University of Chicago User Reviews and Ratings
Addressing the negative comments.
By Lumuno, From Chicago
This school is amazing. I hate to think of someone choosing not to come here because of some of the comments on this page. It is important to bear in mind that it is a certain type of person who spends their time writing one-star reviews of their school online - this kind of page really concentrates the whiners. I want to set the record straight! 1) "The school is bad at social mobility". I have three friends who are Odyssey Scholars. One of them has a grant to to a year abroad in Japan and one has a grant to take a trip to Cern next summer. 2) "There is poor career advising". Literally in your very first week there is a compulsory lecture from your personal career advisor. You can then meet with this person WHENEVER YOU LIKE, and the whole career advising office holds walk in sessions every Friday. There are roadmaps and a constant stream of information coming through. It's the same for Academic Advising. The Metcalf Internship program is great; I got an email from the Career Advising office with a list of internships that they thought may interest me. They helped me apply to them, and I got an offer for my first one. It is unpaid, so I get nearly $2000 from the Uni instead. Most of the people I know are doing something similar. 3)"Only cares about wealthy people". See above. Definitely not true of the college at all. Legacy is not even a thing here. 4) "Under investment in Student life". Dude, I'm flying to Thailand for the BP Debate Worlds and I'm not paying a penny. All societies have access to more money they can spend, which is quite something when you consider how many of them there are. Some people go for consulting or investment clubs and some people go for Quidditch or Humans vs Zombies. All are great and well funded. 5) "It's cold." Yah that's fair. UChicago Academics are hard. But they are also the best. If you want a school that will actually, genuinely challenge you, this is it. And you can still have fun along the way.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
A place of deception and cold
By Run to the hills, From New York, NY
I think UChicago has lost some of its core values; particularly, their focus on academic rigor. Over the years a bunch of the ivy league and highly rated private non-profit universities have been propagating cash cow MS degree programs that have no value. Why? They use the funds from these programs to fund the undergraduate college. At the undergraduate level, UChicago is still a good choice, if you don't pay a cent for it. However, if you are considering graduate education at UChicago I suggest you look elsewhere. Also, this place is extremely cold and will only get colder if the arctic gets warmer... The only thing going for this place is housing is readily available.
What best describes you? Other
Activities & Social Life
Score：1
City & Setting
Score：1
Classes & Teachers
Score：1
Dining & Food
Score：1
Dorms & Housing
Score：3
Health & Safety
Score：1
wannabe harvard (and not in a good way)
By Anya K., Class of 2019, From Arlington, VA
Seriously miserable experience at a school that just cares about gaming its rankings. Compared to school students like Yale, UChicago seriously under-invest in student life and mental health. The administration is downright neglectful and unresponsive toward student concerns, even when they're widely expressed and even culminate in protests. Please don't send your kids here unless you want them to suffer for a brand name.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：1
City & Setting
Score：2
Classes & Teachers
Score：1
Dining & Food
Score：1
Dorms & Housing
Score：2
Health & Safety
Score：1
Underemphasizes Students, Overemphasizes Administration
By Alex R., Class of 2016, From Chicago, IL
As a student, I saw the administration prioritize its own selfish gains countless times over students. Knew of a few cases where the school failed to protect its students by holding those responsible for sexual assault accountable. Completely disappointing and outrageous. Parents and prospective students, please carefully consider whether you want to send your child to a school that that does not truly prioritize students' safety on campus.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：1
City & Setting
Score：2
Classes & Teachers
Score：1
Dining & Food
Score：1
Dorms & Housing
Score：3
Health & Safety
Score：2
Changed My Life
By Christina. AM 1982, From District of Columbia
Amazing! Achieving my degree was interesting, challenging, thrilling. After achieving it, it opened doors. I became the first woman ever hired as an editor at a building trade magazine. Wasn't the last, so it opened doors for others too. Even today, am an active alumn involved with my local alumni chapter.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：3
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：3
Dorms & Housing
Score：3
Health & Safety
Score：5
Know what you want and UChicago can help you get it
By David, alum of the College, From Arlington, VA
I am an alum from the college. It's disheartening to see some of the negative comments from current and past students here, but not surprising. The school is not for everyone, and many of my peers had various degrees of bitterness and even resentment toward the school. Not me. If you know what you want out of your Chicago degree, willing to work hard, and can embrace the fact that despite being told how smart you are throughout most of your life there are people smarter and no you don't deserve an A just by showing up, then Chicago is for you. I recall the class average of my first midterm in my Stat course was in the low 50s (out of a perfect score of 100). That was soul crushing for many, myself included, but it was also a humbling experience that got me further in life. For those who said there was little career support, not true. I got my first job out of school because a professor made a phone call. He did this not because my parents donated a lot of money, not because I was good looking or a smooth talker, but because I scored highest on the final exam. I also got supported by famous professors on my PhD applications that essentially ensured that I can get into a top 5 program in my field, again because I outperformed my peers in their classes. As a child of immigrant parents, UChicago presented the purest form of equal opportunity TO COMPETE. Nothing is reserved for anyone, and if you perform at the top, then you reap the rewards. If you cannot outperform, no need to blame the system. After all, at least you can be assured that if you didn't receive extra support, no one else did either. We all took the same exams, someone can get the perfect score when the class average is 60, then no regrets that you do not get that A if you aren't in the top 10% of the curve. If you don't feel like competing in a curve where the bottom 98% that used to cushion you simply don't exist, don't bother coming. But if you do decide to come, own it.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：3
Most Comprehensive Overall Academic Curriculum
By MwangR - Class of 2022, From IA
This school has the most comprehensive overall academic curriculum offered anywhere nationwide. The teaching here is absolutely top-notch - my friends at other elite universities have expressed feelings of boredom, but I have always been invigorated and challenged. It is a lot of work, though, and for only those who truly love learning.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
MAPH and MLA
By Matt Class of 16 and 19, From IL
I am just finishing my second Masters at U of C. It has been an intense thrill and privilege to be at this university. There is a pride in attending Chicago that you can only experience as a student. Amazing professors and arguably the most beautiful campus in the world.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Great school
By AL, From Colorado
Fantastic opportunity for those who are accepted. The college is a great place for those who want to learn with others who are like minded in there quest for knowledge. Daughter loves the college and her classmates and finds it to be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
What best describes you? Parent
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：4
Deserving of recognition
By John, From Calif.
I'd long known that UChicago was a terrific research university for graduate or professional study. But I never thought of it as a particularly desirable undergraduate school until my child recently applied and ultimately chose to attend. UChicago is a good fit for students who have an intrinsic interest in learning and discovery. Consistent with some other comments on this site, those who place a very high value on college as a utilitarian or social experience may be disappointed. This isn't to say the UChicago is lacking in these areas. It seems to have an excellent career advancement program, and my child has made great friends and enjoys extracurricular activities. It also helps that Chicago is a pretty exciting city to be in. Like any large metropolitan area, it has crime, but I was surprised to learn that the UChicago statistics reported by DOE were comparable to or even better than some of the other schools my child was considering. And on a day to day basis, it has not been a significant issue for my child. Certainly there are things that could improve, as is true anywhere, but the undergraduate experience overall has been great for my child so far.
What best describes you? Parent
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
Parents, please read.
By Paul R., From NV
UChicago is a great school but it is not for everyone. As a parent, the location of the school was a concern; however, the pros far outweigh the cons of the southside of Chicago. I do not believe my child could not have had a better college experience, made lifetime friends, or had been more challenged academically. The school is liberal for my liking, but I believe all top universities today are. The school was perfect for my child and I will be forever thankful that she was able to attend and graduate from such a great school. With that said, I do not believe it is a school for every child. The academics are demanding and if your child is looking for a "fun" college experience, they may be disappointed. Don't get me wrong, the students enjoy having fun but what I enjoyed most about my child's experience there was that the students motivate each other in academics, social responsibility, and in embracing career challenges. It is not a perfect school but it was as close to perfect as it could have been for my child. If your child is bright, a self starter and someone that does not need to be coddled, UChicago may be the perfect school for them.
What best describes you? Parent
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：4
Do not listen to UChicago boosters on here!
By Giovanni, From Chicago
The comments on here are so fake it's ridiculous. Let me give you the run down of my experience at University of Chicago. It gets down to -5F every winter multiple times a year. I have a couple friends who actually enjoy socializing. Everyone else I've interacted with is nerdy and anti-social. The grade deflation is horrible and the job prospects are less than stellar. Please, do not listen to the boosterism on this page!
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：1
City & Setting
Score：1
Classes & Teachers
Score：1
Dining & Food
Score：1
Dorms & Housing
Score：1
Health & Safety
Score：1
A satisfied parent
By Class of '21 parent, From San Francisco, CA
The University of Chicago has so far been an impressive college experience for my daughter and we parents. Her courses were challenging from day 1 and she studies hard to keep up, but it has been gratifying to see how much she has grown and been inspired intellectually. She was assigned her academic advisor and her career advisor from the beginning, and the College has career advancement events regularly for students. The House system seems effective in bringing students together socially, and we were delighted that our daughter has made close friends with whom she has enjoyed exploring Hyde Park and Chicago overall. There are many student organizations and opportunities for extracurricular enrichment, and she's been able to take advantage of some of them. The reputation, "where fun comes to die", seems more historical, pre-dating recent years when the College has invested much more in the undergraduate experience. The physical campus itself is quite beautiful during the Spring and Autumn, and standing in the quadrangle it's easy to think that this is the look and feel of a quintessential college campus. They do need more dormitories to accommodate the recent higher yield of admitted students more comfortably, and that appears to be happening now with new construction underway. Safety was a concern originally, but it has not been an issue as long as one stays on campus. UChicago police are posted at every corner during the evening hours, and I have felt very comfortable walking around campus. The school would not likely be a good fit for a student interested in engineering (as it has no school of engineering) or for a student-athlete who wants to compete at the NCAA Division I level. However, in all other respects, University of Chicago is an exceptional undergraduate college that enjoys the resources of a world class research university.
What best describes you? Parent
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
"Life of the mind" is polarizing
By Bert, From Philadelphia, PA
I completed undergrad at UChicago. It was definitely challenging. Based on my experience and many of the reviews here, it seems others feel the same. It's important to note UChicago is very much a liberal arts school. If you are interested in theory and generally in learning you will fit in. The vast majority of my peers were accepted into PhD programs at top 3 universities for their program afterwards. This also explains one reviewer complaining about average salaries being lower. If you are solely concerned with a high paying engineering job after college then look elsewhere. This mentality is directly in conflict with the "Life of the mind".
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：4
UChicago is the Most Overrated School in the Top 20
By hasnat, From Chicago, IL
As a current student here are 10 schools that I and my classmates would have preferred to attend instead of UChicago. 1) Princeton 2) Harvard 3) Columbia 4) Yale 5) MIT 6) Stanford 7) Penn CAS and Wharton 8) Duke 9) Caltech 10) Johns Hopkins I would definitely NOT recommend this school to anyone. The educational quality is not special. UChicago's has simply found an angle that convinces some gullible students that its an intellectually stimulating "Life of the Mind" school. It's not. Do not come here.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：1
City & Setting
Score：2
Classes & Teachers
Score：1
Dining & Food
Score：2
Dorms & Housing
Score：2
Health & Safety
Score：1
Incredibly impressed
By Impressed parent, From NY
My son currently attends UChicago and as a parent I could not be more impressed with the University on every front. He and our entire family has been treated so well since the first time we stepped foot on campus to visit as a prospect. And the exceptional education here is truly unmatched. Of course you have to want that (and some don't; let's be honest). Critical comments by people who are truly qualified to speak, in my view, also positively reflect the school's ability to encourage independent thought.
What best describes you? Parent
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Amazing
By Class of 94, From Chicago, Illinois
This school has so many smart and talented people! The location is beautiful and peaceful.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Love it here
By Uofc2022, From IL
This school is amazing for any student who is uncertain of what he or she wants out of life. It may only be my first year, but my worldview and understanding of possibilities for myself have expanded substantially. The people in your life that matter will come to know what it means to have attended UChicago.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
The best education you can get in America
By Mama Uchi, From Los Angeles
Our daughter is in her 3rd year at UChicago. We could not be happier with everything she's been exposed to, the support she's received both academically and socially from her involvement in the sorority, and Chicago is a wonderful city of arts, cuisines and fashion. What's there not to love!
What best describes you? Parent
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
The best school in the world
By Ann, From Other (Outside US and Canada)
My son - class of 2015, said if there was a chance to choose a school again, U of chicago would be the first choice.
What best describes you? Parent
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Top Choice School for many students
By Victoria, From Dallas, TX
Our family's experience with UChicago is very different from the reviewers who claim that UChicago students suffer from an inferiority complex. Our son (who was admitted EA to the class of 2022 but did not apply EA or ED to any other Top 10 school) says the majority of students he knows at UChicago applied ED - meaning they chose to attend UChicago as their 1st choice. I think the school's administration - through their admission policies - are making the effort to admit students who truly want to be at UChicago. The classes are very challenging but that is to be expected. Yes it is cold there but who on earth would apply to attend a university in the Windy City and not expect that? Our son attended the April overnight after being admitted and fell in love with the university. He works very hard to maintain a good GPA but has an active social life through his house and clubs and goes out almost every week with friends to explore the great dining options in and around Chicago. He has formed great friendships, active study groups and appears to be thriving.
What best describes you? Parent
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：4
Fantastic University
By Alex, From Houston, TX
The University of Chicago is largely unparalleled in terms of the quality of education it provides for many reasons. Three of these reasons are listed below. 1. The University of Chicago is one of the few universities that truly allows and encourages free speech. The freedom to freely exchange and debate various ideas is a fundamental tenet of education which many other institutions lack. 2. The University of Chicago (the College) focuses more on teaching its students how to think rather than what to know. This is in part due to the Core Curriculum and in part due to the environment created by the students UChicago attracts. The robust analytical toolbox with which the University of Chicago provides its students engenders confidence and promotes success. 3. The University of Chicago and its students are not complacent. They do not rely on past successes; if anything, they erroneously feel a need to further prove their eminence.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Exceptional University
By Alex, From Houston, Texas
The University of Chicago is largely unparalleled in terms of the quality of education it provides for many reasons. Three of these reasons are listed below. 1. The University of Chicago is one of the few universities that truly allows and encourages free speech. The freedom to freely exchange and debate various ideas is a fundamental tenet of education which many other institutions lack. 2. The University of Chicago (the College) focuses more on teaching its students how to think rather than what to know. This is in part due to the Core Curriculum and in part due to the environment created by the students UChicago attracts. The robust analytical toolbox with which the University of Chicago provides its students engenders confidence and promotes success. 3. The University of Chicago and its students are not complacent. They do not rely on past successes; if anything, they erroneously feel a need to further prove their eminence.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Great school if you are politically moderate
By RG, Class of 2022, From AZ
Academics are really good. I actually liked Hyde Park. UCPD keeps it quite safe as long as you take some common sense steps required for all urban campuses. It's close enough to Downtown Chicago and flying in and out of Midway is quite convenient. What I liked most about the school was that it has not been taken over by far left students. The administration is also quite moderate. This makes it a rare paradise for a student with moderate political views compared to some of its elite peers.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：4
An academically rigorous and thought enriching environment
By Dylan, Class of 2022, From Chicago, IL
I am a current student here, and I truly enjoy all that UChicago has to offer. The professors are top notch and challenge you to your most deeply held assumptions. You are thrown to the wolves and are expected to return leading the pack. This school is for anyone who is serious about educating themselves, getting real-world applicable knowledge, and growing their connections. This school teaches you to think critically and differently. When it comes to the social aspect it truly is what you make of it. There are hundreds of available student organizations, clubs, intramural sports, and greek life that has personally enriched my time here at this institution. This is not where fun comes to die.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：4
