About

See what students say:

Academics

Described as “an academic paradise near an awesome city,” the University of Chicago is a research institution dedicated to “cultivating a rigorous mentality that enables students to think through and solve any problem they might confront.” Students say, UChicago “is a rigorous institution,” but they celebrate the fact that “you can’t just stick up your hand and not expect to be challenged by your professors and your peers,” and note that the professors “are really good at asking students ‘Why?’ instead of the usual ‘What?’” Classrooms are small and foster a “collaborative learning environment.” It’s a place that “pushes smart people to make new discoveries, challenge their limits, and find new ways of understanding the world.” Students say of the faculty that “there’s really nothing that compares to working with people on the cutting edge of research and discussing books with their authors,” and that they are “very focused on inspiring conversation between students.” The “wide array of strong academic programs” offered at UChicago are set on the quarter system, which can be “a bit intensive.” “The sheer amount of material one covers in any given quarter is simply massive.” If you are up for it, you can “learn a ton” in this fast-paced system.

Student Body

Students find it difficult to describe a typical student except as someone “you wouldn’t expect. Football players are computer programmers, sorority girls are poets, nerds are hip-hop dance prodigies,” and “the lead role in the play is going into investment banking.” “It runs the gamut from complete nerd to complete jock. It even includes people who are both!” What students do “have in common is a genuine interest in ideas and a profound investment in the life of the mind.” While “students almost always looked stressed...they also look like they are loving their stress.” Students “fit in by finding other like-minded individuals—either through the House system (the easiest method), by joining clubs, or through classes.” Continuing the theme of having dedicated and intelligent students, one notes that “everyone here is so intelligent that sometimes people think they’re unintelligent for being surrounded by so many smart people. Everyone is dedicated to something and most everyone has been through significant struggles of some kind.” “A typical student loves to learn, does a lot of homework, enjoys their time here, but also loves to complain about it, is probably not religious, has probably considered majoring in econ at one point,” driving home the point that economics is, in fact, popular.

Campus Life

The College Houses are a very important aspect of student life and gets rave reviews for being a “supportive, fun, community environment” with a “family atmosphere.” “Your house becomes your family and the center of your social life on campus. You go to parties with your House, your best friends come from the House, and you will likely move off campus with members of your House. The House system is truly one of the great aspects of the University of Chicago.” Although the “harsh Chicago winter” may not appeal to everyone, the city of Chicago clearly does. Students report that “there are a lot of really cool lectures and events for undergrads on campus that enable us to take advantage of the whole university.” Students feel that “the nice thing is that everyone here is so unique; you can go from talking about a TV show to religion to career plans—really anything is fair game. And the Common Core gives every student some grounds of connection.” In terms of social life, one student reports that “I like to have the option of going downtown for fun, or just staying in with friends, or going out. You really do get the best of all of these worlds and have choices, but never are you pressured into doing anything. There is always a group of people willing to do any of those things, so you never have to go through it alone!”

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Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Office of College Admissions

Address
Office of College Admissions
1101 E. 58th St
Chicago, IL 60637

Phone
773-702-8650

Email
collegeadmissions@uchicago.edu

Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Logan Arts Center
Joseph Regenstein Library
Robie House
Gerald Ratner Athletics Center
Rockefeller Memorial Chapel
Food on Campus UChicago boasts over a dozen on-campus coffee shops and two residential dining halls, which will soon been increasing to three, as well as a host of delis and snack shops. Of note, Bartlett Dining Commons, once an athletic field house, is a large dining hall that offers excellent buffet options and a kosher deli and Hallowed Grounds, a student-run lounge that offers international food from neighborhood restaurants, two pool tables, and popular open-mic nights. Books on Campus Seminary Co-op Bookstore (58th Street and Woodlawn) One of the best academic bookstores in the world, the Co-Op also has a veritable maze of fiction, poetry, drama, and everything in-between. It also carries the textbooks for almost all of the courses at the university. University of Chicago Bookstore (Barnes and Noble) (58th Street and Ellis Ave) University t-shirts, pennants, and math and science textbooks. Also contains a Starbucks. Powell's Books, specializing in rare and used books, is located on 57th Street, near campus and a variety of other opportunities, including other bookstores and restaurants. Arts and Music on campus Professional companies and artists in residence include Court Theatre, one of the top reparatory theater companies in the city; the critically acclaimed (and Grammy award winning) Pacifica Quartet; the Newberry Consort, famed for their performances of medieval and Renaissance music on period instruments; the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra; and the modern ensemble eighth blackbird. The University of Chicago Presents series brings musicians from all over the world to the Logan Center for the Arts. Designed as a home for the creative life of the University of Chicago campus and the city of Chicago, the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts is a partner, resource, and catalyst for developing deeper cultural networks and richer creative projects citywide and beyond.

Most Popular Places Off Campus
Art Institute of Chicago
Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum
The Field Museum
Museum of Science and Industry
Millenium Park
Newcity's Guide to Chicago's Restaurants Web: www.newcitychicago.com This site has restaurant reviews and allows users to search for restaurants by neighborhood, cuisine, or price. Other Chicago Museums Museum of Contemporary Art, Shedd Aquarium, Architecture Foundation, Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, Museum of Contemporary Photography, National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum, Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center. University of student Chicago students also receive free entry to the Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago Nightlife/Entertainment The Empty Bottle, The Metro, Second City, The Vic Theatre, House of Blues, Chicago Centerstage, Broadway in Chicago, Steppenwolf Theater. University of Chicago students also receive discounted tickets to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Chicago Professional Sports The Bears, The Blackhawks, The Bulls, The Cubs, The Fire, The White Sox, The Wolves Shopping in Chicago The Magnificent Mile, that fabled section of North Michigan Avenue, offers Bloomingdale's, Nike Town, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and much more. Then there are the department stores on Chicago's historic State Street—most notably the former Marshall Field's (now Macy's), at the corner of State and Randolph. Old Navy and Forever 21 also have large stores on State Street and are good picks for the student budget. The areas of Lincoln Park and Wicker Park in Chicago's north side provide a slightly different shopping experience popular with students with an array of boutique designers and thrift stores.

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center
Monday-Friday, Some Saturdays & Sundays
8:30am-5pm
773-702-8650

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 2 hours

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
Yes

Information Sessions
Available

Times
Daily when open

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round

Arrangements
A prospective student questionnaire is available on respective varsity team websites.

Contact Email Address for Visit
athletics.uchicago.edu

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Available

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Limitations
Please contact us for details

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Please check our website for complete details.

Driving Instructions to Campus
Please check our website for complete details.

Local Accommodations
Please check our website for complete details.
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Admissions

Applicants: 32,283
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average HS GPA: 4.48






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