Will I have to "defend UChicago" for the rest of my life?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
1

<p>Hi all, I'm a rising senior.</p>

<p>I am in love with Chicago, have visited there a few times, been on a tour, and am thinking of doing EA there.</p>

<p>I want to major in economics, and I am well aware of the fact that Chicago is "haven of economics." I am also a fan of The Chicago School of Economics. </p>

<p>I love the campus, its closeness to the third largest city in North America, and its cosmopolitan culture.</p>

<p>Only few problems with Chicago...</p>

<ol>
<li>Weather/Location</li>
<li>"Where fun goes to die"</li>
<li>Having to defend its name</li>
</ol>

<h1>1. I demise short days, cold weather, and snow. I currently live in New England; I get really depressed in winter when sun sets at 4. I could not wait until I finally get out of this ice land and go to college. Now that I'm going somewhere even colder, I am concerned. Cold weather is really not what I want. I plan on living in the Bay Area, SoCal, HongKong, Singapore, anywhere warm after college. How bad is Chicago? Winter from October to April is really what I want to avoid.</h1>

<p>Plus, I had lived in a huge city for over fifteen years before I moved to New England. Chicago is great, but Illinois & Midwest is really making me doubt my love for UChicago. It's the Midwest; but Chicago is a huge city. Will I not feel like I am in Illinois if I live in Hyde Park?</p>

<h1>2. I have good stats: 2300/13APs/superbECs/Sick Internships/blahblahblah.... but at the same time, I go out every friday night and party, have fun with friends, and am very social . (Yup, I chose grades/social and sacrificed my sleep) I Know UChicago's nicknames.... especially these two: "Where the only thing that goes down is your GPA" & "where squirrels are cuter than the girls" are reaaaaaaaaaally making me doubt my love for UChicago. I go to an all-boy college prep high school. 4 years of celibacy is enough! I want my life back in college. My friend who got into both Chicago and BC chose BC over Chicago after his campus visit there. He didn't like the "serious and OD academic atmosphere of Chicago." Yes, I like studying and all that; but it's college: best time of my life. I don't want a bunch of nerds without social lives around me. Plus, I heard about UChicago's grade deflation. I will work hard; but I don't want to get straight B's even with all my effort. I just want to go to a college with neither grade deflation nor inflation. How is UChicago in this regard?</h1>

<h1>3. I know name does not matter and "people who matters (hire)" will know UChicago's caliber. But I am still a teenage boy; I want people to actually know that I don't go to some random state school in the Midwest after all my work. To be a little bit cynic here, going to UChicago can be "attending a school that people never heard of & studying my ass off only to get a low GPA." <- I know this is an extreme case that is not reality.</h1>

<p>(oh, also my friends, who are well acknowledged of chicago's academic prowess, are telling me that I put in way too much effort and work into academics to go to UChicago. It is true that UChicago is less selective than other top notch schools with equal academic quality: HYPSM.(its a good thing for me i guess :P) They said I should do SCEA to P and give it a shot at least. They said "you tried hard enough to gain both academics and prestige, not just one or the other.")</p>

<p>I love Chicago's academics. Chicago Economics major + Math + Booth Classes really excite me. Yet, I still have a ED spot left. I could still do ED Wharton & EA Chicago (or ED Columbia & EA Chicago)</p>

<p>Could you tell me more about UChicago and what I should do?</p>

<p>edit: lack of greek life/brotherhood on campus. Is it true?
Thanks :)</p>

2

<p>But I love UChicago’s economics department. UChicago has everything that I want academically from a college. Collateral issues are problematic.</p>

3

<p>Wow. You need to stop listening to your friends, and get out of your east coast bubble.</p>

<p>Chicago is excellent for economics. And for a major research university, Chicago emphasizes undergraduate teaching, which is why you would be there. You may be taught by Nobel Prize winners in some of your classes. Think about that. </p>

<p>I think the weather is better in Chicago than New England. It can be colder, but colder days tend to be sunnier. And Chicago doesn’t get sloppy “Nor’easters” and ice storms the way you do in the northeast. Yes, there will be winter but it shouldn’t set in till December and be done by March. And some of that time you will be on winter or spring break.</p>

<p>Chicago is NOT “Illinois.” It is a fantastic city with tons to offer. You seem to know this already, so I am not sure why you are asking.</p>

<p>You will have fun wherever you go, if you find likeminded people–which you will. There are cute girls at Chicago. There are tons of clubs and activities. And again, there is a world-class city right at your doorstep.</p>

<p>Re selectivity: why do you care? Just because more people are in love with the idea of “the Ivies” (which is going to be the case especially where you live) does not make them better–it just means more people have the same dream, whether from hearing the names of the schools their whole lives or watching Legally Blonde. Seriously. Your friends need to worry about themselves, and you need to worry about you. This is one of the first adult decisions you will make in your life, and it sounds as though you are well on your way to deciding what you want. Be a man and stand up for what you think is good FOR YOU, not for your immature friends.</p>

4

<p>Do the U of C a favor, don’t apply.</p>

<p>Sent from my SPH-L710 using CC</p>

5

<p>Wow. I didn’t think UC had a specific type of snobby for itself. That’s kinda dissappointing. >.></p>

<p>You shouldn’t be treated as if there’s something despicable about what your saying, but I don’t quite get what you’re trying to say. Don’t you like UChicago BECAUSE it has this reputation? I promise you its prestige will be sufficiently high for you once you graduate.</p>

6

<p>there are many great schools with a great economics department. Based on what you posted, you should consider picking other schools to attend. Besides, kids can change their major. What was so crystal clear at the age of 16-17 can change. Imagine your dismay if you change your direction: you are at a school whose sole attraction was the econ department, and you are no longer interested in the field! Also, based on everything I read, you will also find the the prevailing culture at U Chicago not to your liking. Minimal Greek life. Student body that frowns upon display of prestige and wealth. </p>

<p>If you are going to spend most of your mental energy worrying about the lack of “prestige factor”, you will be hugely disappointed since no school other than HYPSM has universal name recognition. Outside of the Mid Atlantic, there are people who think U Penn is a state school in PA. Or, for that matter, if you pick a random Joe Blow even in the city of Philadelphia, I bet you there are people who think U Penn is a state school. Obviously, these opinions are very important to you. And, getting into top 5 - top 10 schools is a total crap shoot. Kids with 2400 SAT and perfect GPA get rejected by these schools on a regular basis. Don’t assume that you are a shoe in at U Chicago even as an EA applicant. U Chicago’s acceptance rate next year will be close to 10%. </p>

<p>(since you are interested in economics, let’s assume that you are also some what interested in financial management. One key factor for managing finances is to bet for the future. By the time you graduate from college in five years, U Chicago’s position will be much, much, and much more strengthened. U Chicago did not play the college admission game until very recently. As such, their lay prestige far lagged behind their reputation among those in the know. U Chicago finally decided to play the game just like their peers. Their lay prestige is catching up now. In five years, the prestige landscape will have Chicago in a far more strengthened position. That said, I still believe you are better off attending another school)</p>

7

<p>Misconception. The social life is not dead at UChicago. There are frat parties, outings, drugs, alcohol, sex, whatever. Yes, students take their studying very seriously and sometimes have to sacrifice many many hours to study. But it doesn’t mean they don’t know how to have fun. Your stereotyping of “nerds” is a little mean to UChicago students >.<</p>

<p>The grade deflation is disappearing. And while it is still difficult to receive an A, it is still possible to have a great GPA. Many students balance great social lives with great grades. Don’t worry about it. If you’re choosing UChicago, the school itself and it’s learning experience should be considered more than the fact than how much you have to work.</p>

<p>UChicago’s grad school placement or job placement are both fantastic. Not everyone mistakes UChicago to be something it’s not. You’ll find that UChicago, according to most, has a reputation as a stellar school. And UChicago is selective already at 13%. Expect an even lower number for your class around 10%. You shouldn’t choose schools to apply to just because they have a “higher acceptance rate”…counterintuitive?</p>

<p>And the weather isn’t thaaat bad. It’s pretty warm starting in April and the “winter” doesn’t start till around late November. Hyde Park isn’t “typical Midwest” if you’re imagining cornfields. I live around here and never once did I think I was around cornfields or “somewhere in the Midwest.” </p>

<p>I’m sleepy so this post might not have been written well. But all in all, I encourage you to apply anyways and not let the little issues bog you down. You’re coming to UChicago for an education and a stellar educaiton you will receive. You’ll have a great social life and your future will have a high chance of being great if you attend. You sound like you love UChicago. Don’t let the little things take away from your love for a great school. PM me if you ahve more questions or more in depth responses.</p>

8

<p>

</p>

<p>haha sorry if my words sounded pretentious to you. I really want to apologize. (btw your comment is pretty damn mean :frowning: it sorta hurts :P)</p>

<p>I love UChicago, it is just my teenage mind that’s telling me to care about superficial aspects of the college.</p>

<p>UChicago’s econ, in my opinion, is definitely #1. And in academics, I don’t think there is a single school that surpasses UChicago. (maybe caltech, swarthmore, princeton, williams are similar. But I love Chicago more!)</p>

9

<p>

</p>

<p>I like Chicago mainly because of its superb economics department / closeness to Chicago / awesome looks. (chicago = best economics)</p>

10

<p>

</p>

<p>But I really think UChicago is THE college for me. I have visited that college for 3 times. I live 2000 miles away from Chicago. Every time I go to Chicago, I visit UChicago just because I love that school SO MUCH. Am I still better off attending another school if I care a bit about the name value? I am only 17. I could be a puerile kid not knowing what’s really important. By the time I graduate UChicago, I will have matured and have different thoughts in my head.</p>

<p>That said, in case I work in a foreign country (and this is more than 50%), will UChicago still get me the same position it will in the US? (investment banking firms)</p>

11

<p>I was fine until I went on this website and read “UChicago is no longer a safety school” threat. The fact that students here are trying that desperately to defend their school’s position sorta made me think about this issue. </p>

<p>Until then, I was not worried about this issue that much. Then I saw a current student suffering from an “inferiority complex.” (he was telling himself that chicago is not a safety school just to make sure it isn’t and to feel better about himself. Chicago is absolutely a top-notch reach school for everybody, but seeing a current student doing this definitely does not appear as a good sign for a future applicant)</p>

12

<p>Jaznwo322-I agree with you. That thread looks bad. But don’t pay much attention to it. Once in a while, someone will suffer from an inferiority complex. Inevitably it happens to any student at almost any school. Don’t worry about it. I’m sure most of UChicago’s students love the school they attend and if you attended you would have a great time. </p>

<p>Please please don’t worry about the superficial things. When you bunch 18 year olds from all over the world together, there will DEFINITELY be a strong social scene.</p>

<p>And I think you don’t realize how well people view UChicago. It has a very good reputation and it’s ranked 5th in the country and 8th in the world (if you care about rankings). It definitely has a better image than you believe.</p>

<p>It’s rare that I find someone who seems to be as in love with UChicago as you. I think if you were accepted and attended, you would have an amazing experience. Don’t let the little misconceptions detract from what your heart is telling you. I don’t think you would be as happy if you knew that you were missing out on the best economics education and academics in general (according to you) just to attend a more recognized school. Follow your heart! Why are you denying what obviously seems to be a passion for UChicago? :)</p>

13

<p>Didn’t the guy who wrote “Freakonomics” teach at UChicago? I think he name was Levitt or something. I think more people know about UChicago than you think. In my school people treat it like a HYSP when it comes to prestige,</p>

14

<p>jaznow322 - I have to disagree with some posters here, and ask that you reflect on this decision a bit more. You describe a “teenage” need to get recognition, but please note, this desire for recognition may not subside as you grow older. Insecurities mark people of all ages - it doesn’t necessarily just link to youth. </p>

<p>With this being said, you should consider the possibility that your frustration with the lack of recognition may only grow with age. UChicago’s reputation (barring the sudden emergence of a D1 football powerhouse program or something like that) will NOT change for a long time. The only metric that can change is how you deal with this fact. Some people learn to let the insecurities go, but others just have these insecurities and frustration with the lack of recognition grow.</p>

<p>You need to consider which way you will go, and you also need to realize that, especially at the undergrad level, there are MANY other schools that offer great econ programs and educations without asking you to sacrifice as much as you may at UChicago (e.g. the other schools have “better” more typical college social scenes, better name recognition, etc.). </p>

<p>Remember, your education anywhere is what you make of it. You could go to many top schools and enjoy really amazing learning experiences. </p>

<p>All this being said, here are some schools that don’t have the “problems” you listed for UChicago, and also have great academic programs:</p>

<p>Stanford (a reach, but worth a shot given your interests), Princeton (as you said), Duke (could be a very, very solid option for you), Penn (has everything you want except for top-notch name recognition), Brown (lots of kids interested in econ here, and a good teaching faculty), Dartmouth (similar to Brown in this vein, but perhaps a narrower social experience), Vanderbilt (less selective than the others, more of a sure target school), Rice (great community, great teaching faculty, less recognition than you may want, but a good choice), Williams, Amherst.</p>

<p>So, I think there are nearly a dozen schools that can offer you what you want, and won’t have any of the “costs” that UChicago has - or at least, won’t have as many of the costs. To me, you should consider the above schools much more carefully before you jump on the UChicago bandwagon.</p>

<p>I’ve met many students who had the same reservations you did about UChicago, and, after 4 years in Hyde Park, their insecurities/frustrations with the school only grew. Remember, UChicago isn’t really going to change - you’ll have to change. For some people, this is too tall an order, and it’s usually safer to go elsewhere - where you can get a comparable academic experience, but also all the other qualities you want (social scene, name recognition, etc.).</p>

15

<p>

</p>

<p>At least I know what I’m doing is meaningless; I also know that it is better to change my attitudes towards superficial factors for many reasons (not just college choices, but in many aspects). I think hopefully a well educated person will be wise enough differentiate what’s really important and what isn’t after four years of undergrad experience.</p>

<p>I will think of its social aspects (greeklife, bros, fun, social…)</p>

<p>I can deal with not having many frats on campus, but brotherhood, I think, is really important.</p>

16

<p>jaznwo322 - I’m not sure if a desire for recognition or status is “meaningless.” To some degree it’s of course very petty, but, well, people have insecurities and crave recognition - whether they can help it or not. </p>

<p>The truth of the matter is, UChicago can be difficult at times. After some students spend numerous all nighters in the library struggling to finish papers, and then get blank looks when they tell outsiders about their school, well, this can increase - rather than decrease - frustration about UChicago. </p>

<p>I’m just saying that, while it may be “better” to change one’s attitude about this, sometimes the attitude itself doesn’t change. That’s why, in many ways, it’s “safer” to go to the school that can offer you a broader selection of all the items you want - greeklife, name recognition, etc.</p>

<p>Yes, UChicago has frats and there are communities where a sense of brotherhood thrives, but no one is going to mistake it for Duke or Cornell in this regard. </p>

<p>Rather than finding small pockets of what you want, why not consider more closely the schools that seem to offer what you want in spades, AND offer the academic programs you desire?</p>

17

<p>I think you are too narrow minded for any top schools with diversity and intellect. You won’t take advantage of what they have to offer so leave the spots at Ivies and Uchicago for other people. Join your buddy at BC and drink with your brothers.</p>

18

<p>my son picked U Chicago for the famed econ department. guess what? He changed his direction. He is majoring in something else. He did have cravings for the school prestige, etc, though nowhere near where the OP is. So, U Chicago would be a mismatch in retrospect. </p>

<p>Is he disappointed? No. He is still ecstatically happy he chose U Chicago. He loves the life of the mind mantra. He loves the fact that he is surrounded by kids who care deeply about learning. He loves the fact that student body’s general culture and values are such that superficial display of wealth and prestige is frowned upon. He loves the fact that he can have a deep, intellectual discussion with his friends. He loves the fact that you could be drinking with your buddies at one moment, and turn to the discussion about Matin Buber on a dime.</p>

<p>In short, he is a prototypical U Chicago kid. However, that’s not why he picked U Chicago at the beginning. He was all set to join the Wall Street and make a ton of money. He picked U Chicago for the econ department. </p>

<p>I think what happened was, U Chicago let his “latent” values come to the fore ground. I never felt that he was the Gordon Getko type to begin with. I never took it seriously when he said as a high school kid that his goal was to make a ton of money. He was way too much of a thoughtful, budding intellectual: he has always been like that even as a young kid. I think the power and wealth thing was a passing fascination - like winning a computer game math. </p>

<p>Lo and behold. Last winter, he went to visit a friend in Princeton and stayed there for a day. He came back and told me he is so glad that he was not attending Princeton. His friend, who was not all all hung up with prestige and wealth before she went to Princeton, spent the whole time talking about wealth, prestige, eating clubs, future jobs that pay the most, her roommate’s amazingly wealthy parents with homes throughout the worlds, etc, etc. He met several of her friends and they were all more or less the same. My son said, “given my competitive nature, I would have outgunned them all in pursuing this prevalent worship of wealth and prestige”. Are his friend and her friends typical in Princeton Dunno. Is it really Princeton that turned her into this caricature? Dunno. One thing my son said though is this: this group may have been not so typical even in Princeton. However, in U Chicago, they would be an endangered species. Even the ones that fit the mold (the wealth and prestige mold) won’t feel so comfortable going on and on like this at U Chicago, because they know that’s not going to give them a great reputation among their peers.</p>

<p>As for the OP… If you are totally convinced that you will never change your mind about the career in fiance and the prestige factor will likely remain as a top priority for you, go to Wharton. It’s a better path. For the Wall Street jobs, Wharton gives you much better leg up than the U Chicago econ department. And, Wharton has an amazing prestige factor. Or, if Wharton does not work out (there is no guarantee that you will be admitted), go to another school that has a great econ or business program with a good social scene and a prestige factor to boot. It’s a much safer bet than going to U Chicago for the econ department and suffer through and through due to the lack of prestige or, worse, if he changes his direction.</p>

<p>Caveat: At the same time, I think it’s a waste of a great mind to dedicate four years to what amounts to a glorified vocation training. I say this not as a sour grape. I am a Wharton MBA. I never thought I learned any great thoughts there. It was essentially a vocation training even at the graduate school level. I think undergraduates should really receive more intellectual, broad based education. Wharton would have been a colossal mistake for my son given where his true orientation lies: and another important difference between my son and the OP is: weather was not a problem at all, and he is not really into heavy partying and such and the greek scene had no appeal to him. </p>

<p>PS. In case the OP is wondering whether he will have peers competitive enough just like him, well my son had SAT 2400, near perfect GPA in a high school ranked within top 10 in the nation. So, there, you won’t have to worry about going to a school without sufficient prestige factor with riff raffs.</p>

19

<p>Pretty presumptuous to assume you’ll get in</p>

20

<p>I plan to apply to UChicago this admissions season too, and I think that you shouldn’t really take into account what your friends think about the school. One of those reasons is that most people in high circles do recognize the name, and graduate school admissions officers will definitely recognize the name. </p>

<p>Then again, I think weather is a big deal in my application process too. I probably wont apply to any schools in the South (except maybe UNC) mostly because you really do want to be comfortable where ever you choose to go to school…4 years in the windy city is a long time for someone who doesn’t want winters.</p>