UChicago vs. Princeton

<p>vutiful: I'm not a big fan of students living at home if it can be avoided. Part of the college experience is living with other students. If one is driving, however, one can pay to park in the garage near the Ratner Center by the quarter. It isn't too bad, about $80/month I believe.</p>

<p>I would suggest living on campus if it's financially possible. The social life at Chicago really revolves around the House system, particularly for first years. That will form your primary social network in the beginning of the year, and you will remain friends with them throughout. Living on campus makes it easier to make friends, get help on homework from friends and housemates, go to club meetings (which are held at night), and participate in the social life on campus. I know one person who commutes, though she is not the most typical student in the first place.</p>

<p>go to princeton.</p>

<p>Also, the driving time is very unpredictable. Traffic is always changing, and you would either have to allow yourself plenty of extra time or risk being late to class sometimes.</p>

<p>As an undergraduate, your academic learnings at Princeton and UChicago are going to be comparable, if not almost congruent. Princeton DOES have the Woodrow Wilson School, which is great for international business and whatnot. UChicago has a crapload of Nobel winning Econ professors. The people you meet at either school should be pretty similar, in terms of the partyers, the geeks, etc etc. </p>

<p>I'm in the same situation. I have more friends on the East Coast, so it'd be easier for me to visit them. Plus, Princeton's proximity to New York/Boston/D.C. is a huge plus. But I mean....Chicago is CHICAGO. And, I have a couple friends at UChicago and Northwestern. Soooo yeah. I'd appreciate some feedback too.</p>

<p>If it were any subject other than economics, I would say Princeton. I was admitted to both and eliminated Chicago from my list because I feel that the education I would receive at Princeton would be as good or better than at Chicago, and I like Princeton's atmosphere and location more. That being said, there is no better place to study economics than at Chicago. Do some research and try to figure out what you really want to get out of your education. If you want to get a PhD in economics, Chicago might be better, but if you want to enter the business world, I think Princeton would open more doors.</p>

<p>^Agreed, if you want to do grad work then your choice should definitely be Chicago</p>

<p>"so...do you think I should dorm there?? my tuition will b 10k extra, but is it worth it considering I live 35min drive away. Plus when I visited, It took me around 20 min. to look for parking last Thursday."</p>

<p>I had to live at home as an undergrad due to financial reasons. I wouldn't recommend it if there is anyway around it. A major part of your education will come from the other students - I feel strongly that living on or near campus is part of this.</p>

<p>If your just looking for the quality of the school and the education, then I might lean toward University Chicago (although Princeton is the one top ivy that has its emphasis on undergrad education.) The one thing Princeton has that is bad is that its student body has a reputation for being anti-intellectual whereas University of Chicago is the exact opposite.</p>

<p>In terms of the prestige of the degree, however, Princeton is easily the better choice.</p>

<p>Also, while the campus at U. of C is beautiful, the area surrounding the campus (South Side of Chicago) is dangerous.</p>

<p>It depends on what you value more and where you feel more comfortable.</p>

<p>
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The one thing Princeton has that is bad is that its student body has a reputation for being anti-intellectual

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</p>

<p>What gave you this impression?</p>

<p>There are gonna be partyers and geeks at both schools...XD</p>

<p>I think UChicago's prestige is going to experiencing a rapid rise, though. For graduate school, both have their strengths, and it's pretty clear which school harbors which strengths. But is there anything at either school in the undergraduate level that would heavily influence the undergrad experience, for better or for worse?</p>

<p>Just because they drink a lot doesn't means they're anti-intellectual...</p>

<p>I think you should go for Princeton--if not for the prestige, amazing alumni network and Princeton-is-also-stellar-at-economics, I think the financial aid would be better anyway.</p>

<p>I vote for Princeton too.</p>

<p>People here may say otherwise, but name recognition is a huge part of the American business world. Princeton is much more recognized and esteemed than U of C.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Princeton is much more recognized and esteemed than U of C.

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This is not the case in the vast majority of educated circles. In fact, most knowledgeable people would hesitate to make comparisons like this between top schools.</p>

<p>^ and how do you know that your future employer will be the kind of person who will hesitate to compare princeton and uchicago?</p>

<p>What percentage of wall street/google/blah blah employees are from traditionally prestigious places like Princeton?</p>

<p>I think that in the end, prestige is ultimately the most powerful factor as long as you did not fail classes etc. If you were an employer and you saw the word ‘Harvard’ or ‘Oxford’ on someone’s resume, will you automatically be leaning towards granting him an interview?</p>

<p>EDIT omg sorry I just realised that this thread was from 2007 lol outdated.</p>

<p>^ Unless his resume backs up that Harvard and/or Oxbridge name, then yea, I’ll give him an interview.</p>