Chicago (And Beyond)College Tour
While St. Louis is the official “Gateway to the West,” the truth is that for many non-Midwesterners, Chicago is a natural first stop when it comes to planning college visits away from the coasts. Boasting 20+ post-secondary institutions serving over half a million undergraduates (yes, you read that right!), it quietly boasts the third-largest concentration of college students in the country after New York and LA, beating out quintessential Boston by over 100,000 students.
Though it might feel like leaving the comfort of coastal road trips to visit just a handful of schools isn’t worth it, we strongly recommend taking the time to check out the gems of the Midwest. From familiar top-20 favorites like Northwestern and UChicago, to niche institutes like the art-focused Columbia College of Chicago and the nation’s largest Catholic institution, DePaul, the city is filled to the brim with unique opportunties for a dynamic four year experience.
The airports servicing the Windy City are some of the busiest in the nation, which means there are and while it might be tempting to fly in and out in a few days, it’s worth your time rent a car and make a long weekend out of it.
A word of caution: if you’re used to places like Boston or New York City, Chicago is going to feel different right away. You’re not bouncing between two or three campuses in a single day. Especially if you’re visiting from another region, spend extra time really getting a sense of the new environment where you might spend your next four years: check out places like Lake Michigan, visit the cultural institutions, and yes, as stereotypical as it might seem…have a
That said, it’s one of the easiest and most worthwhile Midwest entry points. You can anchor your trip around two schools you probably already know, and then decide if you want to build it out from there.
Why Chicago?:
The schools you’re most familiar with are probably University of Chicago and Northwestern University, and they are absolutely worth visiting.
What’s helpful is that they sit on opposite ends of the city. You’re not just seeing two campuses, you’re getting a sense of how different parts of Chicago feel.
At Northwestern, spend time by the lake and walk through campus. It feels social and pre-professional in a way a lot of students are looking for.
At UChicago, try to sit in on a class and spend time in the quads. You’ll quickly pick up on how discussion-heavy and academic the environment is.
If you have more time:
I’d absolutely recommend adding one or two more schools if you can.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (about 2 to 2.5 hours): One of the strongest engineering and CS schools in the country. Big campus, a lot of energy.
Indiana University Bloomington (about 3 to 3.5 hours): A true college town. Kelley for business stands out, and the campus is beautiful.
University of Wisconsin–Madison (about 2.5 hours): Set on the water, very spirited, and a great flagship experience.
Carleton College: Smaller and more academic. The trimester system changes how students move through the year, and traditions like Friday Flowers give you a sense of how close-knit it is.
Grinnell College (about 4 hours): Known for its open curriculum. Students really shape their own path here, and programs like MAPs fund research early on.
Final Thoughts:
Chicago is a strong starting point because it’s easy to access and gives you a sense of how dynamic the city You’ll leave with a clearer sense of what kind of academic and social environment you’re actually drawn to, which makes the rest of your list easier to build.
