<p>Bobbi - that’s interesting. I’ve been a U of C alum interviewer for nearly a decade now, and I haven’t seen the same trend. I’ve been busier interviewing more students, but they all seem like pretty bright, capable students. I especially like that the more recent students are more adept at holding a conversation, and have a bit more social acumen. I never saw academic brilliance and a level of charisma as being mutually exclusive. </p>
<p>What I have seen when decisions time rolls around, however, is the U of C being less likely to take chances on the very intellectually curious but maybe not brilliant student. When I was at U of C, there was a sizable contingent of students that loved to learn, but did not have the intellectual horsepower of the students at the top of the class. Now, the playing field in terms of ability for admitted students seems to be more even through and through.</p>
<p>Note - I will say in the past few years, I have interviewed a few more students who just want to go to a top 10 school and are throwing an application at Chicago. These students, however, just seem to serve as fodder for Zimmer’s increasingly selective admissions machine - these kids are NOT getting into the U of C. If we keep the same core of bright, capable, and curious kids, and just reject the fodder to appeal to US News, so what?</p>