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[ { "content": "We're #4!. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Am I the only one unhappy about this? These rankings dont mean anything. What does alumni giving and acceptance rate (read rejection rate) have to do with intellectual quality? At what cost are we here sitting at 4? I feel like were selling out our core principles and the self selecting process that made our school what it is. \n\nNow all well have are a bunch of high school kids looking to get a fancy degree from a fancy school as some sort of status symbol rather than to grow into intellectual maturity. I imagine that the newer classes will start to be filled with kids who could give two shits about the core. I feel that were already starting to see it now. Whats the use of a fancy ranking if were at risk of changing our cultural and intellectual identity?\n\nAnyways, maybe I'm the only one who feels this way.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "I also question their methodology because liberal arts colleges and national universities are both included on the same list... wouldn't it make more sense to create separate lists since their goals and structures are somewhat different? ", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "We're #4!. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Am I the only one unhappy about this? These rankings dont mean anything. What does alumni giving and acceptance rate (read rejection rate) have to do with intellectual quality? At what cost are we here sitting at 4? I feel like were selling out our core principles and the self selecting process that made our school what it is. \n\nNow all well have are a bunch of high school kids looking to get a fancy degree from a fancy school as some sort of status symbol rather than to grow into intellectual maturity. I imagine that the newer classes will start to be filled with kids who could give two shits about the core. I feel that were already starting to see it now. Whats the use of a fancy ranking if were at risk of changing our cultural and intellectual identity?\n\nAnyways, maybe I'm the only one who feels this way.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "I think it's a little trite to say that we're selling out our core principles because an independent metric of college quality assigned us a particular ranking. \n\nA) Who, exactly, is selling us out? No one. It comes with the territory of being a quality school, that eventually our academics become recognized and application number increase. At best, you could argue, we \"are being sold out,\" but no one is to blame.\n\nB) Academic rigor doesn't decline in proportion to acceptance rates. For all the notions of \"self-selection\" that get tossed around, it's really the admissions office that does the work of selecting the student body. And a wider pool of students to choose from does nothing to hurt their search for intellectually-students.\n\nC) The core is the core - it's still painful and demanding, and unless that gets tossed out, it will continue to factor into the decision of applicants whether to attend. So, even if there is a large percent of students accepted (many of whom, admittedly, will shoot of an application to U of C simply because of the ranking), those students will still only attend if they think they can handle the core. Which, since we're talking about the brightest, most gifted students in the country (we get lots of applications now, remember?), many will do.\n\nD) \"Cultural and intellectual identity\" is very, very difficult to change one way or another. You'll see minor shifts, but a wholesale change? It will be dozens and dozens of years, at the earliest, before you'll be able to mistake the academic culture at UChicago for, say, that of Northwestern.\n\nE) Not all change is bad. Would you be willing to sacrifice a few of those pretentious, intellectually masturbatory conversations about Foucault you overhear at a party for a student body that's slightly better at socializing? I would, to a certain extent. Don't forget that we're still very weird, and this school can be suffocatingly so - a little push in the other direction might not be the worst thing in the world.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "\"Who, exactly, is selling us out? No one.\" I don't think this is really true. You should read [this article](http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/education/edlife/07HOOVER-t.html?_r=4&pagewanted=1&ref=education) about Chicago's changing admissions process. I'd say Boyer and the admissions office are definitely selling out.\n\nSome pertinent quotes:\n\n>Mr. Boyer has compared Chicago’s application total with that of Columbia University, which also has a strong liberal arts curriculum. “I believe we are a better university than they are, so I think we should have more applications than they do,” he told the student newspaper last winter. The remark was a “friendly, competitive gesture,” Mr. Boyer says today. “I don’t think Chicago should stand behind New York on this one. We deserve the same number of applications, if not more.”\n\n[](http://a)\n\n>She says the university is becoming “normal,” more career oriented. She liked the maroon scarf it sent her. She also liked its declining admissions rate. In 2004, Chicago accepted 40 percent of its applicants, compared with 18 percent this year. \"I wouldn’t have applied a few years ago — I would have felt overqualified.\"\n\nI think when you start actively trying to lower your acceptance rate just for the sake of having a low acceptance rate, you end up with people like her. She only wants to go to Chicago because it seems prestigious.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Ugh, thats terrible.\n\nI was speaking with friends of mine in the admissions office about this, and how much they hate the new admissions direction.\n\nA lot of people who came before came specifically for the intellectual environment that Chicago offered, and came knowing they were either going on to further education or into finance/consulting of some sort (econ majors). I knew several exceptionally bright people who rejected schools like Yale and Princeton to come to Chicago specifically for that environment.\n\nNow when you start accepting people who are only here for the rankings, that is going to slowly start changing that atmosphere. Which I find very sad - its very difficult to find the sort of intellectual atmosphere you have at Chicago. The world doesn't really need another Northwestern or Harvard - Chicago fit into a pretty unique little niche in college education.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "We're #4!. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Am I the only one unhappy about this? These rankings dont mean anything. What does alumni giving and acceptance rate (read rejection rate) have to do with intellectual quality? At what cost are we here sitting at 4? I feel like were selling out our core principles and the self selecting process that made our school what it is. \n\nNow all well have are a bunch of high school kids looking to get a fancy degree from a fancy school as some sort of status symbol rather than to grow into intellectual maturity. I imagine that the newer classes will start to be filled with kids who could give two shits about the core. I feel that were already starting to see it now. Whats the use of a fancy ranking if were at risk of changing our cultural and intellectual identity?\n\nAnyways, maybe I'm the only one who feels this way.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "I think it's a little trite to say that we're selling out our core principles because an independent metric of college quality assigned us a particular ranking. \n\nA) Who, exactly, is selling us out? No one. It comes with the territory of being a quality school, that eventually our academics become recognized and application number increase. At best, you could argue, we \"are being sold out,\" but no one is to blame.\n\nB) Academic rigor doesn't decline in proportion to acceptance rates. For all the notions of \"self-selection\" that get tossed around, it's really the admissions office that does the work of selecting the student body. And a wider pool of students to choose from does nothing to hurt their search for intellectually-students.\n\nC) The core is the core - it's still painful and demanding, and unless that gets tossed out, it will continue to factor into the decision of applicants whether to attend. So, even if there is a large percent of students accepted (many of whom, admittedly, will shoot of an application to U of C simply because of the ranking), those students will still only attend if they think they can handle the core. Which, since we're talking about the brightest, most gifted students in the country (we get lots of applications now, remember?), many will do.\n\nD) \"Cultural and intellectual identity\" is very, very difficult to change one way or another. You'll see minor shifts, but a wholesale change? It will be dozens and dozens of years, at the earliest, before you'll be able to mistake the academic culture at UChicago for, say, that of Northwestern.\n\nE) Not all change is bad. Would you be willing to sacrifice a few of those pretentious, intellectually masturbatory conversations about Foucault you overhear at a party for a student body that's slightly better at socializing? I would, to a certain extent. Don't forget that we're still very weird, and this school can be suffocatingly so - a little push in the other direction might not be the worst thing in the world.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "\"Who, exactly, is selling us out? No one.\" I don't think this is really true. You should read [this article](http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/education/edlife/07HOOVER-t.html?_r=4&pagewanted=1&ref=education) about Chicago's changing admissions process. I'd say Boyer and the admissions office are definitely selling out.\n\nSome pertinent quotes:\n\n>Mr. Boyer has compared Chicago’s application total with that of Columbia University, which also has a strong liberal arts curriculum. “I believe we are a better university than they are, so I think we should have more applications than they do,” he told the student newspaper last winter. The remark was a “friendly, competitive gesture,” Mr. Boyer says today. “I don’t think Chicago should stand behind New York on this one. We deserve the same number of applications, if not more.”\n\n[](http://a)\n\n>She says the university is becoming “normal,” more career oriented. She liked the maroon scarf it sent her. She also liked its declining admissions rate. In 2004, Chicago accepted 40 percent of its applicants, compared with 18 percent this year. \"I wouldn’t have applied a few years ago — I would have felt overqualified.\"\n\nI think when you start actively trying to lower your acceptance rate just for the sake of having a low acceptance rate, you end up with people like her. She only wants to go to Chicago because it seems prestigious.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "i know you.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "We're #4!. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Am I the only one unhappy about this? These rankings dont mean anything. What does alumni giving and acceptance rate (read rejection rate) have to do with intellectual quality? At what cost are we here sitting at 4? I feel like were selling out our core principles and the self selecting process that made our school what it is. \n\nNow all well have are a bunch of high school kids looking to get a fancy degree from a fancy school as some sort of status symbol rather than to grow into intellectual maturity. I imagine that the newer classes will start to be filled with kids who could give two shits about the core. I feel that were already starting to see it now. Whats the use of a fancy ranking if were at risk of changing our cultural and intellectual identity?\n\nAnyways, maybe I'm the only one who feels this way.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "I think it's a little trite to say that we're selling out our core principles because an independent metric of college quality assigned us a particular ranking. \n\nA) Who, exactly, is selling us out? No one. It comes with the territory of being a quality school, that eventually our academics become recognized and application number increase. At best, you could argue, we \"are being sold out,\" but no one is to blame.\n\nB) Academic rigor doesn't decline in proportion to acceptance rates. For all the notions of \"self-selection\" that get tossed around, it's really the admissions office that does the work of selecting the student body. And a wider pool of students to choose from does nothing to hurt their search for intellectually-students.\n\nC) The core is the core - it's still painful and demanding, and unless that gets tossed out, it will continue to factor into the decision of applicants whether to attend. So, even if there is a large percent of students accepted (many of whom, admittedly, will shoot of an application to U of C simply because of the ranking), those students will still only attend if they think they can handle the core. Which, since we're talking about the brightest, most gifted students in the country (we get lots of applications now, remember?), many will do.\n\nD) \"Cultural and intellectual identity\" is very, very difficult to change one way or another. You'll see minor shifts, but a wholesale change? It will be dozens and dozens of years, at the earliest, before you'll be able to mistake the academic culture at UChicago for, say, that of Northwestern.\n\nE) Not all change is bad. Would you be willing to sacrifice a few of those pretentious, intellectually masturbatory conversations about Foucault you overhear at a party for a student body that's slightly better at socializing? I would, to a certain extent. Don't forget that we're still very weird, and this school can be suffocatingly so - a little push in the other direction might not be the worst thing in the world.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "\"Who, exactly, is selling us out? No one.\" I don't think this is really true. You should read [this article](http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/education/edlife/07HOOVER-t.html?_r=4&pagewanted=1&ref=education) about Chicago's changing admissions process. I'd say Boyer and the admissions office are definitely selling out.\n\nSome pertinent quotes:\n\n>Mr. Boyer has compared Chicago’s application total with that of Columbia University, which also has a strong liberal arts curriculum. “I believe we are a better university than they are, so I think we should have more applications than they do,” he told the student newspaper last winter. The remark was a “friendly, competitive gesture,” Mr. Boyer says today. “I don’t think Chicago should stand behind New York on this one. We deserve the same number of applications, if not more.”\n\n[](http://a)\n\n>She says the university is becoming “normal,” more career oriented. She liked the maroon scarf it sent her. She also liked its declining admissions rate. In 2004, Chicago accepted 40 percent of its applicants, compared with 18 percent this year. \"I wouldn’t have applied a few years ago — I would have felt overqualified.\"\n\nI think when you start actively trying to lower your acceptance rate just for the sake of having a low acceptance rate, you end up with people like her. She only wants to go to Chicago because it seems prestigious.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "WOW at that second quote. For that girl's sake, I hope the article was just misrepresenting her as a stereotypical rankings-nut. \n", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "We're #4!. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Am I the only one unhappy about this? These rankings dont mean anything. What does alumni giving and acceptance rate (read rejection rate) have to do with intellectual quality? At what cost are we here sitting at 4? I feel like were selling out our core principles and the self selecting process that made our school what it is. \n\nNow all well have are a bunch of high school kids looking to get a fancy degree from a fancy school as some sort of status symbol rather than to grow into intellectual maturity. I imagine that the newer classes will start to be filled with kids who could give two shits about the core. I feel that were already starting to see it now. Whats the use of a fancy ranking if were at risk of changing our cultural and intellectual identity?\n\nAnyways, maybe I'm the only one who feels this way.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "I think it's a little trite to say that we're selling out our core principles because an independent metric of college quality assigned us a particular ranking. \n\nA) Who, exactly, is selling us out? No one. It comes with the territory of being a quality school, that eventually our academics become recognized and application number increase. At best, you could argue, we \"are being sold out,\" but no one is to blame.\n\nB) Academic rigor doesn't decline in proportion to acceptance rates. For all the notions of \"self-selection\" that get tossed around, it's really the admissions office that does the work of selecting the student body. And a wider pool of students to choose from does nothing to hurt their search for intellectually-students.\n\nC) The core is the core - it's still painful and demanding, and unless that gets tossed out, it will continue to factor into the decision of applicants whether to attend. So, even if there is a large percent of students accepted (many of whom, admittedly, will shoot of an application to U of C simply because of the ranking), those students will still only attend if they think they can handle the core. Which, since we're talking about the brightest, most gifted students in the country (we get lots of applications now, remember?), many will do.\n\nD) \"Cultural and intellectual identity\" is very, very difficult to change one way or another. You'll see minor shifts, but a wholesale change? It will be dozens and dozens of years, at the earliest, before you'll be able to mistake the academic culture at UChicago for, say, that of Northwestern.\n\nE) Not all change is bad. Would you be willing to sacrifice a few of those pretentious, intellectually masturbatory conversations about Foucault you overhear at a party for a student body that's slightly better at socializing? I would, to a certain extent. Don't forget that we're still very weird, and this school can be suffocatingly so - a little push in the other direction might not be the worst thing in the world.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "\"Who, exactly, is selling us out? No one.\" I don't think this is really true. You should read [this article](http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/education/edlife/07HOOVER-t.html?_r=4&pagewanted=1&ref=education) about Chicago's changing admissions process. I'd say Boyer and the admissions office are definitely selling out.\n\nSome pertinent quotes:\n\n>Mr. Boyer has compared Chicago’s application total with that of Columbia University, which also has a strong liberal arts curriculum. “I believe we are a better university than they are, so I think we should have more applications than they do,” he told the student newspaper last winter. The remark was a “friendly, competitive gesture,” Mr. Boyer says today. “I don’t think Chicago should stand behind New York on this one. We deserve the same number of applications, if not more.”\n\n[](http://a)\n\n>She says the university is becoming “normal,” more career oriented. She liked the maroon scarf it sent her. She also liked its declining admissions rate. In 2004, Chicago accepted 40 percent of its applicants, compared with 18 percent this year. \"I wouldn’t have applied a few years ago — I would have felt overqualified.\"\n\nI think when you start actively trying to lower your acceptance rate just for the sake of having a low acceptance rate, you end up with people like her. She only wants to go to Chicago because it seems prestigious.", "role": "user" }, { "content": ">She only wants to go to Chicago because it seems prestigious.\n\nBut it IS prestigious. Did you know what you were doing when you were 17 and applying to college? I doubt it. High school seniors have no clue what they're doing when they apply to college. If she's smart and applying, what's the problem exactly? Either (a) she doesn't get accepted and you can sleep soundly or (b) she does. If (b) happens either (i) she decides to go somewhere else and you can keep your sanity or (ii) she comes here. \n\nLet's assume (b-ii) happens: She comes here; takes the Core; turns into the same \"nerd\" everyone becomes when they go here; and leaves with a degree knowing what collective effervescence is and how it applies to the Sacred and Profane, how Democracy evolved, and maybe even how to swim. All my alum friends are proud of their degree regardless of why they applied. Do you think maybe Boyer's goal is to educate more people in the Chicago manner? Do you really think John Boyer, Mr. Hapsburg, sets his sights wholly upon being the Dean of the school with the lowest acceptance rate? \n\nAnd anyone who has been to CAPS in the last 6 years will tell you not to worry about Chicago becoming more \"career oriented.\" The bottom line is that, whether you're an academic or a professional or other after college, the more perceived value your degree has, the more valuable you are. I enjoy that value and it's helped me a lot. I also fully believe it is the best undergraduate education in America. I see no reason why these two ideals can't coexist.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "We're #4!. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Also, we're #1 by cost =) (from my quick glance at the table)", "role": "user" }, { "content": " #2, actually.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "ah - I missed one. Who's pricier?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "[Sarah Lawrence College, $60,116, #138](http://www.forbes.com/top-colleges/list/#p_1_s_d3_All%20states_)", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Smart guy that I am – I missed that the list was sortable. \n\nI'm good like that.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Haha it's fine, the simple things sometimes tend to elude us smart people.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "We're #4!. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Also, we're #1 by cost =) (from my quick glance at the table)", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Just a note on UChicago's price tag (and the price tag on universities in general): I transferred here after one year at NYU. For the most part, I came here because I always wanted to be at UChicago--it was, and still is, my dream school. But what prompted me to consider leaving NYU in the first place, as I was rather content there, was how much it cost. According to the Forbes article, the price tag for UChicago is $59,950, while the price tag for NYU is slightly lower, $58,858. However, it costs me almost *ten thousand* dollars less to attend this school than it does at NYU. The reason is because we have a much, much better financial aid allotment than NYU. (Granted this says a lot more about NYU's aid program than UChicago's) The point is that the price tag of a school means very little if your family qualifies for financial aid. The amount you *really* pay depends on the school's financial aid allotment.\n\nThe quote in one of the Forbes articles (the one that introduces the rankings) is strictly speaking false:\n\n>Four years at an elite, private school like the University of Chicago (#4) or Stanford (#3) costs more than a quarter of a million dollars.\n\n\nIt just kind of irks me to know that there might be really bright students who are not applying to top-tier private schools because they/their family couldn't possibly put out \"a quarter of a millon dollars\" over four years. If your family income is below a quarter of a million dollars over four years, then you *won't* be asked to pay that much. My family doesn't make that much in four years. I know people who go here whose family doesn't make that much in 8 years. \n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "I think the term you want is not \"allotment\" but endowment. The UofC has done a lot in the last decade to boost its endowment specifically so that more people could enjoy a reduced personal cost of education. Count yourself lucky – it hasn't always been that way.\n\n>The quote in one of the Forbes articles (the one that introduces the rankings) is strictly speaking false\n\nNo, I believe that, *strictly* speaking, it's correct. That's the price of the education. You may have it defrayed through financial aid, but it is still a quarter million dollar education. Aid is just that – aid, not any sort of price discrimination, though it does end up looking like that, I'll admit.\n\nAll of that aside, your point is still an excellent one – good students should always apply and then figure out if they can pay for it, rather than counting themselves out. Point well made.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "We're #4!. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "The idea that the school has taken a turn for the worse because it has started \"accepting people who are only here for the rankings,\" rests on a false dichotomy and bad logic. \n\nThe number of people applying certainly has nothing to do with their motivations or qualifications. I have no idea how many students who would have fit well at Chicago or contributed to the revered intellectual environment chose another school because they thought the academics might not be up to par (or, god forbid, worried about getting a job***), and neither does anyone claiming that the change in admissions numbers means that the intellectual environment won't be as rigorous or engaging. Nor does anyone have any solid information (as opposed to conjecture and unsupported assertions) as to the intellectual curiosity or honesty (something very difficult to measure and of course subject to every bias under the sun) of newer as opposed to older classes. \n\nIn reality, having more students apply just gives the admissions office more options, which is a good thing. Being forced to accept 3 out of every 4 applicants just to fill classroom space isn't exactly conducive to holding on to a particular niche, you know. I know that I didn't know about this school until my admissions counselor told me about it, and my school had a particularly good admissions office. I'm sure many potential students have never heard of the place until too late. \n\nOn top of all that, an intellectually honest and open environment requires all points of view. Why is it so bad if some of the students in our classes take a more practical, real world view? I think if you have just a bunch of pretentious intellectuals caught up in their theory, you're going to have an incredibly biased discussion. \n\n***this is treated like a bad thing, but there's no reason intellectual curiosity and honesty have to be mutually exclusive with consideration of what you're going to do after college. Effectively turning away wonderful students who would be good for the school essentially because they have a different point of view, or additional considerations, is as intellectually dishonest as it gets. ", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "We're #4!. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "[blah blah intellectuality blah acceptance rate blah blah erosion of historical values blah blah CAPS is evil.](http://i.imgur.com/Xtf79.gif)", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "We're #4!. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "And #2 in terms of cost.\n\nIt makes me sad to think I might not be able to afford to send my kids to the U of C.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "I'm an incoming first-year, and I'm thinking about starting an Indie/Alternative/Experimental band while at UChicago. How easy and likely is it for it to thrive?. I'm thinking about drawing inspiration from: Stereolab, Joy Division, Radiohead, My Bloody Valentine, Beach House, Grizzly Bear, The Sea and Cake etc. I'm decently skilled considering I've been playing guitar for 6-8 years, taught myself some theory, played in band and multiple school ensembles for 3 years, and have been recording and mixing my own music for a couple of years now. I'm just curious if I can make this work since trying to get a band to thrive where I currently live at, which is basically a predominately mexican and black southside suburb, has been pretty challenging since no one really listens to this stuff around here.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Stick up a flier in Goodspeed Hall/Logan Center and see what you get. That's about the best I can say.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "crap, i hate flyers. I guess what I'm really wondering is if living and attending UChicago would present opportunities for something like an indie rock band to play. In a way it's a stupid question but it concerns me since at my highschool rock music wasn't really in style, and nobody hardly played instruments.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Enough people like the sort of music you want to play here, the biggest issue is finding musicians who share your interest and skill level. In my experience, a lot of people either greatly overestimate their skills, are already committed to a project, or have no time for it. But the new class of first years may be different.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "That does sound like something that would happen there. Ha, hopefully I'll have some time for it.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": " I know you probably get posts like this all the time but.... I'm wondering my chances of being accepted weighed against the cost of applying. White male, 3.67 GPA, 31 ACT, combined score of 24/25 on AP tests.Average extra-curriculars. Your advice would be appreciated.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "1. Getting a fee waiver is pretty easy, just ask for it\n2. You're in the range of scores/GPA they look for. AP test scores matter less then the fact that you're taking them. The whole thing is holistic, so basically what they want more than kids with decent grades and stuff are kids who will bring something cool to campus (personality-wise) or that really seems to fit well with the personality of the school.\n3. If you're going to be a senior, email collegeadmissions@uchicago.edu and find out who your counselor is, and talk to them. ESPECIALLY if they come out to do something at your school or in their area. Talk to them, just show them you're interested.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": " I know you probably get posts like this all the time but.... I'm wondering my chances of being accepted weighed against the cost of applying. White male, 3.67 GPA, 31 ACT, combined score of 24/25 on AP tests.Average extra-curriculars. Your advice would be appreciated.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Do you really want to go to UChicago? If the answer to that question is yes, then apply! I spent too many hours worrying about scores, GPAs and other numbers before my senior year. My advice would be to focus on applying to schools that you could see yourself thriving at. I know, it's not exactly the most satisfying answer, but one can't really apply probability to this kind of thing. The whole process is fraught with variables that often can't be controlled or even predicted. Humans read the applications, not an IBM machine. The most you can do is write a damn good essay or four. Impress the application readers with your intelligence, humor, literary savoir-faire or whatever else you may have up your sleeve. I wish you the best of luck wherever you may apply, try not to get caught up in the madness of it all.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": " I know you probably get posts like this all the time but.... I'm wondering my chances of being accepted weighed against the cost of applying. White male, 3.67 GPA, 31 ACT, combined score of 24/25 on AP tests.Average extra-curriculars. Your advice would be appreciated.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Unfortunately your quest is a little quixotic; your profile fits an exponentially increasing pool of applicants who are similarly qualified. You will hear many encouraging stories but empirical reality looms heavily. If you really want to go here then consider it a lottery ticket. It's either wasted money or the best money you'll have ever spent. \n\nWith each passing year, the Bright and Gifted Youth must more or less buy a lottery ticket and hope for the best. The idea that there are vastly more qualified candidates out there is a total lark, or that the students currently in attendance are Brighter and Gifteder Youth is silly as well. For the most part we took a lottery ticket and waited for an email.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": " I know you probably get posts like this all the time but.... I'm wondering my chances of being accepted weighed against the cost of applying. White male, 3.67 GPA, 31 ACT, combined score of 24/25 on AP tests.Average extra-curriculars. Your advice would be appreciated.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Apply. drfaum and griffdn posts are spot on. \n\nThe only questions to ask when deciding to apply somewhere are:\n\n* Would I like to go here, and do well...\n* Do I have a reasonable chance of getting accepted.\n\nAlmost no one is a sure bet to any good school. But your record gives you a solid shot. Also, don't fall prey to the Dunning-Kruger effect. The people who worry the most tend to be the ones who sell themselves short. This is not the time for that.\n\nElite schools, and especially UChicago, care more about the difficulty of the classes you take than your GPA (within reason). Think of most things as thresholds. You don't need a 4.0 or a perfect SAT, you need to meet the thresholds, something like 3.5 or 3.75 for GPA, but even that can be offset.\n\nAlso colleges care more about metrics that allow them to reliably compare you to others. Your GPA really only compares you well to others in your school (which depends on the quality of your school).\n\nAP scores they care about, because that is a direct comparison to other people applying. Same for ACT.\n\nYou still have time to make your application stand out. The best way to do this is to show that you take charge of your life and education. You can do this by doing an independent project, starting a business/non-profit, doing an independent study at school. \n\nAlso, schools like UChicago are used to losing a lot of great applicants to Harvard and the like. Show them they are your first choice.\n\nHopefully you can get a fee waiver, if not, it's a one time fee to *never* have to wonder what if. Apply to UChicago. And apply to that other reach school you're on the fence about.\n\nWhat major are you considering?", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Thanks for the response.\n\nThe one time fee concept is persuasive, I'll give it a try.\n\nAnd right now, my main interest is in economics.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Ahh. Ok that is important. Don't mention that. Econ is one of the more common and prestigious majors at UChicago. Also UChicago is known for a very particular and conservative style of Economics. So you should read about that and draw your own conclusions.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": " I know you probably get posts like this all the time but.... I'm wondering my chances of being accepted weighed against the cost of applying. White male, 3.67 GPA, 31 ACT, combined score of 24/25 on AP tests.Average extra-curriculars. Your advice would be appreciated.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Fee waiver is pretty simple; send it in early so they can get back to you ASAP; mine took some time to process.\n\nYour stats are in the ballpark. Your GPA might be a tad on the low side, but you have a fairly realistic shot if you don't write a poor essay.\n\nLearn more about the university! Go look up their website, read up, visit if you can, and be SURE to contact your regional admissions counselor. Mine was a huge help in the process.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": " I know you probably get posts like this all the time but.... I'm wondering my chances of being accepted weighed against the cost of applying. White male, 3.67 GPA, 31 ACT, combined score of 24/25 on AP tests.Average extra-curriculars. Your advice would be appreciated.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "A lot of it comes from the essay-UChicago gets thousands of applicants who have great scores like you, but they're looking for the ones who \"Fit\" Chicago. You need to stand out from the crowd in your essay, convince them that YOU would do better at Chicago and that Chicago would benefit from you. At least that's how I think I got in. ", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "What's Chicago's Financial Aid like?. I love a lot of things about the school but it seems like it's one of the most expensive colleges out there. I know that almost no one pays the sticker price of ~60k but what do average middle class families around 90-100k end up paying. Some anecdotal evidence is what I'm looking for, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of statistics on this sort of thing. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "my fam makes around there, and pay about half", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "The same with my family.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Same with me.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "What's Chicago's Financial Aid like?. I love a lot of things about the school but it seems like it's one of the most expensive colleges out there. I know that almost no one pays the sticker price of ~60k but what do average middle class families around 90-100k end up paying. Some anecdotal evidence is what I'm looking for, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of statistics on this sort of thing. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "bad.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "What's Chicago's Financial Aid like?. I love a lot of things about the school but it seems like it's one of the most expensive colleges out there. I know that almost no one pays the sticker price of ~60k but what do average middle class families around 90-100k end up paying. Some anecdotal evidence is what I'm looking for, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of statistics on this sort of thing. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "The more elite schools like UChicago give the vast majority of their aid on a needs-basis, with the philosophy that if you can get in, financing shouldn't stop you. The amount you pay will track closely with your EFC (expected family contribution) as determined by FAFSA/CSS. But a caveat is that my experience is with people in a lower income range than you, so i don't have solid ball park estimates. If you are a junior your family may be able to take action to lower your burden (but ideally this is planned far more in advance), and I am not an expert on doing this.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "What's Chicago's Financial Aid like?. I love a lot of things about the school but it seems like it's one of the most expensive colleges out there. I know that almost no one pays the sticker price of ~60k but what do average middle class families around 90-100k end up paying. Some anecdotal evidence is what I'm looking for, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of statistics on this sort of thing. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Here's some raw financial aid data:\n\nhttp://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg03_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=327\n\nThe most important thing to point out is that we meet 100% of need. That is, the government will calculate your expected family contribution, and UChicago will meet 100% of the rest. This is going to come through loans (subsidized and unsubsidized), work study, etc, in addition to straight up grants. \n\nYour expected family contribution is *not* a function of how much the sticker price of the university is, so in some sense if you're expecting financial aid, the family contribution number is the real sticker price. And again, we meet 100% of need (as do most top tier schools). In no sense is our financial aid \"bad\".\n\n(supposedly [this](http://www.collegexpress.com/lists/list/colleges-that-meet-the-financial-needs-of-students/349/) is a list of all the universities that meet 100% of need)\n\nIn the end my advice is: apply to colleges first, and then, once you have all the relevant financial information, talk with your family about whether or not you can afford it or whether or not it’s worth the money.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "What's Chicago's Financial Aid like?. I love a lot of things about the school but it seems like it's one of the most expensive colleges out there. I know that almost no one pays the sticker price of ~60k but what do average middle class families around 90-100k end up paying. Some anecdotal evidence is what I'm looking for, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of statistics on this sort of thing. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Here's *my* anecdotal evidence as an incoming first-year: My parents are divorced, my 'custodial' parent (i.e. the one whose information fills out the majority of the aid documents) and my stepmother make about 35K/year and have combined assets of roughly 400K and a mortgage with 70K left. I received 41.5K in grants, and the 10K Scholar award (merit-based, I think). That leaves my family to come up with 11.5K. IMO, the aid at UC is stingier than at other private schools of its caliber.\n\nI have a question for current students: My stepmother (wife of my custodial parent) just inherited more than 200K in assets from her deceased mother. By how much do you think this will affect my EFC next year? How much bargaining power do I have with respect to 'If my EFC is too much higher, I may have to drop out unless my aid improves'? ", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "What's Chicago's Financial Aid like?. I love a lot of things about the school but it seems like it's one of the most expensive colleges out there. I know that almost no one pays the sticker price of ~60k but what do average middle class families around 90-100k end up paying. Some anecdotal evidence is what I'm looking for, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of statistics on this sort of thing. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Shit.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "What's Chicago's Financial Aid like?. I love a lot of things about the school but it seems like it's one of the most expensive colleges out there. I know that almost no one pays the sticker price of ~60k but what do average middle class families around 90-100k end up paying. Some anecdotal evidence is what I'm looking for, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of statistics on this sort of thing. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "My brother got about $12,000 from Washington University in St. Louis (a far inferior school, mind you), I, with the same family, got diddly squat.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Unwritten Rules and Tradition. Are there any unwritten rules the students follow at uchicago? I'm and incoming student and was just wondering if there is anything in particular I should know about the community there. Also, what are some lesser known or newer traditions that go on around campus?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "The preferred name for the Woodlawn Tap is Jimmy's.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Unwritten Rules and Tradition. Are there any unwritten rules the students follow at uchicago? I'm and incoming student and was just wondering if there is anything in particular I should know about the community there. Also, what are some lesser known or newer traditions that go on around campus?", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "1. there is a freefood listhost. quite useful is you dont wanna spend money on occasion.\n\n2. virtually every sort of open-doors club meeting will have food. especially ethnic student festivals. Polish student association results in some delicious kielbasa sandwiches.\n\n3. blues and ribs -- dont miss out. TONS of free food. (and beer if you're 21+)\n\n4. once inside university pub you wont ever get carded (its assumed once you're inside, you're clear). the getting inside part is up to you ;)\n\n5. during winter 171 and 172 become packed harder than sardines in a can. \n\n6. if you hang out by cobb, you are probably a hipster or a that kid.\n\n7. it is, in fact, NOT okay to skip showers.\n\ni can probably come up with more, but this will get it started.", "role": "user" }, { "content": ">there is a freefood listhost\n\nI know this thread is like a month old but I just subscribed, THANK YOU!!!", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "you're welcome :)", "role": "user" }, { "content": "If only someone told me about it about 3 years earlier. Lol.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Unwritten Rules and Tradition. Are there any unwritten rules the students follow at uchicago? I'm and incoming student and was just wondering if there is anything in particular I should know about the community there. Also, what are some lesser known or newer traditions that go on around campus?", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Don't step on the seal. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "I've heard about this--can you explain it more?", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Relax. It's not a real thing. No one is sitting there checking if you step on the seal. The lore is that if you step on the seal you won't graduate. Which is of course absurd. PhySci is why you won't graduate.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "The original lore is that if you step on the seal, you get thrown into Botany Pond.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Unwritten Rules and Tradition. Are there any unwritten rules the students follow at uchicago? I'm and incoming student and was just wondering if there is anything in particular I should know about the community there. Also, what are some lesser known or newer traditions that go on around campus?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Don't step on the seal. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "I've heard about this--can you explain it more?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Look at the stairs in one of the old buildings like Harper and you'll know why they don't want you to step on the seal. ", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Unwritten Rules and Tradition. Are there any unwritten rules the students follow at uchicago? I'm and incoming student and was just wondering if there is anything in particular I should know about the community there. Also, what are some lesser known or newer traditions that go on around campus?", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Don't step on the seal. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "step on the seal. do it every time and feel smug!", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Unwritten Rules and Tradition. Are there any unwritten rules the students follow at uchicago? I'm and incoming student and was just wondering if there is anything in particular I should know about the community there. Also, what are some lesser known or newer traditions that go on around campus?", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Don't step on the seal. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "However there's no unspoken rule about hitting the seal with a steel chair, or doing a flying elbow onto it.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Unwritten Rules and Tradition. Are there any unwritten rules the students follow at uchicago? I'm and incoming student and was just wondering if there is anything in particular I should know about the community there. Also, what are some lesser known or newer traditions that go on around campus?", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "1. Don't be a that kid. We get it, you like to think that you are smart, but you don't have to name drop philosophers every time you start talking in class.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "^this^", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Unwritten Rules and Tradition. Are there any unwritten rules the students follow at uchicago? I'm and incoming student and was just wondering if there is anything in particular I should know about the community there. Also, what are some lesser known or newer traditions that go on around campus?", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "As HollowImage seems to suggest here, free food is the only important thing at UofC. I kinda agree with all this, but I don't think this is what you're asking for. The biggest unwritten tradition is the \"that kid\" phenomenon. A \"that kid\" is a student who takes themselves way to seriously and feels the need to answer every question in a class. Sadly, by the look of it, if you're freaking out so much about \"unwritten traditions\" chances are you may already suffer from \"that kid-itis.\" Relax and don't take anything too seriously. It's 4 years at a place where everyone is smart, and yes some are smarter than you. Just take it easy. Everyone learns the rules eventually.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Oh trust me, I have no intention of being 'that kid'. I'm rather laid back and don't feel the need to prove myself to anyone. I just started this topic to liven this subreddit up a bit. But thanks for the tip, I'll keep it in mind if that urge ever comes up.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Unwritten Rules and Tradition. Are there any unwritten rules the students follow at uchicago? I'm and incoming student and was just wondering if there is anything in particular I should know about the community there. Also, what are some lesser known or newer traditions that go on around campus?", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "As HollowImage seems to suggest here, free food is the only important thing at UofC. I kinda agree with all this, but I don't think this is what you're asking for. The biggest unwritten tradition is the \"that kid\" phenomenon. A \"that kid\" is a student who takes themselves way to seriously and feels the need to answer every question in a class. Sadly, by the look of it, if you're freaking out so much about \"unwritten traditions\" chances are you may already suffer from \"that kid-itis.\" Relax and don't take anything too seriously. It's 4 years at a place where everyone is smart, and yes some are smarter than you. Just take it easy. Everyone learns the rules eventually.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "you're absolutely right. however, if we recall the works of kant...PSYCH. gotcha :D", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Unwritten Rules and Tradition. Are there any unwritten rules the students follow at uchicago? I'm and incoming student and was just wondering if there is anything in particular I should know about the community there. Also, what are some lesser known or newer traditions that go on around campus?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "As HollowImage seems to suggest here, free food is the only important thing at UofC. I kinda agree with all this, but I don't think this is what you're asking for. The biggest unwritten tradition is the \"that kid\" phenomenon. A \"that kid\" is a student who takes themselves way to seriously and feels the need to answer every question in a class. Sadly, by the look of it, if you're freaking out so much about \"unwritten traditions\" chances are you may already suffer from \"that kid-itis.\" Relax and don't take anything too seriously. It's 4 years at a place where everyone is smart, and yes some are smarter than you. Just take it easy. Everyone learns the rules eventually.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Conversely, don't be too afraid to speak up. Hum/Sosc kind of suck, but a couple laid-back and amiable people who are willing to talk about stuff without being \"that kid\" can make the class much more fun and endurable. \n\nBut, yeah, one of the great things about UofC is that, in any room, there's likely to be somebody with a lot more intellectual firepower than you. And, especially, than \"that kid\". I honestly have the most fun when I'm around the median...", "role": "user" }, { "content": "I agree with this wholeheartedly. If you just try and enjoy a class for knowledge's sake rather than trying to show everyone how smart you are, you will surely enjoy the entire experience much much more. Sure we all love to be cynics, but the reality is that we are all here to learn and the vast majority of us love doing that, otherwise we would have gone to our respective state schools and paid less money. Don't go to any extreme, and remember that everyone else is just as unsure and scared as you are. It's college.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Unwritten Rules and Tradition. Are there any unwritten rules the students follow at uchicago? I'm and incoming student and was just wondering if there is anything in particular I should know about the community there. Also, what are some lesser known or newer traditions that go on around campus?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "This school will literally destroy your soul if you're not careful", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Unwritten Rules and Tradition. Are there any unwritten rules the students follow at uchicago? I'm and incoming student and was just wondering if there is anything in particular I should know about the community there. Also, what are some lesser known or newer traditions that go on around campus?", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "I think the \"that kid\" archetype says a lot more about the group that uses it as a meaningful way of conceiving of others than the people that the phrase is commonly used to describe. It’s true that conversations don't work very well when people go into them with the sole aim of asserting their own intelligence, but we should criticize the way the social environment works to make people feel they must communicate their ideas in this way--not the people themselves. Blaming the \"that kid\" problem on individuals ignores the larger social issues that create that concept as well as the consequences of using this concept. Too often at our school, \"intellectual\"-sounding talk (even the use of an uncommon word) is interpreted as someone just trying to sound smart. We gradually forget that \"intellectual\" talk doesn't have to be about ego-assertion, that it can really be interesting and meaningful, and everything that vaguely reminds us of this already vague thing called intellectualism becomes associated in our minds with \"that kid\"--that thing that you don't want to be because the group disapproves of it.\nBut if you’re not convinced that “that kid” is a part of the whole school and not just “that kid”s, just ask why we dislike “that kid”s. Their sense of self is so unstable that they must conceive of themselves in terms of how well they’re able to assert themselves in “intellectual” conversations. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t accept these people just as we accept others who are forced to assume an archetypical personality to be comfortable with themselves. In many ways, they’re very similar to ourselves; we just deal with our own unstable notions of self by inventing the concept of “that kid” and then saying we’re not that. The only reason we have to dislike “that kid”s seems to be that they remind us of our own instability, our own ways of creating an artificial notion of self to compensate for society’s refusal to provide us with a “real” one.\nI’ve had meaningful conversations with people who would probably be called “that kid”s. The key is to somehow indirectly convey that you’re interested in what’s being discussed and less about intellectual domination. This shows how the problem is not just with “that kid”s; it’s also with how we treat them. We respond to “that kid”s by distancing ourselves from them and “intellectual” things instead of setting different terms for “intellectual” conversation and accepting “that kid”s as other people that we can relate to.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Sometimes I come across people like you, who say things, and I just have to hope they're being ironic because the alternative is so much worse. ", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Unwritten Rules and Tradition. Are there any unwritten rules the students follow at uchicago? I'm and incoming student and was just wondering if there is anything in particular I should know about the community there. Also, what are some lesser known or newer traditions that go on around campus?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "a personal favorite: if you kiss on the bridge over botony pond, you're fated to be married.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "TIL the University of Chicago cancelled its football program in 1939 because it thought big-time sports were corrupting schools. (xpost from /todayilearned). ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "\"Whenever I get the urge to exercise, I lie down until the feeling passes away.\" -Robert Maynard Hutchins", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "TIL the University of Chicago cancelled its football program in 1939 because it thought big-time sports were corrupting schools. (xpost from /todayilearned). ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "I would be lying if I said this wasn't a factor in me choosing to go here. Especially over JHU.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "I was on the football team when I was at UofC and I can't count how many times I had someone say \"we have a football team?\" to me. \n\nIt was a nice change after high school when sports was king. ", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "TIL the University of Chicago cancelled its football program in 1939 because it thought big-time sports were corrupting schools. (xpost from /todayilearned). ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "I dunno, I personally love football, and would have really enjoyed having a DI team. I personally think Chicago is one of the few schools that can support both an elite education and athletics program (See Stanford and Cal-Berkeley; Michigan's alright).", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "As long as athletes are held to the same expectations as the general student population, I see no problem with sports at universities. In my experience, it's when they aren't that problems start to arise.\n\nSigned, someone who attended a large SEC school for undergrad and will be at UChicago this fall for law school.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Right, this is definitely my stance on it. I expect no privileges that a normal student would not have (other than possibly delaying a quiz or something for an away game/meet, but obviously only if that's the last resort). I personally believe that to be the best, you have to compete with the best, and if Chicago is able to, then I'm all for it. Of course, we can't sacrifice standards and academics though.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "TIL the University of Chicago cancelled its football program in 1939 because it thought big-time sports were corrupting schools. (xpost from /todayilearned). ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "I dunno, I personally love football, and would have really enjoyed having a DI team. I personally think Chicago is one of the few schools that can support both an elite education and athletics program (See Stanford and Cal-Berkeley; Michigan's alright).", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "I'm not sure why you would think that, given that UChicago is infamous for ignoring sports. Stanford is an almost iconic unique case, and it thus naturally makes one wonder to what extent they sacrifice their academic integrity for the sake of athletics. Duke is another rare example, as a basketball juggernaut, but to compare Berkeley or UNC or Michigan or any other public school to a private one like ours is foolhardy. How they evolved those programs--I'm not sure--but I imagine it wasn't easy and there's probably a reason why only they have them. After all, when was the last time Williams, WashU, Columbia, Caltech, Oxford, etc. had a sports program anyone cared about?\n\nComing from someone who grew up in a prominent D1 football dynasty town and is a lifelong die-hard of that school's teams, I understand the benefits; but UChicago is just not that school and it never will be. At one point it was -- 100 years ago, but those times are gone. We should all be proud that the first Heisman \"winner\" (it wasn't called that at the time) was a UChicago student and we're the only school undefeated vs. Notre Dame. I'll take that and still have my hometown allegiance on Saturdays. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "All of this is true, most definitely. \nI'm not saying I necessarily want a dynasty type culture. It'd be nice if we could have it, but I haven't seen any program really implement one without sacrificing integrity and standards somewhere. As you've said, Stanford is the one exception I've noted, but even they must have some extent of favoritism there.\n\nI think the happy medium in my mind would be somewhere around what Northwestern has. Doesn't have to be elite, but I think we could field an above-average, if not at least average program.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "I'm bitter about Stanford since they rejected me and a girl from my town got in for Crew >:( even though I was way more qualified. I wrote a shitty essay, though, so...I don't really have much right to complain. I do kind of envy Northwestern's prowess in the lesser-known sports, though. For example, their women's lacrosse team I believe is a dominant team. That kind of athletic dynamic on campus could create some pretty cool energy and seriously fun parties. Plus...hot girls maybe?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Oh I'm from the CA Bay, so I've seen tons of....not incredibly qualified people get in. Same for Harvard. Does tick me off, but w/e.\n\nYeah, like stuff like that is neat. Competition level is greater from being in DI, and you're not really looked at as much of a joke. Like, I'd rather have a middling DI program than one that professes itself as great at the DIII level because the difference in athletic ability is just so much. And then Chicago DOES still recruit some people, so then that just makes me kinda sad when they do it aggressively and it's for an athletics program that's not pushing itself to the limit.\n\nMeh, don't mind me, I'm very opinionated about sports, especially teams I like.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Booo 49ers/Athletics/Warriors/Kings/Cardinal/Golden Bears! Go Giants/Raiders! \n\nBut seriously, all true. We do have some good programs (Women's Tennis/Soccer I think...) but no one bothers to pay attention and I can't blame them. There's no incentive to go to any games and the one football game I went to was just...embarrassing. No other word for it. It was worse than my high school football games. Plus they don't even allow alcohol within Stagg Field. That said, I'm glad I went to UChicago and not my preferred Saturday college football school (even if they disappoint me every year), though I did very much miss trash talking and even *watching* the games. No one at Chicago cares about sports which made it tough to celebrate any meaningful games my teams won. \n\nI guess I agree with you more than I initially thought. For all UChicago kids brag about how they represent the fully realized modern Renaissance man or whatever, the general sentiment seems to be that a P.E. requirement fulfills any athletic obligation. Most of our Rhodes Scholars weren't even varsity athletes. Nothing against any of them (one recent one is still one of my closest friends), but it seems pretty disengenuous to emphasize a well-rounded education just to turn up your nose at anything within the Greek/Classical/Western canon that isn't directly associated with the life of the 'mind'. I still don't see it changing anytime soon, though. As cute as quotes by former presidents about athletics are, it seems pretty well-entrenched that the UChicago culture is simply anti-sports, just as our econ department is pro-free market and our sororities are forever homeless and I don't see any change coming anytime soon. Just gotta take it as it is and chalk it up to that famous 'quirk' people hate us for. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Dude, you just hated on every team I'm a fan of ;___; Other than me being a Giants fan over the A's, and not caring that much about Cal xD\n\nAgreed on going to Chicago (I'm an incoming first year >__<). Very saddening about no one to cheer about sports with though :\\\n\nThere's not much else I can add, you pretty much hit the nail on the head on my thoughts regarding being a well-rounded person. Athletics is an important part of the human psyche, regardless of if one is an athlete or if one cares for it.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "TIL the University of Chicago cancelled its football program in 1939 because it thought big-time sports were corrupting schools. (xpost from /todayilearned). ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "[The old Stagg field](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/70/StaggField.JPG). Note that this is now the site of the Reg.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "TIL the University of Chicago cancelled its football program in 1939 because it thought big-time sports were corrupting schools. (xpost from /todayilearned). ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "My man R-Hutch. Though we have \"sports\" now, the fact that this is part of our history definitely influenced me to go here. \n\nI love that nerds are the cool kids. ", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "One year after graduation, I am sick and tired of hearing this from my new peers. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "in soviet russia...oh forget it.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "I shall be at Pierce Tower. Looking forward to it. Anybody that has lived there previously have any experiences or tips they'd like to share with me?", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "lol exploding toilets ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "It's actually very nice there now. Each house got ~$25k (someone check me on this... I know each house received upwards of 10k.) to make everyone feel better. They bought all new furniture and repainted everything. i think the rooms are getting new furniture. It'll still be as small, and likely have plumbing problems, though. But all the old dorms occasionally have issues.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "I shall be at Pierce Tower. Looking forward to it. Anybody that has lived there previously have any experiences or tips they'd like to share with me?", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "exploding toilets", "role": "user" }, { "content": "toilets", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "exploding", "role": "user" }, { "content": "*everywhere*", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "I shall be at Pierce Tower. Looking forward to it. Anybody that has lived there previously have any experiences or tips they'd like to share with me?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Nice place, a few exploding toilets as mentioned below, but otherwise livable- what house?", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Thompson House", "role": "user" }, { "content": "T-House is great, I know a bunch of nice people who live here. Plus, your RHs are super awesome.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "I shall be at Pierce Tower. Looking forward to it. Anybody that has lived there previously have any experiences or tips they'd like to share with me?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Nice place, a few exploding toilets as mentioned below, but otherwise livable- what house?", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Thompson House", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Hey, I'm in T-House! See you in the fall!", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "I shall be at Pierce Tower. Looking forward to it. Anybody that has lived there previously have any experiences or tips they'd like to share with me?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Pierce is a fun place (lived 3 years there). The facilities are mediocre but the building is designed in such a way (aka rooms are tiny) that you'll end up in your spacious house lounge most of the time. Honestly, the house system is strongest in Pierce tower: you'll really spend a lot of time with the people from your floor. ", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Back in the day, I was a Hitchcock man. Anyone in Hitchcock? It's truly the best.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "As in a true Hitchcock man, before it went co-ed?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Ha! No, not that far back. A couple sections were segregated, but all floors were segregated because of bathroom limitations. I lived in Section 2, third floor. Deformis sed utilis!", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Back in the day, I was a Hitchcock man. Anyone in Hitchcock? It's truly the best.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Living off campus now, but Hitchcock is forever my home.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "I was a Scav Captain for a while. What years were you?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "I only technically lived in the dorm my second year (2011–2012), but I basically lived there my first year; I scavved with snitch, went to a great deal of the study breaks, began eating at the house table, and spent most nights on my friends' floor (they lived in the section two top floor suite, so there was plenty of room to spare).", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Good on you for scavving with Snitchcock. I lived in 233 for three years back in the earlier part of last decade.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "And good on you for being a scav captain! Scav is my absolute favorite time of year; avoiding sleep for the pursuit of the bizarre and creativity is awesome. You lived in the section two counterpart to my room! I was in 333. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "My second and third years were in 531, or as I called it, The Five Three Wonder.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Wait is that the room that's at the end of the hall (when you turn right from the stairs) that has a bunch of windows?", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Yeah, it has a bay window. It's between the study lounge and the Fermi room\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Ahhh, thinking of the room that was across from it; that was one of my best friend's room last year/a regular chilling spot.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Are the Chaskins still the RMs? The folks before them (forget their names) were this old couple. The husband was a volcanologist in Hinds. Fucking amazing Master's teas and study breaks. I hear they're redoing the Snatchcock Quad. I hope it's pretty. I remember the old one where I built a 700 sq. ft. wearable sombrero for Scav at 10 points/square foot. The judges refused to score it because that one item would give us more points than the point total of the winning team. They gave me 100 points. We still won. PM me for any glorious stories from Hitchcock from 2002-2005. I moved off campus my 4th year to write my BA.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "I'm a 4th year, but lived in the dorm for the past 3 -- the Rothfields are the RMs now ( if I remember right they're transplants from the Shoreland shutdown, as with a handful of students). <3 scav", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Crown House! I have no idea what this means, I'm just happy I got South. Fits my personality like a glove.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Crown is an awesome house. It means you're joining Model UN team or Mock Trial. I'm only half kidding. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Awkward. I didn't do either of these in high school. I like STEM, football, track, and music, and I'm an outgoing, social, sciency type. What have I in common with these royals?", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "You'll be fine. As a STEM-loving, outgoing, social, science-y person, I can assure you of that. It's just a stereotype of Crown house that they all do Model UN or Mock trial- mostly the former.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Sweet. Reassuring to hear. Very pumped for this; sounds like it's a good house for me.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Crown House! I have no idea what this means, I'm just happy I got South. Fits my personality like a glove.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "I lived in Crown! It's a great house and it seems like all the first-years last year (so currently rising second years I suppose) got extremely close. My roommate and I moved off-campus but we threw a party for new Crownies last year and are throwing another one this year so get pumped!", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Awesome, I hear it's a really social dorm; happy to hear it!\n\nLooking forward to said party xD", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Crown House! I have no idea what this means, I'm just happy I got South. Fits my personality like a glove.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Awesome views :) They're on the highest floors in South.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "I'm on the 9th floor :) What does this mean? :O", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Striking views of the city if you're facing the right direction. Still striking views of neighborhoods if you're not. \n\nMost of the South doubles have large windows (I'm not sure what they're called but they're essentially glass walls). The view from them is incredible.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "For some unknown reason, i'm in Maclean. Is it as bad as I imagine living in a retirement home will be?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "From what I've heard, it is nicely tight knit and they have plenty of house activities that are cool. It's far off campus, which is a blessing and a curse. I live in Blackstone (2nd year) so all this information is second hand.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "For some unknown reason, i'm in Maclean. Is it as bad as I imagine living in a retirement home will be?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Maclean is filled with good people who are good at IM sports. ", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "For some unknown reason, i'm in Maclean. Is it as bad as I imagine living in a retirement home will be?", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "As a second year Macleaner, I can tell you that Maclean is an awesome dorm. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It has fun and eccentric house traditions and everyone gets a single. When I first heard I was put in Maclean before my first year I was worried because it seemed to have a bad reputation, but it turned out to be a really great dorm. Most people who aren't in Maclean don't know very much about us, so they get bizarre impressions. At first I thought it was going to be annoying living in a dorm that's off campus, but Maclean isn't actually that far from everything. It's like 1 block North of Ratner and takes less than 5 minutes to walk to the dining hall. Maclean may be a former retirement home, but it doesn't really feel that way from the inside. The walls have tons of random quotes stuff on them and there are many 'interesting' areas around the house such as the Murder Bathroom, the Math hallway and the Psych Ward. Even if you're not so thrilled about being put in Maclean, I encourage you to give us a chance. \n\nIf you haven't already you should join the \"Maclean House\" Facebook group if you have a Facebook account.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Not that the people of Maclean aren't cool (my best friend lives there), but be careful walking near there in the the evening. They're the only dorm that doesn't have a UCPD car stationed nearby, and one girl was violently attacked (serious brain damage from the blows) near the building. We in Blackstone / Breck / off-campus Maclean people call it \"UChicago's Australia.\" They even put people who are kicked out of other dorms there.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "That... does not instill confidence.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Oh, don't worry, it's fun.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "For some unknown reason, i'm in Maclean. Is it as bad as I imagine living in a retirement home will be?", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "As a second year Macleaner, I can tell you that Maclean is an awesome dorm. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It has fun and eccentric house traditions and everyone gets a single. When I first heard I was put in Maclean before my first year I was worried because it seemed to have a bad reputation, but it turned out to be a really great dorm. Most people who aren't in Maclean don't know very much about us, so they get bizarre impressions. At first I thought it was going to be annoying living in a dorm that's off campus, but Maclean isn't actually that far from everything. It's like 1 block North of Ratner and takes less than 5 minutes to walk to the dining hall. Maclean may be a former retirement home, but it doesn't really feel that way from the inside. The walls have tons of random quotes stuff on them and there are many 'interesting' areas around the house such as the Murder Bathroom, the Math hallway and the Psych Ward. Even if you're not so thrilled about being put in Maclean, I encourage you to give us a chance. \n\nIf you haven't already you should join the \"Maclean House\" Facebook group if you have a Facebook account.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Not that the people of Maclean aren't cool (my best friend lives there), but be careful walking near there in the the evening. They're the only dorm that doesn't have a UCPD car stationed nearby, and one girl was violently attacked (serious brain damage from the blows) near the building. We in Blackstone / Breck / off-campus Maclean people call it \"UChicago's Australia.\" They even put people who are kicked out of other dorms there.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "That... does not instill confidence.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "We've got something called the math hallway. Come down to the 120-128 range of rooms when you get there and introduce yourself.\n\nEDIT: Also, no serious/permanent brain damage from that incident, IIRC. She's the same as she's always been. ", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "For some unknown reason, i'm in Maclean. Is it as bad as I imagine living in a retirement home will be?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "As a second year Macleaner, I can tell you that Maclean is an awesome dorm. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It has fun and eccentric house traditions and everyone gets a single. When I first heard I was put in Maclean before my first year I was worried because it seemed to have a bad reputation, but it turned out to be a really great dorm. Most people who aren't in Maclean don't know very much about us, so they get bizarre impressions. At first I thought it was going to be annoying living in a dorm that's off campus, but Maclean isn't actually that far from everything. It's like 1 block North of Ratner and takes less than 5 minutes to walk to the dining hall. Maclean may be a former retirement home, but it doesn't really feel that way from the inside. The walls have tons of random quotes stuff on them and there are many 'interesting' areas around the house such as the Murder Bathroom, the Math hallway and the Psych Ward. Even if you're not so thrilled about being put in Maclean, I encourage you to give us a chance. \n\nIf you haven't already you should join the \"Maclean House\" Facebook group if you have a Facebook account.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Not that the people of Maclean aren't cool (my best friend lives there), but be careful walking near there in the the evening. They're the only dorm that doesn't have a UCPD car stationed nearby, and one girl was violently attacked (serious brain damage from the blows) near the building. We in Blackstone / Breck / off-campus Maclean people call it \"UChicago's Australia.\" They even put people who are kicked out of other dorms there.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "The girl is one of my friends, she didn't have any brain damage from that incident. Although it still was a total freak assault - really, really odd.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "I'll be living in Breckinridge House, which is apparently small. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Woot! I know I'm replying to like a month old thread, but I'm gonna be your RA just FYI.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Coolio. So RAs are literally just advisers? ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Not just advisers. We help out the RHs with rules and whatnot and we are there if you need someone to talk to about anything, but we also do a lot to make sure that you guys have a great time at uchicago. Usually this manifests itself in house trips and, more often than not, lots of food. Like LOTS of food.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Dude, that's awesome cause I love food; I eat it everyday. I wasn't too sure what RAs were but now I get a better picture. I'll be looking forward to a good, and fun year then.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "(Arley D) Cathey House in South! ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "http://www.arleydcathey.com/", "role": "user" }, { "content": "I'ma go Liam Neeson on you.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Is this undergrad housing?\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "So far", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "I'll be in Pierce, more specifically Tufts House.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Congrats on being placed in what is quite possibly the best house. Ever.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "I'll be in Pierce, more specifically Tufts House.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Tufts house is AWESOME! Your resident heads are super nice and organize lots of great activities, and the house as a whole tends to be VERY tight-knit. ", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Burton Judson, Chamberlin house WHATWHAT!", "role": "user" }, { "content": "THE BEEEEEJ! Congrats on Chamberwinning.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Burton Judson, Chamberlin house WHATWHAT!", "role": "user" }, { "content": "'Tis truly the best house.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Burton Judson, Chamberlin house WHATWHAT!", "role": "user" }, { "content": "hi chamberlin\n\n-ein chamberliner", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "My house ... because I'm too poor to afford dorming.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Alper House in Max P East!", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "I'm in Max P. (Hoover House). Does anybody know anything about this house? ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Former Hooverite Here. It's in Max East, has four floors and it for some reason has single sex floors. 1st and 4th floors are dudes, 2nd and 3rd are chicks. It's a generally friendly community. ", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Housing decisions are out: Where will you be living this year?. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "I will be living in the same house I did last year.....\nDODD MEAD, BJ\n", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "What kind of school is UChicago?. Enrolled students, what is your impression of the atmosphere and overall character of this school? What kind of student would like it here? Who would hate it here?\n\n*I'm a curious rising high school senior and I live in Hong Kong so I can't really visit and see for myself, so thanks in advance for any help! ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "The atmosphere of UChicago is very academic. No ifs ands or buts. That being said, it's not strictly academic. With 5,000 undergrads there are enough people that you're going to find a group of people like you. I think it's pretty wonderful that I go to a school where the Greeks can probably discuss Plato while drunk in more depth than most people can discuss Plato Period.\n\nThe best part is this: In my experience there's been no pressure to conform. Everybody has been really accepting and open, and that's really special. Everybody is also a genius or close to it, which is a damn cool experience and something that you wouldn't experience at most schools unless you were in an honor program. The people here can have an intelligent conversation about everything which is a dream come true for me.\n\nTo answer your question, people who would like Chicago are people who like learning and being around smart people. People who dislike Chicago (my roommate who dropped out): People who aren't willing to put in the work this school takes. It's tough, but it's not like you're going to be locked in your room, so don't worry about that. Just don't expect to have massive amounts of free time either.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Sounds good. Now I just need to get in hah.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "That's the trick, isn't it?", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "What kind of school is UChicago?. Enrolled students, what is your impression of the atmosphere and overall character of this school? What kind of student would like it here? Who would hate it here?\n\n*I'm a curious rising high school senior and I live in Hong Kong so I can't really visit and see for myself, so thanks in advance for any help! ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "The atmosphere of UChicago is very academic. No ifs ands or buts. That being said, it's not strictly academic. With 5,000 undergrads there are enough people that you're going to find a group of people like you. I think it's pretty wonderful that I go to a school where the Greeks can probably discuss Plato while drunk in more depth than most people can discuss Plato Period.\n\nThe best part is this: In my experience there's been no pressure to conform. Everybody has been really accepting and open, and that's really special. Everybody is also a genius or close to it, which is a damn cool experience and something that you wouldn't experience at most schools unless you were in an honor program. The people here can have an intelligent conversation about everything which is a dream come true for me.\n\nTo answer your question, people who would like Chicago are people who like learning and being around smart people. People who dislike Chicago (my roommate who dropped out): People who aren't willing to put in the work this school takes. It's tough, but it's not like you're going to be locked in your room, so don't worry about that. Just don't expect to have massive amounts of free time either.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "As to that first paragraph, it's very true. But if you expect to work as much as they say you will be disappointed. Very disappointed. I had some big issues first quarter because I was all ramped up and ready to go, and then sputtered. First two quarters I just couldn't get motivated because it felt like everything was dragging. Sometime 3rd quarter I either got accustomed or it sped up. Either way I was significantly happier then.\n\nI was not prepared for \"normal\" people. I was not prepared for frat parties. I was not prepared for people who get into the school almost solely on legacy. It was a very interesting experience, and one that made me seriously considering transferring for a while. I find that I have to think about Chicago as a place where smart people go to do all the stuff you do at college, with some outliers of course.\n\nI'm not trying to sell you away from the school. Please come! But realize that it's no longer the weird place it used to be. No longer is the acceptance rate ~30% or even 40% like it was not so long ago. Every year it becomes less and less self-selective, and I'm not sure how I feel about that. The last really 'weird' class just left, and I've heard many of them commenting about how the school has changed. Administration wants to keep expanding and keep raising tuition when they should be focusing on the things that actually need improvement (feeling sorry for all my Pierce friends). On the other hand, every other school acts this way, so I don't know what to tell you. I love the school, but I'm very conflicted about how my first year went. I know I made this sound very negative, and I hope you don't take it that way. I love the school now and will not leave it, but there are some serious flaws in the way it presents itself.\n\nAnd whatever you do, do not believe that this is the place \"Where fun comes to die.\" This is more accurate from what I've seen: http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/galleries/2012/08/05/college-rankings-2012-25-happiest-schools-photos.html#slide22 (for me after 2 quarters). Also, our GPAs are not low, so don't believe that either. 2011 Spring quarter the average GPA in the college was 3.4_ (don't remember last digit), for example.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "What kind of school is UChicago?. Enrolled students, what is your impression of the atmosphere and overall character of this school? What kind of student would like it here? Who would hate it here?\n\n*I'm a curious rising high school senior and I live in Hong Kong so I can't really visit and see for myself, so thanks in advance for any help! ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "fun does die here..I went to grad school here and thought it was the worst college town and atmosphere I've ever been in (I've visited numerous colleges and have lived in 5 cities in the U.S, 2 in South America, and 1 in Europe--trust me when I say Hyde Park sucks and the U of C has one of the most depressing, vanilla, and boring cultures. You will be isolated from the rest of Chicago and situated in a white Ivory tower (literally the place is covered with paintings of old white men). Hyde Park is pathetic as far as commerce and socializing go--nothing more than a few overpriced grocery stores and 3 bars (I will say it's pretty, clean, and on the lakefront, which is amazing). \n\nThere is nothing progressive about U of C, it's pretty moderate to conservative. I lost some of my soul there, that's for sure. U of C has no desire to design a happy, booming, fun college town. You will not feel safe walking around at night alone in the neighborhood--so if you want to feel like this, come to U of C. \n\nYes there are going to be people who love it there. It's very academic and that is great. People are well-read and focused on the intellectual world. I will say that aspects of that I did enjoy. Yet, many people are stuck up and pretentious...some have sticks up their asses and take life too seriously. Many people do not like it there. Most people in my grad program loved how well-ranked this place was and definitely gloated over that, but high-rankings mean nothing when there is no positive, good-spirited culture beyond academics. I am someone who tries to dissipate stereotypes in general but I do recognize that many are true to some extent. \"Fun comes to die\" isn't just a stereotype. People here are just miserable. \n\nCheck out Northwestern if you want a beautiful campus with a more well-rounded culture, in Chicago. But again, it's up to you. You have to think about what you want in a school. Do you want good culture, sports, academics, research, environment, location, socializing etc...or just one or two of these? Every school in the U.S. is extremely different so you should think about what you want in your college experience overall. Good luck!", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Nice try Northwestern", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "What kind of school is UChicago?. Enrolled students, what is your impression of the atmosphere and overall character of this school? What kind of student would like it here? Who would hate it here?\n\n*I'm a curious rising high school senior and I live in Hong Kong so I can't really visit and see for myself, so thanks in advance for any help! ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "fun does die here..I went to grad school here and thought it was the worst college town and atmosphere I've ever been in (I've visited numerous colleges and have lived in 5 cities in the U.S, 2 in South America, and 1 in Europe--trust me when I say Hyde Park sucks and the U of C has one of the most depressing, vanilla, and boring cultures. You will be isolated from the rest of Chicago and situated in a white Ivory tower (literally the place is covered with paintings of old white men). Hyde Park is pathetic as far as commerce and socializing go--nothing more than a few overpriced grocery stores and 3 bars (I will say it's pretty, clean, and on the lakefront, which is amazing). \n\nThere is nothing progressive about U of C, it's pretty moderate to conservative. I lost some of my soul there, that's for sure. U of C has no desire to design a happy, booming, fun college town. You will not feel safe walking around at night alone in the neighborhood--so if you want to feel like this, come to U of C. \n\nYes there are going to be people who love it there. It's very academic and that is great. People are well-read and focused on the intellectual world. I will say that aspects of that I did enjoy. Yet, many people are stuck up and pretentious...some have sticks up their asses and take life too seriously. Many people do not like it there. Most people in my grad program loved how well-ranked this place was and definitely gloated over that, but high-rankings mean nothing when there is no positive, good-spirited culture beyond academics. I am someone who tries to dissipate stereotypes in general but I do recognize that many are true to some extent. \"Fun comes to die\" isn't just a stereotype. People here are just miserable. \n\nCheck out Northwestern if you want a beautiful campus with a more well-rounded culture, in Chicago. But again, it's up to you. You have to think about what you want in a school. Do you want good culture, sports, academics, research, environment, location, socializing etc...or just one or two of these? Every school in the U.S. is extremely different so you should think about what you want in your college experience overall. Good luck!", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Thanks for being honest and I am looking at Northwestern as well. They do seem very different. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "You're welcome. Because I was honest, I got a bunch of down votes. It is unfortunate that these \"really smart, open-minded, intellectuals\" cannot even accept other opinions, which often tends to be what many think about the school. It is my opinion and I felt it necessary to share because you said, \"what is your impression of the atmosphere and overall character of this school? What kind of student would like it here? Who would hate it here?\" \n\nI understand and respect other perspectives. Clearly these people cannot handle my truth and are very insecure about it. I am just trying to share with you my feelings about the school/environment and I truly believe I was being fair. ", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "What kind of school is UChicago?. Enrolled students, what is your impression of the atmosphere and overall character of this school? What kind of student would like it here? Who would hate it here?\n\n*I'm a curious rising high school senior and I live in Hong Kong so I can't really visit and see for myself, so thanks in advance for any help! ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "As with everything, it's what you make of it. To reiterate the above points, the time spent at UChicago can be the best or worst years of your life depending on how you face them. Do not resign yourself to believing what everyone else says. You'll never really know until you experience it. \n\nThe work is rigorous but rewarding - when you get an A, it's a triumph and not another one to add to the list. You are competing with some of the best in the country - even the world - and those challenges will be difficult to adjust to if you're used to being the best your whole life, which a large majority of students are when they first enter.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Incoming grad, how to find a place from out of state?. Hey everyone, \nI'm an incoming grad student, I am wondering if you guys and girls can give some advice on how to find a place to live when I can't visit? \n\nI already signed up for the grad housing, but they warned me it's kinda late already. They also said they \"should\" be able to place me at the new grad residence hall, however, I will be notified by the end of August, which I think it's too late. I am planning to move there in Sept. 20 or after. \n\nSince I can't visit, I don't know how to deal with craigslist, or the uchicago marketplace. \n\nDoes anyone know what is the best way to go about finding a place when I can't be there until the day I move in?\nThanks in advance.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "marketplace.uchicago.edu is the best place to find it. Other wise, if you're chinese there's a listhost called cssa@lists.uchicago.edu, they even do pickups for a nominal fee, (20 from midway i think).\n\notherwise, Mac Apartments MIGHT have something, you should call them, they're the biggest thing around, owns most of the neighborhood, macapartments.com, so they might have more flexibility. Otherwise, couch surf. If my lease didn't end on the 20th, I'd offer you a place to sleep, unfortunately.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "came here to say this. probably covers everything ", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Incoming grad, how to find a place from out of state?. Hey everyone, \nI'm an incoming grad student, I am wondering if you guys and girls can give some advice on how to find a place to live when I can't visit? \n\nI already signed up for the grad housing, but they warned me it's kinda late already. They also said they \"should\" be able to place me at the new grad residence hall, however, I will be notified by the end of August, which I think it's too late. I am planning to move there in Sept. 20 or after. \n\nSince I can't visit, I don't know how to deal with craigslist, or the uchicago marketplace. \n\nDoes anyone know what is the best way to go about finding a place when I can't be there until the day I move in?\nThanks in advance.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "marketplace.uchicago.edu is the best place to find it. Other wise, if you're chinese there's a listhost called cssa@lists.uchicago.edu, they even do pickups for a nominal fee, (20 from midway i think).\n\notherwise, Mac Apartments MIGHT have something, you should call them, they're the biggest thing around, owns most of the neighborhood, macapartments.com, so they might have more flexibility. Otherwise, couch surf. If my lease didn't end on the 20th, I'd offer you a place to sleep, unfortunately.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Thanks so much! I happen to be Chinese! Could you give more details on the cssa? ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "just email cssa@lists.uchicago.edu listing what your needs are, be brief and offer a price and date and stuff. If you PM me your email I'll forward you some of the more recent emails from CSSA, some of which offers a place to live, and you can contact those people. I mean, you still run into the trust issues as with any online transaction though.\n\nalso, grad housing is a good bet usually, sit tight and wait on your decision before committing to anything else.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Incoming grad, how to find a place from out of state?. Hey everyone, \nI'm an incoming grad student, I am wondering if you guys and girls can give some advice on how to find a place to live when I can't visit? \n\nI already signed up for the grad housing, but they warned me it's kinda late already. They also said they \"should\" be able to place me at the new grad residence hall, however, I will be notified by the end of August, which I think it's too late. I am planning to move there in Sept. 20 or after. \n\nSince I can't visit, I don't know how to deal with craigslist, or the uchicago marketplace. \n\nDoes anyone know what is the best way to go about finding a place when I can't be there until the day I move in?\nThanks in advance.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "marketplace.uchicago.edu is the best place to find it. Other wise, if you're chinese there's a listhost called cssa@lists.uchicago.edu, they even do pickups for a nominal fee, (20 from midway i think).\n\notherwise, Mac Apartments MIGHT have something, you should call them, they're the biggest thing around, owns most of the neighborhood, macapartments.com, so they might have more flexibility. Otherwise, couch surf. If my lease didn't end on the 20th, I'd offer you a place to sleep, unfortunately.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Thanks so much! I happen to be Chinese! Could you give more details on the cssa? ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Just a word of warning, MAC can be really hard to deal with and have developed a pretty bad reputation. So if it's possible, it's usually better to find an apartment *not* owned by MAC. However, since they're by far the largest company owning apartments around Hyde Park, it's not always possible.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Incoming grad, how to find a place from out of state?. Hey everyone, \nI'm an incoming grad student, I am wondering if you guys and girls can give some advice on how to find a place to live when I can't visit? \n\nI already signed up for the grad housing, but they warned me it's kinda late already. They also said they \"should\" be able to place me at the new grad residence hall, however, I will be notified by the end of August, which I think it's too late. I am planning to move there in Sept. 20 or after. \n\nSince I can't visit, I don't know how to deal with craigslist, or the uchicago marketplace. \n\nDoes anyone know what is the best way to go about finding a place when I can't be there until the day I move in?\nThanks in advance.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "I'd look at marketplace.uchicago.edu. If you're trying to find a place to live fall quarter, there are lots of people looking for subletters... (I have friends who keep advertising on their Facebooks :P)", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Yeah, I saw a lot of sublets on there,but would be difficukt to find places after that for the rest of the year? ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Generally, people sublet because they're studying abroad for a quarter - you could try doing 3 sublets for this school year, and then find more permanent housing? I'm not very sure how that would work though, I'm in university housing :P", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Incoming grad, how to find a place from out of state?. Hey everyone, \nI'm an incoming grad student, I am wondering if you guys and girls can give some advice on how to find a place to live when I can't visit? \n\nI already signed up for the grad housing, but they warned me it's kinda late already. They also said they \"should\" be able to place me at the new grad residence hall, however, I will be notified by the end of August, which I think it's too late. I am planning to move there in Sept. 20 or after. \n\nSince I can't visit, I don't know how to deal with craigslist, or the uchicago marketplace. \n\nDoes anyone know what is the best way to go about finding a place when I can't be there until the day I move in?\nThanks in advance.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "I'd look at marketplace.uchicago.edu. If you're trying to find a place to live fall quarter, there are lots of people looking for subletters... (I have friends who keep advertising on their Facebooks :P)", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Yeah, I saw a lot of sublets on there,but would be difficukt to find places after that for the rest of the year? ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "I know a few people who have done three sublets in a year. Studying abroad is popular at UChicago, especially winter quarter, so you shouldn't have trouble finding someone else to sublet from. Also, the people you're subletting from may have friends going abroad. If you're super lucky, you could even catch a place that has two people going abroad consecutively (this happened to two friends of mine. 4 person apartment, Friend A went abroad in winter, Friend B went abroad in spring. Subletter only had to swap rooms!). \n\nMy recommendation would be to sit tight until you hear about grad housing, but have a few good sublet prospects in your head. If grad housing is a negative, you'll still be able to sublet from someone--and you may even get a better price b/c they're beginning to get desperate. ", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Incoming grad, how to find a place from out of state?. Hey everyone, \nI'm an incoming grad student, I am wondering if you guys and girls can give some advice on how to find a place to live when I can't visit? \n\nI already signed up for the grad housing, but they warned me it's kinda late already. They also said they \"should\" be able to place me at the new grad residence hall, however, I will be notified by the end of August, which I think it's too late. I am planning to move there in Sept. 20 or after. \n\nSince I can't visit, I don't know how to deal with craigslist, or the uchicago marketplace. \n\nDoes anyone know what is the best way to go about finding a place when I can't be there until the day I move in?\nThanks in advance.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "What's your budget? I actually have a lead for you on a place on Woodlawn. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Anything from 400-800 will be good. Could you give more details?", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "*UChicago* Hookups.. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "/r/KarmaConspiracy\n\nbut seriously, this deserves to be seen by more than /r/uchicago ", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "*UChicago* Hookups.. ", "role": "user" }, { "content": "This is like the 3rd time someone tried something like this. And it wont work. ", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Where to eat?. I'm coming from Milwaukee tomorrow for a tour, where must I eat?", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "I should have prefaced this by sating I'm arrivinng early around lunchtime. Otherwise I sound like a gluttonous pig.", "role": "user" }, { "content": ">sating\n\nFreudian slip?", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Where to eat?. I'm coming from Milwaukee tomorrow for a tour, where must I eat?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Harold's. Ribs 'N Bibs.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Where to eat?. I'm coming from Milwaukee tomorrow for a tour, where must I eat?", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Z&H on 57th and Kenwood (west of Kenwood). Get a half duck salad and half sandwich of your choice with a medium peppermint mocha with an extra shot of espresso\n\nEdit: To all the people saying Harold's... I agree, but it's so far from campus for someone who's visiting the school, and if he wants to do anything in the afternoon, he'll have a hard time leaving the public bathroom he'll be stuck in after a basket of Harold's.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "I don't know about OP, but this will certainly be my lunch tomorrow.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Where to eat?. I'm coming from Milwaukee tomorrow for a tour, where must I eat?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Z&H on 57th and Kenwood (west of Kenwood). Get a half duck salad and half sandwich of your choice with a medium peppermint mocha with an extra shot of espresso\n\nEdit: To all the people saying Harold's... I agree, but it's so far from campus for someone who's visiting the school, and if he wants to do anything in the afternoon, he'll have a hard time leaving the public bathroom he'll be stuck in after a basket of Harold's.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Definitely agree with Z&H. Maybe Medici if you think you'd prefer it, but they're right next to one another, so you can just choose when you're there. \n\nThere are Harold's in Milwaukee, you don't need to go all the way to Hyde Park to try them.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Get a Hans' Favorite, toasted. You will thank me.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Where to eat?. I'm coming from Milwaukee tomorrow for a tour, where must I eat?", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Z&H on 57th and Kenwood (west of Kenwood). Get a half duck salad and half sandwich of your choice with a medium peppermint mocha with an extra shot of espresso\n\nEdit: To all the people saying Harold's... I agree, but it's so far from campus for someone who's visiting the school, and if he wants to do anything in the afternoon, he'll have a hard time leaving the public bathroom he'll be stuck in after a basket of Harold's.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "there's a harold's in kimbark plaza...", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Where to eat?. I'm coming from Milwaukee tomorrow for a tour, where must I eat?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "I'd second the Ribs 'N Bibs recommendation but would also say there's some pretty good Thai places on 55th.\n\nOn an unrelated note, you coming from MPS? I hope so, because we could do with a bigger presence here. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "Ugh, those Thai places are horrible....", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Siam sucks. Snail is only ok. Thai 55 is pretty great.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Where to eat?. I'm coming from Milwaukee tomorrow for a tour, where must I eat?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Get out into the city and make your way north to Kuma's Corner.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Where to eat?. I'm coming from Milwaukee tomorrow for a tour, where must I eat?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "One thing about ribs n bibs: The ribs suck. Don't get those.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Where to eat?. I'm coming from Milwaukee tomorrow for a tour, where must I eat?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Harold's if you want to be a gross glutton. The Medici on 57th if you feel like a slightly less gross burger. ", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Where to eat?. I'm coming from Milwaukee tomorrow for a tour, where must I eat?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "If you want to get a sense of the neighborhood vibe, Valois. They are better for breakfast, however. For good, fairly cheap Indian, try Rajun Cajun. Both on 53rd.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Where to eat?. I'm coming from Milwaukee tomorrow for a tour, where must I eat?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Get a half dark at Harold's! They only accept credit cards for purchases over $5, so you might also want to get aliter of fizzy drink and extra sauce on the side.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Where to eat?. I'm coming from Milwaukee tomorrow for a tour, where must I eat?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "The Medici of course!", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Where to eat?. I'm coming from Milwaukee tomorrow for a tour, where must I eat?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Avoid the Medici on 57th. It's sort of a default choice because it's close to campus, but it has bad food and worse service. I'd look at the places being suggested on 55th and 53rd. ", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Where to eat?. I'm coming from Milwaukee tomorrow for a tour, where must I eat?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Edwardo's!", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Where to eat?. I'm coming from Milwaukee tomorrow for a tour, where must I eat?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "The 57th and Kenwood shops are the places to go, and only a couple blocks off campus. The Medici is the classic choice, but Z&H is great and has a nice patio. It should be a good day to sit outside and enjoy it. I often get the deli sandwiches from the Medici Bakery (next door to the restaurant) and sit outside in the summer. There is also Noodles etc there for Pan Asian, or Edwardo's for pan pizzas (which take a long time).\n\nHarold's, at 53rd and Woodlawn, is a classic Chicago fried chicken place, but will be a very different atmosphere from the places on 57th. Ever ordered fried chicken through bullet proof glass? Not that this location is even slightly dangerous, it is just the way all Harold's are. Other options are Snail or Thai 55 for Thai food, Cedars for Mediterranean, The Sit Down cafe is a jack of all trades, and Shinju for sushi. All these will be a bit farther off campus.\n\nSome are saying Ribs and Bibs. I think the flavor of their food is good, but the meat mostly gristle. Go there if you like chewing on fat.", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "not all harolds. I live near one on the north side, it has no bullet proof glass, or security doors. Counter is very open, there is a feedback book for comments and a tip jar. Let's not go around making assumptions, shall we?", "role": "user" }, { "content": "All of the ones I had been to have it... the one in my area is not dangerous though, I am pretty sure the glass is unecessary.", "role": "assistant" } ]

[ { "content": "Preferred Internet Provider?. I am an incoming grad student who will be living in one of the university-owned grad student apartment buildings. I'm looking to set up my Internet connection and was wondering what people had to say on the relative merits of Comcast vs. AT&T. Reliability is more important than cost for me. So, people living in the UChicago/Hyde Park area, what would you recommend? Thanks in advance!", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Both are terrible. Comcast is much faster (I actually get 25 megabits) but connection ends up being spotty. I lose connection entirely at least once a day for a few seconds, which isnt a big deal now that I dont play online games so much. I found ATT to be more reliable, but consistently slow, and only got about 2 of the 6 advertised megabits. Both have atrocious customer service. ", "role": "assistant" }, { "content": "That sounds about what I was expecting, but it's good to hear it confirmed. I'd be using the internet connection mostly for checking Facebook, Reddit, email, etc., streaming videos on Netflix, and downloading music and videos here and there. Right now I'm leaning towards Comcast, but reluctantly. Thanks for the input.", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Two years ago when I was in school ATT gave our apartment a yearlong deal at 25/month. Pretty sweet when we split it among four in my apartment. You might have to ask for it though, I called back twice and had to squeeze it out of the rep each time.", "role": "assistant" } ]