<p>So, I've narrowed down my final choices to either Uchicago or USC. Both places gave me pretty fantastic fin. aid packages, so cost isn't a deciding factor. I'm thinking about being a psych or anthropology major, although nothing is really set in stone. I might eventually go the pre-med route.</p>
<p>I know that these schools couldn't be any different from each other, and it's kind of like apples and oranges here. Chicago has been my dream school for a long time now, but I'm concerned about 1)the crazy workload 2) my (possible lack of a) social life and 3)the brutal winters (I'm from So Cal by the way). I love the idea of being in an intellectual environment, but I also don't want to miss out on the typical college experience. </p>
<p>On the other hand, USC has great weather, strong academics (admittedly not as great as Chicago), and they're pretty kickass when it comes to sports. I know that I could potentially have a lot of fun there. </p>
<p>I know that I have to make the decision for myself, but I was wondering if anyone out there had any advice for me.<br>
Thanks!</p>
<p>Sounds like you see picking U of C as somewhat risky (you might have trouble with the workload, you might hate the weather - wait- let me amend that - you will hate the weather and you might not get enough chances to get drunk while attending big-college-sports events.</p>
<p>However, I suspect that if you try Chicago for a year and then decide that you made a mistake, you could transfer to USC without too much trouble. Going the other way would probably be tougher. Also, since USC is the ‘safe’ choice now, it will probably still seem like the safer choice in a year. So, if Chicago is your dream school, and you want to challenge yourself academically, I say go to Chicago. Historically fabulous anthropology dept., of course. Watch out for the chem pre-med weed-out factor there, however.</p>
<p>Memake, I’m not a hard partier by any means, but yes, the option to get drunk while attending big-college-sporting events does sound appealing. I think this kind of thing would be harder to come by if I were to go to Chicago. Or I suppose I could always go to UIllinois for parties and stuff. But bottom line is that Chicago is the best place for academics, so I guess I should try it out for a year. Either I’ll be pleasantly surprised and I’ll love it or I will absolutely regret my decision and spend my days wishing for 70 deg. CA weather.</p>
<p>While UChicago is, by most people’s standards, a “better” school than USC, it doesn’t sound like you’re terribly excited about it. You seem to really want USC, and I can’t blame you. You’ll do better where you’re happier, and if you’re going to be miserable and cold at UChicago, then the extra prestige just isn’t worth it. Follow your gut. You’re picking between two great schools and I’m sure you’ll do just fine wherever you end up going.</p>
<p>University of Chicago. If you’re not up for an adventure when you’re a college freshman, when will you be ready? Just get a freaking coat and be bold. The danger of places like southern California (from an outsider’s perspective) is that they make people weak, insular, and overly fearful about silly things like weather. If you aren’t 80 years old and arthritic, you might as well find out how hardy you are. You might be surprised! It would definitely be worth it for the prestige, the teaching quality, the incredible honor of getting into such a fabulous college as U of Chicago.</p>
<p>If you think you would prefer USC, then go there. USC provides an extremely well rounded college experience with top tier academics. From what I’ve seen, it’s really an exciting school to be a part of (while Chicago is known for being the place “where fun goes to die”). Anyway, if you decide to return/stay in SoCal, then USC would provide you with infinitely better connections and a strong network of contacts.</p>
<p>IMO, if your not extremely excited and thrilled about the environment of UChicago, then its probably not the right place for you. You can succeed at any school, and get just as good of an education if you really want it especially at usc. I say usc, unless your really prepared for the Uchicago life. ive heard from an alum that all the stories are true; its quite intense.</p>
<p>If you’re the kind of person who likes the intellectual environment at Chicago, you might not enjoy the more traditional social life at USC. In fact, you might not even fit into this social life. Chicago might therefore actually offer you a better social life.</p>
<p>If you prefer the type of social life at USC, you probably won’t like Chicago’s environment.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE=mUser]
Or I suppose I could always go to UIllinois for parties and stuff.
[/QUOTE]
</p>
<p>Bad assumption. UIUC is about a five hour round trip from the south side of Chicago. You probably won’t have enough time to do this very often given the intense workload at Chicago. More importantly, speaking as someone who attended UIUC for two semesters, the parties at UIUC tend to be closed. Many of the parties are fraternity parties. At least if you’re a guy, you’re generally not welcome to go to the fraternity parties without an invitation. Even someone who actually attends UIUC is going to have limited latitude to get into parties without knowing the right people.</p>
<p>Also, you can forget about driving too fast to reduce the time it takes to get to Champaign-Urbana. Traffic enforcement along I-57, the interstate between Chicago and Champaign-Urbana, is strict and competent. And there’s no other good way to get between the two places.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies everyone!
haha I especially enjoyed Endicott’s post. I think it’s true that if I can survive four years at Uchicago I’ll be pretty badass upon graduation.</p>
<p>I’m going to Chicago! I agree that this isn’t the time for me to go with the safer choice. I think I can manage anything UofC throws at me, and I would always have that nagging what-if in the back of my mind if I didn’t at least try it there. </p>
<p>And if worst comes to worst and I hate it, it’s like memake said. It’s easier to transfer to USC than to transfer to Chicago. So, I have that option, just in case.</p>