<p>I agree with everyone else. Core classes are small and taught by profs or senior grad students (ABDs). They are discussion based. There are a couple of large classes at the U of C. I think as Maroon said Intro to Micro is the largest (or close). Maroon said 200, but I believe the class is normally quite a bit smaller than that. This past fall it had about 120, I think. It’s a popular class taught twice a year by a popular professor. There were 3 TAs who hold office hours and seemed friendly and helpful, though they didn’t participate in the class at all (each lecture was by the professor). I’m not sure how lower level languages work, but those probably have grad students. Then again, how much of a difference is there between first quarter Spanish with a prof or a grad student?</p>
<p>I don’t know a lot about research, but I heard a conversation at my house table before break, and one student was advising another on how to get involved in research. She said it wasn’t too difficult besides finding the time to do it! I know many majors require a thesis in 3rd or 4th year, it’s optional in other majors, and some don’t really have them. You can learn more about that by looking at the different majors you may be interested in on the website: <a href=“http://collegecatalog.uchicago.edu/[/url]”>http://collegecatalog.uchicago.edu/</a> .</p>
<p>I’m not sure any courses at Chicago are actually taught by TAs. I’m a first year, so I may be wrong, but I’ve never heard of that. Classes are taught by profs or senior grad students, and some classes have TAs who hold office hours or problem sessions.</p>
<p>I thought about applying to Reed, as well, but I decided that I didn’t want a school with such a political tilt. I wanted a school with more balanced political views, and I think that aspect really aids in learning, especially in discussion based classes. You won’t learn as much if students tend to have similar views on the material.</p>