Yes, the U of C used to be a place where only those who “fit” really well into the hyper-nerdy culture actually applied. Thus, the admission rate was about 60% when I applied—but people who wouldn’t have fit in (and succeed academically) didn’t seem to apply.
About when I graduated, the administration decided that the admission rate was bad for the college (presumably because it didn’t fit with the school’s ranking on the US News ranking). So the administration put some effort into broadening the applicant pool. As far as I can tell, the academic program is just as strong as ever, but the student body is much less “quirky.”
I don’t consider it an improvement, but just because the move was hostile to quirky nerds doesn’t mean it was bad for the college as an institution.
It’s not really, “trying to get rid of it,” it’s more that losing the culture is a byproduct of expanding to the general population. For example, the admissions office sent me a scarf after I got accepted to the class of 2015, and those who had a birthday between acceptance and attending got a handwritten note from the admissions office.
There are many pockets of quirkiness, it’s just not prevalent throughout campus. Interestingly, the two largest dorms are the ones with the reputation for the least quirkiness (Max P and South), while the smallest ones have the most (Snitchcock, Breckinridge).
Posing like a phoenix in front of a camera. It’s like planking, only UChicago specific, as the phoenix is our mascot. Bonus points for doing it at another college campus.
Actually, in recent years the admission rate for U of C has gone down, for 2016 the rate was about 13%.
http://chicagomaroon.com/2012/04/13/college-has-lowest-acceptance-rate-ever-touting-caps-resources/
Yes, the U of C used to be a place where only those who “fit” really well into the hyper-nerdy culture actually applied. Thus, the admission rate was about 60% when I applied—but people who wouldn’t have fit in (and succeed academically) didn’t seem to apply.
About when I graduated, the administration decided that the admission rate was bad for the college (presumably because it didn’t fit with the school’s ranking on the US News ranking). So the administration put some effort into broadening the applicant pool. As far as I can tell, the academic program is just as strong as ever, but the student body is much less “quirky.”
I don’t consider it an improvement, but just because the move was hostile to quirky nerds doesn’t mean it was bad for the college as an institution.
I’m a bit sad that I’ll be attending UChicago after it lost (or at least started trying to get rid of) its quirky nerd culture.
It’s not really, “trying to get rid of it,” it’s more that losing the culture is a byproduct of expanding to the general population. For example, the admissions office sent me a scarf after I got accepted to the class of 2015, and those who had a birthday between acceptance and attending got a handwritten note from the admissions office.
They also encouraged “phoenixing,”which is this: http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwitfzvflA1qh4kty.jpg
There are many pockets of quirkiness, it’s just not prevalent throughout campus. Interestingly, the two largest dorms are the ones with the reputation for the least quirkiness (Max P and South), while the smallest ones have the most (Snitchcock, Breckinridge).
I see it, but what is it?
Posing like a phoenix in front of a camera. It’s like planking, only UChicago specific, as the phoenix is our mascot. Bonus points for doing it at another college campus.
My sister did that after getting her acceptance to Chicago. This was recent, so apparently it’s still a thing.
Thank you, fixed.