Where Fun Comes to Die - Not Really

Introduction
The University of Chicago is not your normal school. It follows the great books program - it is extremely focused on liberal arts. The University is a school for philosophers; the type of person who goes here is generally very contemplative. It is not a school to pick for those who want to party or participate in sports as both have a rather nebulous place on campus. I don't even know what sports they offer at this school or if anyone does actually party. FOr those looking for a challenge, you've come to the right place.

Campus Life and Social Life
During O-Week (orientation), many will find the best parties. Afterward, the amount, variety, and coolness precipitates rapidly. There are a few notable exceptions such as Frisbee parties and the Delta Upsilon Heaven and Hell party, among others. In general, most people are too busy working to worry about parties, but every Wednesday night, there is a campus event called Bar Night hosted by Alpha Delta Theta; it's a hit and miss affair, sometimes it's cool, other times, not so much. In any event, you live in Chicago, so you could always go find something to do at another college campus or in the city. Advertisement
Academics
Departments that are great - Too many to name, most notably math, physics, chemistry, economics, political science, public policy, geography, humanities.
Departments that suck - economics, music, art (sometimes).
At the University, the best and worst department is arguably the economics department. More than 10 percent of those at the college major in econ, with more double majoring in it. It's exceedingly hard and extremely math intensive; one year of college calc is required, as well as 2 quarters (yes, we use quarters) of statistics, multi-variable calculus, econometrics, et al. It gives one nightmares.
The greatest and worst thing about the academics is the Core. It requires college students to take course in a number a different subjects so that the college can develop the whole person. There is even a physical fitness requirement.

Student Body
There are numerous students from Illinois and the Midwest at the University. Many come from the East Coast as well. The unifying theme of students is that they are all very unique and different; everyone is into something a little different than the next person. People here are often friendly and talkative but very thoughtful of "the life of the mind" as they say. Student are oftentimes into political activities and love debating socioeconomic and political topics until 5 in the morn (I did last night). It's always interesting.

In Closing...
The University of Chicago is not right for eveyone. If you want a vibrant social scene, think again. If you're looking for stellar athletics, maybe not. But if you want a challenge, if you want to work you ass off at the Regenstein Library until 3 AM for a French midterm, if you are interested in "the life of the mind", if you love Aristotle, Plato, Socrates, Euripides, Hypocrates, Kant, St. Augustine, or any other philospher, this school was made for you. At the University of Chicago, you will find a wealth of knowledge waiting to be planted but it is by no means easy either to get in or to complete the coursework. They call this a self-selecting school (which is why our acceptance rate is so artificially high) in that only those who know they want to go here and will get in apply. It's true, this school isn't right for alot of people: but for the lucky few, it will change your life.