‘can be replicated’ is not the same as requiring every undergrad to take the same Core courses. General Ed classes do not a Core Curriculum make.
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But they don’t all take the same classes.
More than two colleges have core curricula, although what is in each core curriculum varies by college.
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The Curriculum < University of Chicago Catalog indicates that each part of the Chicago Core offers several course or sequence options, so no specific course or sequence is taken by all undergraduates, unlike at some other colleges.
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Look into Kenyon’s Integrated Program in Humane Studies.
https://www.kenyon.edu/academics/departments-and-majors/integrated-program-in-humane-studies/
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Wesleyan
https://www.wesleyan.edu/col/
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I also immediately thought of Swarthmore. Others’ suggestions are good. We liked Clark U. in Worcester (great freshman seminars). Your son is young and may change over the next few years. I would avoid talking about colleges and help him focus on enjoying high school for now 
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Alabama has this program: shared curriculum, living together, open to any major.
Its a southern flagship with all that entails: football, greek life, lots of options and opportunities.
https://blount.as.ua.edu/academics/curriculum/
I am sure you could find similar programs at other schools, where the school itself isn’t following a core curriculum, but a particular program is?
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No offense meant to anyone, but this is the first time I’ve seen UAlabama proposed as a comparable alternative to UChicago.
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First off Row houses are in most Chicago Neighborhoods… Not surburban at all. I live in the city in a house with 2 car garage and backyard. Not surburban at all… Lol…
Knowing many students at Chicago and a friend that teaches there and actually an adult RA (or whatever they are called). Students there do well in the having fun department. Most find their peeps.
Wash U to me seems very similar at least campus wise.
I agree it’s early and the advice above but as suggested we did go there and Northwestern and a few other just for lunch and to walk around to see the size of the campus. Again, we live by Wrigley so relatively close. I would suggest doing that if you want to do anything to see if the size of campus is even correct.Even pick some schools in your area first. My daughter went to a school with less then 1800 students and that was perfect for her. Then look at safeties etc and explore schools. But ya, your child should be enjoying school and doing activities etc that interest them. There is no wrong answer in what to do and yes, working counts.
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Out of the box but you might consider looking into is the Ohio University Honors Tutorial College.
https://www.ohio.edu/honors/tutorial-college
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Well I’m not saying they are the same vein but don’t discount these schools that are loaded with NMF…Alabama within the last year or two had the most in the country. It may be an easy admit but still there are many U of Chicago level students at most every flagship in the country.
So when someone makes a suggestion like this it may have merit.
Of course the schools are nothing alike. Maybe that’s what you are saying.
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Yes that’s what I’m saying. Because OP said: “similar vibe to the University of Chicago”
No doubt there are many highly qualified kids at ‘Bama. But the two schools are not peer institutions academically, culturally, etc.
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That’s fair. I think it’s tough to replicate Chicago.
And this is so early. Surely in two years OPs son will have different thoughts. Likely won’t even apply there
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I would wait a year/year and a half to target specific schools. Your child will change/grow over that time and may develop different interests, priorities, desires for college.
If you want to start to get an idea of what options are out there I would suggest getting one or two good college guide books (ex. Fiske, Princeton Review etc,).
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How about Skidmore?
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Thanks for all the input. Great advice all around!
I agree we’re way too early to be focusing on specific colleges. But, I thought I’d see what else might be out there with a similar feel as UChicago - just to keep in the back of our minds for down the road.
This forum is a great source of information. You’ll probably see me back with more questions in a year or so as the process unfolds. He may be looking at a completely different type of college by then.
Right now, he’s a “jack of all trades”, loves all his courses, and doesn’t want to have to specialize - that’s why UChicago’s Core Curriculum appeals to him. That may change once the focus begins to narrow.
Thanks again! Really appreciate the advice and suggestions.
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Reading your last post made me think of St. John’s College. It’s not for everybody, but if your son loves all his courses and wants an extensive core curriculum, it would definitely be an option to consider:
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A student with wide-ranging academic interests may be well suited to colleges with notably flexible curricula. For this, look into schools such as Amherst, Hamilton and Grinnell.
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So we went from OP asking…
To…
I have spent time at all three schools and never thought of Amherst or Hamilton as having a University of Chicago “vibe”.
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