What kinds of people SHOULDN'T go here?

Colleges & Universities University of Chicago
1

<p>I was just accepted EA. (!!!) I’m almost positive U of C is where I will end up, as I have yet to complete any other applications. </p>

<p>My interviewer explicitly told me that UChicago can be a very harmful environment for some types of people. </p>

<p>I just want to make sure I’m making the right choice. I feel great about U of C, and according to my college couns, it’s a great fit for me. </p>

<p>So, in your opinion, assuming you go here, what sorts of people are NOT fits for this school?</p>

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<p>engineering sorts!</p>

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<p>haha OK…</p>

<p>ya, i know the answer to this question is probably not as straighforward as I would like…I’m going so, doesn’t really matter</p>

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<p>You won’t like it if you can’t deal with a demanding schedule and an intense environment. People who prefer a school with a more even balance between work and play won’t fit in as well as at other top schools. If you’re a D1 athlete or want that kind of “traditional” college experience complete with 80,000 person stadiums, you should look elsewhere. If you can’t stand the cold, you’ll probably have a tougher time.</p>

<p>Congratulations!</p>

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<p>People who are preoccupied with prestige, partying, and/or given to passivity.</p>

<p>EDIT: Hm, I just noticed the alliteration there! :)</p>

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<p>OK…kind of what I thought. Thanks!</p>

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<p>Congrats on getting in! I remember your thread regarding your interview.</p>

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<p>I am of the opinion that people I dislike should be strongly advised not to attend lol…</p>

<p>On a serioust note though, I’ve noticed that the one characteristic which everyone here shares is that they are down to earth and very hard-working. So, if you can fit that profile, I think you’ll be in great shape.</p>

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<p>How about Pre-Profs? Is the atmoshpere entirely academic or are there a fair number of students who choose to pursue law, business, etc after they graduate?</p>

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<p>I’d say it’s definitely mixed-- of the third and fourth-years I know, many are thinking about graduate school, a large portion of them law/medical school, some graduate school in liberal arts stuff…</p>

<p>who shouldn’t come here?
–Students who don’t want to write an essay again in their lives
–Students who are very competitive/grade-oriented and want to be in a grinding environment where everybody knows everybody else’s GPA (some thrive under that high-pressure environment-- Chicago’s academic environment isn’t like that at all)
–Students who want to participate in traditional college things like homecoming, etc-- students who want to have a traditional rival school, students who envision themselves coming back on Alumni Weekend year after year until they’re in wheelchairs</p>

<p>Everybody else I think can find something here.</p>

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<p>While the atmosphere is academic, there are definitely plenty of students who plan to pursue law, business, etc. Especially law.</p>

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<p>Yes! these responses make me even more convinced of Chicago’s amazingness!</p>

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<p>The atmosphere can certainly be competitive.</p>

<p>I’m pre-professional. </p>

<p>Talk to me on FB, la.</p>

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<p>During my on-campus interview, I asked what the worst thing about the school was, and she seemed to hint that it was kids coming to UChicago for the wrong reasons. I would assume that prestige plays a factor in this.</p>

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<p>Who doesn’t belong?</p>

<p>Normal people…</p>

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<p>“People who are preoccupied with prestige”</p>

<p>Uhhh, ranked 9 in America, 8 internationally by others… um, prestige? U of C is just as prestigious as any other first tier college.</p>

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<p>Preoccupied is the key word, my friend. To me Chicago has never reeked of that elitism so often characteristic of nationally ranked top tier universities. Oh, don’t get me wrong. Chicago is prestigious, no doubt about that; but I’d like to think that those who ultimately choose to go there are ones enamored with not rankings but the Life of the Mind.</p>

18

<p>I absolutely agree with you. People who are past being “goal oriented” and are instead “mind motivated” seem to be what Chicago is about. </p>

<p>What I thought you meant was that being proud of Chicago is not something its students do.</p>

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<p>Chicago is definitely not for the diehard college athletics fans or the really hard partiers.</p>

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<p>muchamirsala: If you want to party, you will here.</p>

<p>daenerys/SMirkus: I, and MANY MANY MANY people I know(think Econ department) are very goal oriented. Many people came here for the prestige of a UofC degree. The UofC elitism of not being elitist doesn’t really exist except in the minds of a few elitists, IMO. (Lol.)</p>