<p>Title speaks for itself? Why did you or why are you going to apply to U of C? It'd be great if you gave a "legitimate" answer, not like "it's a top-tier school" or "good location" or anything like that. Let's actually here some in-depth answers.</p>
<p>For my first 2 years of high school, I had never really heard of U of C. During my junior year, however, I went on a field trip there (I live in the Chicago suburbs) and was amazed by the campus setting and architecture. Upon further research, I discovered that the school was renowned for its academics. While my college search continued, and I looked at Ivy schools and other great schools like Northwestern and Notre Dame, I realized that Chicago offered something different than a big name and solid education. The people at U of C seemed to always be engaged in their learning, and I saw myself fitting in with the nerdy culture there. Also, I wasn’t looking for a school with a ton of parties, nor did I really see myself being a rabid sports fan, something that schools like Notre Dame seem to require. In the end, I guess I applied based on the somewhat unique social atmosphere, the rigorous academics, its strength in the sciences but broad focus on all disciplines, and the one of a kind education.</p>
<p>And I was fortunate enough to be accepted, so I will be attending in the fall!</p>
<p>i have my reasons for applying this fall which i will keep to myself for fear of someone plagiarizing me. but it is along the lines of what einstein1203 said, sans the rabid sports fan thing (i really wish UofC was D1, but i guess the apathy towards sports helps make UofC what it is, so its all ok)</p>
<p>Fun fact I learned from my tour guide there at U of Chicago.</p>
<p>U of C started off D1 and was part of the Big Ten way back in the day. They excelled in sports and won some championships if I am not mistaken (go back a craaaap load of years hahaha). Anyway, she told me that later, when the switching of presidents began, U of C became more academically oriented. Thus, they “sold” their spot in the Big Ten to Michigan State.</p>
<p>Thought it was interesting =)</p>
<p>In 1935 a UChicago player, Jay Berwanger, won the first Heisman trophy! Then Robert Maynard Hutchins came in and was all like, “Uh, no” and abolished the football program and most of the other extracurricular activities in 1939 because he saw them as a “distraction.” Then in 1942, the first self-sustaining nuclear reaction was created underneath the abandoned football field. Times change fast, eh? But yeah, we’re D3, haha. </p>
<p>I’m class of '13, and I applied for the vibe and the quirkiness. Descriptive, eh? As you '14 applicants learn more and more about the school, you’ll get what I’m talking about.</p>
<p>@ heplayer I think I read that on wikipedia</p>
<p>KMad! Fellow UChicago '13 :D</p>
<p>–</p>
<p>My answer to the “Why Chicago?” part of the application:</p>
<p>When I was beginning my search for colleges about two years ago, the question stuck in my mind was “What do I want to be after I graduate from college?” While, of course, answers such as a “the next Einstein” crossed my mind; but I find them rather impractical—so I focused on other thoughts. Some of these included: “I want to be well-rounded, feel like I’ve been challenged, have experienced things, know that I’m a part of something bigger then myself, and have a successful job.” I feel that the University of Chicago will be able to fulfill all these ideals and so much more with their Core Curriculum, their reputation of rigorous courses, location fifteen minutes from the heart of Chicago, long-line of Nobel Prize winners, and yearly four-hundred million investment in research.</p>
<p>Apart from this, I was lucky enough to have also visited the university with my father, and what we found exceeded the reputation of the school. As we first began to walk around campus, my father and I were, of course, lost as to how to get to the admissions building. To our surprise, a student came to us, asking if he could be of assistance—talk about inviting! When we entered the admissions office, we were able to talk to a current student about their experience at the university—which is invaluable knowledge. And after we came back from the tour, I was directed to speak with the most pleasant of professors after not being able to find a class to sit in. That is the kind of university I want to be a part of!</p>
<p>Hopeful class of '14, here, and I’m applying for the iconoclastic spirit that dares to stand out and be different, sometimes radically so.</p>
<p>This is, after all, the school that took in Friedrich von Hayek at the height of the Keynesian revolution. Needless to say, such an act would not have been popular, and this tradition of going against the grain certainly endears me to this institution.</p>
<p>This sounds like a very typical answer, but I really liked how all U of C students had fun with whatever were their passions (mathematics, music, theater, improv comedy, politics, etc.) It was very different from the scene I saw at many other top universities where academics and the rest of their lives were treated as separate entities. (At least that’s the way I felt.) I’m the kind of person whose idea of having fun is sight-reading chamber music with other kids, doing math puzzles/reading math books, or something along the line. And Chicago seemed to really endorse that spirit more than any other school. </p>
<p>The location was also important. I wanted to be near a pretty big city but also have a campus feel. To make some comparisons, I hated the Harvard campus because it was too open to strangers/tourists/random pedestrians. I also despised Columbia because it was in the middle of NYC and everybody seemed very anxious to get out off the campus. I loved Brown, because Providence was a big enough city w/ everything I was looking for, but it still was still far enough from the city with a campus of its own. Same goes for Chicago. Thought Stanford was too far away from San Francisco, however. I really took location seriously, and you should too because it’s a place where you’re going to spend 4 years of your 20s!</p>