<p>Well, I know the primary differences, I've visited both campuses...etc etc.</p>
<p>I just want to see what people have to say on this forum in terms of the advantages that U of C provides. Basically, I just need a little convincing!</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>The differences are fairly substantial. Academics at UChicago are going to be, on the whole, a lot better in general (and this is no knock against UMich as it's a fine school.) Michigan is going to have more jocks, frat boys, sorority blondes and I guess "average" college students, although of course that's not 100% of the student body. UChicago is going to be smaller, although not too small as it is still a large research university. </p>
<p>I got into Michigan and picked UChicago over it. It's a fine school but unless there's something in particular that is attracting you to it I would say UC.</p>
<p>I agree with Jack. I was also accepted to both schools.</p>
<p>hmm no regrets on either of your parts?</p>
<p>With Michigan? Never. </p>
<p>I know that at Chicago I am getting the best undergraduate education I can. I am surrounded by interesting and interested people. I don't think I would find either of those things at Michigan in the same way I find them at Chicago.</p>
<p>UChicago has better resources, a much smaller undergraduate body, and slightly better students in terms of academics.</p>
<p>I also got into Michigan. In fact, I was a Ross business school Pre-admit. However, I chose UChicago and have no regrets.</p>
<p>The two schools you have mentioned are poles apart in every way. I think that with a little more research into both universities, you'll understand that the choice isn't difficult at all. In other words, only ONE of these universities can be right for you, you just need to figure out which one that is - then I guarantee that you won't have any regrets.</p>
<p>well, I think every student's situation is unique....and I find myself torn between these two.</p>
<p>I've definitely researched...probably too much...and each has it's pros/cons...but yeah I was just looking for what comparisons others had to offer</p>
<p>Respectfully disagree with badman - the two schools could be right in different ways. Remember that a lot of wicked smart kids will be at UMich - it is a top public. Choosing one versus another DOES mean selecting a path. When you do so, you will want to look down the path past this fall - who do you hope to be in three or four years?</p>
<p>Congratulation on your acceptances, akx06. And remember - there's always the fair coin if it gets down to the wire!</p>
<p>I also have to respectfully disagree with badman. It could very well be the case that you would be perfectly happy at both schools, simply in different ways. I was faced with a very similar decision between USC and UChicago, and I knew after visiting both campuses that they were very different in terms of social life; however, I also knew that I could excel in either environment and have an amazing 4 years. Both are excellent academic institutions with cutting edge research going on. The main difference between any two schools is probably going to be the social life (unless we start comparing apples to oranges). At a big state school like UMich it's obviously going to be different than UChicago where the class size is significantly smaller, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing and both of them may have pluses and minuses for a specific person.</p>
<p>In the end, I didn't end up choosing UChicago. In my case it was mostly came down to a matter of money and USC simply offered me a fantastic scholarship package that I couldn't turn down.</p>
<p>There are lots of factors to consider, and most people aren't so unilateral that they would only fit in at one specific type of campus. I wish I could help you out, but honestly if you need someone else to convince you that a school is right for you then maybe it's not really right for you. Having been through a similar situation, I can understand why you feel this way though.</p>
<p>Good luck in making your choice, my friend! I made my choice a week ago now and I can honestly say that the feeling of relief after doing so is amazing! Considering how much I agonized over the choice, and for so long, I'd just like to say that I am now incredibly excited to be going to USC, I can't wait to start, and I have absolutely no regrets for not going to UChicago. Funny how that happens :-p</p>
<p>Wow, thanks for the post Enigma. That's basically how I feel...hmm what to do what to do...</p>
<p>Is Chicago a lot more expensive for you? If you're torn between the two (as in, it's very close) and one is much more expensive, it seems like an easy choice. If you have to love Chicago X number of dollars more than you love Michigan, pick Michigan.</p>
<p>Personally, I'd go w/ Chicago. I was waitlisted, though.</p>
<p>Akx, perhaps you could list for us your pros/cons for each school. It will help you see how the schools compare and organize your own thoughts, and it will also enable us to give you more specific information.</p>
<p>UMich will provide the better social life/"normal" college experience but UChicago will provide you with better intellectual stimulation and make you a true enlightened scholar if that's something important to you. If I had the choice, I would go to UChi in a blink of an eye becuase the idea of being at a place surrounded with students who like to talk discuss Plato, France's upcoming elections, and escape velocity in their free time is my idea of paradise.;)</p>
<p>heh...good idea. </p>
<p>Mich:
Pros:
Home.
Familiar
Can graduate in 3 years
My very good friends all attend
Has an excellent math department and I can double major and STILL graduate in 3 years
I think I prefer the social atmosphere due to going there so often to study and what not
I can go home on the weekends, and have a fresh supply of mother's food every week</p>
<p>Cons:
I would be a number
Large classes
Lot's of people who are there just to be there
Less opportunity to develop personal relationships with professors
Not as great as UChicago academically, although the difference isn't as substantial if one puts in the effort to pursue a rigorous curriculum
Opportunities upon graduation might be harder to come by/competition would be greater for what I want to do/takes much more initiative</p>
<p>UChicago
Pros:
It's in Chicago
I can get away from home, grow up, mature, meet new people, try new things
Considering I'm doing Math/Econ...the Math w/ spec in Econ program is marvelous
I want the core.
I drool over the classes offered in the course catalog
Small classes, great professors, (not saying UMich has prof's of a lower caliber, as they have exceptional professors in their own right)
Truly amazing opportunities upon graduation</p>
<p>Cons:
Far away
Crazy hard
Food
Don't know anyone on campus, but knowing me, thats not really a con, the list of 3 just seems to short.</p>
<p>Money is a non-factor. Hmmmm....thanks for the idea corranged</p>
<p>btw I don't drink, I don't party, but I am very social. I play sports, I mess around doing fun and interesting things, I'm just not a frat-boy or anything. So I wouldn't be missing out on that aspect of Michigan at all</p>
<p>Well, your Chicago cons look kind of weak. Chicago is not all that far away from Michigan, and you could probably take a train (?) home on occassional weekends. It's hard because you're learning and because you have the core, both of which you say you want. Is the food at Michigan better than at Chicago? If you choose to live in Max you'll eat at Bartlett, which was rated #2 dining hall in the country by The Wall Street Journal, if I remember correctly. The food gets old, but it's not bad. Not knowing people on campus isn't a con at all. Most people at Chicago don't know anyone coming in, but the house system and house tables in the dining hall make it really easy to get to know a lot of diverse people right away. You could double major, and you could graduate in three years. It may even be possible to do both, depending on the majors. In the end, though, unless there's a financial contstraint, there are no pros to graduating a year early. With four years you can take more classes, get more involved in activities, plan more for jobs or grad school, get better internships, and spend more time doing non-academic things that you enjoy. Many graduate and professional schools discourage early graduation. It would be easy to go to Michigan since it's close to home and you're familiar with it, but college is the easiest time to break away from the familiar and flourish in a new environment.</p>
<p>Im 90% UChicago...the 10% will come when I turn in my deposit. =)</p>