The University of Chicago

Date: Jul 19 2002
Major: English (This Major's Salary over time)
Chicago definitely has its academics going for it. However, the University's vaunted merits pretty much end there. Students tend to be arrogant and thickheaded, though very bright. A lot of the students there aren't trying to have thier minds opened, having already made them up before they arrived. Unfortunately, a lot of the nicer students bailout and transfer within the first or second year (some in the first quarter.) The rate of attrition is one of the worst in the country. Other students have difficulty finishing in fours years due to the rigorous common core (which has been relaxed somewhat in recent years.) The Chicago tradition of using its best professors to teach undergrads is mostly marketing. The reality is, you will be taught by graduate students, rather than full professors. You don't stand a chance of getting into a well-known professor's class until you have advanced to your 3rd or 4th year. Luckily the graduate students teaching classes tend to be pretty cool and are less jaded than the bigwigs. If you are weird or nerdy, you'll fit right in at this school. The school is challenging, but only to those students who aren't already completely dedicated to their books. Socially, the place is a dead-zone, however there are some crowds that you can join in on. For example, there's the night owl library crowd, who hang out there until closing every night. There are also the various crowds that hang out in the many cafes around campus. The neighborhood is not safe, although it appear quaint. Plenty of students get robbed, mugged, or shot at. Street smarts are a must. Final note: they aren't kidding about Chicago winters being cold.