<p>Chicago isn’t a great option for an engineering major. I think the university is just beginning a bio-engineering major this upcoming year or next, but other than that, I don’t think they offer much for an engineer.</p>
<p>And yes, drugs & drinking certainly exist on uchicago’s campus. I volunteered to help an URM student with her college apps. She’s now a rising junior at uchicago. She told me that during her orientation, the first-years were told that too many kids from the previous year needed medical attention for over-drinking and their class was encouraged to behave differently. I’d guess that the only campuses that don’t have drinking going on are the conservative religious colleges.</p>
<p>As far as my own kid’s experience at brown: he isn’t much of a partier and has found friends both who are but don’t expect him to be when they socialize, and friends who aren’t. I think developing the social skill to navigate all that is necessary at any college but for the homogeneous religious colleges. </p>
<p>Best of luck to your son on his transfer applications. I’d encourage him to do his due diligence this time around, which includes figuring out who he is so that he ends up in the right place. Off the top of my head, given what you’ve said about him, I’d suggest he take a look at Johns Hopkins. Even there, though, it will be his responsibility to set you up online for the tuition bill.</p>