<p>For what it’s worth, both my kids had serious extra-curriculars, plus paying jobs, throughout their time at Chicago. Each of them found that they had to pare back and be selective at some early point, and there were certainly moments when their parents, at least, worried they were trying to do too much. One worked on a publication, was part of a political group, and had paying jobs 15-20 hours/week – but along the way dropped writing for a second publication, and being involved with drama, and tutoring kids in Woodlawn. The other has had two major ECs, and actually gets paid for some of his time with one of them, plus he does a bunch of volunteer RA-type work in his major. But he had to drop involvement in student government, and he has somewhat cut back on his time with one of the major ECs. Both like parties fine, but went to fewer of them as fourth years than they did as first years.</p>
<p>Intramural sports at Chicago, I believe, tend not to be demanding at all. I have never heard of practices or stuff like that; mostly it’s just rounding people up for a game. Some of the club sports (intercollegiate competition, but not varsity, and only slight university funding) do take things seriously and have regular practices, coaches, etc.</p>