<p>I think what we tend to forget is that being intellectual and being social are not mutually exclusive, and my impression from CC is that we’re starting to draw kids in becausewe offer this amazing academic experience, but no longer at the expense of other things. </p>
<p>I would categorize most Chicago students as both intellectual and social in varying degrees. I’m probably a good example of somebody who likes socializing and intellectual things equally (and oftentimes I find myself combining the two!)</p>
<p>A longtime professor here noted that the academic standards here haven’t changed, but that the students have-- they tend to be more involved in pursuits not immediately related to assigned schoolwork, and they are much happier. Nowadays, I think that most people find it pretty easy to be happy at Chicago-- the people who are unhappy here would be unhappy anywhere, their happiness has little to do with how “intellectual” they are.</p>
<p>**</p>
<p>Glasses and J, as long as your children realize that they are stepping into the shark tank, I think they will be okay. Remind them that they don’t need to do what they are doing for you to be proud of them.</p>
<p>My parents tend to discourage me from doing anything that detracts from my “college experience” (for which they mean the intersection among academics, social life, and personal well-being). Sometimes I listen to them and sometimes I don’t, but when I sign up for something new, I proceed with caution and ask myself if I’ll miss whatever I’ll need to give up for the new thing.</p>