<p>Although I plan to visit UChicago this Spring, I would very much appreciate the advice of those knowledgeable of the university's environment. What I mean is not the weather: I fully comprehend northern winter. What I mean is the feel of the campus: does it feel as cramped as, say, Columbia? Is there a lot of space to think and work in a non-crowded area? I know these questions may seem vague/immaterial to some people, but I really want an informed opinion. I also prefer responses from those who attend/have attended the university (although I will gladly accept opinions from all), since a brief campus visit will certainly not give a certain answer to this question. Thanks.</p>
<p>I’ve only been here for a quarter, but I’ve never gotten the sense that the campus was crowded. There are a lot of people on the quads during time between canonical hours (e.g. 10:20-10:30) but not so many as for it to feel crowded. Plenty of space to work, especially if you avoid the Reg’s 1st floor and A-level. I recommend Crerar (Harper is usually fine, but can get a tad crowded). Sometimes I’ve had problems finding group study rooms but I never had to go to a different building. Alternatively, you can find tons of other study spaces beyond libraries.</p>
<p>Sometimes it can feel crowded. Like during late morning early afternoon when everyone is walking to class. Occasionally I feel like I can’t get away from people and I just want some private time. It’s sort of hard when you’re living with a bunch of other people and there are people everywhere almost all of the time. But I feel like that rarely. </p>
<p>Like zakuropanda said, there’s generally a lot of room to work in the Reg (except during finals–the A-level was RIDICULOUSLY CROWDED during finals). I’ve never been to Crerar, but I’ve heard it’s generally pretty roomy and vacant. Also, if you’re into math, Eckhart library is generally empty. During warmer months, a lot of people study on the quads because it’s gorgeous. I spent a pleasant afternoon during October reading under a tree in front of Kent… it was splendid. The main quad is pretty spacious, considering there aren’t really any buildings on it except for the admin building. There are lots of trees, benches, picnic tables, and pathways, especially on some of the other quads (Social Sciences, Classics, Hutchinson, Harper). If you’re looking for places near food, a lot of people study in Hutchinson Commons, the C-Shop, Harper Cafe, Ex Libris, Cobb coffee shop (hipsters included!), and [insert student-run campus coffee shop here]. </p>
<p>In other words, tons of space. Almost everything at this university is structured around a quad-- South Campus, BJ, all of the main academic buildings, Bartlett-Reg-MaxP, Crerar-Gordon Center-Hinds-Kersten, etc. So outdoor space isn’t a huge issue. Indoor spaces are generally small and fairly populated, but can be private if you’re in the right place at the right time.</p>
<p>There are plenty of places for quiet study - the upper floors of Regenstein (I found the desks in the stacks to be particularly conducive to concentrated work), and Crerar as well. All of the libraries on campus are open to all UChicago students, so there is a lot of choice.</p>
<p>What generally worried me is if it had the feel of New York City, where even in Central Park, I couldn’t find a minute of sanity and restfulness. However, I really liked the city of Chicago a lot more when I visited it a few years back. Does UChicago more nearly resemble New York City or Chicago is this respect? (this may sound like a stupid question, but it is certainly possible that certain areas of Chicago feel as crowded as another city.) I mean to place less of an emphasis on study areas (although roomy study areas are essential), and more emphasis on the general feel of the campus, if it were averaged over an entire day.</p>
<p>UChicago’s campus is definitely more like Chicago than New York. My friend from New York actually commented on how empty and unpopulated the campus and neighbourhood felt versus New York. Coming from a smallish town in Illinois, I had no idea what he was talking about :D.</p>
<p>Columbia and Chicago are similar as elite urban universities with strong core curricula, but their campus designs could not be more different. Chicago is completely sprawly, and interwoven with its surrounding community. It goes on for blocks and blocks. And it has the giant open space of the Midway running through it. Columbia is tightly-packed, and completely set-off from its surroundings – elevated 50 feet, so that the ground floors of most buildings are higher than the rooftops across the street, with a very finite number of access points that can be monitored and closed off. The main Columbia campus is not that large, and so the buildings have to be tall and close together. </p>
<p>And Chicago in general is way less crowded than New York. Streets are wider, sidewalks wider, blocks longer. It’s a large city, but much smaller than New York (< 3 million vs. > 8 million) and spread out. The overall population density is less than half of New York’s, and Hyde Park is one of the least dense areas of the city.</p>
<p>Now that JHS mentioned the giant open space of the Midway (plaisance) if you want to read a fascinating book, learn a lot about Chicago architectural history, and World’s Fair of 1892-93 I strongly recommend The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson.</p>
<p>Hi there. I’m a graduating senior at the University of Chicago.</p>
<p>The environment here is quite spacious and relaxed. I rarely feel like I am in a crowded area, but there are instances of this-- especially on the CTA buses and night shuttles. When you do happen to be around a large number of people, it’s probably the most irritating feeling in the world. Not only is it overcrowded, but you’re bumping elbows with strange kids who don’t know how to handle social situations. And if you’re really lucky, you might bump into the average UC student at the dining hall and spill your drink and pasta. I haven’t been that lucky, but I almost always see that kind of stuff happen.</p>
<p>But that’s besides the point. Chicago is much less crowded than Columbia because of the difference in campus size and the different cities. New York is, well, New York. The bad thing about Chicago’s environment is that it feels empty at night. There isn’t much of a nightlife and that definitely allows criminal activity to continue. So while you may feel more “at ease” in Chicago, you will notice that Hyde Park looks scary at night. Columbia’s crowdedness might very well be necessary in a large city.</p>
<p>(ETA: In this last paragraph, “Chicago” = The University of Chicago/Hyde Park community. Not the entire city.)</p>
<p>@OP - I know what you mean. The first time I toured Columbia with my son, I can away with the same impression - too crowded, footprint too small. there was also this incessant noise that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. I have since been back there to lecture a fewe times and the crampness is still striking - it is gated and hemmed in. No such feeling at uChicago, where my son happily attends.</p>