Thoughts about Statistics, Misconceptions, and Stupidity in Admissions

CountingDown
Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:08:30 +0000

My feeling is that because Chicago produces such a high number of graduates who go on to pursue the academic life, that teaching and sharing that passion is an essential core value of the place. I think it’s no accident that merit scholarships at Chicago are awarded by faculty recommendation to students they would like to have in the classroom.

If you ask my S, he would tell you without hesitation that he batted three for three this past quarter in the prof/grad student department. As a parent who has heard (more than I expected!) about S’s courses, I’ll say that while S is a math major, he relished his HBC class the most – because he felt he FINALLY got a humanities course with an excellent instructor, and that person brought a depth and richness to the material S never imagined.

Yeah, S had the numbers for admission, as most of you prospies do. What proved to be decisive was the desire for intellectual pursuit. Chicago has been a fabulous fit and S has truly made the place his home. And, if you’re happy, you’re a lot more likely to succeed. Good luck to all of you, wherever you land.