<p>I think either purposefully or inadvertently, the U of C really ushers its students toward academia. Again, most of my information comes from back in the day, but the U of C really seems to push scholarship and a love of learning a lot, and this impacts Chicago students. At Chicago, it seemed like more of the brightest kids were looking to do a fulbright or do research or get a PhD, whereas at other places, the emphasis was on law or finance or something more professional. </p>
<p>Put another way, I think the “brass ring” coming from Chicago is doing something that offers high-level research, be it a fulbright scholarship or placement in a top musicology or history or mathematics PhD program. At other schools, the brass ring is a Goldman Sachs job or an acceptance to Harvard Law or Wharton.</p>