College Spotlight: University of Chicago

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by Jessica Chen and Alafair Turner

Today's College Spotlight post features a college that a JIF alumna is currently attending. The JIF blog​ ​team also releases posts detailing colleges that are summer program partners, colleges that will be attending the Joyce Ivy​ ​College Admissions Symposium (JCAS)​.

Statistics 

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Acceptance Rate: 7.95%

Tuition & Fees: Tuition - $50,997
Student Life Fee - $1,494
Room & Board - $15,093
Books/Personal Expenses - $3,975

Website: http://www.uchicago.edu/ 

Facts 

  1. Study Abroad: UChicago offers study abroad opportunities through the University's Centers in Paris, Beijing, Delhi, and Hong Kong, as well as other program sites worldwide. Students pay the same tuition as if they were on campus, plus a non-refundable study abroad administrative fee and, in most cases, a program fee set by the College. There are also Summer International Travel Grants available for select students to help cover costs.
  2. Sports: UChicago, a NCAA Division III institution, sponsors 19 intercollegiate sports, with more than 500 participants and 330 contests taking place each year. UChicago’s sports teams are known as the Maroons and the school’s mascot is the Phoenix, the mythical bird featured as part of the University’s shield.
  3. Campus Housing/Greek Life: All first year students are required to live in the College
    Houses, which is comprised of 38 undergraduate Houses in 7 residence hall buildings. Each House has its own traditions, its own House Council, and its own Resident Head and Resident Assistant(s), and usually consists of a group of seventy students. Unlike other colleges, Greek life at UChicago exists as a means to add to your overall experience in the College, and sororities/fraternities don’t live in their own houses. 12% of women participate in a sorority, while 8% of men participate in a fraternity.
  4. Popular Clubs & Activities: With over 300 Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), any student can find a student group that fits their interests. Student activities include The Chicago Maroon, UChicago’s student newspaper, Dance Marathon, the largest collegiate philanthropic event in the world, and Festival of the Arts, which turns the campus into an art gallery and performance space for 10 days each spring.
  5. Most Popular Majors: 
    • Economics 
    • Biological Sciences 
    • Mathematics 
    • Statistics 
    • Public Policy Analysis
  6. UChicago is known for its Core curriculum and small, discussion-style classes.
  7. 81% of admitted students were involved in some form of community service.
  8. UChicago’s supplemental extended essay questions are also known to be unique and out-of-the-box, including questions such as “What is square one, and can you actually go back to it?”

Thoughts from a current student

Name: Alafair Turner
Current Year: freshman
Major: Fundamentals: Issues and Texts // Visual Arts

What is your favorite part about this school? 

Probably the academics and the people I've met. Also, the sheer beauty of the campus, especially walking through the quad on my way to the library on a Sunday morning, when no one is out yet and everything is just so lovely.

What has been your favorite class(es) and why? 

I love and am immensely challenged by my SOSC class. It's a core requirement, but I'm in a sequence called "Self, Culture, and Society," which is this fascinating combination of philosophy, politics, economics, literature, and psychology. My professor is super intense and the work/thought required is challenging, but I'm learning so much.

Why did you choose this college over others? 

I fell in love with the intellectual atmosphere and the unique academic structure. I also had the privilege of attending several overnights and visiting the campus a few times, so that informed my choice quite a bit. Also, more logistically, they have majors and facilities in the subjects that most interest me, and it's perfectly located in relation to downtown.

What are some tips for students who are applying to this college?

Focus on the essays! But don't try too hard. Like, be you. You want to show them who you are as a person, because this place accepts people, not just numbers.

Any additional remarks?

Come visit me! I'll show you my fave spots on campus and take you to my classes :)


If you have further questions about the University of chicago, feel free to contact Alafair Turner at alafair@uchicago.edu.

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