Is U Chicago worth cost over in-state UVA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP.

U of C has better resources. It is a unique and intellectually aggressive place. It is NOT an undergrad business school. Your kid will get a traditional BA there and learn things he probably won't at UVA.

UVA is a fine school, but it is not U of C.

Now, what is the value added from that experience? Only you and your family can decide that. I personally wouldn't do I think if it involved much in the way of loans, but you might have more than me.

What does that catch-all mean exactly for an average middle of the pack student?

Smaller class sizes. Smaller class sizes. More librarians (who are very useful in this modern age because they can help,you find the electronic resources you need, and the library will be in more electronic consortia). Better tech in the classes.... more and varied higher level classes. This kid won't be average at UVA.

OP, one poster commented that this will be obvious after visiting both. If you can't afford that, then choose UVA, but if the money is available, then choose the one that resonates with your kids.

When I was his age, I would have been willing to pay extra to go to a place with no sports scene.

Re better resources. First year, my UofC kid had 11 profs, 10 of whom knew who she was. This doesn’t include TAs. She had access to free tutors in the library (7-11pm, five nights a week) and never had a situation where she couldn’t get help when she needed it. When she had computer problems, tech lab at the library helped her out. Even supplied a loaner for a couple of days. (Again, no charge). Lives in an architecturally stunning new dorm, go a single first year. Nice communal facilities (lounges, music practice rooms, game room), good food in the cafeteria. Also ground floor retail including a cafe, pizza place, Insomnia cookies. House-arranged free/low cost trips all around town/region (Opera, museums, neighborhoods, Indian Dunes, apple picking). One cafeteria on campus (rotates each quarter) stays open for 4th meal — 8pm to midnight. Campus has a number of all-night study spaces and lots of security, so she felt comfortable coming and going at odd hours when she needed to. Was assigned both a career services and an academic advisor from day one. By Feb of first year had a paid internship for the summer in her STEM field (with zero prior experience). Internship enabled her to design and execute her own experiment in a world-class facility and taught her how to make a poster presentation at a conference. Over the course of the summer, got lots of info both about ongoing research at the facility and about how grad students and scientists manage careers and achieve work-life balance. Campus has hosted Special Olympics events and blues and folk festivals that she participated in. Her club sport has dedicated gym space at a convenient time 5 days a week. This is just the stuff DC personally accessed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP.

U of C has better resources. It is a unique and intellectually aggressive place. It is NOT an undergrad business school. Your kid will get a traditional BA there and learn things he probably won't at UVA.

UVA is a fine school, but it is not U of C.

Now, what is the value added from that experience? Only you and your family can decide that. I personally wouldn't do I think if it involved much in the way of loans, but you might have more than me.

What does that catch-all mean exactly for an average middle of the pack student?

Smaller class sizes. Smaller class sizes. More librarians (who are very useful in this modern age because they can help,you find the electronic resources you need, and the library will be in more electronic consortia). Better tech in the classes.... more and varied higher level classes. This kid won't be average at UVA.

OP, one poster commented that this will be obvious after visiting both. If you can't afford that, then choose UVA, but if the money is available, then choose the one that resonates with your kids.

When I was his age, I would have been willing to pay extra to go to a place with no sports scene.

Re better resources. First year, my UofC kid had 11 profs, 10 of whom knew who she was. This doesn’t include TAs. She had access to free tutors in the library (7-11pm, five nights a week) and never had a situation where she couldn’t get help when she needed it. When she had computer problems, tech lab at the library helped her out. Even supplied a loaner for a couple of days. (Again, no charge). Lives in an architecturally stunning new dorm, go a single first year. Nice communal facilities (lounges, music practice rooms, game room), good food in the cafeteria. Also ground floor retail including a cafe, pizza place, Insomnia cookies. House-arranged free/low cost trips all around town/region (Opera, museums, neighborhoods, Indian Dunes, apple picking). One cafeteria on campus (rotates each quarter) stays open for 4th meal — 8pm to midnight. Campus has a number of all-night study spaces and lots of security, so she felt comfortable coming and going at odd hours when she needed to. Was assigned both a career services and an academic advisor from day one. By Feb of first year had a paid internship for the summer in her STEM field (with zero prior experience). Internship enabled her to design and execute her own experiment in a world-class facility and taught her how to make a poster presentation at a conference. Over the course of the summer, got lots of info both about ongoing research at the facility and about how grad students and scientists manage careers and achieve work-life balance. Campus has hosted Special Olympics events and blues and folk festivals that she participated in. Her club sport has dedicated gym space at a convenient time 5 days a week. This is just the stuff DC personally accessed.

Sounds like Chicago is charging a premium for hotel service.

[Anonymous]

Chicago hands down. Not sure how this is a question unless you really can’t afford it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Chicago hands down. Not sure how this is a question unless you really can’t afford it.

Given the comparable ROI, Chicago needs to discount the tuition to the same price as UVA - unless the parents are flush with cash. Sounds like you are paying extra for luxury amenities at a resort, including extra security (which you might need in Chicago.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP.

U of C has better resources. It is a unique and intellectually aggressive place. It is NOT an undergrad business school. Your kid will get a traditional BA there and learn things he probably won't at UVA.

UVA is a fine school, but it is not U of C.

Now, what is the value added from that experience? Only you and your family can decide that. I personally wouldn't do I think if it involved much in the way of loans, but you might have more than me.

What does that catch-all mean exactly for an average middle of the pack student?

Smaller class sizes. Smaller class sizes. More librarians (who are very useful in this modern age because they can help,you find the electronic resources you need, and the library will be in more electronic consortia). Better tech in the classes.... more and varied higher level classes. This kid won't be average at UVA.

OP, one poster commented that this will be obvious after visiting both. If you can't afford that, then choose UVA, but if the money is available, then choose the one that resonates with your kids.

When I was his age, I would have been willing to pay extra to go to a place with no sports scene.

Re better resources. First year, my UofC kid had 11 profs, 10 of whom knew who she was. This doesn’t include TAs. She had access to free tutors in the library (7-11pm, five nights a week) and never had a situation where she couldn’t get help when she needed it. When she had computer problems, tech lab at the library helped her out. Even supplied a loaner for a couple of days. (Again, no charge). Lives in an architecturally stunning new dorm, go a single first year. Nice communal facilities (lounges, music practice rooms, game room), good food in the cafeteria. Also ground floor retail including a cafe, pizza place, Insomnia cookies. House-arranged free/low cost trips all around town/region (Opera, museums, neighborhoods, Indian Dunes, apple picking). One cafeteria on campus (rotates each quarter) stays open for 4th meal — 8pm to midnight. Campus has a number of all-night study spaces and lots of security, so she felt comfortable coming and going at odd hours when she needed to. Was assigned both a career services and an academic advisor from day one. By Feb of first year had a paid internship for the summer in her STEM field (with zero prior experience). Internship enabled her to design and execute her own experiment in a world-class facility and taught her how to make a poster presentation at a conference. Over the course of the summer, got lots of info both about ongoing research at the facility and about how grad students and scientists manage careers and achieve work-life balance. Campus has hosted Special Olympics events and blues and folk festivals that she participated in. Her club sport has dedicated gym space at a convenient time 5 days a week. This is just the stuff DC personally accessed.

Sounds like Chicago is charging a premium for hotel service.

If that’s all you appreciate from this list, the you should not send your DC to Chicago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chicago hands down. Not sure how this is a question unless you really can’t afford it.

Given the comparable ROI, Chicago needs to discount the tuition to the same price as UVA

- unless the parents are flush with cash. Sounds like you are paying extra for luxury amenities at a resort, including extra security (which you might need in Chicago.)

Right. Only they have 10,000 students on a wait list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chicago hands down. Not sure how this is a question unless you really can’t afford it.

Given the comparable ROI, Chicago needs to discount the tuition to the same price as UVA - unless the parents are flush with cash. Sounds like you are paying extra for luxury amenities at a resort, including extra security (which you might need in Chicago.)

UVA is subsidized by Virginia taxpayers.

The thing that has impressed me about Chicago is all the stuff I described is available to every student. It doesn’t cost to access it and you don’t get more or better if you pay more. Yes, I get that a family that can’t afford full pay and that doesn’t qualify for financial aid may opt for a less expensive public university that will provide their child with a quality education. And that’s a sound decision. But the question that I responded to “was what does ‘better resources’ mean, in practical terms, for a typical undergrad?” I answered with concrete examples based on recent experience. “ Is it worth it?” is always a question that depends on resources and values. OP and her DC get to figure that out for themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP.

U of C has better resources. It is a unique and intellectually aggressive place. It is NOT an undergrad business school. Your kid will get a traditional BA there and learn things he probably won't at UVA.

UVA is a fine school, but it is not U of C.

Now, what is the value added from that experience? Only you and your family can decide that. I personally wouldn't do I think if it involved much in the way of loans, but you might have more than me.

What does that catch-all mean exactly for an average middle of the pack student?

Smaller class sizes. Smaller class sizes. More librarians (who are very useful in this modern age because they can help,you find the electronic resources you need, and the library will be in more electronic consortia). Better tech in the classes.... more and varied higher level classes. This kid won't be average at UVA.

OP, one poster commented that this will be obvious after visiting both. If you can't afford that, then choose UVA, but if the money is available, then choose the one that resonates with your kids.

When I was his age, I would have been willing to pay extra to go to a place with no sports scene.

Re better resources. First year, my UofC kid had 11 profs, 10 of whom knew who she was. This doesn’t include TAs. She had access to free tutors in the library (7-11pm, five nights a week) and never had a situation where she couldn’t get help when she needed it. When she had computer problems, tech lab at the library helped her out. Even supplied a loaner for a couple of days. (Again, no charge). Lives in an architecturally stunning new dorm, go a single first year. Nice communal facilities (lounges, music practice rooms, game room), good food in the cafeteria. Also ground floor retail including a cafe, pizza place, Insomnia cookies. House-arranged free/low cost trips all around town/region (Opera, museums, neighborhoods, Indian Dunes, apple picking). One cafeteria on campus (rotates each quarter) stays open for 4th meal — 8pm to midnight. Campus has a number of all-night study spaces and lots of security, so she felt comfortable coming and going at odd hours when she needed to. Was assigned both a career services and an academic advisor from day one. By Feb of first year had a paid internship for the summer in her STEM field (with zero prior experience). Internship enabled her to design and execute her own experiment in a world-class facility and taught her how to make a poster presentation at a conference. Over the course of the summer, got lots of info both about ongoing research at the facility and about how grad students and scientists manage careers and achieve work-life balance. Campus has hosted Special Olympics events and blues and folk festivals that she participated in. Her club sport has dedicated gym space at a convenient time 5 days a week. This is just the stuff DC personally accessed.

Sounds like Chicago is charging a premium for hotel service.

If that’s all you appreciate from this list, the you should not send your DC to Chicago.

The ROI just isn't there if you are talking a significant amount of loan.

[Anonymous]

NP here. What is it about U of Chicago that gets so many people worked up on this board? It has only recently come on my radar as we have a rising junior and starting to think about colleges. There seems to be a group out there hell-bent and determined to quickly criticize this school and another group that is equally passionate about letting everyone know how fantastic it is. Is it because it has always had a so-so reputation and only recently come into the limelight? Other schools do not seem to get people as worked up as this place! Even Harvard and the other Ivy’s !

[Anonymous]

Yes, and I normally always say go with cheaper in state tuition. But, in this case, yes, it si worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here. What is it about U of Chicago that gets so many people worked up on this board? It has only recently come on my radar as we have a rising junior and starting to think about colleges. There seems to be a group out there hell-bent and determined to quickly criticize this school and another group that is equally passionate about letting everyone know how fantastic it is. Is it because it has always had a so-so reputation and only recently come into the limelight? Other schools do not seem to get people as worked up as this place! Even Harvard and the other Ivy’s !

A so so reputation? I’m not one of the crazy uchicago boosters, but that’s hilarious. You must not know that much about academia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here. What is it about U of Chicago that gets so many people worked up on this board? It has only recently come on my radar as we have a rising junior and starting to think about colleges. There seems to be a group out there hell-bent and determined to quickly criticize this school and another group that is equally passionate about letting everyone know how fantastic it is. Is it because it has always had a so-so reputation and only recently come into the limelight? Other schools do not seem to get people as worked up as this place! Even Harvard and the other Ivy’s !

A so so reputation? I’m not one of the crazy uchicago boosters, but that’s hilarious. You must not know that much about academia.

Generally I feel a private school is better than a state school. Even with a full tuition scholarship to a state school, I chose a SLAC for my D because I was able to send her there for almost the same price. Even if it were more expensive, I'd choose a SLAC - but there's a limit. If the amount of loan is significant, if I had to refi my mortgage, invade my retirement account, the answere is in the negative. Chicago is strictly F/A. If the family income disqualify the OP family from F/A, there is no merit aid at Chicago. Only OP can decide what's best for the student and the family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chicago hands down. Not sure how this is a question unless you really can’t afford it.

Given the comparable ROI, Chicago needs to discount the tuition to the same price as UVA

- unless the parents are flush with cash. Sounds like you are paying extra for luxury amenities at a resort, including extra security (which you might need in Chicago.)

Right. Only they have 10,000 students on a wait list.

Really, source? Isn’t that 5x the size of their incoming class? Unreal.

[Anonymous]

So for an average student — read: not some gunner future PhD who’s been doing cancer research since 12 yo — it’s an extra $40,000 per year for:

- better food? But UVA stu cafes are actually good.

- free tutors? UVA has those too.

- better dorms? UVA’s aren’t terrible, in my experience.

- prestige? Ok, it’s certainly near the top.

- smaller classes? Ok, no debate there.

[Anonymous]

Not impressed by Chicago at all. I went to an Ivy and my school doesn’t spam high school students it has no intention of admitting with materials to try and make it seem more selective than it is already. And I don’t see alumni going out of their way to denigrate top state schools like UVA, Michigan or Berkeley, either. It just comes across as constant self-promotion by people who couldn’t quite make the cut.