real talk about if UChicago is too hard and if you will fit in

This is probably the #1 question people ask me about UChicago and, I've gotta say, I've met people on campus who really just didn't like it. So in this video, I break down the whole "UChicago is too hard" sentiment, emphasize what's hard about it and how to ~skirt past the hardness~ and describe the kinds of people who end up doing well on campus!

Other videos you'll like!

Timestamps:

00:00 Context
01:02 Little Fish, Big Pond
02:36 A Discussion is NEVER ~just~ a Discussion!!
04:22 Rigorous Academics
05:26 (too theoretical) aka how can mirrors be real if our eyes aren't real
06:19 you can still be *that* kid and get A's
06:36 people don't pivot when they should
07:30 i'm SAPPY
08:50 The Rigor Makes Life After suuuuper easy

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Welcome to my channel - College Tips From the Almost Astrophysicist! I'm Priya and I'm here to help you get into college. I'm a University of Chicago grad with an Astrophysics degree that currently works as a Data Scientist and I want to break down the college application process and tackle all of the misconceptions about college for you! Let me know in the comments section down below if you have any video requests, or just want to say hi! :)

[jocelynrp]

i committed when i got in ed2 and i've been SO excited but also nervous! like will i be able to handle it? your videos really help me and remind me that "hey it's gonna be hard" but not impossible. progress not perfection. thank you again

[zkandinawia]

did my ma at uchicago and i agree with a lot of what you're saying. i miss being in the uchicago world, and all the interactions that come/came with it. the amount of learning and intellectual growth was insane. extremely demanding, extremely rewarding. and addictive, i might add.

[thomasrossini]

I'm writing my Uchicago application essays right now and I cannot fully put into words how much this makes me want to get in even more!!

[breadman]

I loved it!!! I didn’t get traumatized lmao I just did my work and didn’t get stressed. Still hung out with my friends - I think having good social skills and being collaborative with your friends and core group you can really do well.

[lvirag]

uchicago should hire you to be the dean of recruiting and admissions.

[leahrose-yt]

I just got accepted into a uchicago ma program and this video's got me even more excited about it! thank youuu

[matthewkeating]

Thank you for this! My daughter is considering UChicago and after watching I really hope she decides to go. But no matter where she ends up, I hope she follows your advice - applicable at any university.

[valeriaguerrero]

Hi Priya!! I am an incoming ED II first-year who applied as an astrophysics major and I have enjoyed watching your content :) The bit about the 'not so small' small talk made me very excited to join UChicago since I often look for someone to argue over whether the Goddess Athena can be considered a feminist, or whether our modern definition of a feminist would be the same in the Greco-Roman era... well maybe not that specific but somewhere along the lines😅 Thank you so much for the renewed enthusiasm to start this fall😁 Keep up with the great content!

[ethanschmitt]

I’m Political Science and Philosophy major at Rockford University. Seriously considering applying to UC. I love how you describe how discourse is built into campus culture. It sounds so appealing to me! Wish me luck!

[wwhmluw]

thank you so much for all these videos! i’m applying ED1 pretty soon and i’m very nervous, but these videos make me feel so incredibly excited!!

[givnna]

I’m considering uChicago for my MBA! This was so insightful and straight to the point. Thank you!

[quintjohnson]

really well spoken, thank you for this video!

[Minatheowl]

Ok but why does this sound like the perfect place for me? :) im a rising high school senior by the way and i went to a small private school for my sophmore year and it was just like how you described uchicao and i THRIVED there like i miss the rigorous environment sm lol

[SlackrGnius]

I attended another T10 school and I'll be honest. I kind of wish sometimes I went to UChicago, sounds like an intellectual's paradise.

[jasminejones]

I committed EA and I’ve been so excited but also really nervous and your videos make me feel so much better ❤️❤️❤️

[TheAlmostAstrophysicist]

Hi all! Hope this curbed some of the anxiety you may have had about UChicago :) It was such a great experience for me (even with the lows) and I'm sure it'll be the same for you! Good luck to you with your UChicago ~journey~ and don't forget to comment a hi down below!! I love hearing from you all 💛(timestamps in description box!)

[brendankirk]

Just applied ED2 lol 😂 . When I visited it I absolutely loved it. The students, campus, classes, etc. it is my dream school. This video was so helpful. Thanks 👍

[estherbradley]

Thanks for sharing. I think U Chicago would be a great fit for my youngest daughter and after hearing your spill, I know she’s a great fit.

[breadman]

“Small talk is never small” that’s true but I never really thought about it.

[destinytheexperimenter]

This was so helpful! Thank you. I am currently deciding on if I want to attend or not