<p>Hey everyone! I’m a junior and my dream school is UChicago! I was wondering why you guys chose/are choosing UChicago. What are your favorite aspects of the school? Why did you chose UChicago?</p>
<p>“Hey everyone! I’m a junior and my dream school is UChicago!”</p>
<p>Is this the reason you named yourself princetongirl93? :p</p>
<p>Why?
[ul][<em>] Core
[</em>] Physics department
[<em>] Small class size (compared to local state university)
[</em>] NCAA is given no or little importance
[li] Reputation/Ranking[/li][/ul]</p>
<p>Some might like the math department for its intensity and (from what I hear) solid personal attention awarded to students. Aside from the fact this department is exceptionally strong and home to some of the best mathematicians in the country.</p>
<p>The economics department is similarly elite.</p>
<p>And the student culture sounds pretty academic. UChicago sounds good to me – I didn’t know very much about it back in the day.</p>
<p>@Maxxwell Haha Princetongirl is a bit of an inside joke between my friends and I</p>
<p>It looks like you’re baiting for some tidbits for the Why Chicago essay, but I’ll bite. I like the intellectualism and nerdiness (but in a good way) of the student body. I like that you are often taught by actual professors, but you also are exposed to TAs which I’ve heard can be great resources if you plan to go to grad school in their field, or even a related one. Also doesn’t hurt that it’s in the top ten now for USNWR, Obama used to teach there, many Nobels. I’m not a prestige-whore, but it’s nice to have something tangible to brag about to the folks. It’s size is pretty key to me. I think medium schools hit the sweet spot of not being totally impersonal but still large enough so you don’t feel suffocated, though I also applied to several LACs.</p>
<p>Note that these are just some reasons I chose to apply and matriculate; I haven’t attended yet so these may not be my favorite aspects of the school.</p>
<p>Ooops wow it does sound like I’m baiting. I really didn’t mean it like that I just wanted to know what draws everyone in</p>
<p>I am academically drawn to Chicago by its Biological Sciences Department with the diverse options for specialization (would most likely choose Molecular & Cellular Biology if I ultimately choose to attend).</p>
<p>Overall, I enjoy its academic focus, escalating reputation, and proximity to the Midwest.</p>
<p>The only downside is that my preliminary financial aid offer would cost my family approximately 20% of its total income (about $8,000 expected from a $40,000 gross income).</p>
<p>“Nerdiness” - I want a school where people truly enjoy learning/reading/etc.
Good humanities programs - I have been particularly intrigued by the FUNDAMENTALS - ISSUES AND TEXTS major; but I am probably in the minority on this point.</p>
<p>Culture Culture Culture</p>
<p>Frank Knight, in method, material, and style.</p>
<p>I got accepted, but am undecided if I will attend or not. Frankly, I’m a bit frightened by its intellectualism…</p>
<p>I just confirmed my intent to enroll last Sunday.</p>
<p>What tipped me over the edge was that my princeton interviewer praised the school in numerous ways before he knew I got in (with a full ride). We had a great time, and he was concerned about some special circumstances so I told him that i got in.</p>
<p>The peer reputation (to the people that matter) is that it has an “unparalleled” education. This is a guy who went to princeton and then MIT talking. He said that the only downside was that it’s more serious (not as much partying). To me, that’s not a downside. i want to go to a party once in a while, but not all the time.</p>
<p>Also, Doc Films is amazing. And the gothic architecture… :)</p>
<p>And it’s in Chicago instead of a suburb. I really like the city and it’s opportunities for internships and entertainment,</p>
<p>All of that said, I really picked it because I felt like I would fit in there. There is more of a love of learning (some call this nerdiness), not grades. That’s an important distinction. I LOVE learning, and I could relly care less about the grade (especially apparent in my midyear report). If you’re all abou the grade or med school or whatever representation of intellectual validation, then it might not be for you. (I wouldn’t know for sure) The sense I got is it’s about learning for the sake of learning, and that appeals to me. i’m the kind of person who has to constantly learn, whether or not there’s a class for it. Chicago seems like it would fit that.</p>
<p>And, Have you SEEN the course catalog??? <em>drools</em> There are so many great classes. i just want to take them all.</p>
<p>HonorsCentaur if you are willing to do the work, the intellectualism will be the gravy.</p>
<p>I’d have to disagree with everything maxxwell suggested with the exception of the physics department</p>
<p>Core: most common subject to be written about; do you think colleges really want you to regurgitate what you found on their website?
a better approach would be to write about how you would take advantage of the core to satisfy your peculiar academic needs</p>
<p>physics department: a bit better, but alot of schools have great physics departments. Why is Chicago different for you?</p>
<p>Small class size: no one wants to here about that; if its something you really cared about, you would go to a small liberal arts college</p>
<p>NCAA: well, ok, thats true, but how does that increase your appeal?</p>
<p>reputation/ranking: the absolute worst subject you could possibly write about. What would you say? “yea Uchicago isnt ranked number 1 as Harvard is, but its current ranking fits my bill perfectly (more so than the 2 schools immediately preceding or succeeding it?!?)”
also, caring about a school’s rank is just that; its not the school, but the rank. If University of Wyoming was ranked @ Chicago’s rank, would it interest you just as much?</p>
<p>some things to think about</p>
<p>@antonioray I don’t have to worry about admission 
Sorry, I didn’t make it clear before. I was giving the perspective of someone who got accepted during EA :).</p>
<p>why the **** not</p>
<p>nevertheless, your essay may not have been the deciding factor</p>
<p>in my humble opinion, I would be bored to death reading about my school’s class size, rank, my own viewbook, etc.</p>
<p>no offense, of course, and congrats on getting accepted</p>
<p>I don’t think Maxwell was outlining his essay, but rather the aspects of Chicago he finds attractive.</p>
<p>@antonioray Thanks. I don’t know what were the deciding factors. The New Year greeting sent by admission counselor had a handwritten note indicating that they enjoyed reading the essays. </p>
<p>OP didn’t ask “What did you write for Why Chicago essay?”
Her questions were: What are your favorite aspects of the school? Why did you chose UChicago? </p>
<p>I didn’t want to post my essay in response. I am sorry my answers were too simplistic for you. </p>
<p>Did you apply to UChicago?
Wish you good luck with your admission.</p>
<p>Edit: abcdefg1234, thanks for clarifying on my behalf.</p>
<p>may I, if you dont mind, read your Why Chicago?</p>
<p>I’d also appreciate any feedback on my own</p>
<p>@antonioray I don’t want to bore you to death ;)</p>
<p>It was definitely not a Love Letter. From the way you challenged my points I get the feeling that you must have written a good essay. Anyway, my opinion is not going to matter. So, don’t worry about it.</p>