<p>Hi all :) </p>
<p>It's decision time for most of us, I am finding myself leaning towards UChicago, though I am worried about a couple of things. If I'm just rehashing old topics, if anyone could link to old threads, that would be great! </p>
<p>How rigorous is the coursework? I am a good student, but I have heard a lot about the intensity of the workload and the quarter system (though that was a plus for me). </p>
<p>Do students take advantage of study abroad? I really want this experience in my four years. </p>
<p>Is the environment cutthroat or collaborative? </p>
<p>What is the surrounding area of Hyde Park and the campus life (things to do, quiet places to study, unique aspects, etc). </p>
<p>How easy/common is it to secure an internship?</p>
<p>I have visited the school twice and will be staying overnight in a few weeks. I would love any responses from current students (and opinions of other incoming freshman- what made you steal the deal?)</p>
<p>Coursework is as rigorous as you want it to be. If you want to be an A student, you’re going to have to bust your ass off, but this is true at any school. If you’re fine with being a B or B+ student, then you don’t have to work as hard, just decently hard. It really depends on you.</p>
<p>Yes, students do take advantage of study abroad. I myself didn’t, but my schedule was rather complicated. I know people who’ve studied abroad both over the summer and throughout the school year, and they have nothing but positive things to say about it.</p>
<p>It’s a collaborative pressure-cooker, in my opinion. I don’t think people actively compete with each other, but there’s always a sense that you have to do more. You have to always take four classes a quarter, you have to take harder classes, you need to bring your homework with you when you leave campus to go downtown, etc. It’s a very peculiar atmosphere that stems from being surrounded by intelligent peers who are very focused on academics; I’ve heard it’s the same at peer schools, so I don’t think it’s unique to Chicago.</p>
<p>Re: Hyde Park - <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-chicago/1469434-uchicago-immediate-neighborhood-hyde-park.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-chicago/1469434-uchicago-immediate-neighborhood-hyde-park.html</a></p>
<p>Pretty easy, actually, but you have to look for them, and they won’t fall on top of your head. One of my roommates has had an internship every summer here and has successively worked multiple jobs simultaneously during the school year on top of schoolwork … but she’s very proactive about it. Still, the city of Chicago’s great for finding internships.</p>
<p>Hi! I’m a first-year here. </p>
<p>Winter quarter, I took four courses, two of which were science classes with labs, a humanities class, and a Civ class. I worked very hard, but I also had time to hold a job and do research in a molecular bio lab. Basically didn’t have any time on weekdays to hang out with friends, but I was pretty free most Friday and Saturday nights. I won’t lie and say I wasn’t stressed but the people at UChicago more than make up for it. </p>
<p>The atmosphere is incredibly collaborative. Perhaps I’ve been lucky. But I know that I can knock on friend’s door at four in the morning the night before a Bio assignment is due and expect him/her to give me a detailed answer or even to whip out an Expo marker and explain the concepts from scratch using a Whiteboard for as long as it takes until I understand. I’d be willing to do the same. It might sound ridiculous, but people are willing to help each other, no matter whether it may “hurt the curve.” I’ve never even heard that phrase tossed around.</p>
<p>It’s truly a special atmosphere, and I hope you realize that when you come here for the overnight. I know I did. Let me know if you have any more questions! I know I only answered two of yours.</p>
<p>Agree with above. Even as a premed back in the early 80s the academic environment was collaborative and friendly. I think it all has to do with Chicago’s tradition of producing scholars who want to learn and not just get “by” to get an A. Very different flavor than some of its preprofessional peer schools.</p>
<p>In terms of academic challenge it most likely resembles Princeton and Columbia. Princeton with its grade deflation and Columbia with a similar core. But, in recent years I understand the average GPA has risen to levels similar to its peers on the high end which makes students much happier…</p>
<p>The quarter system that was developed at Chicago is in use at Stanford, Caltech, Dartmouth, Northwestern, and most of the University of California schools…must be good for something since these institutions have adopted it… </p>
<p>What is most important is that from the very first day on campus you will learn to think critically and discuss thoughtfully about issues ranging from politics, religion, art, music, literature, classics, etc without ever feeling that your voice is not being respected…</p>
<p>…Chicago instills true respect for the art of discourse or debate for all perspectives…and you will see some of the best friends are made up of left-wing liberal to the ultra-conservative to the libertarian…</p>
<p>…some of the most lively discussions were held around the dining tables and student lounges late into the night…</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for the honest, detailed responses! I really, truly appreciate it. @uchicago1672, I hope I am able to meet as wonderful, helpful people as you have!</p>
<p>UChicago does not do grade inflation, right? What exactly does that mean? </p>
<p>And thank you, neltharion for the link to the Hyde Park thread, it cleared up a lot for me! Though many people on that thread (and even that I’ve spoken to) have said that campus life isn’t all that lively-- I am not looking for frat parties or raves or things of that nature (not really my scene), but I was hoping that ecs and clubs were a larger part of campus life? Could anyone attending shed more light on this? I am all for the academic focus, and I love the discursive, thoughtful atmosphere I believe the university cultivates- but I would also like a lot of novel experiences and interactions with others in a non-academic setting (like through study abroad and interesting internships) so I was hoping there were clubs and things to become a part of. </p>
<p>Again, I can’t thank you all enough (and the rest of CC) for all the help you’ve been in the college process.</p>
<p>For information on clubs, look up RSOs (Registered Student Organizations). There’s a huge variety, and it’s not really possible to sum them up without a bit more of an idea what you’re interested in (hint: almost any college will have a bunch of clubs).</p>
<p>Grade-wise, it means that the average gpa is around a 3.3 or so (that’s a B+). That’s about in line with some places (Princeton), slightly lower than others. Overall, though, I wouldn’t be particularly worried about it. Also, people don’t really talk about grades much, and when they do, other people have a tendency to become slightly uncomfortable.</p>
<p>I’ll add this to what fromuchi said: I can just about promise you that when you stay on-campus for the overnight, even with it being on a Thursday night, you’ll be extremely pleasantly surprised with how much people have time for and the breadth of activities and clubs in which people take part. From a capella, to theatre, circus, improv, biomedical research, social outreach… there’s everything.</p>
<p>Moreover…if you think Chicago students only study…it is far from the truth ( I know other students from “other” rival schools love to perpetuate this lie). While a premed I was actively involved in 3 different journals/magazines including Chicago Review, varsity cross-country team, scholarly research fellowship, working part-time building electronic contraptions in the sleep laboratory, and most importantly hanging out with my dorm buddies…especially having either spicy Harold’s chicken or Edwardo’s pizza on the weekends…ahhh, the memories</p>
<p>Again, thank you all so much for replying! I’m getting increasingly excited for college now haha- I’m not worried much about the snow or the cold, but in some threads I saw that there weren’t a lot of convenience stores near/on campus, or that the ones that are there are expensive- anyone have any insight?</p>
<p>waiting,
There is a CVS in Hyde Park within walking distance to campus and a convenience store on the ground floor of South. It is probably more expensive than Walmart, but you won’t be be buying all that much there. There is a Target that is convenient to get to on public tranportation-- my S’s house took a group trip there during O-week and he was able to get enough shampoo and laundry detergent and such to last quite a while. There could be other places I don’t know about–these are just the ones I’ve encountered visiting S–but these are plenty to allow you to cross this concern off your list.</p>
<p>you’ll find your way</p>