Reply to University of Chicago: what kind of student does best?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]There is an intensity at Chicago that is really unmated from what I've seen (I was a PhD student who taught there but went to an Ivy undergrad).

The pro: amazing campus, strong programs and good support for quirky smart kids.

The bad: not a pre-professional school. So if you kid wants to go to law school or med school this might not be the best place for them.[/quote]

Actually, Chicago is increasingly pre-professional.  Though grade deflation and a combative academic culture make things very tough for pre-meds, there are plenty of pre-law and pre-MBA types.  As Chicago has become more selective and risen in the rankings, the Chicago that you and other posters describe has been transformed -- for better or worse is in the beholder's eye.  Today, Chicago draws many students who also apply and are accepted to Ivies.  This means fewer quirky kids and more "normals," as the student newspaper refers to this new breed of Chicago student.

Prospective applicants should also consider very carefully the school's location.  Visit in February, not October or April -- and remember, it's not just the cold, it's the darkness that gets to people.  Even in good weather, the campus itself is beautiful, Hyde Park has its charms, and Chicago is a fabulous city, but the neighborhoods around Hyde Park struggle with poverty and crime, and publc transit isn't great, with the result that many Chicago students feel confined to a very small geographic area -- albeit a lovely one.

Finally, don't underestimate the impact of Chicago's quarterly academic calendar.  It sets a breakneck pace for even the most disciplined and bright student.   [/quote]The public transit system in Chicago may not be the safest in parts of Chicago, but there is no place in Chicago you can't get to on public transportation from the CTA bus ànd the 'L' to the Metra.

So I have to disagree that Chicago doesn't have a good transit system. [/quote]

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