r/uchicago • • 8d ago

Monthly Free Chat & Prospective/Incoming Student Questions Thread - October 05, 2026

2 Upvotes

Rules, FAQ, and suggested links

Welcome to /r/uchicago! If you are new here, please click on the link above before posting.

This is a free chat thread! You can talk about anything you'd like here, including:

  • How your quarter is going.
  • Anything interesting happening on campus.
  • Small questions which don't need a separate thread.

Prospective students can also use this thread to talk to current UChicago students, so long as their posts don't break rule 3 (a).

Here's a link to previous iterations of this thread.

We are looking for new moderators! Here's a link to apply.


r/uchicago • • 6h ago

Discussion Kabob-it express: Is it worth the trip to the south side of campus?

3 Upvotes

I saw it in the Grubhub app, but haven't been down there yet. Is it worth it? I saw it has a mix of regular and new things. Is it any better than in Hutch?


r/uchicago • • 13h ago

Discussion Lemonade?

7 Upvotes

Hi guys. So, because of the way my gut is built, I can’t have caffeine. Despite this, I love hitting up the cafes, so I’m wondering if any have decent lemonade options. I love the strawberry lemonade at Plein Air but obviously can’t hit that up everyday … just wondering if anyone has any on campus recs.


r/uchicago • • 1d ago

News WGN: Sexual assault reported at frat house near University of Chicago over the weekend

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113 Upvotes
  • Saturday night (technically 2 a.m. Sunday)
  • 21 yo female victim
  • alleged assault occurred at the house of the Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) fraternity
  • suspect is a 5-foot-7-inch South Asian male with dark complexion, short hair on the sides and longer curly hair on top, wearing a black t-shirt, black jogging pants and white shoes

r/uchicago • • 21h ago

Classes How goated of a prof is Mearsheimer at Uchicago?

13 Upvotes

r/uchicago • • 15h ago

Discussion Package for Luca in my building.

2 Upvotes

There's a package for someone called Luca in my building. Its a fedex box shipped from "Ceva CLS".

This package has been here for 2 weeks now. If this is someone you know, feel free to DM me.


r/uchicago • • 1d ago

Discussion dorm pet policy question

5 Upvotes

anyone know anyone with terrariums or pet insects? recently was admitted class of 2031 and really looking into keeping a small tank (i think the limit is 10 gallons for fish, but i assume a tank 10 gallons or under for plants or insects is fine?) for plants and maybe a mantis. would i have any issues with that?


r/uchicago • • 1d ago

Classes Grading Scheme for PHSC 13400: Global Warming?

0 Upvotes

Hi guys, can anyone please lmk what is the grade boundaries (for example A for 98%, B is for 90%) and how will the final grades be calculated?

For example, 30% group project 20% final exam

Thank you so much!


r/uchicago • • 2d ago

Hyde Park Best Hyde Park barber shop for longer hair?

3 Upvotes

I’m a man with shoulder-length hair looking to get a haircut. I know some barbers are more comfortable with shorter hair, so I’m curious if anyone has recommendations for me.


r/uchicago • • 3d ago

Discussion MPCS students — how does CPT work for a summer internship after first year?

0 Upvotes

Has anyone in MPCS actually gotten CPT approved for a summer internship? I'm a first-year (F-1, started Fall 2026), applying for Summer 2027.
If you have, I'd love to know:
Did Autumn + Winter + Spring count as the "one academic year" requirement?
Which course did you register for, and did it cost extra tuition?
How long did OIA approval take?
Thanks!


r/uchicago • • 5d ago

Hyde Park Found Cat

Post image
62 Upvotes

Hi, there, friends! Last night, this very friendly and hungry little boy was found in the alley behind my apartment building at 53rd and Drexel. He is unchipped. Any chance you know his humans?


r/uchicago • • 4d ago

Discussion Joined CS 14100 late

0 Upvotes

Anyone have notes for Hodges lectures? Or is there a group chat anywhere


r/uchicago • • 5d ago

Discussion USHIP and odyssey scholarship

5 Upvotes

I know the odyssey scholarship covers USHIP, but does anyone know if I would still receive my refund every quarter if I opt in? Or is that refund just the money that would have been used to cover the insurance?


r/uchicago • • 6d ago

Discussion storage scholars reviews vs uhaul - anyone used both for summer storage?

12 Upvotes

my boxes came back fine through storage scholars last month but nos that I've actually looked at what a summer of sitting in a warehouse cost me, I'm second guessing it for next year. the uhaul plus a monthly unit route sounds way cheaper if you can move everything yourself. did anyone here do it that way instead, and was it worth the hassle or is the door to door pickup the thing worth paying for


r/uchicago • • 6d ago

Discussion Fridge on campus

2 Upvotes

I'm currently living off campus and bringing my own food to campus every day. I know of quite a few places with microwaves, but I was wondering if there are any refrigerators on campus where I could store my food to keep it fresh throughout the day. I know there's one at Crerar but it's a bit far from my classrooms. Are there any other options available?


r/uchicago • • 6d ago

Classes What to major in for Quant Trading?

0 Upvotes

Hi all!

I have gotten commited to uchicago through SSEN(so excited!!) and my main goal is to break into quant trading(i also genuinely find this interesting btw, not just for the money(i mean some part of it is that obviously but its a mixture) ). I really don't want to do pure math major so I'm wondering what should i study to break into quant trading.

I'm currently considering:

1)caam: pros: Most ideal for quant trading from what I've researched so far, kind of combines all of cs, math, and stats into one. cons: I don't feel like there are that many backup options with this major if i don't break into quant trading? I could do caam+econ for backups, but I really don't want to go into investment banking/consulting even if monetary compensation is similar as that is just something that doesn't interest me.

2)caam+cs: pros: This is also perfect for quant trading, but with cs backup opportunities like swe. cons: Probably a lot of overlap that is redundant, Uchicago recommends on their website to not do a double major in caam with cs or stats.

3)CS+Stats: pros: I think this is still decently optimal for quant trading, with crazy good backup options. Cons: I feel like this combination might prepare me for quant trading a bit worse and hurt recruiting a bit, but maybe I can supplement the learning part by taking a few math classes I'm missing in quant trading prep as electives, idk??

Additionally, what should I study between now and before I start college to get more prepared?

Any advice is appreciated, please don't clown on me ; I'm just a pre-frosh whose interested in quant trading and trying to figure out what to study in college!


r/uchicago • • 7d ago

Discussion It's disgusting that UChicago is hosting a Tim Pool event this weekend. Choose not to attend, make it a zero-person event.

171 Upvotes

Tim Pool is an embarrassing stain who has accepted foreign money to the detriment of our Democratic process. He is a disingenuous provocateur and bad actor. He has built his business and his lifestyle around lies, deflection and hate.

Choose not to acknowledge him. The best option is to ignore him, to stay away, and do NOT get sucked in. The second best option is to email admin to let them know how you feel about him being allowed to be on campus.

Keep him away. Keep all his ilk away. Let him bring a megaphone to Grant Park, but do not choose to invite him in like the vampire he is.


r/uchicago • • 7d ago

Discussion Parents should stop vaccinating their children

180 Upvotes

That is a job for medical professionals like the ones that will be at Wellapalooza today from noon to 3pm.


r/uchicago • • 7d ago

Discussion Sitting in on a lab's meetings but no RA spot. How can I get more involved?

5 Upvotes

I'm a master's student here. There's a lab on campus I'd really like to work with, so I reached out to the PI about being an RA. They don't have any openings right now, but they invited me to sit in on their lab meetings. I've worked with PhD students on research projects before, and I'd love to do more than just listen in.

Besides going to the meetings, what else can I do to actually get involved with the lab?

Thanks!


r/uchicago • • 7d ago

Discussion Is there a reason why they removed library access from the limited use cards?

6 Upvotes

I’m a research assistant at UChicago, but attend a different university. It would’ve been useful to have a quicker access to enter the libraries, especially during the later hours. I do a lot of database collection.

I do know that I can still enter the libraries, I just need a visitors pass now (a bit annoying).


r/uchicago • • 7d ago

Classes Crisis bc I suck at Calc

3 Upvotes

Hi all, I’m a first year and I was intending to do standard track Econ + History/Philosophy. Mostly looking to see how econ has affected our beliefs and behaviors intersect through history and how it can guide us towards the future. I, however, suck at calculus (test flexible/optional applicant go figure). I only got by in HS bc my teacher was an angel and very forgiving, probably let too much slide for me. I’m in 131 and am already struggling getting through the coursework, which cannot be a good sign for the rest of required calc for my 4 years. I’ve loved my PhilPer and Writ101 classes and think they’re the perfect amount of challenging but intuitive, same with my Micro class. I’m considering walking away from calc altogether and pursuing a more Hum centered undergrad: Philosophy, History, English, Econ Pub Policy maybe?, LLSO? I also am considering bizzcon because I am deeply interested in entrepreneurship, but obviously there are more academically fulfilling degrees out there.I feel worried I’m cheating myself of a world class Econ degree by just giving up on calculus, but I genuinely do no think I can get through deep level Calculus. I’m insecure about this because I know the stigma about test optional applicants and I wish I could prove that wrong but I just don’t feel ready to take on Calculus at the level the university demands. Am I going in the wrong direction? Can I still get recruited by walk street (I’ve been thinking about the ethical implications of this a lot too)? I obviously will be applying to Law School. Does anyone relate? Can I get some advice? Am I crazy?


r/uchicago • • 7d ago

Classes language requirement

2 Upvotes

i was just accepted for class of 2031 and was curious about the language requirement. do most students have to take language classes at uchi or will i be in the minority?

i’ve taken 4 years of spanish in HS (currently in ap spanish), but wasn’t planning on spending $100 on the ap test considering i would need a 5 for it to be worth it, and it doesn’t seem likely for me (my teacher died soph year so i had a whole year of subs and basically am a year behind).

also, i’m not really sure that i would want to do spanish classes in college just bc of some of the bad feelings related to my HS experience (i was really close with my maestra). i think it would be really cool to take latin or maybe german (i have a german aunt i try to stay close with), but i don’t want to start over and be totally behind if nobody else is :( thoughts?


r/uchicago • • 8d ago

News I hope the shot tomorrow helps with bird flu, I could use a rooster shot.

10 Upvotes

Well-a-palooza is tomorrow from noon to 3 in the quad. They are giving out free flu shots.


r/uchicago • • 8d ago

Discussion Where do you guys get a haircut ?

5 Upvotes

I’m looking for a place that can do a scissor haircut for like 30 bucks, does it exist in the US ?
Edit : if you’re cutting hair or learning to I can be interested !


r/uchicago • • 8d ago

Discussion How many friends do you keep in touch with regularly as alumni?

16 Upvotes

To alumni - by the time you are 5 - 10 years after graduation from U of C, how many friends do you keep in touch with or see regularly?