University of Chicago Top Questions

To quote the writter, revolutionary Ram Dass, "Be Here Now". Which still today I havn't fully embodied this way of life, but I know its power. I don't regret my senor year in high, though I am a drop out. I was proposed a situation to summit or rebel, I rebeled. I was acussed of hacking into my high schools web site and posting pornografy to the home page, which I never did I'd like to add. At the time life seemed full of possibilities. I had life by the short and curly. I was working full time living on my own. Getting good grades, even taking Italian courses at the local community collage. I hastily made a grand scene in the principles office with curse words flying as well as books. I felt there was nothing I could say or do to change my path in life. So I left, dropped out as they call it. Since that day I have had to work twice or three times as hard to make my way. So I say to Abaris at any age, especially the one that recklasly abandanded his future at 17, be here now!

As a high school senior, I was excited about the opportunity ahead of me. I was looking forward to living on campus, taking classes with renowned professors, and making new friends. At the same time, I was feeling nostalgic. I was sad about leaving behind a school that had become home for four years, separating from great friends, and worried about the independence that comes with college. Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself to open myself up to the possibilities and opportunities available. I would say to not be afraid to try new things and put yourself out there. Treasure the memories and experiences that you have every day and learn from them. Do not be afraid to leave a safe space and separate from friends because you can create a new space in college and friends will remain in touch if there is an effort on both parts. I would tell myself to join in on different activities and as tired as you are, get up early and exercise as it is a good start to the day. Lastly, because you have a big meal plan, treat more people to lunch.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself during my senior year, I would tell myself to cherish the time I have with my friends, family, and my little town. Going out of state for college has made me realize that we cannot take the people who love us for granted. I have a newfound appreciation for my quiet, little home town that I was constantly trying to break away from. I would tell myself, "things won't be the same when you leave this place. Love everyone as much as you can before you're far away." I would tell myself that college is the most exciting experience of my life, but also to take every opportunity to make memories with the people you grew up with before things change. I would tell myself as a senior that the people at this college will change your view of the world and to embrace that change. I would say above all, however, that no matter where you are going, remember where you come from and keep it in your heart.

If I had the opportunity to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself the importance of living a balanced college life. I eventually discovered this on my own, but if I had known this from the beginning, my transition to college life at the University of Chicago would have been a lot smoother. For one, make use of your time. Procrastination does not translate into college life. You have strict deadlines for multiple projects, exams, and papers. Therefore, budgeting your time will help you avoid extra stress, ensure that you do well on your assignments, and reward you with an understanding of the concepts you are studying. Of course, it is crucial to leave time for yourself and personal matters. However, you can still be productive academically outside of the classroom. Get involved in student organizations that are of interest to you. Explore fields of study that you have little prior knowledge on. Do not shy away from talking to different students or professors. Outside sources to learning are valuable. You will be surprised how much your interests and perspectives will develop once you open yourself up to something outside of your definition of normal.

Apply to a few schools - 4 at most. Don't apply to schools based on their ranking; GO to the campus and experience the people and then decide! Theres'a good chance if you get bad vibes from the students on campus during your visit, you won't end up loving your education there as much as you might. Don't discount a school just because it's not one of the top 10 in the nation. Don't get into a serious, long-term relationship, especially not with anyone who makes you feel inferior to them. It makes everything harder; especially when you then are faced with finals, a breakup and a flu. Don't ignore your social life; destressing is just as important as studying. Don't worry about taking the easier courses. No one is going to look to make sure you took all the honors courses that you could. Don't feel stupid in a class; if you're having trouble, everyone is probably having trouble, and that's the truth! And last but not least...don't worry about your GPA. College is different than high school. Take math courses, because you'll need them.

Actually there is nothing. I feel my high school prepared me well for the academic world of The University of Chicago.

I've done a lot of thinking in the past months--not idle musing, but actual, deep, conscious thinking--because my studies are so interesting. My classes have required me to write a lot, which I don't love but I know is good for my intellectual development. I love being around so many intelligent people who are all so passionate about learning new things. The friends I have made here are so fabulous; I love the niche I've made for myself. I don't plan to go to graduate school (at least not immediately after graduation), but even still, if I don't use the specific knowledge I've gained here, I've gained valuable writing skills and developed unique ways of looking at problems that will be applicable, I am sure, to the rest of my life.

So far,I have learn to live,eat and clean with others.

I haven't gotten to college yet as I'm an incoming freshman, but my college visit was valuable as I was able to experience the feeling of walking through the college campus and being able to imagine myself there in the fall as an attendee. I also got to find out more about what students at UChicago are like from the tour guide who seemed to be everything I admire in a person: successful, interesting, and strong. She also obviously had a thirst for knowledge as she told us about her research on UChicago and taught us some of the more quirky maybe-facts about the school (Indiana Jones was apparently based off of a UChic professor!) I loved the idea of going there from that visit, and that motivated me to apply and write a compelling essay.

I graduated High Scool in 1984, and I've had a great life since then, until 2006 when I was disabled due to an injury at work. Now it's 2010 and I am a second semester freshman, I am majoring in Information Management with an emphasis on Web Design/Library Sciences. In the two semesters I have attended school I've learned to again appreciate the basics of learning. In the short period that I have been back to school I realized that I should have done this 25 years ago, and not waited until a life altering event made me do it. Everyone at school has gone out of their way to make learning fun, I have gotten so excited about school I actually lead a study group for my Humanities class this semester, and was proud of the fact that I made Dean's List for my 1st semester. My life has been forever changed by going back to school, and even attending a simple community college like I am, once you start you'll truelly enjoy it.

From only one full quarter of classes at the University of Chicago, I have learned that it is not only acceptable to be a bit nerdy, but that everyone is kind of a dork in his or her own right. Like beauty, "weirdness" is also in the eye of the beholder. Throughout my four years of high school, I was always teased for doing my homework early, answering questions in class, and, God forbid, actually studying for exams. Now, at the University of Chicago, I am not teased for being a nerd, but for being a jock. My classmates, unless they are athletes here as well, do not even realize the University of Chicago has athletic teams, and hence mock me for being on one of said teams or claiming I didn't have to work as hard as they did to get in because my coach got me in. However, I know for a fact my Volleyball team could defeat any other student here in a Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter trivia competition. The value of Chicago lies in the fact that, here, I am truly a student-athlete for the first time in my life.

The University of Chicago lives up to its reputation of being a school that steals the soul. It steals your soul, deprives you of wild frat parties, crazed sporting events and people with proper social skills. But after four years, you get your soul back and it's smarter, calmer, and more grounded. College for most people at Chicago feels like torture: endless hours of studying, brainstorming and working tirelessly to generate innovative ways of solving problems. Graduating, however, then bestows you with an unbelievable new strength. After surviving such a demanding place, your newly returned soul feels ready to conquer whatever life may throw at it and I guess I have to thank the University of Chicago for that feeling.

Through my college experience at the University of Chicago, I have killed any shred of fear I ever had with respect to pursuing and researching new ideas. Fear of failure is no longer an option. I wouldn't say that I was some sort of panphobic-personality before I came here, but I experienced so much success in High School that even the notion of failure by any means seemed foreign and completely taboo. UChicago quickly made the notion familiar as I competed as well as collaborated with some of the best minds in the world. UChicago's goal is not to belittle you, but to break down the arrogant shell people like me enter with--the shell that only accepts "right answers" and doesn't dare question their assumptions. Researchers here know full well that it is impossible to innovate if there is no significant risk of failure involved. A common sentiment around here is that "what is currently considered unpopular is often just that which is unexplored". UChicago has taught me to embrace this uncharted territory. Now, I am willing to take calculated risk in forming ideas--allowing me to take my first baby-steps into the unknown.

The transition from high school to college is terrifying--academically and personally--but don't let that hold you back. Throw yourself into life at your new school, try everything that appeals to you, and take advantage of the rich opportunities afforded by college life. School is important, but what you do outside of it is just as important; instead of obsessively monitoring your GPA, find something you've never experienced before and go out and do it. College is a unique time for experimentation, inside and outside the lab. Take advantage of the diverse cultures you will no doubt encounter, the extracurricular lectures by people passionate about their subject, however obscure it might be, the myriad opportunities for self-expression through sport and art, and most importantly, your peers. I've discovered it, and so will you--you will get the most out of college when you stop worrying about what comes next and instead allow yourself to fully experience and learn from the present. Find a balance between the library and the frat party, your hobbies and your career plans. This is the time to explore.

If I could go back and warn myself about the transition to college I would tell myself to buckle down. I would tell myself that I have to change my high school state of mind in which everything is provided for you and you don't have to make any extra effort. College is about being an adult and nothing is provided for you. You must do everything for yourself, no one will do it for you. I would also warn myself to get rid of the carefree attitude. In college you should try to eceed your own expectation and just try to get by. Also I would tell myself not register for classes your friends tell you to sign up for, always go to an advisor. the advisor will know more about the classes you need for your field of study than your friends. This will help not waste time money on classes you don't need. You also need to be focused on what you want to and take steps to achieve your goals.

Dear Del-Rae, A person isn't smarter if they go to a prestigious university or are from a family full of doctors or lawyers or geniuses. It doesn't matter that you come from humble beginnings, it just means that you have to work a little harder than most. You can't feel insecure about where you come from because those events, those people have shaped you into who are. They've grounded you and made you able to empathize with others that are less fortunate. You are not less intelligent because of where your from so don't feel so insecure. As in high school, some of the smartest people may be hidden in those everyday people. The janitor with a history degree or a mother who knows you better than anyone. Education is the big equalizer, but there are different kinds of education, not one more profound than the other and you can find it almost anywhere. Don't forget that.

I would tell myself that my group of friends would change, but my relations with people and my fundamental social outlook did not have to change with it. I would tell myself that while the presentation of academics would change, my general academic interests need not. I would tell myself that though I would be leaving my family, this did not prevent me from having strong enough bonds with people that I could rely on them to provide the same level of support as my family. Having said all this, I would tell myself to abandon the expectations that I had about college, and not to adopt any new ones. I would emphasize living without specific expectations, but with confidence that the transition to college would bring me more happiness than I could possibly imagine. If my advice to myself could be boiled down to a single sentence, I would tell myself that making the transition from Florida to Chicago requires nothing more than a winter coat and an open mind.

I would advise myself not to be so set on a particular path for life, as things change during and throughout college. It's best to stay open-minded and explore new experiences and meet new people. This is an important part of the 'getting an education' deal that college provides.

I would tell myself to be a little more focused on my future goals. I would tell myself to be a little more trusting of my abilities. Most importantly, I would tell myself to stay true to God and to self.

I would advise not to think too highly of myself. High school is a fairly minor step and there is a long way to go before I'm grown up. Keep up with friends and family because they are always there for you. Stay grounded, and don't be afraid to work hard. Don't over do it though.