is definitely too close to home :)</p>

10

<p>dd was accepted EA to UChicago and we had a chance to visit on prospective student's day. The campus was really spectacular and we did not find it particularly "urban" because it really has a quite defined space, which is vast and of many blocks wide and deep, and quite a bit away from downtown. But we live in an urban enviro, however small San Francisco is. Certainly it is no NYU with no campus per se.</p>

<p>I think Chicago is a really good fit for dd, who is a true scholar, and pushes herself from internal motivation. She has exposure to research already and the opportunities at Chicago are tremendous. She is also very sporty, though, and has been on 3 varsity teams and would like to continue with tennis, at least, a club level. Also she is musical and arty, but has sacrificed these somewhat to push forward on a tough academic path. I have always seen her as gifted in verbal, logical and analytic ways. She see's herself as gifted in math and science.</p>

<p>Since she does not know what she want to major in, we thought Chicago would be great because of the core, the small discussion classes and the low student teacher ratio. When we visited, we saw some very impressive girls, but did not get a good enough exposure to the student body.</p>

<p>Now she is having second thoughts from people who are giving their impression of Chicago without having gone there. Some alumni from her school are going on about the toughness and rigor, some are saying it is not a happy place, that people will not be interesting, arty and diverse. She is starting to think that she will have a thankless life of working like a dog (which is what she mostly does now, happily) for 4 years when others are having a ball and not struggling to get a passing grade. I think she is listening too much to people that don't know what makes her tick, and don't know that she always takes the more challenging path. I also don't think her other schools are going to be a walk in the park. She is waiting to hear from Yale, Brown, Wellesley, Grinnell and a couple UC's. So now she is mostly talking about Grinnell and Wellesley. I don't know much about Grinnell but it really seems small and in the middle of nowhere, but she likes it and some faculty are encouraging her. Wellesley sounds great, but I know it is very tough for first year's. I can't think Chicago is going to be that tougher in classes, really?</p>

<p>I wrote up some thoughts on a Chicago visit on the UChicago forum here. But looking back, what impressed us much was a) the houses system for the dorms b) the ability of the core to change your major and the kids that told us about how that happened to them c) the incredible spoiling and attention the undergrads seem to get d) the library resources e) Chicago d) no discernable presence of dumasses or partyers or greeks looking for "the typical college experience"</p>

11

<p>Bettina, I hope your daughter doesn't get caught up in that negativism. Your daughter isn't going to get a better education anywhere else. My son attended Chicago, and I can assure you that he didn't turn into a slave to his work, and yet still graduated with honors and took advantage of many of the great things about the city (while also spending his junior year abroad in London).</p>

12

<p>I was surprised by the review of the lack of a campus feel. The design of the main campus and quads certainly gives the feeling of a college campus but we are not talking rural atmosphere so to each his own. Bettina, the best comment I have heard recently regarding Chicago was by the Director of AdmissionsTed O'neil who said he has the easiest job in admissions. He just needs to find 1.100 kids every year who love to learn. My son is currently a freshman and loves the school. Of course it is rigorous, but he would not be happy if it were not. My son read last year that Chicago is the place for students who have been on a journey for the past 18 years were looking for and he has finally found. There are all sorts who go to Chicago from die hard students to the expert video game player. It's just that the dedicated student will succeed more than the video player. I have heard colleges promote themselves as the Cradle of coaches etc. Chicago is the nurturer of Nobel Prize winners and have the record to prove that. Good luck to your duaghter.</p>

13

<p>I think my son would be quite happy at Chicago. He certainly hasn't crossed if off the list. It certainly has a lot to offer and I would love to have one of my kids in the same time zone!</p>

14

<p>I don't think there is a lack of campus feel either. The quads across the street from the library have a tremendous campus feel. My son thinks his classes are fun. So far he has not complained about the work load. </p>

<p>Bettina--my son was planning to go to Grinnell, but when he got off the waitlist for Chicago, that was it. I think maybe he feels more comfortable being at a larger school in an urban setting. And he wanted a larger math dept. I think. My husband and I thought Grinnell would be great for him, and I am going to have my daughter take a close look at that school in a couple of years. I'm forming a list for her in my head--Grinnell, Whitman, St. Olaf, Smith . . . She is a sophomore in highschool and due to the ACT PLAN test, the flood of mail has started. She is very flattered by getting all this mail! She said so far, she likes the UChicago letter best. Which is interesting, because I don't think of her as a UChicago type. (Think of the girl in the movie Princess Diaries, and you have an idea of her persona). But she totally bought into one line in the letter "You are more than your test scores." Good 'ol Chicago!</p>

15

<p>My son is at Grinnell and loves it. I'd tried to get him interested in Chicago but he heard it described as "the place where fun went to die" and that was the end of that unfortunately. He's a very intellectual person whose biggest problem in college has been trying to narrow his interests down to a major - so I still think he would have enjoyed the environment at Chicago. On the other hand, Grinnell seems to attract kids who are intellectual (a very high percentage who go on to get PhDs) and service-minded (they have the highest per capita rate of Peace Corps volunteers in the country) - but also have a sense of fun. The biggest downside has been the location - but not because there is nothing to do in Iowa. We've simply found that it's hard to get in and out of town if your student is traveling at any time other than the standard breaks. At breaks, there are shuttles to and from the airport and Chicago. And at other times, it's possible to arrange for a ride thru the security office. But your student might end up spending a couple of hours waiting around in the airport on every trip. Aside from this small complaint, it's been a wonderful experience. Being in the middle of nowhere has certain benefits: 1. There is no place to spend money. A lot of my friends are constantly getting requests from their children for money. At Grinnell, almost all of the on-campus entertainment is free and there are no off-campus clubs to drain your bank account. 2. When kids drink, which they will, you can be fairly sure that they are not driving. 3. Kids stay on campus and form close relationships. The Grinnell community is incredibly tight.
I'm not saying Univ of Chicago wouldn't be amazing -- but if your daughter ends up at Grinnell or Wellesley, these are also very fine alternatives.</p>

16

<p>Loved Amherst and Tufts</p>

17

<p>topcat0214--I love the part about Grinnell "there is no place to spend money!" I have to say that the S at Chicago is proving to be an incredible tightwad, though, thank goodness!</p>

18

<p>You also might consider Earlham, for a service-oriented aspect of the life of the mind, and a lovely atmosphere.</p>

19

<p>Thanks so much from the parents! It is too late to apply to any other place. I feel she will like Chicago best, but she is having second thoughts. " The place where fun went to die" is meant as a joke, so this is really bad news if someone took it seriously.</p>

<p>Thanks from the Grinnell parent, I just can't see her in such a small school in the middle of nowhere, but it is really up high on her list, and I think she will pick it over yale or brown.</p>

20

<p>Having taught (as a TA) at UChicago, and having known many students there, I would say the chief pull at Chicago (and Reed) is what I call "addition by subtraction". The students aren't "smarter" (whatever that means) than those at four or five dozen other places, and while the educations offered at both places have their own uniquenesses, they aren't qualitatively that much different than that to be found at a couple of dozen other places. The faculty come out of the same graduate schools.</p>

<p>The difference is in focus. These colleges attract students who truly want to focus on their studies, and to do so somewhat to the exclusion of other things. Yes, there is music and art and theatre and sports and community service and Greeks (don't know about Reed) and parties and etc. at both of these schools. But they are radically "understated" relative to schools of equal academic caliber. And the students LIKE it that way, the admissions office accepts students who like it that way, and the institutions spend money that way.. So with both of these schools, you just have to see if things really "click". If they do, they are great places to spend four years. Truly wonderful! But if "the life of the mind" isn't the be-all-and-end-all, in my opinion there are at least three dozen better choices, or at least may be.</p>