Not a hater, not a lover. I do know someone who went there and the stress almost did her in but she was smart enough to leave, finish at a state college with zero prestige, and, wait for it, a masters from U of Phoenix. She’s an exec at a big company now.
The volume of mail from U. of Chicago was ridiculous!
We were probably most disappointed by Notre Dame. It was my daughter’s favorite on paper but absolutely not the right fit for her in any way shape or form. There were plenty of other schools that came off her list after visiting but ND the biggest mismatch for sure.
^winning post of the day…
UChicago is still trying to give the kid some love. They want him to apply to their summer school. We’ll likely pass although who knows, if he has decent grades from his Stepford school, the UChicago med school might be an option.
“They want him to apply to their summer school.”
Those summer schools are big money makers for universities. I bet they want all kinds of kids to apply. 
Interesting enough my son knows somebody from his high school who went to Harvard Summer School last year and got accepted to UChicago this year. His friends were wondering how the guy got into Chicago with roughly a 3.5 unweighted and mediocre standardized test scores.
As a Chicago alumnus I am sometimes sorry to see the rise in popularity of the old school. Previously it was only known to kids who were really serious about intellectual achievement and really contemptuous of all the middlebrow fluff and unearned prestige on offer elsewhere. Now I fear it may sometimes be attracting the sort of prima donnas and prestige-mongers that really ought to go to the ivies or ivy-wannabes. I therefore like to see evidence in forums such as these of that old hostility to the true intense rebarbative Chicago brand. A kid who really believes that serious study is simply misery ought to go elsewhere. I’m glad to hear that that message is still being given to prospective students by the present ones, and I hope any kid who is turned off by it will not only stay away but spread the message to his friends to stay away.
@marlowe1 - Honestly, what was that ^^^ comment? Are you kidding me?
lastone03, I think marlowe1’s comment is totally in keeping with the mission of this thread, throwing shade on institutions. which probably also includes throwing shade on the institution’s prospective students. The poster reminds me of many Reed graduates I’ve encountered who love to say they hardly ever set foot out of the library for 4 years. They say it with the dreamy gleam of nostalgia in their eyes, hardcore intellectuals and proud of it!
although maybe a little pompous and overbearing.
Most of the haters for any college is due to the rejection letter they got from said college…
or in the case of UChicago, being rejected while still filling out the app…
at least @marlowe1 earned the right to be pompous and overbearing, unlike @lastone03 and @bopambo who denigrates intellectuals as if being hard working and intelligent is no big deal.
@uocparent - you know NOTHING about me, or my work ethic, or my intelligence. Keep walking. I lived in Chicago and I know U of C well. I just think the comment sends the wrong message on many levels. If that’s the way you roll - that’s fine. It certainly isn’t the way I roll.
Ouch! I have only the deepest respect for true intellectuals, but only if they lighten up a little with the rest of us.
It’s the time of year to worry about how to get food coloring off of your hands, or if your Jewish, how to avoid drinking your parents bad wine. Can we please redirect all the holiday stress at the colleges that have earned our disdain. If you’re good I promise you won’t have to eat yellow peeps or your mother’s matzoh brei.
Not interested here in sending messages, @lastone03 , just describing my experience of a particular institution. It’s always preferable to engage with the issue rather than the personality. If you’re suggesting I’m a snob, however, you may be right. So be it. That’s very much in the culture of the University of Chicago, and I see no reason to deny it. There are many kinds of snobbery. At the U of C the snobbery was that of intellectual achievement, not wealth, not beauty, not charm, not athletic ability or connections or influence. The U of C sort of snobbery is the sort I like. If you don’t, that’s OK with me. There are many schools in the world.
marlowe1, that is well said and I agree. Thank heavens there are places that appeal to all sorts, and it’s good going in to know which kind of place you’re landing in before you unpack your toiletries.
@marlowe1 No worries. Your comment just took me a bit by surprise. I know U of C well - a relative was a former VP and Trustee back in the day. In a nutshell, I’m just not a fan of snobbery of any kind. I prefer high EQ’s and humility, along with achievement and intellect. I’m sorry if you feel U of C has sold out - I was just suprised that anyone would universally bulldoze prospective students who didn’t fit a particular mold.
I was just at UChicago a month ago and we found the whole tone was upbeat and welcoming. My kid actually favors UChicago at the moment, though I don’t think the financials would work for us. Pretty stunned by the NPC for UChicago. Much more so than Northwestern that definitely had an air of pretentious.
Now that we’ve kissed and made up… Happy Easter and Passover to all. May most of your college dreams come true and more importantly may your financial aid be substantial!