What's available at Chicago vs. colleges in general

newmassdad
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:26:17 +0000

One generalization that we can make accurately, and which has been written up quite a few times, is the quality of the mentoring that kids get at places like Chicago and its private U peers (Stanford, Ivies etc.). This article from the Michigan Daily says it better than me: http://www.michigandaily.com/content/real-reason-you-didnt-win-rhodes-scholarship

You will find the same complaint at Berkeley, Wisconsin and a number of other top publics. You will find the same complaint about jobs, internships and a host of other issues at these public universities much more than at a U. Chicago.

The reason is twofold: Size and money. These top state universities are huge. Their honors colleges can have as many members as the whole undergrad population at Chicago. So the risk of being lost in the sea is greater.

This is not to say size does not have advantages. At a U. Mich, one can also draw on a variety (and depth) of resources that Chicago does not have.

It all depends on the student.