Should I Go to Chicago?

danielvojtash · 01-17-2006, 10:34 PM

I got in EA, but my parents make about $100,000 per year together. I won't be getting a whole lot of financial aid obviously, so if I go to Chicago I'll have to take out huge loans and do work-study. My parents want me to go to U. of Florida, Arizona State, or Purdue (all offering full rides) or UNC Chapel Hill (just cheaper).

I'll be doing chemistry-philosophy double major/concentration and then med school. Is U. Chicago worth the work-study and loans or should I go to Florida and live off my $2,000 stipend?

elizabeth2005 · 01-17-2006, 10:49 PM

Florida's definitely the better price tag, but UChicago has magic. How much are your loans going to be? Whatever, you have the rest of your life to work and repay loans. You might as well go somewhere magical for college.

bobbobbob · 01-17-2006, 10:49 PM

well if there is no way for you to go to UChicago...id suggest going to UNC.

DO NOT go to UF, Arizona State or Purdue.

danielvojtash · 01-17-2006, 10:53 PM

I understand Purdue and especially Arizona State bobbobbob. Why specifically should I go to Chicago instead of UF is really my question. I don't have any great arguments myself, any 'persuading parents' advice would be appreciated.

elizabeth2005 · 01-17-2006, 10:56 PM

UChicago's academics are top notch. Tell your parents that investing in an UChicago education is better than investing in a UF education, although the latter is still pretty decent.

bobbobbob · 01-17-2006, 10:56 PM

well considering that UChicago is one of the top academic institutions in the world and UF is well...a mediocre state school?

and like i said, id suggest going to UNC, which is a very good state school, over UF as well if you cannot go to UChicago.

Christine123 · 01-17-2006, 11:30 PM

$100,000 doesn't get much financial aid? Oh crap.

corranged · 01-17-2006, 11:57 PM

To play the Devil's advocate for a minute,

A great student at a mediocre state school can go very far. As one of the best students at the school, you will be given special opportunities above those of the rest of the class. If you shine at a school where everybody doesn't shine, you can connect with professors (who are often very important in their fields at state schools) in a way that you may not be able to at a school where you are simply another fish. You would also be able to graduate with a very high GPA, I presume, which would put you in wonderful position for any graduate work you decide to pursue. Most state schools and other "lower" level schools have honors programs where you can be in smaller classes and get some special treatment. It would also, of course, be free (or close), putting you in an advantageous position for future loans, buying an apartment or house, and simply starting an adult life.

bluebayou · 01-18-2006, 12:00 AM

if med school is your dream, then go to the school where you can maximize gpa.....of the list, it ain't Chicago. A 4.0 at UF may not get you into Hopkins, but then neither will a 3.0 from Chicago. But, the former (with decent MCAT scores) will make you extremely competitive for med school.

elizabeth2005 · 01-18-2006, 12:02 AM

if people at state schools could go to top universities, they would take the chance for one reason or another. it is really hard to get into UChicago.

bobbobbob · 01-18-2006, 12:28 AM

oh, didnt notice the med school...then i would suggest UNC because med schools look at gpa above the college.

bluebayou · 01-18-2006, 12:31 AM

elizabeth:

I don't disagree that Chicago is hard to get into, nor do I disagree that it is a fabulous college. The point is tha med (and law) schools look at gpa first, mcat second, and ec's third. Obviously, the top kids at Chicago and a school like Hopkins can literally write their own ticket to grad school. But, there are literally hundreds that show up every year and don't make it past inorganic chem. As a result, dream denied, and one is left with a liberal arts education at one of the world's best colleges, but with lotsa debt; in the OP's words, "huge loans." I'm not sure the trade-off is worth it, and would not recommend any student take on that kinda debt for undergraduate work, particularly since med school will cost 2-3 times as much.

corranged said it all -- the top dog at UF (and Chicago) is gonna get a LOT of professorial attention, the opportunity for research and great recs. But, I'm guessing that it is much easier to become the top dog in Gainesville than it is in Hyde Park. Again, med school is all about gpa. If it were other grad programs (econ, sociology, etc.), then I'd rec Chicago all the way, since grad schools in those programs provide stipends whereas professional schools (med, law, biz) do not.

But, just my opinion.

chiasmus14 · 01-21-2006, 10:32 PM

I'm in a similar situation; I applied to Chicago because it is definitely where I would go if everywhere were free. That being said, even though I was accepted EA, I will likely end up at a state school or Catholic college that will provide a free ride (or close to it) via merit aid. I am the oldest of four children, and if I can go to college for free, I want to do so. I don't want to saddle my parents with loans or be burdened myself with them. I firmly believe that you can learn wherever you go--go to UF or Purdue or wherever and don't worry about it.

Esquared · 01-21-2006, 10:42 PM

write the schools on seperate pieces of paper and put them in a tall, black (preferably magical) hat. Shake well. Pick one. And then decide which one you ACTUALLY want to go to.

Andi0rz · 01-21-2006, 11:17 PM

Well, financial aid gave me the big middle finger, and I'm still going. I figure that I'm not only getting an awesome-tastic education, but I'm also going to meet people that I'll connect with for the duration of my life. I love the attitude that most people at UofC have. That's really important to me.