Why all the Chicago bashing?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:The concealed acceptance rate at the University of Chicago is quite high in the three, yes 3, ED rounds (ED0, ED1, & ED2).

Billy? Is that you??

What “Billy” said is what everybody knows: The acceptance rate at the University of Chicago is quite high in the three, yes 3, ED rounds (ED0, ED1, & ED2).

That’s really no change from the 80s/90s when their overall acceptance rate was quite high. Then and now, it’s a self-selecting pool of academic kids from wealthy families.

The difference is that now Chicago spends a ton of money recruiting RD applications for the sole purpose of rejecting them. And of course this causes the people who apply RD to have negative feelings about the school. And since far more people apply RD than attend, the general view of Chicago is negative.

The mixed nuts are out today, lady, enough with the UChicago bashing. Take a walk.

To be clear, the general view of Chicago from people who attend and other institutions is positive. The general view of people who applied but didn't get accepted. The rest of the world is indifferent because nobody cares where you went to school, Billy. Just like nobody cares exactly what is in Coca-Cola. It is a successful brand of soda pop. It is not a "mind control" serum or whatever batsh*t crazy thing you used to say.

I don’t know who Billy is, nor do I care; but I have no tolerance for bad analogies.

I think UChicago is a “positive” outcome. So is Georgetown (a decidedly tougher admit than Chicago). But when people, like OP, call it a T6 (when it is somewhere in the back end of the top 20, if that) and think they are elite signaling, for undergrad that is, I feel sorry for them and their ilk. I don’t feel sorry for you, though.

The answer to OP’s question, applying Occam’s razor, is simple: it’s not really a top 10 school.

I feel sorry for people who know so little about academia that they make all of their judgements based on how “tough” of an admit a school is.

So, tell me, why is Chicago the “bargain” top 10 school in reality but not in terms of selectivity (so all applicants and their parents can have their cake and eat it, too). Not talking about grad school. You have said nothing on that, continually: no more empty proclamations.

It has been said repeatedly on this thread. The core curriculum is both unique and rigorous with small discussion-based seminars. Chicago doesn’t grade inflate and you have to work very hard to do well. Quarter system allows for more exploration. It is a top 10 school in multiple disciplines, especially in social and physical sciences. This isn’t just a grad school thing, it both rates highly (including to the extent undergrad disciplines get rated, like in IR) and students benefit from research opportunities and access to top professors in their fields. Job placement is excellent, especially-but not only-in Chicago. Reputation is extremely high both in academia and amongst employers.

You, on the other hand, haven’t said shit about anything other than admissions rates. Talk about empty proclamations.

- Twice as many core requirements than schools not named Columbia means less opportunity for exploration, not more
- Most kids take a core course during the summer to even make a double major possible. This is a cash cow for Chicago, as it is another 10k tuition. Something applicants and their parents never think about at the time.
- Most core classes are not taught by tenure track profs
- IR? Really? You are making Georgetown look better and better than Chicago
- Subject rankings are about grad school. But certain of its top grad programs and niche departments are being cut.
- 30% of Chicago undergrads are Econ majors and that number increases yearly. At what point is the competition for jobs too much.
- Enrollment has doubled the last generation

Any other points to easily rebut? You are a pretty ignorant dude who apparently knows very little about Chicago. I’ll talk real slow and write real simple so you can understand better. You need help, after all.

IR is one of the few subjects that has an undergraduate-specific ranking from a well-respected ranking source, which is why I mentioned it. And yes, Chicago is top 10: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inside_the_Ivory_Tower

But no, subject rankings are not “about grad school.” They are about departments, and Chicago is top 10 in most of them. And undergrads benefit from that when they study in those departments, whether it is having access to significant resources, access to professors (which is the case at Chicago) or benefitting from being part of a school and department whose reputation is very high (also the case). It’s almost like you never even went to college. You’re probably one of those people who think grad school is just for kids who can’t find jobs.

As for jobs, it hasn’t seemed to hinder anyone thus far in the slightest. Probably benefitting from the reputation of the econ DEPARTMENT.

In any event, whine more about those admissions practices and leave the substantive discussion to the adults.

Since GW outranks Chicago overall (there are three categories, after all, and Chicago is top 10 in only one of them; tied for 10th doesn’t count), does that make GW a top 10 school? How about American? Also top 10. You are on a DMV site and espousing IR as the major to underscore Chicago’s elite status. Not a good look.

The mixed nuts are out tonight, lady take a walk.

[Anonymous]

Several of Chicago’s “elite” departments are on the rise!

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2025/08/15/university-of-chicago-cutting-back-admissions-in-several-phd-programs/

[Anonymous]

The best way to do Chicago is to get a Ph.D. there. For midwest kids, Carleton undergraduate--> Chicago Ph.D or JD or MBA is often the best approach.

Same for JHU. It's best to go there for its medical school.

[Anonymous]

I feel like this is the general consensus of the thread:

Those who are hyper-obsessed with rankings & prestige over academics & post-grad outcomes tend to think lower of UChicago because they attract the majority of their students from the ED pool (which, in their minds, must make the school an undeserving T10).

Those who know about academics, job placement, and support their children no matter what college they fall in love with think UChicago is an excellent school that equips students with the skills they need to do extremely well in their future.

Signed, a concerned UChicago student from the DC area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like this is the general consensus of the thread:

Those who are hyper-obsessed with rankings & prestige over academics & post-grad outcomes tend to think lower of UChicago because they attract the majority of their students from the ED pool (which, in their minds, must make the school an undeserving T10).

Those who know about academics, job placement, and support their children no matter what college they fall in love with think UChicago is an excellent school that equips students with the skills they need to do extremely well in their future.

Signed, a concerned UChicago student from the DC area.

While you were on the phone, why did you ED?
OP’s premise is that those in her milieu apply precisely because they are obsessed with rankings and it is the best way (easiest) to attend a T6 school.
How are you different? Would you have gone if it was ranked 20?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like this is the general consensus of the thread:

Those who are hyper-obsessed with rankings & prestige over academics & post-grad outcomes tend to think lower of UChicago because they attract the majority of their students from the ED pool (which, in their minds, must make the school an undeserving T10).

Those who know about academics, job placement, and support their children no matter what college they fall in love with think UChicago is an excellent school that equips students with the skills they need to do extremely well in their future.

Signed, a concerned UChicago student from the DC area.

While you were on the phone, why did you ED?
OP’s premise is that those in her milieu apply precisely because they are obsessed with rankings and it is the best way (easiest) to attend a T6 school.
How are you different? Would you have gone if it was ranked 20?

I ED'd because I visited the school and loved it. I'm studying Economics (popular choice), and I knew that ED would actually give me some boost. If it was ranked 20, I probably would have explored my other top ED choices more, but I applied when it was ranked #13 or so. I don't think anyone I've met here applied ED just because its supposedly the 'easiest' top 10 school to be admitted to. That sentiment seems like something manufactured by this forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like this is the general consensus of the thread:

Those who are hyper-obsessed with rankings & prestige over academics & post-grad outcomes tend to think lower of UChicago because they attract the majority of their students from the ED pool (which, in their minds, must make the school an undeserving T10).

Those who know about academics, job placement, and support their children no matter what college they fall in love with think UChicago is an excellent school that equips students with the skills they need to do extremely well in their future.

Signed, a concerned UChicago student from the DC area.

While you were on the phone, why did you ED?
OP’s premise is that those in her milieu apply precisely because they are obsessed with rankings and it is the best way (easiest) to attend a T6 school.
How are you different? Would you have gone if it was ranked 20?

I've never heard of "T6" before....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like this is the general consensus of the thread:

Those who are hyper-obsessed with rankings & prestige over academics & post-grad outcomes tend to think lower of UChicago because they attract the majority of their students from the ED pool (which, in their minds, must make the school an undeserving T10).

Those who know about academics, job placement, and support their children no matter what college they fall in love with think UChicago is an excellent school that equips students with the skills they need to do extremely well in their future.

Signed, a concerned UChicago student from the DC area.

While you were on the phone, why did you ED?
OP’s premise is that those in her milieu apply precisely because they are obsessed with rankings and it is the best way (easiest) to attend a T6 school.
How are you different? Would you have gone if it was ranked 20?

I ED'd because I visited the school and loved it. I'm studying Economics (popular choice), and I knew that ED would actually give me some boost. If it was ranked 20, I probably would have explored my other top ED choices more, but I applied when it was ranked #13 or so. I don't think anyone I've met here applied ED just because its supposedly the 'easiest' top 10 school to be admitted to. That sentiment seems like something manufactured by this forum.

I appreciate your honesty. But if you cared enough about rankings such that 7 notches might (probably?) have changed your ED decision, what gives you such confidence that Chicago’s increase in rankings by 7 has not changed many others’ decision?

[Anonymous]

Chicago checked a lot of boxes for dc who was accepted ED1. In a city, prestigious/selective, smart student body, private, mid-size, beautiful campus. DC did not want huge Greek, tailgate culture or a SLAC. It was pretty much Columbia, Penn or Chicago and we are in NYC so definitely wanted someplace else. If it’s a fallback to HYPMS, well that’s a pretty amazing place to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like this is the general consensus of the thread:

Those who are hyper-obsessed with rankings & prestige over academics & post-grad outcomes tend to think lower of UChicago because they attract the majority of their students from the ED pool (which, in their minds, must make the school an undeserving T10).

Those who know about academics, job placement, and support their children no matter what college they fall in love with think UChicago is an excellent school that equips students with the skills they need to do extremely well in their future.

Signed, a concerned UChicago student from the DC area.

Why “concerned”?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like this is the general consensus of the thread:

Those who are hyper-obsessed with rankings & prestige over academics & post-grad outcomes tend to think lower of UChicago because they attract the majority of their students from the ED pool (which, in their minds, must make the school an undeserving T10).

Those who know about academics, job placement, and support their children no matter what college they fall in love with think UChicago is an excellent school that equips students with the skills they need to do extremely well in their future.

Signed, a concerned UChicago student from the DC area.

While you were on the phone, why did you ED?
OP’s premise is that those in her milieu apply precisely because they are obsessed with rankings and it is the best way (easiest) to attend a T6 school.
How are you different? Would you have gone if it was ranked 20?

I ED'd because I visited the school and loved it. I'm studying Economics (popular choice), and I knew that ED would actually give me some boost. If it was ranked 20, I probably would have explored my other top ED choices more, but I applied when it was ranked #13 or so. I don't think anyone I've met here applied ED just because its supposedly the 'easiest' top 10 school to be admitted to. That sentiment seems like something manufactured by this forum.

I appreciate your honesty. But if you cared enough about rankings such that 7 notches might (probably?) have changed your ED decision, what gives you such confidence that Chicago’s increase in rankings by 7 has not changed many others’ decision?

No matter where they are ranked in the top 20, UChicago's education quality doesn't change. I doubt that it being ranked #20 when I applied would have swayed my ED decision––it would've only made me slightly less "sure" about it because I admittedly look at the rankings, but not in an obsessive way. I feel sorry for whoever is compelled to switch a binding agreement to a college just because of an increase from #13 to #7. These rankings really don't matter that much, and they shouldn't have such a grip on families/students to sway big decisions like that. Besides, in the early 2000s, UChicago was ranked consistently from #3-#6. Only now that people are upset over having to ED there to have solid chances of admission do they debate its "true" ranking.

I also think your question about whether I would change my decision lacks nuance. If Harvard was ranked #20 instead of #3, would people stop applying? Many people would say no, because Harvard is unmatched in many areas of study, undergraduate education, and lay prestige. Whats so different about this hypothetical with UChicago? Additionally, there isn't a reality where Harvard or UChicago are ranked #20 because they deserve their higher spots based on merit. I don't see a reason why they would be ranked #20 in this alternate reality you refer to.

Just apply where you want, and don't get hyper-fixated on where a news company decides to rank universities. Its unproductive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like this is the general consensus of the thread:

Those who are hyper-obsessed with rankings & prestige over academics & post-grad outcomes tend to think lower of UChicago because they attract the majority of their students from the ED pool (which, in their minds, must make the school an undeserving T10).

Those who know about academics, job placement, and support their children no matter what college they fall in love with think UChicago is an excellent school that equips students with the skills they need to do extremely well in their future.

Signed, a concerned UChicago student from the DC area.

Why “concerned”?

Concerned because this forum cares too much about US News' rankings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like this is the general consensus of the thread:

Those who are hyper-obsessed with rankings & prestige over academics & post-grad outcomes tend to think lower of UChicago because they attract the majority of their students from the ED pool (which, in their minds, must make the school an undeserving T10).

Those who know about academics, job placement, and support their children no matter what college they fall in love with think UChicago is an excellent school that equips students with the skills they need to do extremely well in their future.

Signed, a concerned UChicago student from the DC area.

I think this is generally correct.

For those of us who are a little older, Chicago was always known as the "intellectual" school. We visited three years ago - and it still seemed like one of the smart schools. Good vibe. Smart kids. Generally very good professors. Tons of opportunities. Great city. Very nice campus.

But private school families seem to have some disdain for it. Personally, I think Chicago should embrace their roots and be the intellectual school, never mind the Sidwell and Dalton families. Chicago has raised their profile enough in recent years. They should remember their identity - and be the difficult, passionate, intense, nerd school that made Chicago Chicago.

[Anonymous]

Here is the evidence for sane minds

From USnews

Year
U.S. News National Ranking (Approx.)
2010
#9 nationally
2011
#5 nationally
2012
#4 nationally
2013
#5 nationally
2014
#4 nationally
2015
#4 nationally
2016
#3 nationally
2017
#3 nationally
2018
#3 nationally
2019
#6 nationally
2020
#6 nationally
2021
#6 nationally
2022
#6 nationally
2023
#12 nationally
2024
#11 nationally
2025
likely #11 nationally (Based on reported data)
2026
#6 nationally (latest confirmed)
Year

U.S. News National Ranking (Approx.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like this is the general consensus of the thread:

Those who are hyper-obsessed with rankings & prestige over academics & post-grad outcomes tend to think lower of UChicago because they attract the majority of their students from the ED pool (which, in their minds, must make the school an undeserving T10).

Those who know about academics, job placement, and support their children no matter what college they fall in love with think UChicago is an excellent school that equips students with the skills they need to do extremely well in their future.

Signed, a concerned UChicago student from the DC area.

I think this is generally correct.

For those of us who are a little older, Chicago was always known as the "intellectual" school. We visited three years ago - and it still seemed like one of the smart schools. Good vibe. Smart kids. Generally very good professors. Tons of opportunities. Great city. Very nice campus.

But private school families seem to have some disdain for it. Personally, I think Chicago should embrace their roots and be the intellectual school, never mind the Sidwell and Dalton families. Chicago has raised their profile enough in recent years. They should remember their identity - and be the difficult, passionate, intense, nerd school that made Chicago Chicago.

Never mind the Sidwell and Dalton families?
This is a weird take.