<p>@magentaturtle: It’s not everyone nor is it quite so severe. In fact, pre-professional plans are very prevalent at UChicago. The important distinction is not that pre-professionalism is shunned; rather, the purpose of the education is not specifically to prepare one for professional schools. The education will never teach to the MCAT or the LSAT or any other test. The educaiton will never restrict itself to the confines of a test. However, even though the education’s goal is not to explicitly prepare you for professional studies, it still does. Sure, A’s are not guaranteed and classes may cover topics that are beyond the scope needed for certain tests. But it’s definitely prevalent (and not as disliked as you think) at UChicago. </p>
<p>Like tawarren said, “they are finding a way to let the love of knowledge coexist peacefully with pre-professional options”</p>
<p>I’m premed myself and I haven’t once gotten any ill feelings from students or professors (one even got me in touch with a physician to meet up with!)</p>