Insight of Grad?

Krysth
Wed, 15 Jun 2005 22:45:39 +0000

Hello,
This question is directed towards recent graduates.
The U of C has been my top choice after reading literature from Mortimer Adler and R. Hutchins–the plan they had for the core indicated a systematic approach to educating the “Great Ideas.” However I was able to recently get in contact with an '05 econ grad (my major) and he told me there isn’t really institutional dedication to the core anymore and Chicago students, while intelligent, are not intellectually curious in the “learning is a form of fun” way.
I am being offered a full-ride at UCLA. I’m sure I can get a decent education, as much as any self-initiated effort will yield, at UCLA–but the attraction of Chicago is an environment that is dedicated toward nourishing this. I’d very much appreciate some insights from recent grads–what is your experience of the mythical Common Core. Do teachers have an vested interest in heuristic learning…or is a “here are the concepts and elaborate on your own” experience? What about the math sequence? Thanks a lot.