Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t stand to look at another thread full of BS on my kid’s school, but I’m posting to say that my kid is having a fantastic experience, and almost nothing I’ve seen here in the many, many threads on UChicago accurately represents what the school is actually like. (The exception: the neighborhoods surrounding Hyde Park are rough, and most kids avoid them. And no, my kid doesn’t feel less safe in Hyde Park than near say, Logan Circle, U St., or H St. here. If your kid isn’t comfortable in those neighborhoods, then he or she can apply elsewhere!)

Here’s what she has experienced: Fantastic and small core classes with tons of required reading and writing. (My kid loves it! If yours doesn’t, there are many other schools!) Engaging professors. Insanely smart and motivated classmates. Excellent academic advising and career advising. Nice dorms and dining halls. Beautiful campus. Lovely libraries. Very challenging academic standards. Cold weather.

I don’t care what type of admissions her classmates used. I don’t care how many pieces of mail you all have received. (Or why so many complainers are checking their kid’s email, which is so bizarre.) And I frankly don’t care what percentage of whatever form of applicants got in, and I think it’s bizarre that so many people (or a few obsessives?) do.

Hope your kids who might like the vibe at UChicago visit and/or apply.

Thank you for posting! Our junior DC is so excited to apply to UChicago, more than his ivy legacy.

Same for my Ivy legacy HS jr - Chicago is her top choice. It’s not an unusual choice. We are in NYC and I see Chicago as comparable to Penn and Columbia - intense and prestigious city schools. But a lot of city kids don’t want to stay here for college.

that makes sense about NYC kids. I've wondered why there seems to be so many kids from NYC at UChicago.

We are also in NYC, and Chicago is considered a safe bet for kids who cannot get into Penn of Columbia. The high acceptance rate in ED at NYC privates is what makes it enticing. Usually the top students don't apply ED there. Everyone knows that Chicago prefers private school kids who are above average but not the best.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t stand to look at another thread full of BS on my kid’s school, but I’m posting to say that my kid is having a fantastic experience, and almost nothing I’ve seen here in the many, many threads on UChicago accurately represents what the school is actually like. (The exception: the neighborhoods surrounding Hyde Park are rough, and most kids avoid them. And no, my kid doesn’t feel less safe in Hyde Park than near say, Logan Circle, U St., or H St. here. If your kid isn’t comfortable in those neighborhoods, then he or she can apply elsewhere!)

Here’s what she has experienced: Fantastic and small core classes with tons of required reading and writing. (My kid loves it! If yours doesn’t, there are many other schools!) Engaging professors. Insanely smart and motivated classmates. Excellent academic advising and career advising. Nice dorms and dining halls. Beautiful campus. Lovely libraries. Very challenging academic standards. Cold weather.

I don’t care what type of admissions her classmates used. I don’t care how many pieces of mail you all have received. (Or why so many complainers are checking their kid’s email, which is so bizarre.) And I frankly don’t care what percentage of whatever form of applicants got in, and I think it’s bizarre that so many people (or a few obsessives?) do.

Hope your kids who might like the vibe at UChicago visit and/or apply.

Thank you for posting! Our junior DC is so excited to apply to UChicago, more than his ivy legacy.

Same for my Ivy legacy HS jr - Chicago is her top choice. It’s not an unusual choice. We are in NYC and I see Chicago as comparable to Penn and Columbia - intense and prestigious city schools. But a lot of city kids don’t want to stay here for college.

that makes sense about NYC kids. I've wondered why there seems to be so many kids from NYC at UChicago.

We are also in NYC, and Chicago is considered a safe bet for kids who cannot get into Penn of Columbia. The high acceptance rate in ED at NYC privates is what makes it enticing. Usually the top students don't apply ED there. Everyone knows that Chicago prefers private school kids who are above average but not the best.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Genuinely confused why UChicago is the subject of so much controversy on DCUM. DC didn’t apply for college, but attended one of UChicago’s fully funded (not pay-to-play) high school enrichment programs which had an 11% acceptance rate. Multiple ED0 applicants (and admits) from DC’s cohort because UChicago truly was their first choice college. At least one dorm mate received a full ride to boot.

Can you tell us about these summer programs and ED0 plans? My dc is extremely interested in this.

Unfortunately, it seems last summer was the last in which UChicago offered several fully funded enrichment programs to all admits regardless of need. The one DC attended now costs $2,500 plus airfare: https://summer.uchicago.edu/courses/neubauer-phoenix-stem-scholars/

I’m guessing UChicago wanted to tighten its belt given recent budget issues, and/or saw an opportunity to monetize the allure of ED0 which only applies to summer program participants. That said, need-based financial aid is still available.

Thanks, dc is actually looking to study humanities at one of their summer programs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Genuinely confused why UChicago is the subject of so much controversy on DCUM. DC didn’t apply for college, but attended one of UChicago’s fully funded (not pay-to-play) high school enrichment programs which had an 11% acceptance rate. Multiple ED0 applicants (and admits) from DC’s cohort because UChicago truly was their first choice college. At least one dorm mate received a full ride to boot.

Can you tell us about these summer programs and ED0 plans? My dc is extremely interested in this.

Unfortunately, it seems last summer was the last in which UChicago offered several fully funded enrichment programs to all admits regardless of need. The one DC attended now costs $2,500 plus airfare: https://summer.uchicago.edu/courses/neubauer-phoenix-stem-scholars/

I’m guessing UChicago wanted to tighten its belt given recent budget issues, and/or saw an opportunity to monetize the allure of ED0 which only applies to summer program participants. That said, need-based financial aid is still available.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t stand to look at another thread full of BS on my kid’s school, but I’m posting to say that my kid is having a fantastic experience, and almost nothing I’ve seen here in the many, many threads on UChicago accurately represents what the school is actually like. (The exception: the neighborhoods surrounding Hyde Park are rough, and most kids avoid them. And no, my kid doesn’t feel less safe in Hyde Park than near say, Logan Circle, U St., or H St. here. If your kid isn’t comfortable in those neighborhoods, then he or she can apply elsewhere!)

Here’s what she has experienced: Fantastic and small core classes with tons of required reading and writing. (My kid loves it! If yours doesn’t, there are many other schools!) Engaging professors. Insanely smart and motivated classmates. Excellent academic advising and career advising. Nice dorms and dining halls. Beautiful campus. Lovely libraries. Very challenging academic standards. Cold weather.

I don’t care what type of admissions her classmates used. I don’t care how many pieces of mail you all have received. (Or why so many complainers are checking their kid’s email, which is so bizarre.) And I frankly don’t care what percentage of whatever form of applicants got in, and I think it’s bizarre that so many people (or a few obsessives?) do.

Hope your kids who might like the vibe at UChicago visit and/or apply.

Thank you for posting! Our junior DC is so excited to apply to UChicago, more than his ivy legacy.

Same for my Ivy legacy HS jr - Chicago is her top choice. It’s not an unusual choice. We are in NYC and I see Chicago as comparable to Penn and Columbia - intense and prestigious city schools. But a lot of city kids don’t want to stay here for college.

that makes sense about NYC kids. I've wondered why there seems to be so many kids from NYC at UChicago.

We are also in NYC, and Chicago is considered a safe bet for kids who cannot get into Penn of Columbia. The high acceptance rate in ED at NYC privates is what makes it enticing. Usually the top students don't apply ED there. Everyone knows that Chicago prefers private school kids who are above average but not the best.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t stand to look at another thread full of BS on my kid’s school, but I’m posting to say that my kid is having a fantastic experience, and almost nothing I’ve seen here in the many, many threads on UChicago accurately represents what the school is actually like. (The exception: the neighborhoods surrounding Hyde Park are rough, and most kids avoid them. And no, my kid doesn’t feel less safe in Hyde Park than near say, Logan Circle, U St., or H St. here. If your kid isn’t comfortable in those neighborhoods, then he or she can apply elsewhere!)

Here’s what she has experienced: Fantastic and small core classes with tons of required reading and writing. (My kid loves it! If yours doesn’t, there are many other schools!) Engaging professors. Insanely smart and motivated classmates. Excellent academic advising and career advising. Nice dorms and dining halls. Beautiful campus. Lovely libraries. Very challenging academic standards. Cold weather.

I don’t care what type of admissions her classmates used. I don’t care how many pieces of mail you all have received. (Or why so many complainers are checking their kid’s email, which is so bizarre.) And I frankly don’t care what percentage of whatever form of applicants got in, and I think it’s bizarre that so many people (or a few obsessives?) do.

Hope your kids who might like the vibe at UChicago visit and/or apply.

Thank you for posting! Our junior DC is so excited to apply to UChicago, more than his ivy legacy.

Same for my Ivy legacy HS jr - Chicago is her top choice. It’s not an unusual choice. We are in NYC and I see Chicago as comparable to Penn and Columbia - intense and prestigious city schools. But a lot of city kids don’t want to stay here for college.

that makes sense about NYC kids. I've wondered why there seems to be so many kids from NYC at UChicago.

We are also in NYC, and Chicago is considered a safe bet for kids who cannot get into Penn of Columbia. The high acceptance rate in ED at NYC privates is what makes it enticing. Usually the top students don't apply ED there. Everyone knows that Chicago prefers private school kids who are above average but not the best.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t stand to look at another thread full of BS on my kid’s school, but I’m posting to say that my kid is having a fantastic experience, and almost nothing I’ve seen here in the many, many threads on UChicago accurately represents what the school is actually like. (The exception: the neighborhoods surrounding Hyde Park are rough, and most kids avoid them. And no, my kid doesn’t feel less safe in Hyde Park than near say, Logan Circle, U St., or H St. here. If your kid isn’t comfortable in those neighborhoods, then he or she can apply elsewhere!)

Here’s what she has experienced: Fantastic and small core classes with tons of required reading and writing. (My kid loves it! If yours doesn’t, there are many other schools!) Engaging professors. Insanely smart and motivated classmates. Excellent academic advising and career advising. Nice dorms and dining halls. Beautiful campus. Lovely libraries. Very challenging academic standards. Cold weather.

I don’t care what type of admissions her classmates used. I don’t care how many pieces of mail you all have received. (Or why so many complainers are checking their kid’s email, which is so bizarre.) And I frankly don’t care what percentage of whatever form of applicants got in, and I think it’s bizarre that so many people (or a few obsessives?) do.

Hope your kids who might like the vibe at UChicago visit and/or apply.

Thank you for posting! Our junior DC is so excited to apply to UChicago, more than his ivy legacy.

Same for my Ivy legacy HS jr - Chicago is her top choice. It’s not an unusual choice. We are in NYC and I see Chicago as comparable to Penn and Columbia - intense and prestigious city schools. But a lot of city kids don’t want to stay here for college.

that makes sense about NYC kids. I've wondered why there seems to be so many kids from NYC at UChicago.

We are also in NYC, and Chicago is considered a safe bet for kids who cannot get into Penn of Columbia. The high acceptance rate in ED at NYC privates is what makes it enticing. Usually the top students don't apply ED there. Everyone knows that Chicago prefers private school kids who are above average but not the best.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t stand to look at another thread full of BS on my kid’s school, but I’m posting to say that my kid is having a fantastic experience, and almost nothing I’ve seen here in the many, many threads on UChicago accurately represents what the school is actually like. (The exception: the neighborhoods surrounding Hyde Park are rough, and most kids avoid them. And no, my kid doesn’t feel less safe in Hyde Park than near say, Logan Circle, U St., or H St. here. If your kid isn’t comfortable in those neighborhoods, then he or she can apply elsewhere!)

Here’s what she has experienced: Fantastic and small core classes with tons of required reading and writing. (My kid loves it! If yours doesn’t, there are many other schools!) Engaging professors. Insanely smart and motivated classmates. Excellent academic advising and career advising. Nice dorms and dining halls. Beautiful campus. Lovely libraries. Very challenging academic standards. Cold weather.

I don’t care what type of admissions her classmates used. I don’t care how many pieces of mail you all have received. (Or why so many complainers are checking their kid’s email, which is so bizarre.) And I frankly don’t care what percentage of whatever form of applicants got in, and I think it’s bizarre that so many people (or a few obsessives?) do.

Hope your kids who might like the vibe at UChicago visit and/or apply.

Thank you for posting! Our junior DC is so excited to apply to UChicago, more than his ivy legacy.

Same for my Ivy legacy HS jr - Chicago is her top choice. It’s not an unusual choice. We are in NYC and I see Chicago as comparable to Penn and Columbia - intense and prestigious city schools. But a lot of city kids don’t want to stay here for college.

that makes sense about NYC kids. I've wondered why there seems to be so many kids from NYC at UChicago.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Genuinely confused why UChicago is the subject of so much controversy on DCUM. DC didn’t apply for college, but attended one of UChicago’s fully funded (not pay-to-play) high school enrichment programs which had an 11% acceptance rate. Multiple ED0 applicants (and admits) from DC’s cohort because UChicago truly was their first choice college. At least one dorm mate received a full ride to boot.

Can you tell us about these summer programs and ED0 plans? My dc is extremely interested in this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t stand to look at another thread full of BS on my kid’s school, but I’m posting to say that my kid is having a fantastic experience, and almost nothing I’ve seen here in the many, many threads on UChicago accurately represents what the school is actually like. (The exception: the neighborhoods surrounding Hyde Park are rough, and most kids avoid them. And no, my kid doesn’t feel less safe in Hyde Park than near say, Logan Circle, U St., or H St. here. If your kid isn’t comfortable in those neighborhoods, then he or she can apply elsewhere!)

Here’s what she has experienced: Fantastic and small core classes with tons of required reading and writing. (My kid loves it! If yours doesn’t, there are many other schools!) Engaging professors. Insanely smart and motivated classmates. Excellent academic advising and career advising. Nice dorms and dining halls. Beautiful campus. Lovely libraries. Very challenging academic standards. Cold weather.

I don’t care what type of admissions her classmates used. I don’t care how many pieces of mail you all have received. (Or why so many complainers are checking their kid’s email, which is so bizarre.) And I frankly don’t care what percentage of whatever form of applicants got in, and I think it’s bizarre that so many people (or a few obsessives?) do.

Hope your kids who might like the vibe at UChicago visit and/or apply.

Thank you for posting! Our junior DC is so excited to apply to UChicago, more than his ivy legacy.

Same for my Ivy legacy HS jr - Chicago is her top choice. It’s not an unusual choice. We are in NYC and I see Chicago as comparable to Penn and Columbia - intense and prestigious city schools. But a lot of city kids don’t want to stay here for college.

Anonymous wrote:NP. Genuinely confused why UChicago is the subject of so much controversy on DCUM. DC didn’t apply for college, but attended one of UChicago’s fully funded (not pay-to-play) high school enrichment programs which had an 11% acceptance rate. Multiple ED0 applicants (and admits) from DC’s cohort because UChicago truly was their first choice college. At least one dorm mate received a full ride to boot.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t stand to look at another thread full of BS on my kid’s school, but I’m posting to say that my kid is having a fantastic experience, and almost nothing I’ve seen here in the many, many threads on UChicago accurately represents what the school is actually like. (The exception: the neighborhoods surrounding Hyde Park are rough, and most kids avoid them. And no, my kid doesn’t feel less safe in Hyde Park than near say, Logan Circle, U St., or H St. here. If your kid isn’t comfortable in those neighborhoods, then he or she can apply elsewhere!)

Here’s what she has experienced: Fantastic and small core classes with tons of required reading and writing. (My kid loves it! If yours doesn’t, there are many other schools!) Engaging professors. Insanely smart and motivated classmates. Excellent academic advising and career advising. Nice dorms and dining halls. Beautiful campus. Lovely libraries. Very challenging academic standards. Cold weather.

I don’t care what type of admissions her classmates used. I don’t care how many pieces of mail you all have received. (Or why so many complainers are checking their kid’s email, which is so bizarre.) And I frankly don’t care what percentage of whatever form of applicants got in, and I think it’s bizarre that so many people (or a few obsessives?) do.

Hope your kids who might like the vibe at UChicago visit and/or apply.

Thank you for posting! Our junior DC is so excited to apply to UChicago, more than his ivy legacy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“ It's when you think you're punching down and then get denied. It's entitlement.”

I don't think that’s quite right, or at least it’s not right in my kid’s case. He finds lots to like about UChicago and doesn’t think it’s beneath him—he’d be honored to go and applied ED2. It’s just the he was deferred in the early round by Yale and it sucks that he can’t wait-and-see if he gets in to Yale. The lack of RD at UChicago is a major bummer for kids who genuinely like the place, would be happy there, but want a chance to know their options.

In other words: it’s possible to be very excited by UChicago and still think their approach to RD is a major bummer for applicants, even if entirely rational from UChicago’s perspective.

In a better world, they’d leave more room for hope in RD.

I'd say ED in general is a negative for students, and a boon for colleges who need to use tools like ED to increase yield. Students should be able to compare the full context of all offers before accepting and not play roulette with one or two schools so early in their senior year.

+1. ED is a bad deal for students. I wish it would be ruled against by the Supreme Court.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“ It's when you think you're punching down and then get denied. It's entitlement.”

I don't think that’s quite right, or at least it’s not right in my kid’s case. He finds lots to like about UChicago and doesn’t think it’s beneath him—he’d be honored to go and applied ED2. It’s just the he was deferred in the early round by Yale and it sucks that he can’t wait-and-see if he gets in to Yale. The lack of RD at UChicago is a major bummer for kids who genuinely like the place, would be happy there, but want a chance to know their options.

In other words: it’s possible to be very excited by UChicago and still think their approach to RD is a major bummer for applicants, even if entirely rational from UChicago’s perspective.

In a better world, they’d leave more room for hope in RD.

I'd say ED in general is a negative for students, and a boon for colleges who need to use tools like ED to increase yield. Students should be able to compare the full context of all offers before accepting and not play roulette with one or two schools so early in their senior year.