Safety at the University of Chicago?

Hi everyone, I'm considering applying to UChicago, but I'm a bit concerned about the surrounding area's crime rates. Could current students or alumni share their experiences regarding safety on and off-campus? Thanks a lot!

Hi there! While I'm not a current student or alumni, I can provide you with some general information about campus safety at the University of Chicago.

UChicago is located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, which is known for its rich history and diverse community. It's true that it's situated within a large urban area, and with that comes a certain level of crime. However, the university and local community have made significant efforts to ensure campus safety.

One such effort is the University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD), which is a full-service, accredited police department with officers who patrol the campus and surrounding neighborhoods. The UCPD works closely with the Chicago Police Department to monitor and address crime in the area.

Additionally, the university offers several resources to help students stay safe and informed. These resources include:

1. Emergency notifications: Students can sign up to receive notifications about campus emergencies and safety information via text or email.

2. SafeRide: This is a transportation service provided by the university for students and faculty during late-night hours, allowing for safe commutes between campus locations.

3. Blue light phones: Throughout the campus, you'll find emergency call boxes (known as Blue Light phones), which can be used to contact campus security in case of an emergency.

Many students and alumni report feeling safe within the campus borders, but, like anywhere, it's crucial to practice common sense and take precautions. Especially when you're off campus in the surrounding area, be aware of your surroundings, travel in groups when possible, and don't be afraid to utilize university resources if you ever feel unsafe.

I hope this information helps you in your decision-making process! If you do end up applying to UChicago, and are looking for tips on how to maximize your chances of acceptance, check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which breaks down how to tackle their most recent set of supplemental essay prompts: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-uchicago-essays-2023-2024/. While the prompts do change year to year, they are always known for being quirky and requiring a high level of creativity, so this post can help you start getting in the right headspace. CollegeVine will also publish a new post once the new prompts are released, so keep an eye out for that!

Good luck with your college search process!