World class academics. A beautiful campus in a major metropolitan location. Self described as one of the world’s greatest intellectual communities. This is the University of Chicago.
Two of the major elements that further define Chicago are its core curriculum and its focus on serious academics. Although there have been efforts in the past few years to decrease the core curriculum it is still an important facet of life for students. It also helps unify students as members of the University of Chicago community.
Also unifying the students of the Chicago campus is the annual scavenger hunt. But this is no normal scavanger hunt. Here is the list of items from the 2008 hunt. If that doesn’t sound like fun to you, Chicago may not be for you.
Although the focus on academics is one of the hallmarks of an education at the University of Chicago, it is one of the primary reasons that the admission rate is as high as it is. Many students do not apply to the college because of this reputation and those that do apply tend to be those that love learning for learning’s sake.
| Number of students | 4,091 Undergraduates
9,820 Graduate Students |
|---|---|
| SAT Ranges (Verbal) | 670 to 770 |
| (Math) | 660 to 760 |
| ACT Range | 28 to 33 |
| Percent in top 10% | 83% |
| Retention rate | 98% |
| 6 year graduation | 90% |
| Acceptance Rate | 35% |