The University of Chicago

Date: Nov 16 2010
Major: History/Histories (art history/etc.) (This Major's Salary over time)
This school is to universities what starbucks is to coffee shops. It implements the business model to a university. Granted, I will say that it is a paragon of this sort of model. It genuinely believes in the efficiency and perfection of bureaucracy. If you're a person who loves how businesses operate, who loves bureaucracy - going to a specific office to solve a certain problem - you'll like this place. For me, it was rather like a 4 year trip to the DMV. In general, the econ kids are Gods here. As someone who was interested in a liberal arts education, I found them all incredibly nauseating, and perhaps even in conflict with the philosophy of the school. Beware, that is the character of the school though, not life of the mind liberal arts.

In general, the school really does not care about undergrads. Also, it is a surprisingly pre-professional place. Finally, I found the students creatively dull. I think it would be very interesting to reflect on what 'life of the mind' really means. To me, it surely meant intellectual curiosity, which translates into intense devotion to classes. Yet, in my opinion, real 'life of the mind' also implies a willingness to deviate from this fixation. In turn, I found the students and the place a little parochial.

Everyone was very interested in viewing the school as a stepping stone to something else; a means rather than any sort of end.

I think I might have regressed in this place, and it may have curbed any shot I have of entering graduate school. But we'll see.

If you want a liberal arts education, DO NOT buy into the lie that the school provides that sort of atmosphere with all of the benefits of a research institution. It's a lie. Every horror story liberal arts colleges feed about larger, bureaucratic institutions is true here. In fact, if I could go back I would certainly go to a small liberal arts college (WHY did i turn down haverford?), but I would also prefer a large college with a more diverse feel.

Lastly, Hyde Park straight sucks. It's politely deemed 'economically depressed.' I swear, unless you have no soul and can ignore all sorts of daily horror, you will eventually be actually depressed. Seriously, it's hard to study philosophy and history in this envirionment - it all seems generally trivial. If you're into the social sciences or humanities, do yourself a favor and attend a small liberal arts college. If you're a tool, come here!