If the money isn't life changing...

If your kid can still afford grad school...

If your other kids still get choices...

If your kid will have the money to take advantage of the extra opportunities....


Then HELL YEAH! Fantastic!!!!!!! YEAH!

Anonymous wrote:Ask yourself if the extra debt is worth it. Will it matter when he is 40, will his friends and family care which school he went to 20 years prior.

But: is the kid so profoundly brilliant that the brilliance is almost like having a severe, isolating handicap?

If a kid is so bright that finding similar kids at UVA would be hard, maybe paying for Chicago for that kid is the equivalent of paying a lot for a special school for a kid with autism. You find the money, if possible, because it’s necessary for the kid to have a normal life.

Anonymous wrote:Is private Chicago worth the premium?

I think that Chicago is more for a prodigy who was reading almanacs, dictionaries and encyclopedias at some point. For that kid, going to Chicago might be the only chance to be around similar people. Paying for Chicago for that kid, if possible, is worth it, because going there may be the kid’s only chance to learn how to talk in situations in which dumbing down is not necessary. Going to a place like Chicago or Cal Tech is important to that’s kid development.

Going to Chicago might also be good for normal bright kids who want to go into research.

UVA is probably better for most bright kids who aren’t sure they want to become researchers.

Two great choices!

I went to U of Chicago for Law School in the mid-1990's, and I believe it has definitely helped my career to have gone to U of Chicago. I had gone to a big state school for undergrad. I liked both experiences.

Chicago is prestigious, but so is UVA.

You cannot go wrong.

Reputation: In most spheres, University of Chicago is definitely more impressive. One assumes someone is wicked smart if they went there. For UVA, I would say it indicates you are reasonably smart and competent.
Experience: If DC wants a very intellectual experience and it's not a financial hardship, Chicago is likely worth the premium. If DC wants a more traditional, social but good academics, fun college town, big sports etc. college experience UVA would fit the bill.
Finances: If money is tight, there's almost no question--UVA is not so much worse in any respect that would make sense to take on significant debt or jeopardize future for Chicago.

Ask yourself if the extra debt is worth it. Will it matter when he is 40, will his friends and family care which school he went to 20 years prior.

These are totally different schools. W&M is much more like Chicago than UVA is.

I don't think there is any question. Univ of Chicago is now $76,000 a year. UVA instate's tuition is $14,710. (our DS lives off campus so doesn't have dorm, food service, health service fees). He has no car so only expenses are shared apartment and food. Our total outlay was probably $22K this year. Even using UVA's cost calculator for a student living on campus at $32,000, you are still looking at a difference of $44K a year which is in after-tax dollars. We would have to make $70K to pay the difference. Multiply that by four or five years and you have enough to pay for grad school, which is exactly what we are doing. Go to UVA and bank the difference, if you have it. If you don't have it, you should be going to UVA anyhow. DS has had a wonderful four years. Chicago is full of smart kids but it is cold and dark and fun indeed goes there to die.

Beware of the crazy UofC stalker on this thread. I went to both, UVA undergrad and UC grad but some time ago. It really depends on your field of study and your personality. U of c has a much more academic feel - that doesn’t mean it’s better but it is a personality thing. I would go with what school feels better for DCs personality but if $$ is a serious concern, you won’t hurt yourself at UVA.

Anonymous wrote:Are you in state or out of state at UVA?

OP is definitely in state, hence referring to Chicago as private. Out of state tuition for UVA is something like 40K.

Only you can answer money aspect. But from the quality of education standpoint, they are not comparable. Chicago is a few steps above.

How does your kid handle time pressure and what is his/her major? Is DC coming out of HS eager to up the intensity or a little burnt out? What are DC’s grad school/career plans?

Depending on your answers to these Qs, UChicago could be a really stressful choice. (My DC is there now which is why I know/ask).

Are you in state or out of state at UVA?

If you can afford it without financial stress, Chicago is one of the finest colleges in the country and worth the premium imo. Also if your DC is happy with the prospect of going. However, if financial stress is a factor, I would go with UVA. It's a strong state school, with a beautiful campus, and can be what your DC makes of it.

Is private Chicago worth the premium?