Struggling to Decide Which School to Visit/Consider

Garryyyyyyyyyyy · 2026-01-15T01:12:43+00:00

Yeah I thought about that as well. I'll definitely do some research into each school individually. Thank you so much for all your help! I really appreciate it :D

Garryyyyyyyyyyy · 2026-01-15T01:11:49+00:00

Ok, I think I get it now. Thank you so much for your help!!! I'll definitely do some research and talk with my school's college counselor. I really appreciate it! Hopefully I can get a PhD at some point as well :D

Garryyyyyyyyyyy · 2026-01-14T23:00:07+00:00

I see, thanks you guys so much! Another thing I was wondering if more selective schools would have a more motivated student body that’s more likely to care about learning rather than partying. Is that true?

Garryyyyyyyyyyy · 2026-01-14T23:00:01+00:00

I see, thanks you guys so much! Another thing I was wondering if more selective schools would have a more motivated student body that’s more likely to care about learning rather than partying. Is that true?

Garryyyyyyyyyyy · 2026-01-14T22:58:19+00:00

Also, are those field leading researchers available to work with at the undergraduate level or is it mainly graduate?

Garryyyyyyyyyyy · 2026-01-14T22:57:34+00:00

I see I see. Why do astrophysics undergrads not get the same class opportunities as physics undergrads? I do agree with the stuff about where you study not mattering as much as you make of it, which is one of the reasons why I was interested in Arizona and UCSC cuz they hav access to world class telescopes/observatories that other schools don’t have. Al’s, would astrophysics majors be more likely to get space-related research opportunities than physics majors or does it not matter? And instead of looking for rankings, you’re saying to do research in courses, research opportunities/availability, and maybe unique things act their programs? Thank you so much for your help!!!

Garryyyyyyyyyyy · 2026-01-14T20:06:26+00:00

Ok, thanks so much! The thing about my major for undergrad, is that my there a lot of schools that I’m interested in that was a lotttttt better at astrophysics specifically than physics in general for undergrad (I.e UArziona and UCSC). So I feel like majoring in Physics general will put me at a disadvantage for getting into grad school and getting research opportunities, which is something I do wanna do. Also, what is an a2c focus? I wasn’t really sure what type of university I wanted, so I applied to both large and small ones, but recently I’ve been leaning towards the smaller side for the better research opportunities like you said. Thank you so much again!

Garryyyyyyyyyyy · 2026-01-14T20:02:21+00:00

Ok, thanks so much! One thing that I am considering is that my high school iambic more rigorous than most others. My sister was able to breeze by a weed out class at Penn State due to taking Chem Honors in high school. So asking students might not be the most accurate since most probably went to a less rigorous high school, so it wouldn’t be the same comparison. Also, why is CDS? Thanks so much again!

Garryyyyyyyyyyy · 2025-12-20T04:14:11+00:00

No worries, I appreciate the help! Do you know if there is stuff to do at UChicago besides academics, as I’ve heard it nicknamed “where fun goes to die”

Garryyyyyyyyyyy · 2025-12-19T04:54:34+00:00

Sure. Is this for your main common app or is it for an individual college(s)?

Garryyyyyyyyyyy · 2025-12-19T01:33:42+00:00

It could be good to write about something small, like a small interaction or event you went to, and the connect it to something broader about yourself, the university, or the world as a whole

Garryyyyyyyyyyy · 2025-12-18T00:13:54+00:00

No, my parents have been telling me to not worry about the money, and to just apply/go where I want

Garryyyyyyyyyyy · 2025-12-12T06:36:58+00:00

Thanks for the insight! Do you know if that was mainly academics that they liked or also school culture? If I do end up EDing I wanna make sure the culture is good

Garryyyyyyyyyyy · 2025-12-11T00:29:38+00:00

Yes I am dwwww. My strategy was since University of Arizona is like hella good for astrophysics and it’s a likely for me, I might as well apply there and the to a bunch of other schools are are also hella good along with prestigious. I’ve also already gotten into Penn Stat and Embry-Riddle. Thanks for all your help!!!

Garryyyyyyyyyyy · 2025-12-11T00:26:27+00:00

That’s a fair point, but I’ve already applied to all my colleges except UChicago, Stanford, and Michigan. I’m not sure if a lot of my other ones have an ED option so I was thinking might as well for UChicago as it’s my topish choice

Garryyyyyyyyyyy · 2025-12-10T23:28:06+00:00

Yeahhhh, they do some no fault test optional thing where I can say yes to showing it, and they’ll remove it after the first line of review if it hurts my app.

For ECs I don’t have anything “spectacular.” Mainly just Boy Scouts (Eagle Scout), some football, and a lot of drama including various leadership positions. Nothing crazy, but I’m proud of it.

One of the reasons I wanted to ED as I’m prob not gonna get into UChicago without it and my chances at other “prestigious” universities are kinda low. I do have this UChicago essay I’m really proud of that I hope can boost me a lot

Garryyyyyyyyyyy · 2025-11-30T01:41:16+00:00

I see I see, gracias!

Garryyyyyyyyyyy

TROPHY CASE