Student Life

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
1

<p>nizzle dizzle.</p>

<p>interesting read:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.uchicago.edu/docs/education/quality2.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.uchicago.edu/docs/education/quality2.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

2

<p>the report is very well written, if I end up going to U of C, I hope I can write that well when I graduate.</p>

<p>Oh, but I'll also point out that it was written in 1996. The problems outlined there were very real at U of C, but recently I think (hope) they have been greatly resolved. I think in 11 years the school has taken measures to counteract the problems outlined in that report. But, I'm asking some current freshman I know what they think about the report.</p>

3

<p>that is disappointing but very helpful. Thank you tennisdude. I will not be applying to transfer.</p>

4

<p>wow, thank you so much! This report is honest and refreshing. I don't know how many different reponses I have gotten from students and parents familiar with the University about what the life of a UChicago student is like. I've heard everything from "it's not bad" to "it's hell" So, here it is, all laid out with numbers and everything!</p>

5

<p>that was an EXCELLENT article.</p>

<p>In fact I'd venture to say that is absolutely the best bit of information I've ever seen on the UChicago.</p>

<p>Thanks much Tennisdude, I'm definitely boomarking that.</p>

6

<p>A few things:</p>

<p>I actually intended this to be a, um, positive article. It wasn't meant to dissuade anyone. It was written in '96, and I think it shows a lot about how the university has grown, and how it's stayed the same.</p>

<p>Then again, I know nothing. I'm not even admitted. :-/</p>

7

<p>^ positive? actually, there are a number of negative things in the article, even if it is from '96. But positive/negative isn't the point, it's just raw. It's can't change my mind too much as I already accepted admission, but I think the point is people should know what they are getting into, and it's core can't have changed so much from '96...I mean, it's still UChicago: Life of the Mind.</p>

8

<p>I felt like it presented problems with candor and offered solutions and suggestions.</p>

<p>It also highlighted that students were proud of the academics, pressured by <em>themselves</em> and not competition, and the universitity's focus on academics.</p>

<p>Yeah, there were problems but everyplace has problems.</p>

<p>I dunno... I liked it.</p>

9

<p>thanks tennisdude... excellent find</p>

10

<p>I remember posting on another thread a lot of the major changes that have been instated since the report was written. A brief summary of those changes:</p>

<p>1) Building the Ratner Gym, giving students and student-athletes clean, new facilities.
2) Building the Max Palevsky dorms, which are similar in size and structure to most college dorms, giving first-year students in the dorms the opportunity to meet a lot of students and feel connected because they're in the center of everything.
3) The ice-skating rink down by the Midway.
4) Bart Mart, the ridiculously overpriced canteen that you use your Mickey Mouse dollars at. (Though my friend insists that God gives Bart Mart as his gift to man in Leviticus, I believe it's a relatively new addition to campus).</p>

<p>I'm sure there are more changes-- I just don't know what exactly they are. Certainly the report is well-written and well-focused; it identifies some of the school's weaknesses. At this point, though, I think you'll be able to find activities if you want to and if you want to be withdrawn, nothing's going to stop you.</p>

11

<p>To be fair, I've heard a LOT from people at the school (professors, my academic advisor, etc.) about how much the school has changed, even in the last couple of years. The change is even evident now: Upperclassmen tell us that each successive class has more and more social/attractive people. Class of '10 has been the best so far, apparently; hopes are high for Class '11. </p>

<p>What I'm saying, basically, is that while it's always great to learn as much about the school as you can, a lot of things can change over an eleven year period. As an outgoing/social freshman who goes to lots of parties and such, I can't say that I identified that strongly with the article. </p>

<p>Also, this was kind of interesting, given the discussion over in the "Post your GPA article":</p>

<p>
[quote]
Indeed, when asked, students generally rejected [that competition with other students is a source of stress], stating that self-generated pressure to excel is the primary source of stress rather than a lack of cooperation or competitiveness among students

[/quote]
</p>

12

<p>When I say it is excellent, I meant it in the fashion that it's added no new concerns to my list. I feel as though the things mentioned here have been dealt with sufficiently or don't really bother me all that much.</p>

13

<p>In response to Jack's response-</p>

<p>1.) To add to your quote and on the topic of the thread about student GPA's:
"Students find their academic experience the most enjoyable aspect of their experience (50 percent) and are highly motivated to excel academically. In ranking their goals for college...75 percent cited good grades."</p>

<p>So, there ARE two sides! Not that I myself consider grades to be the end-all and be-all of my highschool existence, but they are pretty important in asking my parents for money...mm hm :)</p>

<p>2.) That's nice that people are more attractive. But you neglected to metion how the campus squirrels are these days...hmph</p>

<p>3.) Do you not think that academically the University has stayed true to its very high standards? And wouldn't students who go to the University and attempt to dispel this myth about the "place where fun comes to die" actually suffer academically? And is it not true that the University still has a poor freshmen retention rate with at least 10% leaving after the 1st and 2nd years? </p>

<p>Just some thoughts...</p>

14

<p>Here is the introduction to that report. <a href="http://www.uchicago.edu/docs/education/quality1.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.uchicago.edu/docs/education/quality1.html&lt;/a> It provides some important background. The University began an effort in 1994 to survey the quality of student life at Chicago. As a result of the report, the University began a series of initiatives aimed at improving the undergraduate experience at Chicago, while at the same time maintaining its academic experience. The changes were not all that easy to make. The Core went from 21 to 15 required courses, and many alumni and then current students were not pleased. Even the building of the Ratner Center was not without controversy, with some alumni opposed. </p>

<p>The Dean of the College, John Boyer (<a href="http://chronicle.uchicago.edu/061102/boyer.shtml%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://chronicle.uchicago.edu/061102/boyer.shtml&lt;/a&gt;), deserves a great deal of the credit for the improved social climate at the school. He is a tireless fighter for a quality undergraduate experience.</p>

<p>As a result of Chicago's experience, a regular survey of student life is now conducted on many campuses. A consortia of about 33 schools now compares results after each survey, which is conducted every few years. The results are kept confidential so as not to be used in marketing, though the Boston Globe leaked that Harvard finished 31 out of 33 in student satisfaction with academic and social life. This lead to many of the changes we have seen there. </p>

<p>Chicago, as well as other schools, are keenly aware of quality of life issues and do everything they can to improve it. The new dorm, bringing all students closer to campus, and 53rd street renovation, are recent examples. Students should expect continued efforts.</p>

<p>According to the PR, First Year's returning for their second year is 98%. Also, in a report I read, about 20% of students who transfer out, transfer back in.</p>

15

<p>Idad- Really, I'm shocked because I've always read Chicago lost 10% of its students in the 1st and 2nd years. My source would be US news and world report and the Princeton Review, probably from '05. I'm curious to know where you got 98% from. </p>

<p>-aspiring</p>

16

<p>I simply went to the PR online, and typed in University of Chicago (one must be registered), then chose Student Body, under Statistics.</p>

17

<p>The University has changed a huge amount in the past 10 years. I have a cousin who went here 1997-2001, and then went to U of C medical school, and he says the College has changed pretty dramatically in the time he's lived in Hyde Park.</p>

<p>I think it's a very well-written report that does an excellent job of getting an accurate picture of what the problems were in 1996. I think many of those problems have been addressed. </p>

<p>I don't have statistics, but I'm sure 10% is not the correct statistic for transfer-out. I only know of a couple people who have left, and one of them was a very poor fit for the school in the first place.</p>

18

<p>Hm, I looked it up and it appears I was wrong. Perhaps I was referring to the graduation rate?</p>

19

<p>I posted that several days ago, not realizing it was that old. Here's the great response amykins gave:


</p>

<p>As idad said, 10-20% of students who transfer out end up transferring back.
<a href="http://maroon.uchicago.edu/online_edition/news/2006/04/28/transfers-find-there-is-no-place-like-home-at-u-of-c/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://maroon.uchicago.edu/online_edition/news/2006/04/28/transfers-find-there-is-no-place-like-home-at-u-of-c/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>


</p>

20

<p>That said, I'd dearly love to know where Chicago placed in the COFHE student happiness surveys. :D</p>