UChicago vs NU and more. Please read.

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
1

<p>Hi, I'm a Florida student entering my sophomore year in high school.
I've been a longtime lurker of CC and after reading thread upon thread I've come down to a mental debate between a few choice schools, mainly, the ever so cliche "Northwestern vs. University of Chicago."
The thing is, for a few months I was absolutely set on UChicago, I love the city and the beautiful campus, but most importantly, the legendary quirky, intelligent social vibe won me over. I won't even try to name the dozens of other things I love about UChicago. Yet recently I withdrew myself from my awestruck haze and began to think about things. </p>

<p>Why NU appeals to me:
At this point, I'm not quite sure what I want to study, but at the moment I'm leaning towards something that would satisfy both my Computer/Tech Engineering/ and Media/Video/Photo/Audio sides. UChicago's lack of engineering and NU's dominance in the arts has left me uncertain. Also, I've read other posts that mention how UChicago has more of a theoretical focus while NU is more into production, a plus for NU for me. Also, the workload; I enjoy the idea of course discussion everywhere at UChicago, but can't see myself up at all hours writing dozens of papers on subjects that I might not thoroughly enjoy (the Core; intriguing but maybe not entirely practical.) The NU setting is also a pro, despite the fact that it's farther from downtown Chicago, Evanston has many amenities such as the movie theater, Urban Outfitters, and other chain retail stores/restaurants that Hyde Park does not offer. </p>

<p>Why UChicago appeals to me:
I think there is a part of my heart that dies when thinking of leaving behind the geeky, ScavHunt, carefree athletics, Harry Potter loving,Tumblr-ish social atmosphere at UC. I'm in love with the House system which to me is a bit of a security blanket when it comes to making friends, going on trips, and being involved. The Physics program, another of my possible interests seems to be above NU's. I get the impression that the student body at UChicago is more accepting and unified as opposed to the North/South divide and 40% Greek Life stat at NU. As much as I want a taste of general college life, I've always wanted that unique factor that UChicago seems to possess. And finally, though NU is more known by the common person, UChicago rises to the top in ratings worldwide.</p>

<p>Basically, if UChicago had the Tech and Arts programs that NU had, or NU had the social atmosphere that UChicago had, I wouldn't even be worrying.</p>

<p>Though I simply, really, really want to be in the city of Chicago, Stanford or a school near LA or NYC would be my next choice.</p>

<p>I guess my questions for you all are:
Has anyone had a similar debate? If so, which did you choose and are you happy with your choice? Do you think I'd be able to find a niche at NU that fills my desire for the UChicago social life? Is it possible to have fun at NU without being involved in Greek Life? For students from both schools, how often do you travel into downtown Chicago normally and how easy is it? What houses/dorms do you recommend at both NU and UChicago? Do you know of any other schools that seem to fit my interests?
Which school would you choose if you were me?</p>

<p>I know it's a bit early for a sophomore to be making decisions, but I believe the sooner, the more prepared I'll be.
Despite how long this post is, I really, truly would appreciate a lot of input. Thank you.</p>

<p>(This is being posted in College Search, UChicago, and NU forums.)</p>

2

<p>Apply to both these great but different schools, see where you get in, and if you’re fortunate enough to have a choice, think about it then. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Realistically, you’ll be able to find some place at either school where you can be comfortable and happy. I (co 2014) am planning on going into CS at Chicago, and from what I hear, it’s a small but really tight-knit department with a lot of connections to linguistics and math (there’s CS professor with an Erdos Number of 1).</p>

4

<p>right now you are suffering from the delusion of choice - thinking as if you actually have a choice when you haven’t even applied yet. Apply to both and other schools that interest you and know that the list will possibly change over the next 1-2 years. If you are admitted to both, then you can expend the emotional energy in deciding. Until then, relax and enjoy the ride!</p>

5

<p>I agree completely with all of the previous posters, especially drdom. But I want to point out that there’s one important factor the OP may not be considering. Yes, Northwestern has better engineering than Chicago (that’s not hard!) and more practical Computer Science. Yes, Northwestern has excellent, career oriented media programs. But that does NOT necessarily mean that Northwestern can “satisfy both my Computer/Tech Engineering/ and Media/Video/Photo/Audio sides”. As I understand it, “Computer/Tech Engineering” and “Media/Video/Photo/Audio” are housed in different schools at Northwestern, and that there isn’t a whole lot of easy overlap between them. </p>

<p>The OP may want to focus on exactly how things would work with a program of study that tried to cover both bases. I’m sure it’s possible, at least in theory, but it would be important to make certain it is something actual-factual people can actually-factually accomplish.</p>

<p>The OP should also recognize that a huge percentage of students change their minds about what they want to do between the summer after 11th grade and the time they graduate from college. When you are deciding which colleges to keep on your list, pay attention to how easy it is to change majors, even across school lines, because there’s at least a 50% chance that you will care a whole lot about the answer sometime in the next few years.</p>

6

<p>Em</p>

<pre><code> By the time you matriculate you are not going to care about Urban Outfitters.
</code></pre>

7

<ol>
<li><p>Yes, that’s likely to be true.</p></li>
<li><p>However, no matter what FutureEmilys’ shopping tastes are (assuming that she still has some shopping tastes), they will be satisfied more conveniently from the Northwestern campus than from the University of Chicago campus. Unless, of course, she likes to dress herself in used books.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>That’s not likely to change by the time she matriculates.</p>

8

<p>Lol, it’s true I have never shopped for clothes in Hyde Park.</p>

9

<p>Hopefully shopping is only a minor factor, not THE factor in deciding between the UofC and NU.</p>

<p>OP, your dilemma is actually pretty valid, and I don’t think there’s an easy answer; whichever one you choose, you will lose something. Still, like everyone else has said, don’t count your chickens before they hatch. I know someone who was really into Cornell, and she was already planning her next four years there…and didn’t even get waitlisted…</p>

10

<p>^ Chicago has Tucker Max. And John Paul Stevens.</p>

<p>Can’t get anymore interesting than that. =P</p>

11

<p>please please apply to UChicago. This school is incredible, and I’m a huge arts person. I have fallen in love with the people, the atmosphere, the campus, the professors, and the quality of academic learning. This place is truly a gem in terms of academic institutions. </p>

<p>Also, if you’re not convinced the Arts are getting better just check this out:</p>

<p>arts.uchicago.edu and then go to the Logan Arts Center. I was at the groundbreaking in May.</p>

<p>another cool link about hyde park: </p>

<p>hydepark.uchicago.edu</p>

<p>and it’s pretty easy to access the city anyway. it’s not a big deal if you can’t shop in hyde park, just take the 6 or 2 bus or the blue line and in less than 30 minutes you’re in some of chicago’s best shopping areas.</p>

<p>oh, and just this past quarter UChicago students received free access to all art museums, and 17 other cultural attractions in the city. pretty sweet.</p>

12

<p>Get into both of them first.
You’re only a sophomore!!!</p>