<p>Hey guys, so I've been here a bit over a quarter and would love to give you feedback on any questions you may have about the school. I'll keep to my own experiences and knowledge of the College and try to remain fairly impartial even if you need help comparing schools. There are many things I love and hate about the school, and I'm still deciding myself if I made the right choice to come here. As UChicago's motto says, I'm here to let knowledge grow, and so may our human lives be enriched.</p>
<p>Well my first question would be what are some of the things that you hate? And some of the biggest things you love? How are your grades after the first quarter? Are you in mostly humanities?</p>
<p>1) how do you feel about the weather?
2) how accessible are professors? do you have too many grad students teaching your classes? do you feel like the professors care? how’s class size?
3) (if you’re a humanities kid) how are core math/science classes for people who aren’t particularly into those subjects?
4) what do you think of your fellow students? is it a friendly campus? is it easy to find something to do on a fri/sat night (not necessarily a party, just something)?
5) if you happen to be an english/classics/philosophy kid, anything specifically to say about those departments?</p>
<p>How many hours do you study daily?
How many hours did yous study daily in high school?</p>
<p>What specific classes/professors did you love or hear really great things about?
What specific classes/progessors have you heard to AVOID!?</p>
<p>Do you have to take “BOTH” the AP U.S. Govt Exam “AND” the AP Comparative Govt Exam to get credit from UChicago for either?</p>
<p>@franstar: Most of these are very personal to my tastes, but I will help show some university-wide problems. Most of these things are also hate and love at the same time, or you cannot have one without the other deals.
Hates: 1. I am still becoming used to the urban environment, coming from a small and quiet hometown the city streets were a new thing. 2. People who slack and still win. 3. the uninspiring days of discussion in Hume and Civ. There are just days when everyone says stupid things or I do not feel like participating cause the professors asks easy questions or something. 4. the rollercoaster weekly cycle, some days are packed full, some days I have nothing to do. It’s difficult. 5. stupid housing lottery is done by enrollment deposit day
Loves: 1. the variety of housing available on and off campus 2. the city! it’s great, and I love some of the neighborhoods 3. classes, classes, classes. They make my day. I love them, professors care, are trying to teach, want to know how to teach better, are accessible in so many ways. 4. Resources. RSO’s (clubs), theatre, art, dance, sports and more sports, tutoring programs in every subject, problem sessions, discussion sessions. there are thousands of things going on, but it is a bit difficult to get involved due to the need for a balanced schedule and commitment levels 5. everyone is serious about their academics, even those who don’t study daily or what not care, a lot. It’s unfathomably awesome being in a place where everyone is brilliant and knows so much. but this is common to most colleges, but everyone here takes pride in their intelligence</p>
<p>My grades were 2 B+'s, and 2 A’s. I took calculus, general chemistry, humanities class (core), and civilization studies (core). I had 5 B’s in high school, so my grades here are similar. It’s fairly easy getting a B, difficult to get an A, difficult to get a D. It’s a different grading curve, that’s for sure.</p>
<p>@tarmireel: 1) the weather has been good! No snow yet, a bit of rain, fall was good and pretty. It’s not been awful yet, so I’m not complaining. It was cold today (10 degrees) and tomorrow it’s supposed to be 0 with wind chill. I like the cold weather, so it’s not too big a deal. everyone complains together and we will bundle and cuddle if we need to. it’s just another part of the experience.
2) Professors are as accessible as you make them. They all have office hours and will meet with you if they are free, which is often. They are approachable, pleasant, and eager to talk to you. I’ve had 7 different professors, they have all been like this. I haven’t had any grad students teaching my classes, it’s all been professors, some older and some younger. Classes sizes are perfect! My discussion classes are less than 20 students, same with my calculus class, and my chem. lecture is large but broken up into 15 student discussion periods and labs.
3) I’m a science major, so I’m taking the “real” science and math courses. The core math and science courses are sometimes a joke, but are there to teach skills more than content. They are manageable and a good part of the process, just like how the humanities and arts courses are for me.
4) other students vary of course. I’ve met greatly friendly and personable people, but in general I’ve found many people are a bit more quiet and reserved, but everyone is friendly if you are friendly to them. I’m not a very party party person, but there are always parties. You can always find something to do, but it’s up to you to find it. My house goes on trips sometimes, or I go the city with my friends on the weekends, I see a movie at Doc films or Harper Theater, go out to eat (Saturday nights the dining halls close), I take a dance class on friday nights now. Trust me, there is always something to do, or you can make something happen.
5) I’m a bio major, but I have talked to some English professors and philosophy people. The departments are strong, very personal and close, and English professors are delightful and like to urge students to take more English courses past the core requirements. Also, the entire schools does multiple Englishy courses (Humanities, Social Sciences, Civilization Studies) cause of the core so everyone has to know how to write, which helps the English department cause you know, they’re experts! Also, English classes here are fun and interesting, as I’m sure the philosophy and classics classes are. We also have some sort of cool Classics major too!</p>
<p>@getmoreveggies: I “study”, out of class, probably about 20 hours a week. It’s not that much, most of it is reading. It’s like this: calculus problem set: 3 hours. chem problem set: 2 hours. chem lab write-up: 5 hours. Hume reading: 4 hours. Civ reading: 6 hours. per week. I don’t do much “studying” like reading the chem book or doing the extra calc problems, but I should and do when I feel like I don’t understand something. My calc and chem courses are refreshers from high school cause I was afraid to push myself here.
I “studied” probably 10-15 hours a week in high school, depending on what year. Senior year I probably did 2-3 hours a day of work.
I love my humanities class called Human Being and Citizen. I love the topic, the reading list, and I have Prof. Leela Gandhi as my professor this quarter. Discussion classes are great, usually! I haven’t heard much about any “you have to take this class” classes, but if you inquire with others they will recommend some I’m sure. I’d avoid Physics for Presidents, it’s dreadful according to a friend. It is a physical science class for non-science majors that is a choice for the requirement in the core, I’d stay away.
You only have to take one, but you can get credit for both, I think. They don’t get you anywhere except elective credits (just means you can take fewer classes) anyways, so they aren’t really that important.</p>
<p>How many courses are you taking? how many hours/wk is spent in class or labs ? How competitive is the atmosphere? How are research opportunities for undergrads especially science majors?</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>Hey all, PAGRok has given me permission to voice a second opinion on your questions as well (also a current student).</p>
<p>@franstar. There’s nothing I particularly hate. I might be annoyed by some of the staff in the dining hall, but honestly I don’t really hate anything. I do love the Core though. As a premed bio major, I was a bit concerned with the non-science classes I was going to take. However, my Humanities Core course is actually my favorite core course. The level of thinking it pushes me to strive for and the fantastic levels of engagement, intellectual collaboration, and energy from both students and professors is astounding. I really feel like I’m not just “another premed”. I am getting an education that will change the way I view society and the world that will allow me to think on a much more critical level. Who would have thought I would have been enchanted with a Hindu text calling for one to comprehend the cosmological forces of the universe? </p>
<p>I took Gen Chem, Calculus, Humanities, and and arts course. Came out with a 4.0. The A’s are definitely attainable if you put in the effort.</p>
<p>@tarmiriel (#3). Weather is fine. Some days its ridiculously cold, but its an inevitable part of Chicago. If you wear layers, it doesn’t really matter though.</p>
<p>Professors are very very accessible. I had two grad students and two professors 1st quarter and all professors this quarter. My professors simply loved the fact that they were teaching undergraduates. They are very committed to the educational philosophies of the Core and make every discussion or lecture exciting and passionate; they don’t run off to their laboratories or offices afterwards. They will stay and talk with you as long as you want. My humanities professor is an angel. She is so willing to help cultivate and polish ideas I have for papers even if they don’t agree with hers. She’s been willing to go hours and hours out of her way to help me with my papers. And her comments (even for an A paper I got) are just as long as the paper! My chemistry professor seemed to be bouncing in his chair one time during office hours when I was asking him questions about “why” some of hte concepts he taught worked. He was ecstatic at sharing knowledge with hungry minds. The grad students were of the same quality and passion as the professors. I sensed no difference except for the depth of their knowledge (which comes with time).</p>
<p>I’m a bio major and from my previous post, you can probably tell I love the Core classes. these aren’t requirements in my opinion. They are amazing opportunities that I am sad to not be able to have in future years. they always challenge how I think and allow me to formulate more and more new and complex ideas.</p>
<p>Students are great. There’s not much to say except that they really love learning haha. Friendly and gregarious. There’s always something to do so no worries. and you will have the time if you were worried about that too!</p>
<p>@getmoreveggies (#4). It really depends. But I can say that I am studying much more that in high school. but take into account that you only have class for maybe 3 or 4 hours a day. I have much more “free time” than in high school which is what matters I think. I also study every day of the week if that matters.</p>
<p>I don’t want to talk about best/worst classes/professors since it really depends on people’s tastes. I could dissuade someone from a class they would have really enjoyed.</p>
<p>@hublidoks (#9). I take four courses a quarter. You can take 3 or 4. Actual class times per week combined (all the courses I’ve taken): Gen Chem (2.5 hours lecture, 1 hour discussion, 4 hour lab), Humanities (3 hours discussion), Music (3 hours discussion), Math (2.5 hours lecture), Statistics (3 hours lecture), Bio (3 hours lecture).</p>
<p>I don’t sense competition really. Although some classes are on a curve, everyone seems to be focused on themselves really knowing and truly understanding the “whys” and “hows” of the material. I’ve never once heard something along the lines of hoping other people doing poorly to lower the curve. There’s a great spirit of intellectual collaboration and discussion which probably reduces a competition feel. People work together all the time.</p>
<p>Research opportunities are everywhere. There are probably more positions than students. There are also tons of grants for research. UChicago is a big research university of the abundance of research opportunities should be the least of your concerns.</p>
<p>Don’t want to intrude on the thread, but I’ll just offer these bits: </p>
<p>
Everyone with a uchicago login can access the course evaluations site (evaluations.uchicago.edu), and it’s a really valuable source. At the end of every quarter the university puts evaluation forms for courses online, and most UG students end up filling them out (you can find out your grades faster if you respond to the forms). You’ll also hear a lot about other professors from your friends. Basically, once you’re actually looking for classes you’ll be able to weigh professor quality with your other wants and needs. </p>
<p>
I don’t do general responses well, but I’m an english/philosophy kid who might even go for classics, so if you have any questions feel free to send them over PM.</p>
<p>BUMP. ask us more stuff please!</p>
<p>Some social questions:
do students take advantage of the City of chicago or do they stay on campus? Do students look down on frats? Are there any advantages to being on South campus? What are some of the best events to meet people during orientation? Do students really stick to their houses in the dining halls?
Thanks.</p>
<p>Whats you favorite pizza place near campus (I want real Chicago pizza!!!)???</p>
<p>Coffee joint (same question)?</p>
<p>We just returned from our son’s overnight visit to UChicago and all the students steered us to Giordano’s Pizza. We also loved Z & H Market Cafe for lattes/coffee and paninis.</p>
<p>So I have questions:</p>
<p>(1) Dorms:
Do any of you live in BJ?
Anyone get a single-room as freshman?
Any of you have Bikes?</p>
<p>(2) Feelings about Athletes:
Can you tell who the U of C Athletes are on campus?
Are they looked down on by the more “academic/intellectual” student body?
Do you think most athletes only got admitted because of their sport?</p>
<p>@erlanger #16</p>
<p>Students definitely frequent downtown. Personally, I’ve gone downtown almost 5 times already. Although you will never be bored on campus, the city is at your disposal. Plus you can get down there in 12 minutes if you take the Metra train (couple blocks from the main quad, fast and cheap). You even go downtown as a house during O-week!</p>
<p>South has lots of people since it’s the largest residence hall so if you want a big community, South is available. Also, the rooms are really clean since it was opened in 2008 I think. It is also a few feet from South Campus dining hall which is quite convenient. </p>
<p>Orientation…hmm. Honestly, you will naturally meet tons of people so I can’t give any specific events. If you take advantage of the events, do things with housemates, and don’t stay inside all of O-week, you will meet so many people so don’t worry about meeting people. It’s a very natural process facilitated well by O-week. I never had to “try” to make friends; friendships naturally occurred.</p>
<p>For the most part students stick to their house tables. But it’s not because they feel forced. Often one’s best friends are also housemates so they’ll naturally want to eat there with their friends. However, people always bring friends from other houses to their house tables and it’s not looked down upon. Perfectly normal. The house table thing isn’t quite so insular as Harry Potter makes it to be. It’s more of a “home base”. If I want to sit at a different house tables because my friends is there or if I want to sit at one of the smaller tables not affiliated with a house, it’s no big deal. Also, the house tables are quite as packed as one may think btw since people came and go throughout the day.</p>
<p>@getmoreveggies</p>
<p>Not BJ, wanted it though. I’m in Broadview with a single, and I do not have a bike. </p>
<p>Only way to tell sports people apart are by their sportsy clothes. They aren’t looked down upon by the intellectual community because they are part of it. I’ve met a good few brilliant sports players. I’d say it helps them get in, of course, but that doesn’t mean they are any less intelligent or qualified. I’m sure that none of them got in simply cause of their sport, they had to have the academic qualifications, but they likely got in over other people cause of their sport (same as any other hook or URM gets a bump).</p>