Anonymous wrote:Hi all — my DD will likely be applying to UChicago through ED2 next year.

We heard from other families at our school (NYC top private) that quite a few kids were planning on doing UChicago ED1 and Vanderbilt ED2. I understand that UChicago has changed a lot socially in the past decade (some posters on here compare it to Yale) but was surprised to hear that the same kid would consider UChicago and Vanderbilt their 2 favorite schools, as they seem different.

Just looking for any personal experiences, anecdotes, or meaningful stories to share. We really want to understand what it’s like socially from an authentic perspective.

I know there’s 1 very dedicated UChicago troll on here so I will report their posts as they inevitably come.

Chicago has changed a lot in recent years. It's not the same school as it was in the 90s in terms of student profiles. It's not surprising that the same student would be interested in both Chicago and Vanderbilt. I have a Vandy student who was interested in Chicago. But preferred Vanderbilt and applied ED I there and got in. So that was that. My sense of both Vandy and Chicago admissions is that they very much prefer the ED I students, and ED II and RD are lotteries for everyone. So choose accordingly. I don't think there is any real advantage applying ED II at Vanderbilt. It's basically for the students who didn't get into Stanford or Harvard in the SCEA round but are still extraordinary. Vandy will take them in ED II. But I really don't think it extends much beyond that in ED II for the vast majority of students. Vanderbilt does not want to be anyone's second choice. I imagine Chicago is similar.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My impression is that Chicago is a true mix. there are a lot of quirky brainy kids and then the very large cohort of Econ kids who are mostly private school kids and many are very mainstream Bros (and gals).

My kids attended a feeder private and the Chicago kids are a mix of sporty kids who are somewhat quirky and a few bros. they all seem to be reasonably happy. however I've spent a lot of time on Reddit transfer board this year (my freshman who does not go to Chicago is transferring to a state school) and there were maybe 6 Chicago kids in ten mix who are trying to transfer due to the lack of a social scene there and a desire for a more vibrant social community. so it's hard to tell what is really going on. probably depends on who your path crosses with and if your find your people.

unhappy students are attracted to dramatic rantings on reddit. happy students aren't on there, they're having a good time. everyone on reddit is so dramatic and want people to be as miserable as they are.

100% true. However, I will say that there is a notable cohort from Chicago on Reddit that wants to transfer due to the social scene while there aren't a group of posters from say, Northwestern or Rice or Cornell saying the same thing. I don't think the "where fun goes to die" reputation is completely gone. Or at least one can have difficulty finding that fun.

As someone whose kid is transferring from another university I know all too well how social "fit" with a university can come down to dumb luck about who your freshman roommate is, who your hallmates are, who are in your freshman classes, how your recruitment with with clubs you pick goes. If these things all work out then social fit is generally awesome. If they go wrong then social fit can feel like a disaster and while one know logically that your people are there somewhere it can feel very demoralizing trying to find them.

DP. I just searched Reddit and it seems like it’s only 2 kids who have posted about transferring this cycle. That’s not really notable.

There were definitely a few more. you can delete all your posts on Reddit and I find that there are kids who will often do that. Posts and replies often disappear from day to day.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My impression is that Chicago is a true mix. there are a lot of quirky brainy kids and then the very large cohort of Econ kids who are mostly private school kids and many are very mainstream Bros (and gals).

My kids attended a feeder private and the Chicago kids are a mix of sporty kids who are somewhat quirky and a few bros. they all seem to be reasonably happy. however I've spent a lot of time on Reddit transfer board this year (my freshman who does not go to Chicago is transferring to a state school) and there were maybe 6 Chicago kids in ten mix who are trying to transfer due to the lack of a social scene there and a desire for a more vibrant social community. so it's hard to tell what is really going on. probably depends on who your path crosses with and if your find your people.

unhappy students are attracted to dramatic rantings on reddit. happy students aren't on there, they're having a good time. everyone on reddit is so dramatic and want people to be as miserable as they are.

100% true. However, I will say that there is a notable cohort from Chicago on Reddit that wants to transfer due to the social scene while there aren't a group of posters from say, Northwestern or Rice or Cornell saying the same thing. I don't think the "where fun goes to die" reputation is completely gone. Or at least one can have difficulty finding that fun.

As someone whose kid is transferring from another university I know all too well how social "fit" with a university can come down to dumb luck about who your freshman roommate is, who your hallmates are, who are in your freshman classes, how your recruitment with with clubs you pick goes. If these things all work out then social fit is generally awesome. If they go wrong then social fit can feel like a disaster and while one know logically that your people are there somewhere it can feel very demoralizing trying to find them.

DP. I just searched Reddit and it seems like it’s only 2 kids who have posted about transferring this cycle. That’s not really notable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My impression is that Chicago is a true mix. there are a lot of quirky brainy kids and then the very large cohort of Econ kids who are mostly private school kids and many are very mainstream Bros (and gals).

My kids attended a feeder private and the Chicago kids are a mix of sporty kids who are somewhat quirky and a few bros. they all seem to be reasonably happy. however I've spent a lot of time on Reddit transfer board this year (my freshman who does not go to Chicago is transferring to a state school) and there were maybe 6 Chicago kids in ten mix who are trying to transfer due to the lack of a social scene there and a desire for a more vibrant social community. so it's hard to tell what is really going on. probably depends on who your path crosses with and if your find your people.

unhappy students are attracted to dramatic rantings on reddit. happy students aren't on there, they're having a good time. everyone on reddit is so dramatic and want people to be as miserable as they are.

100% true. However, I will say that there is a notable cohort from Chicago on Reddit that wants to transfer due to the social scene while there aren't a group of posters from say, Northwestern or Rice or Cornell saying the same thing. I don't think the "where fun goes to die" reputation is completely gone. Or at least one can have difficulty finding that fun.

As someone whose kid is transferring from another university I know all too well how social "fit" with a university can come down to dumb luck about who your freshman roommate is, who your hallmates are, who are in your freshman classes, how your recruitment with with clubs you pick goes. If these things all work out then social fit is generally awesome. If they go wrong then social fit can feel like a disaster and while one know logically that your people are there somewhere it can feel very demoralizing trying to find them.

Anonymous wrote:My impression is that Chicago is a true mix. there are a lot of quirky brainy kids and then the very large cohort of Econ kids who are mostly private school kids and many are very mainstream Bros (and gals).

My kids attended a feeder private and the Chicago kids are a mix of sporty kids who are somewhat quirky and a few bros. they all seem to be reasonably happy. however I've spent a lot of time on Reddit transfer board this year (my freshman who does not go to Chicago is transferring to a state school) and there were maybe 6 Chicago kids in ten mix who are trying to transfer due to the lack of a social scene there and a desire for a more vibrant social community. so it's hard to tell what is really going on. probably depends on who your path crosses with and if your find your people.

unhappy students are attracted to dramatic rantings on reddit. happy students aren't on there, they're having a good time. everyone on reddit is so dramatic and want people to be as miserable as they are.

Anonymous wrote:ED2 Vandy is same as RD. Wouldn't waste it.

Not true for our private. You must apply ED2 and then if you are deferred, you may be admitted in regular decision.

You have no chance if you do not ED2, though and show that interest because they are focused on yield.

That combination is more common than people expect.

My impression is that Chicago is a true mix. there are a lot of quirky brainy kids and then the very large cohort of Econ kids who are mostly private school kids and many are very mainstream Bros (and gals).

My kids attended a feeder private and the Chicago kids are a mix of sporty kids who are somewhat quirky and a few bros. they all seem to be reasonably happy. however I've spent a lot of time on Reddit transfer board this year (my freshman who does not go to Chicago is transferring to a state school) and there were maybe 6 Chicago kids in ten mix who are trying to transfer due to the lack of a social scene there and a desire for a more vibrant social community. so it's hard to tell what is really going on. probably depends on who your path crosses with and if your find your people.

Anonymous wrote:You mentioned ED2—what's the ED1 choice?

Yale REA

You mentioned ED2—what's the ED1 choice?

Agree ED2 Vandy is a waste, but possibly deferred to RD then accepted.

I cannot answer your question on the social scene because DC is heading to UChicago this fall. But I can tell you that the kids from DC’s graduating class (and the class before) who are attending UChicago and Vanderbilt have very little in common.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ED2 Vandy is same as RD. Wouldn't waste it.

OP here — DD is not interested in Vanderbilt, but I was just noting that a few kids at our school were planning on ED1 UChicago and ED2 Vanderbilt, which surprised me.

I expect it’s a strategic choice for both schools, based on prestige and admissions odds more than the experience they hope to have there.

Anonymous wrote:ED2 Vandy is same as RD. Wouldn't waste it.

OP here — DD is not interested in Vanderbilt, but I was just noting that a few kids at our school were planning on ED1 UChicago and ED2 Vanderbilt, which surprised me.

ED2 Vandy is same as RD. Wouldn't waste it.

Hi all — my DD will likely be applying to UChicago through ED2 next year.

We heard from other families at our school (NYC top private) that quite a few kids were planning on doing UChicago ED1 and Vanderbilt ED2. I understand that UChicago has changed a lot socially in the past decade (some posters on here compare it to Yale) but was surprised to hear that the same kid would consider UChicago and Vanderbilt their 2 favorite schools, as they seem different.

Just looking for any personal experiences, anecdotes, or meaningful stories to share. We really want to understand what it’s like socially from an authentic perspective.

I know there’s 1 very dedicated UChicago troll on here so I will report their posts as they inevitably come.