I've been planning on applying ED1 to UChicago for a while now. I like a lot of things about the school, from the housing system and the discussion based core to the free transportation provided around Chicago. However, as I've started to read about the school's culture, I've started to question if it's really the right school for me. The whole "where fun goes to die" thing is very intimidating to me, as I'm famously bad under pressure. I've taken a "rigorous" course load throughout high school (APs and honors whenever they're available + a co-curricular program where I simultaneously got a high school education in Japanese) but I have to admit that I mostly just got by on natural talent, not study skills.
I'm also concerned about the social aspect of UChicago. I got one of those handy little guidebooks from the school in the mail a few weeks ago, and reading through the "A Day in the Life" sections has left me with the impression that all students ever do there is study, go to class, or talk about class. While I'm all for having intellectual discussions outside of class, I don't want to go to a place where people can't take off their academic hats and have some lighthearted fun.
I know it's a little late in the game to start raising these concerns, but I think that they're valid ones. I know I shouldn't ED if I'm not completely sure that it's the right place for me, but I doubt I have a strong chance applying EA or RD. (For context, I have a 4.0 GPA/1560 SAT/rigorous course load with some leadership positions and average extracurriculars.) I don't want to pass up the opportunity to go to UChicago just because I was scared.
So what I wanted to ask is: is UChicago really that difficult? What's the social scene really like there? And are there any other schools with a similar academically curious vibe that won't be so stressful?
I'm also concerned about the social aspect of UChicago. I got one of those handy little guidebooks from the school in the mail a few weeks ago, and reading through the "A Day in the Life" sections has left me with the impression that all students ever do there is study, go to class, or talk about class. While I'm all for having intellectual discussions outside of class, I don't want to go to a place where people can't take off their academic hats and have some lighthearted fun.
I know it's a little late in the game to start raising these concerns, but I think that they're valid ones. I know I shouldn't ED if I'm not completely sure that it's the right place for me, but I doubt I have a strong chance applying EA or RD. (For context, I have a 4.0 GPA/1560 SAT/rigorous course load with some leadership positions and average extracurriculars.) I don't want to pass up the opportunity to go to UChicago just because I was scared.
So what I wanted to ask is: is UChicago really that difficult? What's the social scene really like there? And are there any other schools with a similar academically curious vibe that won't be so stressful?