<p>lonestardad- Random fact, one of my great-cousins was one of the founders of Second City (My family is from Chicago).</p>
<p>Vonnegut,Chicago grad? Not really. I didn’t know he went there for grad. And I heard he quit Cornell early because he hated Chemistry/bio (prolly sick of being surrounded by all the workaholics…ah well, so it goes.)</p>
<p>Whoever bashed slipper - he said that UChicago was a unique school, and from the type of people that go there, I wouldn’t be suprised if it was extremely nerdy. It seems like a cool place to be if you like the “alternative” lifestyle…lots of cool bands and cafes and stuff. However, I don’t think its a “typical” college experience per say. My friend was deciding between UChicago and Harvey Mudd (also got into Cornell). He wanted to be a physics major and ended up going to HMC; another pretty nerdy school.</p>
<p>They’re cheap. As in not very generous with merit based scholarships. Visit the school enjoy that wonderfull seurat painting, but don’t count on more than a dime.</p>
<p>haha than thts not worth it at ALL</p>
<p>Harvey Mudd is a great school, but they also give chump change merit scholarships–think being a merit finalist gets you a grand. Their students graduate with the second highest debt load in the country.</p>
<p>Thanks thought,</p>
<p>Perhaps I shouldnt have mentioned the unsatisfied alums, but as I said those people were one type of person looking for a different type of experience. Pretending that Chicago has the social scene of Penn, Duke, Northwestern, etc is flat wrong. Its an incredibly good school but it fits a particular type of student.</p>
<p>U of C and Harvey Mudd are not typical colleges. Both are supposed to be incredibly intense places, and in slightly different ways than other LACs or Unis. </p>
<p>I didn’t know Northwestern had a vibrant social scene.</p>
<p>U of C rocks, but is for a minority of students, sort of like Reed is for LAC students, academically speaking.</p>
<p>I spent many years on the U of C Campus as a grad student where I TA’d courses for undergrads, grads, and med students. By far the undergrads were the most impressive. They were intellectually driven, witty, and fun. Nerdy is not how I would describe them, unless enjoyment of things intellectual qualifies one as a nerd. I got to know many socially and can tell you partying hard is an understatement. In subsequent years I have had the opportunity of working with students from the top Ivy’s. Though some were close, they did not have the intellectual qualities of the typical Chicago student. This is not a reflection on what the students came to the school with, but on what the school contributed to the students’ academic development once there. The Chicago admissions process is less numbers driven than most, and seeks those students most likely to benefit from the Chicago experience. In this regard I think it has been most successful. UChicago is a very special place indeed. I also know many very loyal alumni from many different generations whose blood runs “Maroon.”</p>
<p>I visited U of Chicago this spring, and then visited Northwestern the next day…I would say, socially, Northwestern is much nearer to the traditional “American college” experience. It’s a Big 10 school and, even though it’s no Duke, it certainly seems to offer more social opportunities than UChicago does.</p>
<p>I’m surprised that nobody’s mentioned UChicago’s geographical location yet. For those that don’t know, it’s located pretty close to downtown Chicago, and has a national reputation for being located in a rough neighborhood that can, at times, be unsafe. This image proves to be a real detriment to the school, even though most of the people I’ve talked to don’t consider the campus especially dangerous.</p>
<p>The immediate neighborhood that borders the University of Chicago is called “Hyde Park - Kenwood” where most students and many faculty live. The neighborhood stretches from 47th Street on the north to the “Midway” (about 60th St. on the south). Outside these borders one does have to be careful as these can be “rough neighborhoods”. However, within the several square miles of Hyde Park-Kenwood is an eclectic mix of races, cultures, housing, and things to do. For example, more than half the faculty live in Hyde Park which is the highest percentage of faculty living in the immediate environs of any major research university. So what? That faculty choose to live and raise their families in Hyde Park makes a strong statement about the vitality of the neighborhood. The Museum of Science & Industry - one of the great museums of its kind anywhere - is located along the lake front in Hyde Park. Homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright are sprinkled throughout the neighborhood. The housing mix is anything from mansions on several acres in Kenwood (the north part of the neighborhood) to older three/four story walk-up apartments to 35 story high rises close to Lake Michigan. As in any major city, being aware of one’s surroundings is a good word to the wise. But with that a given, Hyde Park has a lot to offer (besides being a short 7 mile train ride to downtown Chicago).</p>
<p>Since I irretrievably messed up with the inaccurate portrayal of Kurt Vonnegut as authoring a book he did not write (mea culpa!), here’s one final factoid on him regarding his Univervsity of Chicago affiliation. In the 'better late than never" category, Vonnegut received a Master’s degree in anthropology in 1971 from UC based on his book, “Cat’s Cradle”. Of course, as was rightly cited, his master’s thesis in the 1940’s (before he became famous) was rejected.</p>
<p>Does Vonnegut still write?</p>
<p>It has become so common for people to put down the U of Chicago scene without having ever visited the campus or spent time there. It’s always “I heard from a friend about a friend who didn’t like it there.” Its such ********. I partied my ass off at Chicago as did many of my friends. It has a work hard, play hard attitude. Yeah, you’ll study, but its not like its overhwelming or anything. You’ll find most students are very passionate about all aspects of their life, not just their studies - sports, arts, comedy, music…) The area of hyde park is very family/student oriented and quite charming and the city of Chicago is right at your fingertips.</p>
<p>U Chicago is an outstanding school and people know it as such. If you want a place where everybody looks like they walked out of a J Crew catalog, go to Yale. If you want something more, think about Chicago.</p>
<p>so sad that it isn’t more fun cuz it’s in a great city</p>
<p>One of my favorite things about Hyde Park was that on its north most border (perhaps not even officially Hyde Park), was Muhammad Ali’s house. I wonder if he still lives there on occasion?</p>
<p>Is Northwestern near U Chicago? How would you compare the 2?</p>
<p>idad…my dad went to school with Muhammad Ali in Louisville at Male Highschool…just thought that was interestin</p>
<p>What’s wrong with Chicago? It’s not Northwestern! :)</p>
<p>Northwestern is north of Chicago in Evanston, IL. UChicago is on Chicago’s southside. One can easily get from one to another, (okay, in traffic it is not so easy) by car or public transportation (but it will take an hour plus by train). </p>
<p>Having been associated with both schools I would say both Northwestern and UChicago are fine schools. Northwestern is a big 10 school, more fraternities, sororities, etc. NW is considered strong in drama, journalism, engineering, and general preprofessional preparation. Chicago tends to emphasize intellectual inquiry for its own-sake. Many Chicago students find their way into business, medicine, law etc., as well. Chicago is known as the teacher of teachers; that is, many of its graduates go on to teach at the college level. Chicago students tend to be a little more avant guard, while NW students a little more fashion and social status oriented. Notice I said “a little more.”</p>
<p>imacrazyscientist: That is interesting. I once saw M.A. leave in a car, that was as close as I got.</p>
<p>Chicgagograd - I echo your sentiments about U of C and it’s especially gratifying coming from a recent grad like yourself. You’ve “been there, done that” in terms of being a UC student so there is no better souce fpr commentary on the University. (Good luck in med school.)</p>
<p>idad - Your posts too in this thread also reflect the University of Chicago I know. Your having been a TA working with the undergraduates at UC gives another perspective that most of us have not experienced. Too bad neither you nor I knew any hyper competitive “grade grinds” at Chicago who frantically rushed to the library and ripped out pages from assigned books so other classmates could not access them (a post from someone earlier in this thread.) Can you believe that wildly untrue stories like that get around?! </p>
<p>Now a little memory jogging for you regarding Muhammed Ali’s house in Hyde Park - Kenwood. (Your little tidbit is a great illustration of the great ethnic and cultural diversity in Hyde Park - Kenwood.) Actually, the founder of the Black Muslims, Elijah Muhammed, had his national headquarters in Hyde Park/Kenwood. He built a group of fancy townhouses for himself and each of his daughters next to the Black Muslim headquarters on 48th St. in Kenwood (the northern edge of the University neighborhood). As to whether Muhammed Ali actually had a house in Kenwood as a Black Muslim, I don’t know but he most likely did.</p>
<p>All Readers - More on the UC neighborhood’s (Hyde Park’s) amazing diversity. In only a few square miles not only is Hyde Park-Kenwood the headquarters of the Black Muslims, but this neighborhood also has the Lutheran School of Theology, a major Unitarian church with a beautiful sanctuary and bell tower just off-campus, prominent Jewish synagogues, plus a Catholic church or two. Finally, the Reverend Jesse Jackson started and headquartered his political action group, Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) right in Hyde Park. There was many a Saturday morning that my roommate would be listening by radio to Jesse preaching from the PUSH headquarters. So much for the “national reputation” for a dangerous neighborhood. </p>
<p>Iamacrazyscientist and others - Regarding merit aid, it is true that UC does not dole out bucketfulls of merit aid. However, the University does pledge to meet 100% of any demonstrated financial need (with primarily gift aid) if you are admitted. My personal situation was that I applied late in June as a transfer student (after I finished my freshman year at another University). The transfer application asked if I wanted to apply for financial aid. I deliberately left this item blank figuring (stupidly) that there was no aid money available with such a late application. However, I needed financial aid badly because I came from a working class family that was barely making it. Then the University Admissions Committee leaped to my rescue. I got a rather peeved phone call from an Ad Com person reviewing my transfer application saying that I had not filled in the item as to whether I needed to apply for financial aid, and he asked did I or did I not want to apply for aid. I rather sheepishly said that I did. And - guess what - I got more in scholarship money as a new transfer student than my prior university provided as a returning sophomore student. And I owe it all to the diligent (and irritated with me) Ad Com person who tracked me down with that phone call. The moral of the story, if you can demonstrate financial need, the University will be there for you.</p>