<p>As unpopular as University of Chicago's social rep is, I love the school. Unfortunatly, I don't know if my stats are up to par (3.48 GPA, estimated 29 ACT). I'm very involved in school and have been working on essays that I think are pretty good.</p>
<p>But regardless, I know I need to apply to safeties. And matches.</p>
<p>If you could compare UChicago's atmosphere to another school, which would it be?</p>
<p>And any opinions on the school in general are fun. What you like/don't like about the school. I like hearing other opinions. =)</p>
<p>Um....i got accepted. Chicago is one of the most INTENSE schools in the country if not the world. You will get one of the best educations that one can possibly get. However, I feel that you can get this at a number of other schools that you also can have a social life. Some of these include Cornell, Penn, and Duke. Yes, we cornellians know how to party it up. My main problem w. Chicago was honestly its STUCK-Up admission officer, like i am the customer and the student, i feel i should be treated w. some respect by the ppl who admitted me. This is not the case. Go take a visit, all you hear about is their glorious nobel prize winners and how famous the school is. I mean, I enjoy academics, but in no shape or form would i enjoy discussing philosophy or something about Karl Marx on a saturday night. This is the Chicago norm for many ppl. I preferred Northwestern to Chicago.</p>
<p>collegekid, i'm sorry you had a bad experience with a UChicago admissions officer. from what i've heard of other people, UChicago has one of the nicest and most accommodating admissions staff. that was certainly my impression when i visited. the students welcomed me with open arms, and the admission officers i talked with were very personable. </p>
<p>to the OP, i second what SBMom and aranaxon suggested: St. John's (which is a lot smaller), Reed, and Swarthmore. in terms of the core curriculum, i heard columbia university (NY) is similar to chicago.</p>
<p>If you were to look at a list of schools producing large numbers of future PhDs per 100 graduates, you would see a lot of schools that share a degree of academic intensity with UChicago.</p>
<p>Interestly, the top 50 or so per capita PhD producers cover a reasonable wide range of admissions selectivity.</p>
<p>dude, stop trashing my alma mater. Do you honestly think you have an idea of the social scene as a prospi? There are plenty of parties to be had.</p>
<p>if you can beleive the college guides, Swat & Reed may provide a similar academic challenge as Chicago, but both are lacking in political diversity -- and proud of it. </p>
<p>Thus, I'd say that there ain't any that have the same "atmosphere."</p>
<p>There is more to atmosphere than political diversity. Also, if one is having difficulty getting into U Chicago, it is likely one will have more difficulty getting into Swarthmore. Like many above, i second Reed and St. Johns, but both should be visited because they are for a very certain type of person. St. Johns is essentially all core classes, if that means anything to you- this means you will have little if any say on what you take. They do have the two campus situation which is kinda cool. I wouldn't know if Cornell, Penn, or Duke have the Chicago atmosphere, but these are not safety schools, either. I hope you posted this in the U of C forum, by the way. That might be helpful. I'm sorry i can't offer any new suggestions</p>