<p>Thought I'd chime in and say that my Harvard interviewer this year (Who happened to be the Dean of Columbia's Journalism School), said plainly he thought that University of Chicago would yield absolutely bar-none the best undergraduate education in the world. If that isn't recognition, I don't know what is.</p>
<p>No question, no question.</p>
<p>I don't doubt that one bit. Could you elaborate on the reasons he gave though so I can argue with my friends?</p>
<p>Going back to the question of CEOs. There have been quite a few of well-known companies that had UChicago alumni CEOs albeit MBA degree holders. These include Paramount Pictures, Gillete (sp), H&R Block, etc.</p>
<p>Credit Suisse</p>
<p>
[quote]
[My] Harvard interviewer this year (Who happened to be the Dean of Columbia's Journalism School), said plainly he thought that University of Chicago would yield absolutely bar-none the best undergraduate education in the world. If that isn't recognition, I don't know what is.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>If Chicago has a name recognition problem, it's with your uncle Vinnie and the gang down at the insurance office off Main. Chicago has never had a name recognition problem at other elite universities or in the corridors of power anywhere. For a high school student, it's easy to miss that. As an adult Establishment type, I find the whole idea that Chicago has a name recognition problem because some people confuse it with UIC laughable.</p>
<p>As for social life, there have been numerous posts concerning that aspect and the conclusion is seems is, ...there is one at U of C. S is wrapping up year two, he has had a ball. Many new friends, a U of C GF, many school clubs and activities, more than a few parties, Chicagoland excursions, and just plain hanging out. Next year he will be in an apartment and is looking forward to that (he will actually be much closer to campus than he was in the dorm). He even had time for some school work... :)</p>
<p>True that Chicago is very well recongized in the higher end of society, but that does not mean we are not hurt by unrecognition in the lesser end. I just lost a simple banking job at a local branch because my competitor is going to Stanford (I live in Central Valley, CA, Stanford is king), and my interviewer thought UChicago was a public school.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If Chicago has a name recognition problem, it's with your uncle Vinnie and the gang down at the insurance office off Main. Chicago has never had a name recognition problem at other elite universities or in the corridors of power anywhere. For a high school student, it's easy to miss that. As an adult Establishment type, I find the whole idea that Chicago has a name recognition problem because some people confuse it with UIC laughable.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Actually, I didn't say I had ever thought it did. My mother went to University of Chicago for her BA and to U Chicago's GSB for her MBA. So maybe you shouldn't automatically assume things. (I'll supply a crowbar to help you get your foot out of your mouth later.) I was addressing the subject of the thread and refuting it, so your (effective) ad hominem was not only uncalled for, but completely misguided.
[quote]
I don't doubt that one bit. Could you elaborate on the reasons he gave though so I can argue with my friends?
[/quote]
As for reasons, he cited superior faculty, dedication to the core, supreme intellectual and academic focus, et cetera. At Harvard, according to him, they put much more emphasis on extracirriculars and non academic pursuits, much more on how to present oneself: in short, less life of the mind, more life of the party.</p>
<p>Arbiter,</p>
<p>I hate to jump in, but I think JHS was using your post as an example showing that Chicago does not actually have a name recognition problem with academics or adult professionals. He was agreeing with your post, and then providing a contrast, saying that your "uncle Vinnie" (anyone's "uncle Vinnie") is the type of person who would not necessarily know Chicago's prestige.</p>
<p>Ok, I just want to share a story. Before I do though, I just want to add that I am so happy that my thread has turned into such an amazing discussion!</p>
<p>I was just out drinking with some friends in Brooklyn on some random stoop. We saw two cute girls and came over. Turns out one of the cute girls is actually a MILF, and her husband came out who is a doctor from Harvard medical school. </p>
<p>Out of my two friends, one who is attending Wesleyan and the other SUNY Buffalo, he said "oh wow, the University oh Chicago, haha, you are the science guy, you must be smarter than the other three!" But then again, obviously because he was from Harvard he went into how impossibly hard it is to get into Harvard Med school. I know it is an amazing feat to get in, but still, Harvard alums... god.</p>
<p>Another story--I was in Costa Rica on vacation with my family, and at the hotel we were at, there was a couple we were talking to at dinner. I said I was going to Chicago, and he said "Oh, you must be quite the math wiz!"</p>
<p>I think Chicago overall has a reputation as being amazing in the hard cold academic subjects that most typical people are not very good at, and that the professional and successful people we talk about know about because to be in their position, they are good (and appreciate) those subjects too.</p>
<p>Haha, woops. Now that I read that with the quotes around "your uncle Vinnie" rather than your uncle Vinnie, I see what you mean. My bad.</p>
<p>i think U of C is a fantastic school. it has a tremendous reputation, and the most gorgeous campus i have EVER seen. I go to UIC, so im about a 1/2 hour away. The campus looks like ivy league in the city, it's phenominal. not to mention, going to college in the city is the greatest thing that's ever happened to me, you have the world at your feet, always so much stuff to do. I highly reccommend city schools, let alone U of C. congrats</p>
<p>bringing this thread back to life</p>
<p>If you want to brag about your degree at a cocktail party, Chicago is not the right place.</p>
<p>If you want to brag about your degree among academics or investment bankers, then Chicago is definitely a good option.</p>
<p>It is unusual for a school of Chicago's caliber and prestige to have as little name-recognition as it does, but it is not unusual for a good school to go relatively unknown. It seems like Harvard is the only school that's nationally and universally recognized.... in my neck of the woods (read: a wealthy, Catholic, un-intellectual neighborhood), a school like Notre Dame, Penn State, or Georgetown is a thousand times more prestigious than the Chicago name could ever hope to be.</p>
<p>Choose the school because you want to come here, not because other people are going to think you're smart, and you won't regret your decision.</p>
<p>I was pretty surprised that this random person from my Asian, prestige-driven country was so impressed by UChicago.</p>
<p>Him: So, what are you going to study in college?
Me: Applied math and economics
Him: And where are you going to school again?
Me: Chicago (thinking he meant the geographical location)
Him: OH MY GOD!!! Aren't they like the best in the world for econ? That's amazing!
Me: Uh...actually I'm going to Northwestern.</p>
<p>lol</p>
<p>lol.... have fun at NU and the best of luck!</p>
<p>I promise you, I have the reverse conversation in the US all the time.</p>
<p>penn state??? y would penn state be more prestigious unalove? or do u mean u of penn?</p>
<p>
[quote]
penn state??? y would penn state be more prestigious unalove? or do u mean u of penn?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>athletics, perhaps?</p>
<p>Penn State has quite a following and reputation in the NJ/Pa region. It may not be an academic super star from many points of view but people connect with it. Some of it is athletics but also it's huge and almost all of us know a current student or an alum. BTW, the Penn State honors college is pretty special.</p>