<p>
[quote]
Doesn't she know that when you apply to graduate school, the University of Chicago really means something?
[/quote]
A lower GPA? :p </p>
<p>Smirkus, that is indeed amazing. Which high school do you go to that is so impressive? :confused:</p>
<p>I was in Cali for the weekend (I live in Indiana) for a Japanese competition. I don't know if this only pertains to Japanese people in California or what, but everyone treated it with as much prestige as Harvard. I was pretty surprised. I particularly liked when one of the judges asked me where I was going to school, I responded, and he said "You are going to University of Chicago? You must be a genius!"</p>
<p>(By everyone, I mean everyone who asked and who I told, which is about 20-30 people.)</p>
<p>On the other hand, I have a white and a Chinese friend living in California who have no idea what UChicago is, so maybe it varies per ethnicity?</p>
<p>I think it depends on the company you keep. If you were at a Japanese competition, where the nerd-alert is on high, it's very likely that people have heard about the school/researched it for themselves. Time and again I have friends who say things like, "I would have gone to Chicago, but instead I'm going to Harvard, because Chicago's too hard for me."</p>
<p>Think about it-- THEY are scared of US! I'm afraid to tell them that I don't necessarily think they're correct.</p>
<p>Some of my good friends from home (white, Chinese, Jewish, whatever) still think I'm going to UIUC.</p>
<p>Seriously now, UChicago as an institution has identified before that there is a significant problem with name recognition and recognized that relying on the reputation that the school has among academics and intellectuals is not enough. The school even hired a consulting company years ago -McKinsey and Company- to make recommendations in that regard. I wonder if there has been any significant changes with that perception since that report.</p>
<p>Interesting. I wasn't talking about my high school, rather that I said I was going to UC. Though I do go to a pretty good private highschool in NYC.</p>
<p>I also spoke to someone who just graduate, and is working in my dad's lawfirm, and she said "gpa is super important, although they tell you people calibrate it differently, that is only so-so." Just wanted to add that because I know it was talked about earlier on this thread.</p>
<p>Also, a tip from her, if you want a better grade, get to know the professor better, talk to them a lot. Most profs are very open to the students.</p>
<p>Most of us are aware that for med school and law school, GPA is extremely important. A lot of people think that for those two fields, Chicago undergrad is not as atractive. It was discussed extensively before that Chicago's good reputation in academia helps a little with that. However, it certainly puts it at a disadvantage compared to other institutions that have some degree of grade inflation. The recent graduate you spoke with at your dad's firm is right.</p>
<p>It still isn't stopping me from being a diehard premed when I get there</p>
<p>Good man...Hard work always pays off, especially when one loves it!</p>
<p>I currently attend the UofC (grad student), and I work in student affairs for the College. There is one thing that I can say about the UofC without a doubt: This is the toughest school you will ever love.</p>
<p>Undergrads are thrown into research and analytical work their first year. The CORE requirements here are the most rigorous I have ever seen. The student body is the most brilliant you will ever encounter (even when compared with their Ivy League compatriots). This is a haven for geniuses who are not socially adept. At this time there are six Nobel Prize winners on faculty. The University of Chicago produces more Rhodes Scholars than any other institution. You are truly among the brightest of the bright. Chicago is not a school for the fainthearted. And the quarter system is not conducive to social development.</p>
<p>However, if you can weather the storm that is Chicago, you will be grateful. You'll find doors opening to Ivy League graduate programs, top jobs, and well-paid fellowships--with these incentives, does name recognition matter? Put it this way-the people who matter will know what The University of Chicago is. Although, once you taste the academic rigor found here, you might not want to settle for a less demanding school. </p>
<p>I encourage you to apply. It's a one-of-a-kind experience.</p>
<p>
[quote]
The University of Chicago produces more Rhodes Scholars than any other institution
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Good advertising but far from the truth! Harvard and Yale (and I am 90% sure Stanford also) have produced way more.</p>
<p>Sam, I guess shailyp means most recently elected U.S. Rhodes Scholars.</p>
<p>Only following 5 colleges have multiple winners.</p>
<p>Chicago 3
Duke 3
Navy 3
Yale 3
Stanford 2</p>
<p>Other 18 colleges took the remaining 18 trophies. Harvard was not in it. Neither was Northwestern.</p>
<p>Also, I've started another thread listing colleges that offered undergraduate education to Nobel Prize winners. Chicago is ranked #2 with 13 winners, second only to Columbia. FYI, Northwestern didn't produce a single Nobel Prize winner from its undergraduate college, unfortunately.</p>
<p>biztogo,</p>
<p>Since when this is another NU vs Chicago thread? I merely pointed out the false info and what I got was you bashing Northwestern. LOL! This whole Chicago's cheerleading is just funny. You remind me of communist propaganda. I know how you will be happy if nobody would burst the bubble.</p>
<p>The most recent list is here:
<a href="http://www.rhodesscholar.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.rhodesscholar.org/</a></p>
<p>Zero for Chicago. Not that it means U of Oregon or Montana State are better.</p>
<p>that cant be right i know i saw a picture of more. like it matters.</p>
<p>biztogo,</p>
<p>By the way, among the CEOs of current Fortune 500 companies, nobody went to Chicago. Northwestern? Five. If you want to claim academic superiority based on # Nobel winners, then I guess you should also concede that Chicago, compared to its peers, isn't a very good training ground for future leaders. Funny how the stereotype is kinda fitting!</p>
<p>Who Cares.</p>
<p>oh and by the way my post was supposed to be in capitals.</p>
<p>Sorry, Sam. I thought 2006's was the most recent list and that's what shailyp meant. You know why I point out the NU thing? Because you are the one who always try to bash UChicago even though you did not have much supporting information so that you used "NU beats UChicago in some kind of econ competition". I guess that competition isn't as important as Rhodes Scholarship and/or Nobel Prize. </p>
<p>I think people in this forum are all proud of their colleges. Which include you. However, seems that you are the only one who breaks into UChicago territory and play the "warrior" role. Guess what, people all know that means you care about UChicago vs NU a lot. Psychologically, your action is quite understandable.</p>
<p>Relaxed! I came across this thread using keyword = Northwestern. I didn't really "break into UChicago territory" like you imagined. </p>
<p>As for NU beating Chicago in Fed Challenge, I didn't used it to claim NU's econ was better. Most of the time, my point was to tell prospect that NU has a strong program even without any Nobel winner teaching the classes, using the results of undergrad competition against the team from the best known program. Using UChicago as the measuring stick is a compliment. Beating UChicago is different from beating just somebody.</p>
<p>
[quote]
This is a haven for geniuses who are not socially adept.
[/quote]
I'm a big fan of Chicago, but is that something to be proud of? Goodness knows people need to know how to work/socialize with others once they graduate.</p>
<p>oo man...i'm scared of all this talk of no social life...makes me think if i'll survive next year at uchicago</p>