nvnc

Whats the social scene like at Chicago? or Is there a social scene?
Ive heard everything from its nerd heaven to really cool to incredibly diverse
What are ppl really like at Chicago?
Does anyone ever escape from the library?

unalove

I think this is a sort of "half empty/half full" question, as well as a "Blind Men and the Elephant" question.

(Here's the "Blind Men and the Elephant" poem: Blind Men and the Elephant (by John Godfrey Saxe).)

In short, I think it's just inevitable that some people are going to look at any school and see one thing, as inevitable as it is that other people are going to look at the same school and see the complete opposite. I think it says as much about the school (that any school is going to have a lot of different kinds of people) as it does the person looking at it.

If I were to generalize about U of C students versus the general population of 18-22 year-olds, I would say that Chicago students are quite intellectual and academically motivated. Some people will show this academic interest outwardly (i.e. being "nerdy") but most kids here look like the kinds of people you might meet on the street-- there's nothing that differentiates them from other people, until they start talking about things they're passionate about.

To this extent, I think that Chicago appeals to a lot of different personalities, and there is no stereotype that governs the student body. Just the way that the people here are diverse in personality, they're also diverse in what they do in their free time. You'll probably come across some kids who don't do much socially, but you'll also meet a lot of students who are quite into socializing, in the form of dinner gatherings, frat parties, going to movies, talking, or what have you.

Personally, I tend to be very introverted and somewhat party and socializing-averse, and I've found Chicago to draw me out of my shell, which is good. I think if I went to a school where frat parties were the norm and the focal point of social life, I wouldn't ever leave my room out of feeling uncomfortable in that sort of situation. However, a "party" here can be anything from a drunken dance fest to a bunch of people drinking gin and tonics (or just seltzer) and talking about Aristotle while listening to the Smiths, I've become much more spirited about attending social events of all kinds because I've had such good social experiences. I know that wherever I go and whatever I do, I'm going to meet a lot of people I'll like.

chicagoboy12

to me it feels more like any other college than you would expect. i think the socially awkward thing is hugely overplayed, and that most kids will be the exact same as those that youd find at any other elite university.

holdwhatyougot

There are definitely a grip of socially awkward people at this school. Anybody from a more socially average school will tell you the same thing if you had them visit. The University of Chicago generally is very secluded from the rest of the city, because of the work load and social atmosphere (or lack thereof). If you've ever been to Columbia U, a very similar liberal arts school, you'll know what I'm talking about. The difference between the two schools is Columbia has a larger percentage of students who are TRULY outgoing, friendly, and adventurous. I have a good deal of friends at Columbia who have not only met fellow CU students, but have branched out and made friends with people that live in New York, and/or go to NYU and other colleges. The same can't be said about the majority of students at the U of C.

However, there are always exceptions, and luckily, there are some normal people at our school. You just have to muddle through and make an effort to find them.

madguitarmikey

Morrissey, Greek Philosophy, and Seltzer parties?
Hmm, maybe I should just send in my deposit and forget about Columbia...