Should I apply ED to the University of Chicago or Columbia?

College Search & Selection
1

For context, I am applying Early Decision so it is not a sure thing that I will get into any of these schools. I want to study biology or maybe computer science. I am not into partying and had a hard time making friends in high school because I am kind of socially awkward and very introverted. I like to study a lot, but I also don’t want it to be my whole life. I also want to get into the best grad school possible, but I know that the best thing to do for that is to go to a school where my mental health will be best so I can get the highest GPA and have the best undergraduate research.

For me, the schools have the following factors:

Columbia :

Pros:

-More name brand prestige, impressing my friends(not super important)

-Fantastic school with a rigorous curriculum

-In NYC with all the cultural and professional opportunities that the city can offer. I also prefer a more urban campus environment.

-More well rounded students (supposedly)

-Ivy League - again not essential but nice to have

Cons:

-Overly strict core - I don’t particularly like history so that won’t be fun, but I enjoy english

-Lack of community - If anyone could confirm/deny this that would be great. I am not good at making friends so this is a big one for me.

-Farther away from home(I live in a suburb of Chicago)

-I have struggled with mental health issues in the past and I have heard that the climate there for that is not great.

University of Chicago:

-Again, excellent school with a great biology department

-Less rigourous core in terms of history

-Close to home

-Cheaper to live in Chicago. Also in my experience Chicago is less crazy then NYC.

-I would probably fit in here better as I am kind of a nerd and I don’t have great social skills.

Cons:

-Less general prestige

-Potentially less biology and computer science specific prestige. If anyone in either industry could clarify that, I’d appreciate it.

-Less concentrated east coast alumni network.

-Potentially less opportunities for personal growth in terms of social skills and living away from home.

Would especially appreciate people’s experience on college community, mental health support, grad school admissions, and general atmosphere at both universities!Thanks!

2

NYC is the sort of place that you go to challenge yourself. Not really the place where you go if you have mental health concerns, or have trouble making friends.

I wouldn’t worry about prestige. Chicago has plenty of oomph to it’s name. I would think more about fit…where would I be happiest, and do my best work?

Frankly, if you can get into either of those schools you’re doing fine. Brilliance at both places.

3

you have too many reservations about Columbia to apply there ED and be committed.

Chicago seems like a better fit right now. It’s crazy to worry about a drop-off in quality or prestige. It’s a top school.

Close to home right now seems like a good thing. You can challenge yourself by going far away for grad school. College is enough of an adjustment already.

4

I wouldn’t assume Chicago is better in this regard; it’s neither less rigorous nor more undergraduate-focused than Columbia. There was an opinion piece in the student newspaper a few months discussing anxiety on campus.

*Perhaps it is unsurprising, then, that some members of the Class of 2022, after meeting online last year, formed support groups in anticipation of mental health struggles come September. More than SAT scores, GPAs, or extracurriculars, what many of us have in common is that we’ve spent high school performing a balancing act to manage and master our individual ANThills. Now, with classes underway, we find ourselves members of a culture in which ambition is a cardinal value and balance is frequently dismissed as unambitious.

We’re left with a paradox: The perfect UChicago student is happy, on top of things, and neurotypical, but to succeed at this school seems to require social withdrawal, caffeine reliance, and frayed nerves. As myriad student voices name this issue and demand institutional change from within publications, RSOs, and student government, UChicago responds with Band-Aids, not cures. We get study breaks, yoga classes, and educational pamphlets, but are simultaneously hit with greater academic pressure than ever…*

https://www.chicagomaroon.com/article/2019/3/13/anxiety-abounds-campus/

Have you checked out any liberal arts colleges? An urban liberal arts college like Macalester may suit you very well.

5

I am actually not super worried about class rigour. Of course I know that they will be difficult, but I went to a large high school that is notorious for its super hard grind classes and was ok there, so I think I will be fine.

6

With all due respect, the rigor and pressure you will face at a school like Chicago or Columbia is in a different league from what you will face at HS.

7

If you aren’t 100% sure, do not apply ED.

8

What type of “mental health issues” ?

What triggers an episode or relapse ?

Is a stressful environment appropriate for you ?

I do not agree that Columbia is more prestigious than the University of Chicago. In my opinion, they are equals.

A difference: Columbia has a rep as liberal to very liberal, while Chicago is viewed as moderate to conservative.

P.S. Have you considered Brown University ? (Less stressful environment if that is important to you.)

Rice University in Houston ?

WashUStL ?

9

My mental health issues aren’t super serious - mostly anxiety and depression - but I don’t really want to be in an environment that will trigger them. I manage them fairly well by taking anti depressants, exercising and going to therapy. I have considered going to Brown but I was worried that I would not fit in there.

10

I’ve also considered Wash U but I didn’t like Saint Louis as much.

11

If you were my kid, I’d discourage you from applying to either. Both can be extremely stressful in general. (And I love the Core.)

Bio…premed? If prehealth, earning A’s are paramount, and rigor at Chicago is well known…

12

Sorry but I don’t think you have a full understanding of what each school is like. Or maybe, how college rigor differs from high school. And what it really takes to get an admit. That should come well ahead of picking based on pros/cons like mentioning “prestige” 3x.

Brown’s not really less stressful. No tippy top is, when you’re surrounded by other hs top performers with high drives.

And these colleges want kids who adapt easily and comfortably, both academically and socially. They vet for all of it.

Bio is bio. Both colleges are tippy tops. To try to set one above the other in terms of repuatation is to miss the very real differences between them.

13

I’m not positive that i won’t change my mind and go to med school but for now it’s definitely not on my agenda. I will, however, definitely be attending grad school so I’m concerned about admissions for that.

14

Depression is always serious, and co-morbidity with anxiety can be extremely dangerous, especially in a very high pressure atmosphere. Both Columbia and UChicago have extremely high pressure atmosphere.

I’m with @bluebayou - if you were my kid, I would not want you to attend either. There are hundreds of colleges which will provide you with an amazing biology education, which are much less likely to trigger anxiety an depression, and/or are better at supporting kids with mental health issues. There is no point attending a “prestigious” college, just to drop out after a year because you need to take care of your mental health.

15

OP: Are you willing to share more info. about your qualifications & interests ?