University of Chicago Top Questions

While left-learning, UChicago's student body is quite open to any opinions that are based in reason. As someone who leans slightly to the right on most issues, I felt a bit out of place for the first month or so as I was quite used to being surrounded by people who had fairly similar views. Once I realized that it was a situation that I really couldn't change and the views I had were ones that I generally believed in and had reasons to support, life became much more enjoyable. Different views allow for varying interpretations of the same material, something most people learn to be grateful for in the heavy discussion-based classes. As per discussions about how much we'll earn one day, the discussions usually center around how big our cardboard boxes will be (for the academics) or how our economic-geared friends will let us live in their third mansion.

I generally feel that UofC students are quite ignorant, and disinterested in some issues and events. I have attended plenty of events in which the turnout was surprisingly disappointing. My international student peers have skewed priorities of only participating in academics, since it is truly rigorous here; and this is really disturbing. However, I do venerate the many community outreach programs that students organize here, like tutoring or volunteering in non-profit organizations. Also, I realize that a majority of the students here are financially well-off, based on their schooling backgrounds, luxurious belongings, and looking at my roommate who is nothing like the American who works three jobs to put herself through college.

Nerds and geeks of all colors, creeds, nations, and political stripes, laced with a few "how'd they get in here" dumbasses and ditzes, and a sizable contingent of truly indescribable oddballs.

It is nice not being ridiculed for studying to hard etc., as pretty much everyone here realizes people work a lot. At the same time some people don't so it is really up to you. It's nice not being at a school where sports are a huge issue.

Most students are predominantly left, and abrasively so. There's this idea that UChicago is really open to all different types of students with all different ideas. But I've found since I've been here, that that claim only applies to those who are predominantly left. There are some moderates on campus, but god forbid you be right - its almost a sin. There's a pretty good interactions between students. I thought that when I came here there would be an excessive amount of nerds and that I wouldn't be able to relate to people. There are an excessive amount of nerds, but practically all of them are social and interesting people to talk to.

Basically white and Asian. There are very few black people or Latinos. There should be more diversity. It is very secular and can be hard to be a person of faith on this campus, if you even manage to keep your faith once you finish with undergraduate here. And, more teachers are hostile to religion than are students, but many of them are as well. The student that would feel at home here is one that likes suffering, doesn't mind having no life and studying at every spare moment, and generally doesn't like people. If you are not one of these people, then you will constantly know that you don't fit the mold of this school and what it is trying to shape you into.

Ok there is plenty of ok looking girls, but girls will need to look harder.......

Student body....there is a lack of diversity and I feel that the University is trying to change that. With diversity comes a new wave of perspectives that I feel is greatly needed on this campus.

I have a variety of ethnically different friends. Most of my friends here though are Latina/African American/African. This school is definitely self-selective. Most students know what they are getting into when they apply here. This school is for people who just love to learn and question things. Fashion at UChicago is interesting. Most people don't get that dressed up for class but you will find many people who have their own sense of style. I've noticed that a lot of people are from Chicago and the Midwest who attend here. Most of my friends come from middle class or upper middle class backgrounds and most of them have jobs.

There are a lot of children of academics here, but overall there's a pretty good mix of students. Someone who is a big jock who hates school probably wouldn't fit in well here, but generally, there's a good blend of people who could fit under the category of nerd. I think for the most part there's no problem with people interacting...but there's always some people who'll stick to whatever group they feel most comfortable with. Hmm...there are a surprising number of libertarians on campus, but otherwise we're mostly left.

The students here enjoy learning, and most of them won't hesitate to pass on what they've learned to other people. Someone who hates to read or who does not like stimulating conversation would probably feel wildly out of place at UChicago.

The minority experience here isn't always easy, but the school has been devoting significant attention to the matter in the past few years. They built a new center to function as a safe space for minorities and LGBTQs. There are subcultures for everyone and it is fairly easy to start and join student groups. The student body is fairly diverse--a lot of people from the coasts, the Midwest, and all over really. Students are very politically aware, although there isn't all that much campus activism in relation to other campuses. I think activities in general are constrained a little by our short quarters and tough academic demands. But we have right-wing, left-wing, etc. groups. And the campus is probably majority liberal, but our econ department tends to attract a bunch of Rand types as well.

Everyone here has something (or many things) that they are really engaged with, and so everyone has fresh perspective to offer. So I find that I learn a lot from my fellow students at the dining tables, in class, outside class, in late-night hallway conversations. Unlike the Ivies and elite small liberal arts colleges, no one simply bought their way in; everyone earned their place here. So there is a community of trust that has developed because everyone has something to offer, so most people here are past "high school" social drama. People here simply respect each other, which is a reflection of a good maturity.

The UChicago Paradox: The Normal Don't Fit In.

I think that OMSA (office of multicultural affairs) does a great job of making students of different races feel welcome and feel supported. They do an excellent job. I do not know much about religion on campus: but I heard they just hired a new person as some sort of spiritual leader. There is gay community, but you kind of need to actively seek it to find it. And I've heard it's relatively small compared to some other campuses: but I haven't heard of any gay-hate crimes and I find the community pretty welcoming. Most students wear jeans and a tshirt to class: but many students have their own unique style and it's really quite unfair to categorize it like that. You will find almost every type of person here if you look hard enough. I don't think many "different types" of students interact much: but I feel that that is how it's going to be everywhere. There are definitely some politically aware/active students on campus and I would say the campus is predominantly left.

I don't really think that you can define the student body in any sort of category. There are as many different groups as you could think of. I have often felt that people who thought they could never find someone with the same interests as them came to Chicago and found a group of them.

We have a mostly "alternative" student body. Those who try to fit in with the normal view of college students (ie, football players) are marginalized. Here, it's the smart people who are popular. It's definitely a liberal campus, but most colleges are. I love the house system. You make friends first with the people with whom you live. It's great to have a family away from home.

A lot of the extra-curricular activities that I'm involved with on campus are cultural-based. For example I am a member of the Organization of Black Students and I am a part of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs Student Advisory Board. My experiences have been very positive with these two groups and I find that as a student of color it is important to have a support system at a mostly white institution. Most students don't care what they wear to class, as some where pajamas.

To try and bring the bitter reality of this school home, I'd like to mention that I personally know one first year who left first quarter, two people that are transfering, two that are taking a year off to rethink this whole place and whether they want to be here. Furthermore, I would say that most of the people that I like most here (10 or 15 people) definitely wish they had never come here. Also, look at the statistics. The University has by far the lowest retention rate among other schools of its caliber.

There are no assholes here. you begin to really see what is estimable in people, with social niceties left to the side. people really care about learning, theory, and humility, i think. There is a very specific sort of person who makes this place tick. if you care deeply about defensible learning, not just jumping into radical theories for their own sake, if you have a respect for the origin of things, you're on your way.