TNR: 'Don't Send Your Kids to the Ivy League'

I'm biased, too. And I didn't go to undergrad there. But I have friends who did. And I spent enough time around the university at large to get the gist. I think that, in some ways, it would be a "crummy" way to spend your age 18-22 years, at least for some people. Would have been for me.

But in other ways, it would be a transformative experience for someone that age, in a very, very good way. Unlike its peers, which have become the Goldman Sachs farm system, there is a commitment there to ideas and intellectual flowering. The friends I know who went there have a worldiness and thoughtfulness about them that is genuine, not manufactured like the Ivy grads the author of the TNR piece wrote about.

The lack of Division I sports there also makes it unique, both good and bad, as far as the experience goes. (I do think, from a purely academic seriousness standpoint, it elevates the university.)

Anyway, enough of my Chicago soap box. There are plusses and minuses to it.

 

Growing up, I always/only thought of University of Chicago as a grad school. That's definitely where it's gained its reputation.

But, I've spent some time there over the last few years, and I think it's pretty nice. It's campus isn't as urban as an NYU or BU, and it's actually got some pretty nice parts.

But, you've still got a great city right at your doorstep. I think it could be viewed as a best of both words type of situation.

I guess one thing it doesn't have going for it is that the CTA is not close. At Northwestern or Boston College, you're just a transit ride away from Chicago and Boston respectively, from your largely suburban campus.

 

Sounds like ugly chicks.

 

I have not been disappointed when on campus.