Anonymous
02/26/2026 11:00
Subject: UChicago or Columbia?
My DC was not happy to go to UChicago via ED2 either. But, now, no way DC would consider transferring to any other school; DC has won multiple academic, life, and career lotteries at UChicago that I cannot dream up f. So, calm down and let her experience UChicago first.
Anonymous
02/26/2026 10:22
Subject: UChicago or Columbia?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If she is this unhappy with her ED2 choice that she's planning to transfer before she even starts, she should absolutely not have committed to ED2.
She's not planning. Just considering since it's been her long-time dream. Trust me when I tell you that she loves UChicago - I would not have signed the ED2 agreement if I knew she didn't actually want to attend.
Believe me, Columbia is no dream. Went to law and journalism there. Bad area, administrative offices are like the DMV.
Going to grad school is not even remotely the same as going for college. This applies to any university. You can't equate the experience at all. Perhaps you get a bird's eye view somewhat.
Pretty sure the geographic area of the university and the university administration doesn’t differ between the two.
Anonymous
02/26/2026 07:06
Subject: UChicago or Columbia?
I know someone who transferred from Columbia to UChicago. She had sibling at UChicago and felt it was a more rigorous school.
Anonymous
02/25/2026 21:57
Subject: UChicago or Columbia?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Which would you pick?
DD is headed to UChicago this fall (from NYC private) through the ED2 round. Deferred Columbia ED but decided to be risk-averse and not to wait it out - she is now considering transferring after 1 year. Obviously, this is just provisional, but would it be worth it to attend Columbia for 3 years? I'm not sure it would fulfill her like the typical 4-year students.
If she is headed to Uchicago - why even have this conversations? I feel like its hard enough for kids to adjust to college without additional questions of possibly transferring up front. Just my opinion!
It’s not unusual nowadays to think about college admissions as a two-step process. Many kids from top private transfer to their better fit schools after freshman, and usually that works out well. Private school college counselors actively advise students on this matter. No doubt they will plan on the transfer from the get go. This doesn’t mean they won’t engage in college life in the freshman year.
Anonymous
02/25/2026 20:15
Subject: UChicago or Columbia?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If she is this unhappy with her ED2 choice that she's planning to transfer before she even starts, she should absolutely not have committed to ED2.
She's not planning. Just considering since it's been her long-time dream. Trust me when I tell you that she loves UChicago - I would not have signed the ED2 agreement if I knew she didn't actually want to attend.
Believe me, Columbia is no dream. Went to law and journalism there. Bad area, administrative offices are like the DMV.
Going to grad school is not even remotely the same as going for college. This applies to any university. You can't equate the experience at all. Perhaps you get a bird's eye view somewhat.
Anonymous
02/25/2026 20:13
Subject: UChicago or Columbia?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If she is this unhappy with her ED2 choice that she's planning to transfer before she even starts, she should absolutely not have committed to ED2.
She's not planning. Just considering since it's been her long-time dream. Trust me when I tell you that she loves UChicago - I would not have signed the ED2 agreement if I knew she didn't actually want to attend.
Believe me, Columbia is no dream. Went to law and journalism there. Bad area, administrative offices are like the DMV.
+1 LOL!!! Went to Columbia for undergrad and grad school. The area is better now but always felt the admin was apathetic and bureaucratic. And the increased reliance on using low paid adjunct faculty and grad students for core curriculum class instructors is disappointing.
Anonymous
02/25/2026 20:09
Subject: UChicago or Columbia?
Chicago backers are the same bunch as the Columbia bashers. Pathetic.
Anonymous
02/25/2026 19:27
Subject: UChicago or Columbia?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If she is this unhappy with her ED2 choice that she's planning to transfer before she even starts, she should absolutely not have committed to ED2.
She's not planning. Just considering since it's been her long-time dream. Trust me when I tell you that she loves UChicago - I would not have signed the ED2 agreement if I knew she didn't actually want to attend.
Believe me, Columbia is no dream. Went to law and journalism there. Bad area, administrative offices are like the DMV.
Anonymous
02/25/2026 16:45
Subject: UChicago or Columbia?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:This whole thread is a lesson on how not to go through the ED process. Your kid should not apply ED they are absolutely sure it is their first choice.
OP’s DD applied ED2 to Chicago, like many ED2 applicants. By ED2, this is clearly not her first choice.
Are you dense? The same concept apply. Don’t do ED0, 1, 2, etc. unless absolutely sure. OP tried to game the system and now has remorse.
+1. True
Anonymous
02/25/2026 15:55
Subject: UChicago or Columbia?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:This whole thread is a lesson on how not to go through the ED process. Your kid should not apply ED they are absolutely sure it is their first choice.
OP’s DD applied ED2 to Chicago, like many ED2 applicants. By ED2, this is clearly not her first choice.
Are you dense? The same concept apply. Don’t do ED0, 1, 2, etc. unless absolutely sure. OP tried to game the system and now has remorse.
Based on OP's subsequent postings, it sounds like the kid is excited for UChicago, but wistful about letting go of the "dream" school. This is a lesson for junior parents - do *not* fall into "dream school" thinking and dissuade your kid from thinking that there's only one place where they can be happy and successful. There are pros and cons of every college and college is what your kid makes of it.
Anonymous
02/25/2026 15:35
Subject: UChicago or Columbia?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:This whole thread is a lesson on how not to go through the ED process. Your kid should not apply ED they are absolutely sure it is their first choice.
OP’s DD applied ED2 to Chicago, like many ED2 applicants. By ED2, this is clearly not her first choice.
Are you dense? The same concept apply. Don’t do ED0, 1, 2, etc. unless absolutely sure. OP tried to game the system and now has remorse.
Come on, they are kids and they are under immense pressure have a little compassion
Anonymous
02/25/2026 14:51
Subject: UChicago or Columbia?
Anonymous wrote:All of the comments about the rankings are so silly - just a few years ago both schools were tied in the teens... There are a handful of schools where the reputation alone speaks for itself and any current ranking is irrelevant. As a Columbia alum, both Columbia and Chicago are among those schools.
Since you kid had her heart set on Columbia, I would encourage her to give Chicago a chance and not even think about transferring. Having such a mindset I think might impair her ability to truly appreciate the college experience Chicago offers.
You have trolls on this board who spew nonsense and noise so you have to not feed them...
totally this
Anonymous
02/25/2026 14:47
Subject: UChicago or Columbia?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:This whole thread is a lesson on how not to go through the ED process. Your kid should not apply ED they are absolutely sure it is their first choice.
OP’s DD applied ED2 to Chicago, like many ED2 applicants. By ED2, this is clearly not her first choice.
Are you dense? The same concept apply. Don’t do ED0, 1, 2, etc. unless absolutely sure. OP tried to game the system and now has remorse.
Anonymous
02/25/2026 14:37
Subject: UChicago or Columbia?
Anonymous wrote:Which would you pick?
DD is headed to UChicago this fall (from NYC private) through the ED2 round. Deferred Columbia ED but decided to be risk-averse and not to wait it out - she is now considering transferring after 1 year. Obviously, this is just provisional, but would it be worth it to attend Columbia for 3 years? I'm not sure it would fulfill her like the typical 4-year students.
Great idea, you’d save a lot on transportation expenses & 25% on bullhorn batteries.
But seriously folks, I transferred into a good private after my freshman year. Three years there were plenty. Also, missing 1st year in NYC when kid is 18/19 is probably a good thing.
Anonymous
02/25/2026 14:20
Subject: Re:UChicago or Columbia?
Anonymous wrote:There is a very good chance she won't want to transfer after she starts. Right now she is still getting over the disappointment of not getting into Columbia but that will fade.
Is your DD white or a minority? I can't speak to undergraduate experience but I had the choice between Chicago and Columbia law schools, and while I loved Chicago, looking back I think NYC would have been a much better place for me personally as an Asian. Midwesterners are very nice and friendly, but it is still very much a white culture, esp compared to east coast.
Undergrad very different than business or law, large Asian undergrad population at Chicago. I can see how business and law could look different, because they lean white.