2015-2016 University of Chicago (Pritzker) Application Thread

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wanderyonder said:
Hey guys! I called Pritzker to ask about the delay in my LOR verification even though my primary was verified a long time ago. The lady was super nice and apologized for the delay, explaining that they verify all the LORs by hand. Then she took my name down and said she'd go ahead and verify me today. Sure enough, I check my application portal right after I hang up and it's already done. Boom.

TL;DR: call them if your LOR hasn't been verified yet!!!! They're super nice 🙂
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Stories like this make me fall for this school more and more!! Show me some love, Pritzker!
 
Application complete (i.e., recs marked received) as of today! Submitted secondary exactly one week ago, 07/10.
 
wanderyonder said:
Hey guys! I called Pritzker to ask about the delay in my LOR verification even though my primary was verified a long time ago. The lady was super nice and apologized for the delay, explaining that they verify all the LORs by hand. Then she took my name down and said she'd go ahead and verify me today. Sure enough, I check my application portal right after I hang up and it's already done. Boom.

TL;DR: call them if your LOR hasn't been verified yet!!!! They're super nice 🙂
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Please do not call the office unless it's been at least a week since you submitted everything and your portal still hasn't been updated. The staff already have plenty to do. The last thing they need is a bunch of people calling them because their portal hasn't been updated when they submitted 2 hours ago.
 
So........apparently my folks waited too long to make their decisions, so Pritzker's available dates have passed HAHAHA. I'm now flying solo for the following weekend, and my family can't join since my brother goes back to school then.
 
phuynh94 said:
So........apparently my folks waited too long to make their decisions, so Pritzker's available dates have passed HAHAHA. I'm now flying solo for the following weekend, and my family can't join since my brother goes back to school then.
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Ugh I'm sorry to hear about that...makes it less convenient for you and your school schedule.

Edit: idk why that sounded so sarcastic to me but I didn't meant for it to be that way!
 
panda16 said:
Ugh I'm sorry to hear about that...makes it less convenient for you and your school schedule.

Edit: idk why that sounded so sarcastic to me but I didn't meant for it to be that way!
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Haha no worries! I'm not upset really; it was just an unnecessary hassle. I feel bad for my brother, who was excited to explore the city, but if everything goes well during the interview, he'll have a chance to visit another time. 😉
 
For everyone who's received II, I strongly suggest staying with a student host at every school you interview at. It gives you an insight into what the students are like, living quarters, etc.
 
Kevindurant35 said:
For everyone who's received II, I strongly suggest staying with a student host at every school you interview at. It gives you an insight into what the students are like, living quarters, etc.
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I wanted to, but also concerned I won't sleep well on someone's couch and I don't want to face an interview exhausted.
 
I would agree with the suggestion to stay with a student host. Not only is it free, but it will give you the opportunity to learn about the school from a student's perspective which can be valuable during the interview. You might also end up with a host that's willing to show you around Hyde Park and the campus, which can also be nice since you'll only see a limited part of the campus (much less Hyde Park) during the interview day.
 
starlite911 said:
I wanted to, but also concerned I won't sleep well on someone's couch and I don't want to face an interview exhausted.
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Definitely do what's best for you, but I took a couple schools off my list just due to information I gained by staying with a student host.
 
@NickNaylor @Kevindurant35 or anyone else knowledgeable on this stuff, what's the best site for competitively priced airline tickets? And is it reasonable to fly into either Midway or O'Hare? I would imagine there's public transit from the airport to the school so I wouldn't need to rent a car. Also slightly related question; did anyone get a credit card with rewards for the cycle to just pay off after purchases were made and any suggestions on a certain program? Sorry for all the questions haha but i figured i'd get em all out at once.
 
@jagster92 Midway is closer, but if it's cheaper to fly into O'hare it's still only like a 45 minute drive. It'll probably be a lot easier to get public transportation from Midway, though.
If you're using Expedia, make sure you clear your cache every time you search. If you don't, it will show higher prices. Try Southwest, too, great airline and usually cheaper than American or United (but they only fly into Midway).
 
jagster92 said:
@NickNaylor @Kevindurant35 or anyone else knowledgeable on this stuff, what's the best site for competitively priced airline tickets? And is it reasonable to fly into either Midway or O'Hare? I would imagine there's public transit from the airport to the school so I wouldn't need to rent a car. Also slightly related question; did anyone get a credit card with rewards for the cycle to just pay off after purchases were made and any suggestions on a certain program? Sorry for all the questions haha but i figured i'd get em all out at once.
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I agree with @Lannister, midway is closer but ohare is cheaper. I can't really tell you about public transport though because I drove to my interview.
 
Can you even pay cash on buses anymore, or do you have to buy a Ventra card?
 
jagster92 said:
@NickNaylor @Kevindurant35 or anyone else knowledgeable on this stuff, what's the best site for competitively priced airline tickets? And is it reasonable to fly into either Midway or O'Hare? I would imagine there's public transit from the airport to the school so I wouldn't need to rent a car. Also slightly related question; did anyone get a credit card with rewards for the cycle to just pay off after purchases were made and any suggestions on a certain program? Sorry for all the questions haha but i figured i'd get em all out at once.
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I'm still debating between using Alaska airlines and getting miles, or using skiplagged.com and saving money. Skiplagged is a really cool website but it doesn't have southwest flights on it unfortunately. And if you do end up using southwest, make sure to check in exactly 24 hours ahead of your flight or you'll be in the last boarding group and be pretty much guaranteed a middle seat.
 
idontknowwhatnametopick said:
I'm still debating between using Alaska airlines and getting miles, or using skiplagged.com and saving money. Skiplagged is a really cool website but it doesn't have southwest flights on it unfortunately. And if you do end up using southwest, make sure to check in exactly 24 hours ahead of your flight or you'll be in the last boarding group and be pretty much guaranteed a middle seat.
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I thought skiplagged was dangerous... airlines have the ability to cancel your flight if they discover you are trying to get off at a "hidden city." Was on the news a while back.
 
Xenith said:
I thought skiplagged was dangerous... airlines have the ability to cancel your flight if they discover you are trying to get off at a "hidden city." Was on the news a while back.
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Do they really? I mean obviously if you're checking a bag it won't work. But if you don't check a bag, how would they know you're just going to leave the airport? I did feel bad the one time I used it, because it probably delayed the next flight. But flying to Dallas was 100 dollars more expensive than flying to San Antonio with a layover in Dallas, so I did it anyway.
 
Not sure how often it actually happens but the skip lagged sight does say it is being sued
 
Xenith said:
Not sure how often it actually happens but the skip lagged sight does say it is being sued
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Yes United is suing because they're losing money because of it.
Either way it can't hurt to use the website to do your research when trying to book flights. Sometimes the price difference is significant. It doesn't work very well from where I live, but for people who live in the middle of the country near a big airport, it probably can help quite a bit.
All it does is show prices though, then you have to go book through the airline's website.
 
My preferred method of getting to/from the airports is to take the L into downtown and then a cab into Hyde Park. I think this is the best mix of cheap and easy. From either Midway or O'Hare it'll take about an hour to get into the city using the trains. The orange line ends at Midway and the blue line ends at O'Hare, so you'll be able to board the trains directly in the airport. Once you're in the city, it's about a $20 cab ride to get into Hyde Park and maybe $15 with an Uber. A cab from O'Hare will run you $50-60 and from Midway $40-50. Of course, there are buses that run from downtown to Hyde Park (the #6, the #28, and a couple of others), but for those that aren't comfortable with mass transit or don't want to deal with it I just recommend a cab or Uber. The CTA (the mass transit organization) does all of it's mapping on Google Maps, so if you do want to use mass transit you can use that for directions. If you do want to take a bus, it's significantly easier to do so from Midway as there's a bus that runs directly from the airport to a block or two south of the campus (#59) and doesn't require the use of any trains. However, bear in mind that it runs through some of the worst neighborhoods of Chicago, which is why I recommend the train -> cab/Uber/bus route for newbies. I've never had any problems on the bus when taking that route (and I took it multiple times a week while on my family med rotation when I didn't feel like using my car), but be advised.

tl;dr: not much of a practical difference between Midway and O'Hare. I recommend taking the L to get to downtown and catching a cab/Uber from there. Cabs/Ubers from either airport will be expensive directly from the airport to Hyde Park.
 
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idontknowwhatnametopick said:
Do they really? I mean obviously if you're checking a bag it won't work. But if you don't check a bag, how would they know you're just going to leave the airport? I did feel bad the one time I used it, because it probably delayed the next flight. But flying to Dallas was 100 dollars more expensive than flying to San Antonio with a layover in Dallas, so I did it anyway.
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If the airlines catch on to you using things like Skiplagged, they may refuse to sell you tickets in the future, and you're liable to having any points/miles you've accrued canceled. It's not illegal, but the airlines don't particularly care for the practice.
 
Lannister said:
Can you even pay cash on buses anymore, or do you have to buy a Ventra card?
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My wife says that for buses you're still allowed to use cash, however no change will be provided. A one-way fare is $2.50. Using the trains requires a Ventra card as the turnstyles don't accept cash.
 
I should also add that if you intend on staying with a student host, get in touch with them beforehand and ask for their input on how to get to their place from the airports. The #6 bus stops throughout Hyde Park and is pretty easy to get to most places that students live. You might have to walk a few blocks. If they don't live somewhat near a bus stop, then a cab/Uber might be an easier route, especially if you're bringing a lot of luggage along.
 
NickNaylor said:
My wife says that for buses you're still allowed to use cash, however no change will be provided. A one-way fare is $2.50. Using the trains requires a Ventra card as the turnstyles don't accept cash.
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Is there a place at OHare to buy a Ventra card?
 
NickNaylor said:
My wife says that for buses you're still allowed to use cash, however no change will be provided. A one-way fare is $2.50. Using the trains requires a Ventra card as the turnstyles don't accept cash.
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Ah okay, thanks! I guess they've raised the price, it used to be $2.25 x.x

justadream said:
Is there a place at OHare to buy a Ventra card?
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I had the hardest time getting a Ventra card, everywhere I went was sold out...their website says:
Ventra Vending Machines (VVMs) are available at all 'L' (train) stations and at CTA's general offices at 567 W. Lake Street, Chicago. VVMs are also located at these five sites:

  • Chicago Union Station (Metra, Amtrak)
  • Ogilvie Transportation Center (Metra)
  • Millennium Station (Metra, South Shore Line)
  • Navy Pier
  • Museum of Science & Industry
Lol why do they sell them at the museum...

EDIT: Good news, I found elsewhere that you can buy one at O'Hare!
 
Lannister said:
Ah okay, thanks! I guess they've raised the price, it used to be $2.25 x.x



I had the hardest time getting a Ventra card, everywhere I went was sold out...their website says:
Ventra Vending Machines (VVMs) are available at all 'L' (train) stations and at CTA's general offices at 567 W. Lake Street, Chicago. VVMs are also located at these five sites:

  • Chicago Union Station (Metra, Amtrak)
  • Ogilvie Transportation Center (Metra)
  • Millennium Station (Metra, South Shore Line)
  • Navy Pier
  • Museum of Science & Industry
Lol why do they sell them at the museum...

EDIT: Good news, I found elsewhere that you can buy one at O'Hare!
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Yes, there are Ventra machines at O'Hare, Midway, and at all L stops. I've never had a problem buying a card anywhere I've needed to buy one.
 
NickNaylor said:
Yes, there are Ventra machines at O'Hare, Midway, and at all L stops. I've never had a problem buying a card anywhere I've needed to buy one.
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Haha I got one a couple months after they switched over to the Ventra system. All of the machines at Union were out, as was the Walgreens nearest to Union. We had to walk like a mile to find another Walgreens. Maybe I was just unlucky.
 
Keep in mind there's a fee the first time you buy a Ventra card. I forget how much it is but I think it's $1. If you do use a Ventra card, I believe the bus fare drops down to $2.25, and you'll be allowed discounted transfers between the buses and trains. Basically, if you use your card within ~2 hours of the first time you use it, the next fare will be considered a transfer and only cost $0.25. So, taking the CTA from the airport to Hyde Park should cost no more than $2.50 one-way.
 
NickNaylor said:
If the airlines catch on to you using things like Skiplagged, they may refuse to sell you tickets in the future, and you're liable to having any points/miles you've accrued canceled. It's not illegal, but the airlines don't particularly care for the practice.
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Good to know. And it does make sense that they aren't huge fans of it.
 
justadream said:
Is there a place at OHare to buy a Ventra card?
Click to expand...

NickNaylor said:
Keep in mind there's a fee the first time you buy a Ventra card. I forget how much it is but I think it's $1. If you do use a Ventra card, I believe the bus fare drops down to $2.25, and you'll be allowed discounted transfers between the buses and trains. Basically, if you use your card within ~2 hours of the first time you use it, the next fare will be considered a transfer and only cost $0.25. So, taking the CTA from the airport to Hyde Park should cost no more than $2.50 one-way.
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The fee is actually 5$, though if you register your card online you get this 5$ back. I think you can buy multi-day tickets without paying this fee(you will have look at this machine but there are a bunch of options geared towards tourists if you don't want to get a ventra card).

There are machines everywhere so that won't be a problem.

Coming from Midway I recommend taking the Orange Line downtown and then catching the 6, 4, 10, or 2 bus depending on the time of day(2 only runs at rush hour on weekdays) and where you are trying to go in Hyde Park. You can also take the 55 bus directly from Midway into Hyde Park. I generally don't recommend this for people who are not familiar with the area, as previous people I have hosted were not fans. Plenty of my classmates take it all the time without any issue though. A cab will run you about 20$.

From O'Hare you can take the Blue Line and then catch the 6, 4, 10, or 2 bus. I don't recommend a cab, at least not the whole way because it will will be expensive and if you are coming at any decent hour you will be sitting in traffic. I have known some people to take the blue line downtown and then cab into Hyde Park. This is not a bad option if for whatever reason you are avoiding buses.

If you need any help navigating your journey to Hyde Park, don't hesitate to contact me. I probably won't be hosting anyone since I will be up in Evanston in late August/September so I am sad I won't get to meet all of you but good luck!
 
Can anyone speak to the safety of the general area? It's not really a huge concern of mine, but I've heard that Hyde Park (or the surrounding area) can be dangerous.
 
AnophelesGambiae said:
Can anyone speak to the safety of the general area? It's not really a huge concern of mine, but I've heard that Hyde Park (or the surrounding area) can be dangerous.
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I live in Hyde Park and its safe. If you look at the crime statistics, the violent crime rate in Hyde Park is comparable to downtown and some of the north side. Some part of this is probably due to the fact that Hyde Park is policed by Chicago PD and the UChicago PD. That being said, crime does happen. I have never felt unsafe in Hyde Park, including walking around at alone at night(though I try not to make this a habit, there are UChicago shuttles around Hyde Park at night). Hyde Park is surrounded, however, by some of the more higher crime areas of Chicago. I generally avoid these areas, especially at night so I can't speak to how safe/unsafe they are.

Here are some crime statistics if you want: http://crime.chicagotribune.com/chicago/community
 
I had a quick question: I have not submitted my secondary yet, but my letter of rec hasn't arrived. I have them all loaded and verified on AMCAS, but the university hasn't received it. I'm a little bit confused.
 
VirginiaResident said:
I had a quick question: I have not submitted my secondary yet, but my letter of rec hasn't arrived. I have them all loaded and verified on AMCAS, but the university hasn't received it. I'm a little bit confused.
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They download them manually so it takes a while. I've submitted and paid everything but I won't be complete until they do that. It's just how it goes. Submit your secondary as soon as you can,that way as soon as they download your letters you'll be ready for review.
 
idontknowwhatnametopick said:
They download them manually so it takes a while. I've submitted and paid everything but I won't be complete until they do that. It's just how it goes. Submit your secondary as soon as you can,that way as soon as they download your letters you'll be ready for review.
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Okay, so they start verifying letters of rec after you submit your secondary?
 
ShadyLane said:
My first interview invite, freaking out!!! I was marked complete 7/13. LizzyM 76
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Congrats!!!! I submitted on 7/7 and the last of the check boxes got ticked 7/15
LizzyM 74.5 OOS
I wonder how the different schools do this. Any enlightened ones on this thread care to shed some light?
 
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