UChicago: Worth the moolah?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
1

<p>Essential question: is it worth shelling out the big bucks to attend UChicago?</p>

<p>Some context: decision time is upon the highschooled household. Institutional merit scholarship season is (for me) over, and I find myself in the extremely enviable and humbling position of having to choose between awesome competing offers from a couple of really amazing institutions. What's at stake? I have competing full tuition and full ride offers from two LAC's and Vanderbilt University. Additionally, I was admitted to UChicago, and waiting to here from other places this 3/28. </p>

<p>So, CC, I'm here to seek out your opinion on the following question: Is UChicago worth the moolah?</p>

<p>More about my decision factors. Money is a concern, but not an astronomical/unyielding obstacle. It would be "painful", but possible for me to attend. And although I'm framing this CC discussion around this notion of "worth", I want to be clear that I don't mean to imply I'm ONLY interested in money/job prospects/income. "Worth" for me also implies the tools and skills I will leave with (field-specific knowledge, but also just thinking skills and such), the people I'll have met, the relationships and growth I will have experienced. My #1 factor for college involves peers and faculty. I want amazing peers. I want to be surrounded by engaging thinkers and teachers. I found amazing people at Vanderbilt doing amazing things--but it seemed they were less academic-oriented (less likely to sit and chat about philosophy, less “life of the mind” perhaps) but, on the flip side, more community-oriented (more likely to go out and do and be movers and shakers). Again, painting broad strokes here. But that's my sense.</p>

<p>Vanderbilt v. Uchicago. What appeals to me most about UChicago is this notion of intellectualism. Lively engagement with ideas. Interesting and amazingly diverse peers. The things I adore about Vandy: Nashville, level of student-community engagement, enthusiasm of the student body, the weather, Nashville, Nashville, this notion of a "balanced" college experience, and the freshman-focused Commons experience. Concerns regarding Vandy: namely, academics, peers and community culture/"vibe."</p>

<p>Let me explain. At Vanderbilt, I came away with a decidedly uneasy feeling about the classes I visited at Vanderbilt. Now, I don’t mean to suggest that three classes is an appropriate or accurate sample size to base my understanding of "intellectual life", but, it's all I got. And I don't mean to challenge the intelligence of Vanderbilt students. The students I met were bright, engaged, hospitable and often hilarious. But, relative to the peers I might find at UChicago or other schools, I'm inclined to think Vandy students might be more pre-professional, and less idea-orientated, engaging and interested in the "life of the mind." However, I do love that Vandy is a campus of students who seek to strike a balance--academics, sports, social life, clubs, etc. They seem like a genuinely happy lot. I love the intellectualism of UChicago, but love less the weather/town/lack of "balance." </p>

<p>Finally, I want to make it clear: I'm a big proponent in the "college is what you make it" school of thought. I would be astoundingly happy at any of these institution. But, I really do love Uchicago, in particular. So, essentially, I suppose this is the question I'm asking: as an unabashed nerd seeking engaging & engaged peers, AND a balanced college experience, in your opinion, should I shell out the moolah for UChicago? Especially when I have such compelling counteroffers at play?</p>

<p>I would love to hear your thoughts, and thank you CC'ers in advance. // HS</p>

2

<p>DD passed on Chicago for full tuition at Pitt. She graduates next month. She occasionally wonders how different it would have been. I hope that once she gets a job, life will be wonderful.</p>

<p>At Pitt, she was able to take a wide range of classes because of her AP credit and general Ed requirements that were not too restrictive. She is a bit weary of the dreary weather. She felt challenged, but she started out as a physics/Japanese dual major, which kept her busy. She will finish with a major in applied math, minors in physics and Japanese, and a certificate in East Asian studies.</p>

<p>I think that your level of challenge will depend on your major. My daughter did not enjoy her general education classes. Good luck with your decision. It is mighty nice graduating with no debt.</p>

3

<p>According to Forbes, only the Top 5 schools are worth the money–including UChicago:</p>

<p>[America’s</a> Top Colleges - Forbes](<a href=“http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelnoer/2012/08/01/americas-top-colleges-2/]America’s”>America's Top Colleges)</p>

<p>You get what you pay for.</p>

4

<p>OP- first of all, congratulations on your college acceptances thus far. Vanderbilt and UChicago are both fine institutions and I suppose that the other colleges that you were accepted to are equally excellent schools.<br>
For my D, Chicago was an excellent choice, and FIT, for her. She, too, had similar lofty acceptances last year when she was making her decisions. Some were more costly that UChicago, and some were much less. She weighed her choices very carefully and she knew what would be in store for the family financially based on her decision. It boiled down to the academics, location, possible major, and campus culture. After two quarters she is completely happy with her decision to attend UChicago and has not regretted it.
All I can say is make the best choice based on everything that you believe is important to you, in addition to cost and affordability. Good luck and best wishes.</p>

5

<p>Wow, OP, you sound just like me except for the LACs part! I’m curious to see the responses to your thread.</p>

6

<p>highschooled- One thing I forgot to mention in my earlier post: I got the sense that you have not visited UChicago. If you can, try to visit during one of the accepted student overnight programs. This will help you determine if Chicago is the place for you.</p>

7

<p>Even if you can’t come to an accepted students overnight (although they do have a nice structure and lots of prospies running around), I’d still recommend trying to visit the places you’re deciding between if it’s at all possible. It made a really big difference for me and a lot of other people I know.</p>