<p>
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you're absolutely right. I would take the word of somebody that's on collegeboard, and for all I know could be a bum, over somebody that WORKS for the school anyday.
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<p>actually it's not you taking my word for anything, it's the word of the school vs. its actions. </p>
<p>i linked to publications detailing the, to this point, hypocrisy of university of chicago when it comes to stating policy positions and intent, and urged caution in taking anything the school says at face value, as they have demonstrated they have little interest in adhering to any of the noble causes they verbally pledge themselves to.</p>
<p>on a side note, maybe i shouldn't have told the poster he was "definitely in" but i would be highly surprised if uchicago rejected him.</p>
<p>Why is Chicago often described as "where the fun goes to die"? Any thoughts? Any readers who attended Chicago and left for this reason? Any Chicago 1st- year students who were concerned about this before they attended? Has your experienced confirmed or disputed this description?</p>
<p>UChicago officials met with US News for a good reason-- to make sure that they're reporting the data correctly. Good thing they did because, according to the Chicago Tribune article cited in this thread:</p>
<p>"In calculating the number of classes with fewer than 20 students, for example, university officials did not count the freshmen writing courses that have an average of eight students.</p>
<p>By including the writing classes, the percentage of classes under 20 increased to about 67 percent, from 60 percent, Behnke said.</p>
<p>"That was a 'duh' moment. Why aren't we including these all along?" Behnke said.</p>
<p>Officials also found a way to improve the alumni giving rank—the percentage of alumni who donate to the university—by excluding graduates who couldn't be located.</p>
<p>The university also improved its per-student spending calculation by relabeling $15 million in annual library expenditures that had been incorrectly filed under a category other than educational expenditures—information that also is submitted to the federal government. The additional per-student spending improved the university's position in the "financial resources" category.</p>
<p>Bob Morse, director of data research at U.S. News & World Report, said he was surprised that university officials had done such a poor job checking their data in the past."</p>
<p>However, the following is questionable:</p>
<p>"Behnke said the university also changed other calculations, but he declined to say in which areas.</p>
<p>"Frankly, I don't want to help my competitors," he said. "Let them figure it out. The problem is that they probably already figured it out. We're late to the game." [Emphasis added]"</p>
<p>It's a tough school and not a party school, that's why. On the other hand, I wouldn't say it's "where the fun goes to die", they do have the Scav Hunt after all. That's my impression at least. Read the UChicago board for more.</p>
<p>PoeticExplosion -- I would suggest that you take a few college courses this coming fall semester. you have what colleges are looking for and a couple of college courses will not only demonstrate that you can handle college level work in a social atmosphere -- but if you work hard on your relationship with the professors, you can also get some excellent letters of recommendation.</p>
<p>Mom616,
Chicago has "the core" which all students must take, grade deflation, many if not most classes are discussion based rather than lecture based, and discussions and learning continues outside the classroom. Chicago also has a very low student/ professor ratio-4:1- which mean students interact more with their professors in the classroom than at most other top colleges. You can't hide or slide your way through Chicago or relax once you're there, as many can do at other top colleges. Chicago forces students to think hard and work hard, and thus often attracts students who have a passion for learning above all else, including "fun".</p>
<p>You described yourself as "lower income." Any of Ivies would give you a full ride or close to it if you got in. There are active Christian organizations (Campus Crusade, Young Life, etc.) at all the Ivies. Check out, in particular, Princeton and Cornell, which have vigorous spiritual groups.</p>
<p>Poetic: First of all, congratulations on your outstanding accomplishments. Being homeschooled, your standardized tests scores (SAT's, ACT's etc.) will play a significant role in the evaluation of your applications. You have a great background and will undoubtedly have many great college options. Don't underestimate your chances because you were homeschooled....it can actually work to your advantage if you've demonstrated success (which you have).</p>
<p>A WORD OF CAUTION: In your opening post, you indicated that you stumbled upon College Confidential and came to realize that you "knew next to nothing about colleges." As one who has had a chance to observe posts on CC for the past year, don't assume that the info you get on here is so terrific. Yes, there are many helpful individuals with good knowledge; yet you will find many posters with personal biases (toward or against certain colleges) and some who simply provide misinformation. Take the information on College Confidential with a grain of salt; rely more on your own research and instincts. Spending too much time on CC can sometimes be a negative when selecting a college. </p>
<p>Consider Pomona. Besides ranking #1 in Psych PhDs per capita (see post #6 above), it is a small (1,500) LAC with a mid-size (6,000) feel because it's part of the Claremont Schools (with Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, Pitzer, and Scripps). Great film program (I've heard). Claremont School of Theology is across the street (graduate/divinity school). Huge endowment so they can match 100% of financial need. And it's just outside of LA.</p>
<p>All the slogans you've ever heard about Chicago have originated from a t-shirt. As a school with fledgling athletics and no knee-jerk name recognition, rather than pat ourselves on the back for being at awesome name-brand school, we berate ourselves with pride. Half the visiting students I know say, "Eww, is this 'Where fun comes to die?!'" and the other half go, "DUDE, WHERE CAN I GET THAT T-SHIRT!"</p>
<p>We just had an alumni weekend, and lo and behold, those t-shirts were selling. I saw alumni buying them and lovingly folding them up, reflecting on their days at the U of C. A little intense, I agree, but this place is for academically intense people-- not necessarily library rats, but people who are unafraid to weather Kant, Marx, Freud, and Simone DeBeauvoir.</p>
<p>My impression is that at most schools, there are endless opportunities for parties and "fun," while getting a superb academic education is something you have to go and search for on your own. At Chicago, it's the opposite: you will be nurtured in every way possible academically, but it's up to you to make your own fun. There are fraternities; there are parties; there are lots of campus groups and events and "fun" stuff, but probably fewer things relative to other colleges. I've been extremely happy with my social life here, and it's a social life that isn't centered around alcohol. Honestly, I think that our weird, awesome, and rambling discussions and exploring the city, going to Doc Films, or seeing a concert are far more satisfying than seeing kids chug beer. That's what "fun" might mean by a typical college standard, but it's not fun for me.</p>
<p>Old But Wise: I know to take things with a grain of salt. But having never heard of Reed or Swarthmore and not knowing the difference between a LAC and a research university is what I meant by knowing next to nothing. :)</p>
<p>^^^ personally, i go to a research university, however i have always thought i'd be happier at a LAC... my friends who go to LACs keep in regular correspondence with their professors and in general have a much more nurturing environment when it comes to learning (on the other hand, it is much harder to skip classes, slack off, etc.)</p>
<p>at a research university your resources are much more what you make of them, and learning can be much more independent (that is not to say that you can't find nurturing support, but it is something that you have to more actively seek out, in general)</p>
<p>There's a great thread in the Chicago forum that addresses how Chicago undergrads feel about their experience learning at a research/grad heavy school. (Very different experience than what Elsijfdl describes)</p>
<p>Definitely look into Reed and Swarthmore, if you are drawn to Chicago you'll probably like those as well.</p>