You saw them everywhere this week: in the dining halls, strolling around the Quad with a parent in tow, roaming confusedly through the dorms. Oh prospies, class of 2016.
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The prospies, in typical fashion, are given a grand tour of campus, as they gawk at the Gothic architecture (similarities to Harry Potter underscored to the max), futuristic Mansueto library, and the beautiful greenery that the school conveniently installs before prospie season. Their parents are impressed with the statistics UChicago now boasts (admissions up 42% this year, not too shabby) while the prospies secretly question whether or not they will be able to grab hold of a beer at a frat party. Overall, a good time is had by all.
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Unlike the student zombies stumbling around campus, prospective students are glowing and curious, the desire for university life emanating from their cheery dispositions; they are so over high school. They have not yet felt the weight of problem sets whose questions have fifteen subquestions, research papers, and 200-page reading assignments. They’re so full of hope. It’s rather precious, isn’t it?
Go Class of 2016! With admissions becoming increasingly tough, give yourself a pat on the back for being accepted into this fine, soul-sucking institution. Have fun :)