<p>Chicago has an interesting problem. Its reputation for academics and “America’s intellectual powerhouse” works against it. We know at least 3 students admitted to Chicago but who chose to go elsewhere because they believed the academics would be too demanding. Instead, they chose Stanford, Northwestern, and another I don’t recall. Also Chicago wait listed or rejected another 2 that were admitted to Duke & Princeton, and accepted students (my S included) with lessor “numbers”. All of this works against Chicago, but contributes to its specialness in American Higher Education.</p>