Alternatives to University of Chicago's intellectual environment?

I’m fascinated by UChicago's reputation for rigorous academics and a strong intellectual community. The Core Curriculum is also pretty attractive to me. What are some other schools known for their intellectualism and have a similar commitment to undergraduate teaching?

Hello there! It's great to hear you're looking for a school with a strong commitment to intellectual rigor and a robust core curriculum. While UChicago is unique, here are a few alternatives that might pique your interest. Columbia University offers a Core Curriculum that is known for its depth and breadth, immersing students in a wide range of foundational texts and big ideas.

Additionally, check out St. John's College; it is less well known but offers a Great Books Program whose curriculum is centered around classic works of philosophy, literature, and the sciences. If you're inclined towards the sciences, California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is another school noted for its rigorous academics and focus on undergraduate teaching, as is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), although they don't follow a core curriculum model.

Lastly, Reed College in Oregon provides a rigorous education with an emphasis on undergraduate teaching and learning, and it requires a senior thesis to graduate, signaling a serious commitment to scholarly inquiry. These schools each have their own unique flavor of intellectualism, so I recommend visiting, talking to current students, and attending some classes if possible to get a true feel for each environment. Best of luck in finding the right fit for you!