<p>^^hyeonjlee: The University has a pretty solid alumni network, and I like using it more than the <em>three</em> other Ivy league alumni networks I have access to through my immediate family members. I like the people I meet through it more, and I think they’re doing more interesting things. And of course, there’s an emotional connection there as well.</p>
<p>My own personal views on what Chicago should and should not do and what I think Chicago should and should not do to keep up with the Joneses, so to speak, run counter to each other. For the sake of the institution’s health, I think administrators should pursue ways to augment what’s already there, even if it goes against the traditional, stereotypical, “Chicago.”</p>
<p>I chose Chicago because I wanted to run away my Ivy/elite pedigree to a place where I could read books in dead languages without feeling broader social/elite pressures. My choice was somewhat ironic-- in running away from one kind of elite and elitism, I stepped into another… but to be fair, I had no exposure to Chicago branding or marketing before I sent in my app. I only became familiar with the “Uncommon” questions only when I started to answer one. I had no idea we sent out postcards to juniors until I read about them on CC years and years later. </p>
<p>In short, if I was presented with “new Chicago,” or “Chicago through keen marketing and branding,” or “outreach Chicago” I’m not sure I would have still applied. But the nice part about advertising is that it isn’t always bad and it doesn’t always lie. And for that Ideal Chicago Kid living in a place where college isn’t talked about and where peers and family members don’t know the University of Chicago, the way I did… then outreach is vital.</p>
<p>Something that does bear mention in this conversation, though, in paraphrasing JHS: we are treating these schools as if they are entirely internally consistent entities. We know that’s not true. So while there might be something different and Chicagoy about Chicago, I would find it hard to argue that it’s so much different from any of the other schools being mentioned. I imagine that most elite students visiting Chicago would notice reflections of themselves in the student body. A few differences, maybe, but I don’t know-- however, you look at it, smart kids are smart kids.</p>