<p>Thanks, Idad. Your son sounds a lot like my son, very active socially and athletically, but loves to learn as well. I am going to plan a visit there for my son and husband and I!</p>
<p>My son is considering Chicago as a transfer school (has applied) and also has some questions about whether he would fit in. He would be a three season varsity athlete, loves to party but is also very intellectual. He did visit a couple of years ago and was impressed, but gets concerned when he reads all the reports of how everyone is a "nerd".</p>
<p>I think nerdy has a whole different connotation today than it did when we were kids. Nerdy has a definite tongue in cheek edginess to it now. Think Neil Gaiman, Joss Whedon and Neal Stephenson. Think The Decemberists. Freakanomics. Who doesn't play computer games? Who wouldn't get sucked into a Caveman vs Astronaut argument?(Who would win in a fight)</p>
<p>Chicago kids may seem like they eat, sleep, and breathe intellectual but they seem to do it with a wicked sense of humor.</p>
<p>I know that Dungeons and Dragons stuff would turn my son off, but the caveman vs. astronaut argument would be right up his alley! He is more social than a video games lover (my second son is that!) and will seek out people with whom to argue such things as you mentioned. And I have already noticed the sense of humor - smart and funny - great combination! Not many kids get the jokes my son makes - which makes him kind of a bad joke teller!</p>
<p>Another question: do the students go to school all year, or only for the autumn, winter and spring sessions? The website says that they have quarters, which led me to believe school is in session all year?</p>
<p>My son doesn't play video games. It would probably take too much time away from drinking games....:) </p>
<p>He really didn't like his freshman year experience (Ivy League school) with respect to academics and intellectual environment, so he is trying to figure out what would offer him what he is looking for.</p>
<p>I went to Chicago for law school, and way back then I remember thinking it didn't look like a lot of fun for an undergraduate, but I think it has changed a lot in that respect.</p>
<p>I forgot to mention that my son holds two black belts and is a foil fencer. And he is most definitely a social animal. Not into D&D or video games but loves Strong Bad and has been sucked into World of Warcraft a time or twelve. I think Chicago is the place to go and find out your inner nerd is cooler than your outer coolness.</p>
<p>I played sports in high school until injury took me out, and I was never considered anything close to a nerd in school. The atmosphere has a bit of a dorkiness to it more than a traditional nerdiness, if adults here can understand that distinction. Certain dorms are known for having the very old school typical UChicago kids (Snell-Hitchcock), so it's best for social students to apply for one of the more social dorms (Shoreland, Max, Pierce). </p>
<p>Adigal, your son sounds like a perfect fit here. The school runs from late September through early June. There are three, 10 week quarters with an 11th week for finals. Some students take classes during the summer, and they are offered, but the main quarters are fall, winter, spring.</p>
<p>Thanks for the information - the more I read from those familiar with it, the more it sounds like a great fit for my son! Now, he would have to get in!! Groan.</p>
<p>My son fights that "being smart" image, because most kids in his school are just not into politics, or history or talking about science. So he adapts, but I think, and he is starting to admit, that he might be happiest in a college where all of the kids love to talk about the world around them, and are engaged in it.</p>
<p>why did your son not like his Ivy school? Was it for the academics or the social life?</p>
<p>My son felt the school was a degree factory. He said many of the students had no interest in learning and were only there to get the degree and make big bucks (which is what he thought he wanted going in.....). He found the frat scene to be huge, despite the spin the school puts on that issue. He hated the first year classes- very impersonal and not particularly good teachers. He found the school totally dominated by its famous pre-professional business program. He had a very active social life- in fact, I feel he was a little in over his head with that. Grades stayed good, miraculously. He thought the city campus was a hassle- much more so than UChicago would be (I know this from experience).</p>
<p>My son would not like that either. I think he wants a more humane campus. The schools he has liked so far have an Honors code, too; he likes the idea of holding the students up to high standards, no cheating, and that trashing your dorm room is not tolerated. He is not a saint, but I think he knows that he can be a people pleaser, go along to get along, so he is looking for schools that have excellent standards and kids that don't want to do things like drink and then smash the walls and windows and elevators in the dorms.</p>
<p>Yeah, I think its remarkable that a bunch of 18-22 year old kids can fight the tide that their generation is following in college and come together, and ON THEIR OWN uphold this University's honor....it may sound a bit far fetched, but I think it's great</p>
<p>Does the U of Chicago have a Honor code also? I was looking, and it sounded like they have an academic honor code of some type, but I couldn't find anything specific about it. Thanks!</p>
<p>MomofWildChild: For what it's worth, I've followed your son's saga a little bit, because my kid's GC had specifically said that your son's Ivy was exactly how you say he found it to be. And in reading the story, I found myself thinking, "that fellow would probably be happier at Chicago."</p>
<p>I'd strongly suggest a visit and careful dorm selection--my kid (who has also drunk the Kool-Aid) hated some, loved some.</p>
<p>Thanks, Seashore. He probably should visit again, but time is running out. Maybe the minute he gets (if he gets) accepted he should head up there- knee brace (just had surgery) and all.</p>
<p>No honor code per se, but we're very into self-sovereignty.</p>
<p>For example, residential staff quite willingly turns a blind eye to underage drinking in the dorms, but that's only because students by and large party to have fun rather than party to get drunk and trash the place. While people are free to do what they want to, they're little tolerance for stupidity.</p>
<p>And "that other school..." my parents went there back in the day-- didn't love it and didn't hate it, but it was back when the school wasn't as recognized as it is now. I'm really sorry to hear that your son doesn't like it--</p>
<p>I applied to that "other school" ED, and then learned all about what you did MomofWildChild, and prayed to god I would get deferred or rejected. </p>
<p>I think it's sort of funny how many parents don't want their kids to drink in college. I think it's entirely part of the college experience, and entirely up to the individual if they want to or not.</p>
<p>I don't even think there is a University rule against underage drinking. The housing rule I've always heard is just that you're not allowed to have open alcohol in common areas, such as hallways.</p>