<p>I hope this is not breaking the forum's rule or something. I am a student in Malaysia and I got accepted into a few schools and my top two choices were Duke and Uchicago and in the end i picked Uchicago mainly because I am set on Economics major. Although prestige was not my main reason, i always believe that caring about the school's prestige is nothing to be ashamed off as long as it is not the MAIN criteria of college selection. Lately my teachers have been asking me about which school will i be attending and when told, most of them did not react in the way i'd expected. Some of them even asked whether or not the school is good for economics. What i am curious is that as much as i know, Uchicago is a tremendous school especially for economics but why is it that Uchicago's 'name' recognition is not on par with HYPSM or even Duke? I do no regret choosing Uchicago over Duke (and Umichigan,UVA,NYU Stern,WUSTL,UIUC) but i am just wondering if anyone can give me any logical reasons for this common perception. All opinions are appreciated.</p>
<p>Daren:</p>
<p>Congratulations on choosing Chicago (though of course Duke is great, too). It's one of my favorite schools. Chicago prides itself on being "üncommon"and that has its price. Many abroad do not choose it because they do not feel prepared for its particular curriculum. Also, it is in the Midwest and internationals tend to be more familiar with schools on the coasts except for very large schools such as the University of Michigan. For some reason, Chicago is the preferred school of Korean-Americans and Koreans, however.
As for economics, the Chicago "school" of economics has been famous (or infamous) since the Reagan administration.</p>
<p>marite: Thanks..=) For me, i am not really sure if i am prepared for the workload at Chicago but i do not mind hardwork. From what i've heard, the core curriculum is very very tough. Daunting as it may be, I hope i'm ready for it.</p>
<p>Daren:</p>
<p>While I've not attended U Chicago, her reputation as a powerhouse in economics definitely precedes it.</p>
<p>Just read Steven Levitt's Freakonomics and you will have a taste of what you're in for.</p>
<p>It's one decision that you'll never regret, that much I can say.</p>
<p>Congrats! It's not everyday you hear of students from Malaysia willing to take up the academic challenge of enrolling in a very highly competitive, and demanding too I might add, US college.</p>
<p>Thanks IvyHopefulDad. I'm really excited and can't wait for fall to come. I hope to hear from other parents. It's such a sad thread.</p>
<p>Thanks IvyHopefulDad. I am really excited and can't wait for fall to come. But for now i hope to hear from other parents. It's such a sad thread.=)</p>
<p>It's well-known for its much discredited theories of economics. It doesn't have a football team worth talking about. </p>
<p>I taught at UChicago. You will not find the workload any greater than you will at two or three dozen other fine colleges and universities, though you will find the students obsess about it more, and spend less time in music, art, sports, theater, etc. Less is more.</p>
<p>Its major prestige disadvantage stems from the fact that it is in the Midwest. "Prestige" people don't come from the midwest. (or if they do, they never stay there. ;))</p>
<p>Thanks IvyHopefulDad. I am really excited and can't wait for fall to come. But for now i hope to hear from other parents. It's such a sad thread.=)</p>
<p>Congratulations on your acceptance at Chicago. It is a fine institution and it's "core" offers an educational experience that you will increasingly value as you grow older. The individuals I have met that attended Chicago have all been "gentlemen/ladies AND scholars." At work, I could entrust graduates of this school with projects and "let them soar" - trusting in their skills, their perceptions, and their ability to seek help when it was needed. Similarly, the friends I have made from this school are a diverse, interesting, committed group of individuals.</p>
<p>I must confess, I have always been confused by the perceptions of quality at Duke. I, my husband, and many friends have all had the opportunity to have Duke graduates working for us and all have been totally unimpressed. I have now met graduates - my age - in my community and have a similar opinion of them. And, unfortunately, the students I have met at my son's school who wish to attend Duke are similarly disappointing</p>
<p>All of these individuals, in my opinion, are bright but unable to think beyond the surface - can't quite grasp the "big picture". Are very shallow and "ME oriented."</p>
<p>I could trust those that worked for me to complete the tasks I assigned but they were incapable of seeing the next step - of perceiving underlying problems or consequences. They needed much more guidance and direction than graduates of other schools - and since we only hired those with grad degrees, I'm talking about those with undergrad and grad degrees from this institution.</p>
<p>Socially, those I meet in our community are remarkably uninterested in "the great ideas". </p>
<p>The students I see applying to Duke, more than any other school, are still playing the game - pretending academics don't matter - while studying very hard. They are the ones who still believe letting the rest of the kids know you enjoy learning is "uncool" and do stupid stunts to appear other than what they are. </p>
<p>And, if all that is not enough, as one friend put it - Duke bestows along with their degrees an undeserved attitude of superiority. </p>
<p>I think you made an excellent choice!</p>
<p>Daren - </p>
<p>If some of your teachers are unimpressed with the Univ. of Chicago, show them this list:</p>
<p>Although we know that the number of Nobel laureates usually has very little to do with the educational experience of most undergraduates, when talking about school prestige "Nobel" is a language that everyone understands, even teachers in Malaysia.</p>
<p>Thanks IvyHopefulDad. I am really excited and can't wait for fall to come. But for now i hope to hear from other parents. It's such a sad thread.=)</p>
<p>daren:</p>
<p>congrats on your acceptance. Chicago is a great school and for econ, you can't be in a better place. [Note, however, that Chicago's econ is more quantitative than many other schools.] </p>
<p>But, I firmly disagree with mini's (political) post: its the Keynsesians (sp?) that have been discredited. Milton Friedman's ideas continue to be adopted. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for at least replying. I thought my thread is going to be cancelled for having only 3 posts.=) I really appreciate opinions from wiser people and all of you have more experience than me. So thanks so much. Reading about these posts actually made me feel better about my decision (although i wouldn't have decided on chicago if i am not happy with it). And sorry for the multiple posts,was not trying to increase the number of posts.lol.My wireless is unstable and i thought it was not sent.oops!!=) Thank you again..keep it coming.</p>
<p>U/Chicago is one of my "favorite" research universities and <em>for me</em> the comparison between Chicago and Duke is no contest, in favor of Chicago.</p>
<p>U of C is one of my favorite schools even thought they rejected me for RD but I will try again 3 years later when I come back from Imperial College in trying to get into there Graduate Economics or MBA.</p>
<p>U of C prides it self for its "uncommon", even thought its not known world wide compare to Ivy, Stanford, and etc it is still a great school and a great substitute for many Ivy's. </p>
<p>and there economics is #1 in the world</p>
<p>KING IS HERE: Enjoy yourself in Imperial!!=)</p>
<p>Did you know that in Singapore there is a UChicago program to get your MBA? I would think that as the graduates of this program seep across to Johor and KL there will be even greater recognition. In the meantime, their knowing little about UC says more about them then it does about the quality of the U you will be attending.</p>
<p>anitaw: Really? Even I don't know. I have never doubt the quality of education i'll get in Uchicago. Still, thanks for enlightening me.</p>
<p>UChicago is the best! Somewhere on this site, there is a list of top universities in the world and UChicago is in the top 15 I believe. But regardless of how it is ranked, you will not find a better university that produces critical thinkers. </p>
<p>My S who graduated from UChicago in 2005 with a Math degree and lots of econ classes, had originally applied to Duke early decision, got deferred and then was rejected RD. Quite frankly, I am glad this happened b/c he ended up at a better place for himself. The math dept. was awesome for him - he got campus jobs in the math and statistics depts. He made lifelong friends (of course that happens at many places) and the career office did a fantastic job for him.</p>
<p>I am surprised that your acquaintances haven't heard of it b/c it is well known interationally. </p>
<p>anitaw - I did not know that they have an MBA program in Singapore. My S will probably end up living there for his work.</p>
<p>Peacemaker: That's cool!=) I am planning to major in econs so i hope I will be as lucky as your son.</p>