<p>Since a couple of other people have asked about the quality of other departments at UChicago, I'll dive into the mix too. So is anyone familar w/ the chem department there? How highly is it rated? I'm also applying to Cal, which has the nation's #1 chem department. If I get accepted to both, which should i choose? Should i focus more on the strength of the department or the quality of undergradue education, which Chicago obviously excels at.</p>
<p>I would focus on the quality of the undergrad education. That is the most important part of the degree. Chicago has a strong tradition in all of the core sciences but a lot of an undergrad education is to make you a better person overall.</p>
<p>Is this a trick question? Two words: ENRICO FERMI!</p>
<p>(check out the nobel prize list for chemistry, i promise you won't be disappointed. it's one of the most acclaimed departments in the country.)</p>
<p>(one last point: fermi won for physics, but i always think of him as a chemist.)</p>
<p>(hopping on the sarahbara too-cool-for-the-edit-feature bandwagon because she is repping for the early-action crew hard)</p>
<p>HAHAHA. Thanks, brinestorm. Where is the edit feature, speaking of which? I didn't see it. I had a lot to add...</p>