The University has a mission statement, formally adopted by the governing board and made public, declaring that it is an institution of higher education.
Since its founding, the mission of the University of Chicago, reiterated by each president, has been to sustain at the highest level of excellence the communication of knowledge, the creation of knowledge, and the fostering of a dynamic community of scholars and students.
The University's first formal statement of mission appears in its Articles of Incorporation, initially adopted in 1890 and most recently ammended in 1944.
The University of Chicago is a private university located principally in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. Founded by the oil magnate John D. Rockefeller, the University has traditionally dated its establishment to July 1, 1891, when William Rainey Harper became President and the first member of the faculty. The University of Chicago held its first classes on October 1, 1892. Chicago was one of the first universities in the United States to be conceived as a combination of the American liberal arts college and the German research university. Notorious for its uniquely rigorous devotion to academic scholarship and intellectual life, the University of Chicago is sometimes jokingly referred to as the school "where fun goes to die."
Associated with 81 Nobel Prize laureates, the University of Chicago is widely regarded as one of the world's foremost universities. Historically, the university is noted for the unique undergraduate core curriculum pioneered by Robert Hutchins in the 1930s, and for influential academic movements such as the Chicago School of Economics, the Chicago School of Sociology, and the Law and Economics movement in legal analysis. The University of Chicago was the site of the world's first man-made self-sustaining nuclear reaction. It is also home to the Committee on Social Thought, an interdisciplinary graduate research program, and to the largest university press in the United States.
The University of Chicago is principally located seven miles (11 km) south of downtown Chicago, in the Hyde Park and Woodlawn neighborhoods. The campus is bisected by Frederick Law Olmsted's Midway Plaisance, a large linear park created for the 1893 World's Fair. While the bulk of the campus is located north of the Midway, some of the professional schools are located south of the Midway. The quadrangles of the main campus feature a botanical garden and neo-Gothic buildings constructed mostly out of limestone in the late 19th century. The tallest building is Rockefeller Chapel, designed by Bertram Goodhue. Buildings of the original quadrangles were deliberately patterned after the layouts of Oxford University and Cambridge University. Mitchell Tower, for example, is a smaller-sized reproduction of Oxford's Magdalen Tower, and the University Commons, Hutchinson Hall, is a duplicate of Oxford's Christ Church Hall.
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| Percent of Students International: | 17% |
| On-Campus Housing Available: | Yes |
| Percent of Students Living On-Campus: | 21% |
| Freshman Students Required to Live on Campus: | Yes |
| Member of: | NAA, NCAA |
| Sports Include: |
Football (University Athletic Association) Basketball (University Athletic Association) Baseball (University Athletic Association) Track (University Athletic Association) |
| Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) | Expenses | ||
Published Tuition and Fees: |
$ 32,265 | ||
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 31,629 | ||
Required Fees for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 636 | ||
| Financial Aid | Avg. Amount Received | % of Students Receiving Aid | |
Federal Grants: |
$ 5,593 | 13% | |
State and Local Grants: |
$ 4,532 | 7% | |
Institutional Grants: |
$ 17,583 | 63% | |
Student Loans: |
$ 4,354 | 45% | |
Any Aid: |
73% |
| Acceptance Rate: | 40% (Highly Selective) |
| Test Scores | |
| SAT Scores: | |
| % of Students Submitting SAT Scores: | 85% |
| Bottom 25th Percentile: | Verbal: 680, Math: 670 |
| Top 75th Percentile: | Verbal: 770, Math: 760 |
| ACT Scores: | |
| % of Students Submitting ACT Scores: | 39% |
| Bottom 25th Percentile: | Composite: 29, Verbal: 29, Math: 27 |
| Top 75th Percentile: | Composite: 33, Verbal: 34, Math: 33 |
| Application Fee: | $ 60.00 |
| Formal Demonstration of Competencies: | Not Required |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent: | Not Required |
| High School GPA: | Recommended |
| High School Rank: | Recommended |
| High School Record: | Required |
| Recommendations: | Required |
| TOEFL: | Required |
| Test Scores: | Required |
College Advice
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Which one is more dedicated to the subject, challenging and all-around better? This is for the MA in Linguistics from either Northwestern University or University of Chicago? Both seem pretty good, but I think I'm gonna be deciding between the two after getting my bachelor's.
17 months ago
Best Answer
Go to the University of Chicago, which is unanimously regarded as the preeminent bastion of academia and intellectualism in this country. You're doing linguistics, so I'm guessing practicality and the chase for lucre aren't foremost goals for you. U of C. You won't regret it
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Question:
University of Chicago?
Is anybody familiar with the University of Chicago's social aspects? I went to visit the campus a few weeks ago and the area is beautiful, and I can definetely see myself living there, but I did not get the chance to talk to any students. I am aware that the school is highly academic, and that is good for me because I take school very seriously. However, I do also like to have fun. I am worried that there is no social aspect in the school. Do the students have parties? What does everybody do for fun?
Thanks for any responses.
18 months ago
Best Answer
There's plenty of opportunity for socializing. There's several thousand undergrads and more thousands of grad students. It's a major school in a huge city. There's tons to do.
On the other hand, as you seem to know, the coursework at Chicago is very demanding. Everyone has to make his own decision as to how to allocate his time. I was a physics and math major and had a part time job (around 10 hours/week) and that didn't leave much time for playing around.
I'd say, if you got in, then go. It'll be the most important and probably most rewarding four years of your life. You can, after all, increase the play time later.
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I would like to know the options of commuting from International house at university of Chicago to downtown. I have gathered that buses (CTA??) run from there through the lake shore drive and take about 30 min to reach downtown.
I would like to know the frequency of buses and if there are any other options. And whether I can get a bus to go back from downtown to international house late in the evening? How much would a taxi cost?
Is it a safe route? Will there be enough people around in June?
Thanks in advance...
18 months ago
Best Answer
Hi, I work at the University & I catch the Metra.
You could get on at 59th or 57th (depending on the time); they run about every hour. It would cost you $2.15.
Check this link http://metrarail.com/Sched/me/me_msi.shtml
The metra is a lot nicer than the bus to me.
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I am attending either University's of Chicago's College or Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences next year, and I don't know which one to attend.
I want to double major in art history and economics, and although, at the undergrad level programs aren't ranked, the undergraduate econ program at U Chicago is renowned because of the prestige of it's graduate and doctoral programs. However, I'm scared of the competitiveness of Chicago's econ program; 10% of undergrads major in econ, and as a result the university tries to weed out students. Chicago's program is also more quantitative Cornell's.
I also like that UChicago is in the city.
Cornell, however, has the ivy name (although it isn't one of the top tier ivies) and the economics major requirement is easier to meet there.
They both have comparable art history programs, but double majoring would be easier at Cornell because it doesn't have the consuming Core that Chicago has.
Any suggestions??
ANY help would be greatly appreciated.
I'm not lazy, I'm just unsure in my mathematical abilities and this is what is holding me back from choosing U Chicago.
Because the program is more quantitative, it requires more advanced math and more math classes than Cornell's program, which is more qualitative. I like economics and I like math, I'm just not so great at calculus.
Also, because the U Chicago's econ program is the school's most popular major, it is more cut-throat and the likelihood that I'll maintain a high GPA in the program isn't too high.
Class size was also a factor in my decision (Chicago has smaller classes) but the popularity of the economics program makes that factor obsolete.
Cornell has a good program--at the undergrad level, what I'll be learning may not be much different from that of Chicago's program. Cornell is also offering me more money, so I'll have to pay about 7,000 for Cornell versus 10,000 for Chicago, which isn't much of a difference, but it adds up over 4 years.
In the end, I don't know.
19 months ago
Best Answer
Both of these schools are top schools and you will get a world class education at either one of them. I can;t imagine that if you want to major in Econ that you would go anywhere but Chicago. They clearly are the best school in the world in that discipline - six Nobel prize winners on their faculty the last time I checked. No one else comes close. And, Chicago is in the city... Cornell is in the middle of nowhere... it's very pretty if you like being in the country... but it is definitely out in the sticks.... Chicago core is just 15 courses and some of them are art.. some of them are languages -obviously if you are doing art history, then learning Italian, French or Latin would probably be necessary. And learning theology or philosophy would be pretty important to an art major as well. not to mention an econ major, so I don't see why the core should be a problem.
Chicago is definitely a place for someone who wants to work really hard. You need self confidence to be there. Cornell is Ivy, but noone who understands American universities would rank Cornell above Chicago.
So, the real question is, do you have the self-confidence to take on Chicago or will you go off to the lovely woods of Lake Cayuga?
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My ACT is 18, I've been in college already for two years and my GPA has fluctuated from 3.6 to 1.2 and this semester it might go up to a 2 point something.
Any more opinions?
19 months ago
Best Answer
The University of Chicago is one of the most respected schools in the world. And it is especially known for having extremely tough professors who give the kids mountains of tough assignments, and then having students who spend whatever time and effort it takes to do those assignments.
Why do want to go there? if you are struggling at an ordinary school, it would be like committing academic suicide to transfer to Chicago. If you arent happy where you are, try to shift to some school that matches your interests and ability, not dive into the deep end of the pool!
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I'm a sophomore in high school, and I am really looking towards U of C as my college of choice, and I want to prepare myself for applying. What do they look at most? Are they hardest on grades and academic performance? Do they like good teacher recommendations? Are they hard on extra curricular activities, like clubs and sports? Do they like applications that blow them away with their well-crafted lies and stretched truths?
If anyone has inside knowledge or firsthand experience with U of C admissions, please share your dirt. It would be greatly appreciated.
yeah that is quite retarded. Supposedly, they don't look at financial information, but everyone knows they do. If I go there, I will need a crapload of help, which kinda blows.
He's smoking the truth and common sense.
19 months ago
Best Answer
Actually, the University of Chicago is noted for the creative application essays it requires. No self-promotion, just real engagement, and real writing.
Last year, the essay choices were selected by current students, and included:
- Your response to a Miles Davis quote: "Don't play what's there, play what's not there."
- A request for a description of yourself on a point or series of points on a Cartesian coordinate system (possibly using a z axis in addition to x and y). If you are a function, what are you? In which quadrants do you lie? Be sure to include your domain, range, derivative, and asymptotes, should any apply. Your possibilities are positively and negatively unbounded.
- A definition of your own “place having everything right," playing off the translation of a word used by the Kwakiutl tribe in British Columbia.
- A guest list and menu for a brunch you're hosting for historical, literary, or other disreputable persons (think: Mad Hatter’s Tea Party).
Of course they value academics. Of course they value teacher recommendations. Of course they value meaningful extracurriculars.
Chicago is a "total package" school, meaning they look at everything. But in all honesty, the SAT or ACT scores are the first determinative factor in admissions. If you don't score well, you can't compete with other highly-qualified applicants.
And admissions at the University of Chicago IS need-blind. The admissions office does not even receive your FAFSA.
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Best Answer
Both universities are excellent, and it really depends on what you're looking for, major-wise, etc.
The University of Chicago is a little more prestigious and also is surrounded by neighborhoods that aren't the best. It's one of the most competitive schools in the area, and I imagine it must be kind of stressful to attend there.
Northwestern is a little more modern and has nicer surroundings. It's not quite as difficult to get into, and has much bigger programs for athletics and fine arts.
But it really comes down to what you'll be studying, and the academic opportunities each school offers you.
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I haven't been accepted there yet. I'm only a sophomore, and I'm trying to figure out what college to go to.
23 months ago
Best Answer
Here on the east coast, the University of Chicago is recognized as one of the top universities in the country. Almost on the same level as non ivy league schools Stanford, MIT, and Berkeley.
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Question:
University of Chicago?
I know its a prestigious school, and rather hard to get into. Does anyone know exactly how hard and what it takes?
I've done my research and it looks great. I'm from Oklahoma, and I want to get my bachelor's degree here at OU, (before or after this possibly join the army or just do the ROTC thing), then attend medical school at University of Chicago, complete my residency and hopefully get a job in Chicago!
If it helps, here is a little bit of information:
I'm a junior at a rather small (2A) high school. My sophomore year I made a 26 on my ACT and I haven't got back my results for the PSAT. I have all A's, except for 2 B's from my freshman year in English and Computer Tech, and it's going to stay that way! I am a concurrent student at the OKC community college. I plan on having at least 8 college credits (if not more with AP classes) under my belt by high school graduation (All of these credits will be transferrable). My extracurricular is band (3 instruments, hopefully drum major).
Thank you SO much for any information!
24 months ago
Best Answer
By the time you apply to U of Chicago, you're high school stuff will not matter anymore. What will matter is your MCAT, what classes that you took in college and your college GPA. GPA and MCAT are the two biggest factors for getting into Med School.
No one can give you an estimate of how hard it is going to be to get into until right before you apply. The best schools raise their standards almost every year.
U of Chicago is on the south side of the city. I suggest you visit before you get your heart set on it. Not the greatest part of town, but if you're interested in Chicago, you should look into Northwestern.
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Is it a good school wit ha fun student life? And what can I study there in order to get into Law school?
25 months ago
Best Answer
I spent four years there. Very intense. When I entered, I thought I was about the smartest kid on the planet. Found out I wasn't. But I loved it. I'd have hung around forever if I could have afforded it.
A couple years ago, the Fiske Review of colleges commented about the U of C, "If you want to do anything besides study, don't come here, because you won't." That's an exaggeration, but not much. If you're not interested in an intense academic experience where much is expected of you, I'd recommend that you go somewhere else.
I doubt if anybody would say it has a "fun student life", unless of course you think the intense academic experience is fun. I did. Still do.
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Which one do you like, and what SAT/ACT scores do you need to get in?
if anyone has been to any of these schools, would love feedback or any stories you would like to share,
26 months ago
Best Answer
I was admitted to the University of Chicago last year and am currently enrolled at the university. I applied with a 31 ACT score, class salutatorian status, and participated in a few but not an overwhelming number of EC's in high school. The key to enrollment is the essays, however. Get those down, and you should be fine with some decent stats. I suggest utilizing the forum at CollegeConfidential.com for more advice, however, as the community there is always helpful.
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A student in my class told me she chose the University of Chicago over Yale and Harvard. I could not understand why she chose a state school with her near perfect SATs and perfect Grade Point Avg. What is so attractive about UIC to future politicians (that is what she wants to be)?
29 months ago
Best Answer
The University of Chicago, an expensive, highly selective private college on the southside of the city, has more Nobel Prize winners in Economics on its faculty than anywhere else in the world, including the government.
UIC is a state school that caters to Chicago-area students.
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