Recent U Chicago Experiences?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I want to make sure they have time for things like internships and study abroad and other activities that make you an interesting person.

U of Chicago might be one of the worst schools to achieve these goals.

Try U of Nevada at Las Vegas or U of Texas at El Paso.

Do you know kids who actually attend? The ones I know personally had internships, did weekly volunteer work in in the city, and were active members of clubs. They are great kids! I don't know about study abroad bc the ones i know well are freshmen and sophomores and the older kids were anxious to stay on campus bc of time lost to covid -- but i am sure Chicago would get you stats on that.

Yes, I personally know some. Yes. Some study abroad or get internships. It was the “interesting” part they lack.

What makes a kid interesting to you? The kids I know are incredibly bright, good conversationalists, read a lot, and have hobbies. Almost all are pretty athletic (though not playing collegiate athletics). They are all interested and versed in current events. If I went into their interests and internships, it might give them away. I would say they are not party kids (one doesn't drink though happy to attend a party, the others are very social but not into a fraternity-type college scene). Uninteresting would not be how I would describe any of them.

I am the OP and the above pretty much described my interested DD.

Does the core make it hard to double major?

How is safety recently ?

[Anonymous]

Here's a recent U Chicago experience for you

https://abc7chicago.com/university-of-chicago-robberies-crime-college-students-robbed-armed/13936369/

Police issue alert after multiple armed robberies near University of Chicago campus

Wednesday, October 18, 2023 7:09PM

Chicago police are investigating at least seven robberies that have happened this month near the University of Chicago campus.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police are investigating at least seven robberies that have happened this month near the University of Chicago campus.

The most recent robbery happened Tuesday night, when a person with a knife confronted two University of Chicago students.

Some residents in the Hyde Park neighborhood are on edge after the robberies.

"I think me and other students hear about it from the school's emails," said University of Chicago student Tim Mei. "I think all of us are definitely a little bit concerned."

Chicago police have yet to confirm if the same suspect committed the crimes, a community alert was issued Wednesday to warn the community around the university.

"It's nerve racking, but I don't necessarily walk out when its super late, so I'm not nervous, but I do try to keep my guard up," said University of Chicago student Ledya Wreden.

The first incident happened around 10:30 p.m. Oct. 2 near 56th Street and Kenwood Avenue.

A few days later, armed robbers struck again just after 11 p.m. Oct. 6 in the 5400 block of South University Avenue.

At least three more robberies happened in less than two hours on Oct. 14.

"I think I'll be a little less confident about walking around at weird hours by myself," said University of Chicago student Adam Light.

In each instance, two to five male offenders exited a vehicle and approached the victims who were walking, investigators said. The robbers pulled out a gun a demanded the victims' wallets, cellphones and phone passcodes before getting back in a car and driving away.

"That bit of weariness goes away, said University of Chicago student Ryen Williams. "Everywhere you go, you have to look behind your back a little bit."

Police continue to investigate and search for suspects.

[Anonymous]

For OP- The Core does not make it difficult to double major. My DC at UChicago will graduate in 4 years with an undergrad degree and a masters. DC has also taken a number of graduate level classes and took a law school class as a freshman.

[Anonymous]

Nephew goes there and is absolutely miserable. Sophomore but he is considering transfer options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nephew goes there and is absolutely miserable. Sophomore but he is considering transfer options.

Why is he miserable?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another NP with a DC there. She is very proud to go there because it is a tough school. The free-speech subculture is real, and highly valued.

We are from Southern California, so I thought either the harsh weather and/or gray days would get to her, but it has not. Her one complaint is that it's in a dangerous neighborhood, so she feels at times trapped on campus.

If your kid wants to go, I agree...that says it all. It is a self-selecting school.

Haha, my kid chose a school in socal over Chicago for these reasons - weather, safety, intensity. It checked all the boxes. The only drawback is they may not want to come back to the east coast.

[Anonymous]

My DC is there. Agree that it is a self-selecting school. It was his top choice from day one. Likes it so far....
Likes being in the city, thinks campus is very nice, liked the idea of a core curriculum, likes the idea of fellow students who are serious, has not found people to be asocial at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another NP with a DC there. She is very proud to go there because it is a tough school. The free-speech subculture is real, and highly valued.

We are from Southern California, so I thought either the harsh weather and/or gray days would get to her, but it has not. Her one complaint is that it's in a dangerous neighborhood, so she feels at times trapped on campus.

If your kid wants to go, I agree...that says it all. It is a self-selecting school.

Haha, my kid chose a school in socal over Chicago for these reasons - weather, safety, intensity. It checked all the boxes. The only drawback is they may not want to come back to the east coast.

Top PP here. PP, that is not a drawback. haha and if you're lucky, it will be a magnet! ; )

[Anonymous]

First quarter of freshman year was definitely an adjustment, getting used to a fast system but by the second quarter he started complaining a lot less and having a lot more social time and fun.
This year seems to me he is having too much fun so will see how that will effect his grades but overall he is really enjoying the city and the opportunities available at the campus .

[Anonymous]

My kid is a first year. The work load has a been a shock to her and the theoretical way the professors teach is kicking her butt. But through the complaining I do hear that the classes are really good and challenging and they are teaching her to think in different ways. Socially it’s hard but she does seem to be getting out and doing stuff. She is slow to warm up and so she would likely have trouble starting anywhere. Safety is definitely an issue and the crime poster above on the armed robberies near campus laid out those facts. We had talked about going to school in the middle of a large city and the dangers involved - so it hasn’t caught us off guard.

Despite all the stuff I wrote above, I do think it’s the right school for her. I brought up the idea of transfer applications and she looked at me like I had two heads. So she must think it’s the right place for her too.

[Anonymous]

For those w current students did you apply ED1, ED2, EA or Rd? Did you submit test scores ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those w current students did you apply ED1, ED2, EA or Rd? Did you submit test scores ?

ED1 and submitted test score (only took ACT once).

[Anonymous]

ED1 and submitted test scores.
My son is a freshman and he has a very demanding schedule but he said this is the first time that he is actually learning in all his classes and they are interesting.
Definitely he is missing attending big sport events like football at UVA or other big schools
but overall he thinks the education he is getting is worth it.

[Anonymous]

Is your kid in private school? They seem to have a private school pipeline

[Anonymous]

Yes