Advice Needed for Chicago (ALL aspects, academics, athletic, etc.)

Sarahbara
Mon, 04 Apr 2005 22:35:28 +0000

I’m also class of '09, so obviously, I can’t give you info on what a class is like as I’m not a student yet. But I have visited a few times, so I can answer most of your other queries. I will tell you that people are as intellectual as they say.
2.You can live in any kind of housing you like, from modern and social, to old and lonely to anything in between. Max P. is new, quite social, suite-style, at the heart of campus. Pierce, older and uglier, but quite social, has its own dining hall and is near the center of campus. Shoreland, Broadview and Breckinridge are farther away (15-20 mins) and vary in degrees of socialization. Burton Judson has a lot of singles, its own dining hall, is known for bookishness and Chicago stereotypes (wonks, etc.) but who knows. It’s across the Midway, thus, right near the center of campus. Snell-Hitchcock is the oldest dorm, Gothic, full of singles and doubles. I can’t speak for Snell, but Hitchcock is quite social, also in the heart of campus, the only dorm on the quads. Maclean is near the center of campus (maybe 5 mins away), and has lots of singles and is quite lovely.
Chicago is a real, thriving city, very cultured and tons of fun, has every store NYC has, great restaurants, and UChicago is definitely urban. To get to the heart of the city, the Loop etc., is a twenty minute bus ride, approximately. There is also a train. It’s very easy to get there and back; I was able to navigate the system my first time in the city, so it can’t be too tough.
I can’t speak to meal plans as I don’t know them well, but the food at the dining hall I’ve eaten at a few times, Bartlett, was quite tasty.
Again, I’m not an expert, but I went to one party when I was there and had a great time. I get the sense the social life is what you want it to be. You can hole up in your room or go out clubbing to everything in between, which I like. I like that you can be yourself and have your own brand of fun, whatever that may be.
Again, don’t know.
Haha, don’t ask me! I pretty much am going to fit the Uchicago stereotype of hating sports. However, I’ve heard others have a great time with sports at UChicago, they’re the folks to ask.
Again, ask a current student. I felt quite safe during daylight hours, and I travelled in groups at night, which is prudent in an urban setting. Obviously, one has to be cognizant of one’s surroundings, but it felt pretty similar to wandering around Brooklyn, NY to me. As a New Yorker, I felt safe. Like Columbia U., Chicago is much improved when it comes to safety.
Seems pretty diverse to me! In the dining hall, I noted that the group at large could not be pigeon-holed at all, which I liked. I saw every type of person and very few poseurs, which is a plus.


Sorry I can’t be more helpful! Good luck choosing, hope to see you there :)