<p>IHateUofC - looking back on it, and perhaps having anecdotal stories from friends, where would you have rather gone? Maybe the Honors program at a large state school - where’d you certainly have more exposure to practical pursuits? I don’t get the sense a strongly pre-professional school like UPenn or Duke would have been up your alley, but maybe a small LAC somewhere with more of a focus on practicality? </p>
<p>I’m sorry that the U of C experience didn’t work out for you. Chicago certainly is not known for balance, and I personally think, in the marketplace of top colleges, it’s fine to have one decidedly theoretical place out there. In a lot of ways, Chicago is the very definition of academia (for better or worse). </p>
<p>It is interesting that you’re feelings on this are quite so intense. At my time at the U of C, a lot of students rolled their eyes at the sheer theoretical nature of the school, but it wasn’t much more than that. Your aversion obviously goes a step beyond this. It’s interesting as well - if anything, I keep hearing how the more recent classes are more practically accomplished, more grounded, and more interested in application than my cohort. Do you get the sense your compatriots are still remarkably head-in-the-clouds types?</p>