Is UChicago now a target for big5 kids? Up there with HYPS?

[Anonymous]

I keep reading Chicago has changed a lot in recent years, specifically with regard to targeting “normal” outgoing prep school students. Is it now a peer to HYPS to prep school families?

[Anonymous]

Yeah I think so. Been seeing a lot of Sidwell, Potomac, etc admits of late. I think geographic diversity is helping.

[Anonymous]

As tough to get into these days yes but not nearly as enjoyable once you get there. A total joyless grind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As tough to get into these days yes but not nearly as enjoyable once you get there. A total joyless grind.

Yep I am hearing this as well.

[Anonymous]

One of the smartest kid in my DC's class at Sidwell chose to go there and loves it. I think being around other intellectuals is fun.

[Anonymous]

FWIW, Bill Gates' son is going there next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As tough to get into these days yes but not nearly as enjoyable once you get there. A total joyless grind.

Agree. Also hearing the same with Rice, Hopkins, and Case Western. Some of my daughter’s favorites.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: One of the smartest kid in my DC's class at Sidwell chose to go there and loves it. I think being around other intellectuals is fun.

Asian studies program?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As tough to get into these days yes but not nearly as enjoyable once you get there. A total joyless grind.

Agree. Also hearing the same with Rice, Hopkins, and Case Western. Some of my daughter’s favorites.

Rice is a great school; definitely not a grind: ranked #1 for quality of campus life and #2 for happiest students -- including my Big 3 grad, who loves it there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: One of the smartest kid in my DC's class at Sidwell chose to go there and loves it. I think being around other intellectuals is fun.

Asian studies program?

I'm sure you meant that as a mean stereotype. Here's the thing. Kids who like being around interesting people doing interesting things turn into the very adults that are socially chased here in the DMV. And they come in all skin colors, shapes, personalities and likes/dislikes. By the way for the snobs, not only did Gates kid turn down Stanford for UChicago but the president of Princeton's kid is there too as well as now being the top destination school for the northeast boarding schools. And please don't worry about them, it's far from joyless. That old reputation is what needs to die.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As tough to get into these days yes but not nearly as enjoyable once you get there. A total joyless grind.

Is that a current, 2018, characterization of campus or slightly dated? My daughter wants to apply ED1 this fall and that's what we're worried about. But I read they hired a man from Yale or Harvard to curate a more Ivy-like ethos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: One of the smartest kid in my DC's class at Sidwell chose to go there and loves it. I think being around other intellectuals is fun.

Asian studies program?

I'm sure you meant that as a mean stereotype. Here's the thing. Kids who like being around interesting people doing interesting things turn into the very adults that are socially chased here in the DMV. And they come in all skin colors, shapes, personalities and likes/dislikes. By the way for the snobs, not only did Gates kid turn down Stanford for UChicago but the president of Princeton's kid is there too as well as now being the top destination school for the northeast boarding schools. And please don't worry about them, it's far from joyless. That old reputation is what needs to die.

I get that Gates's kid is a pseudo celeb -- but how in the world do you know where Princeton's president's kid is going to college?

[Anonymous]

^ also, did Princeton's president's kid go to Lawrenceville, the boarding school near there?

[Anonymous]

College community knowledge. The university has always been known for where educators send their kids. You just don't hear about it much because it's a really low key, friendly egalitarian campus. The social coin really is intelligence vs who your parents are. I suppose that's good or bad depending on how much a kid likes to rely on family prominence. Speaks well to these kids' self-confidence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As tough to get into these days yes but not nearly as enjoyable once you get there. A total joyless grind.

Is that a current, 2018, characterization of campus or slightly dated? My daughter wants to apply ED1 this fall and that's what we're worried about. But I read they hired a man from Yale or Harvard to curate a more Ivy-like ethos.

I understand the old UChicago was miserable. But that is dated and the campus continues to energetically change with each additional year. They did bring in someone to encourage more of a mix of personalities and he has succeeded along with all the rest of the administration. You could tour, check out the new dorms (they look like luxury apartments), the food options, the gyms, libraries. It's a beautiful green campus and 15 minutes from the heart of Chicago. Your daughter should arrange to stay overnight if possible with an older classmate from her high school. That'll give her a way to get the skinny she cares about and check out the work/social balance for herself. It's still a place that expects hard work but not the impossible. If she feels an affinity there, she'll be among kids who consider being busy and productive an engaging, good use of their time. Not a bad thing, right?