Every college has its traditions and nuances, and University of Chicago is no different. Here are some things you just have to do in order to have the fullest experience at the University.
1.) Participate in SCAV
The University of Chicago Scavenger Hunt, or “Scav,” is UChicago’s most venerated tradition. At midnight on the Thursday prior to Mother’s Day, a list of hundreds of “items” surfaces. Each item is its own cryptic, bizarre clue, asking each dorm affiliated team to create, find, or enact something. The items vary so wildly that I couldn’t begin to describe them here, though you might find some photos or videos from the event online. Four days later, “Judges” inspect and award points for items completed. Scav transforms campus into a mad scientist’s laboratory as teams duke it out for the hallowed title of Scav Champions. Though some never participate, they are missing out on an absolutely wild ride not to be found anywhere else.
2.) Make it to “Valois O’Clock”
Valois Cafeteria, located just north of campus, is a tradition for University of Chicago students as well as for the neighborhood at large. Offering an affordable menu of delicious diner mainstays, Valois opens every day at 5 a.m. to feed breakfast to the neighborhood’s working community. But an early open time to some is a late open time to others on weekends, students are the first ones into the cafeteria, ending long nights of partying with a satisfying Valois breakfast. UChicagoans know 5 a.m. as “Valois O’Clock” and challenge one another to resist sleep long enough into the night to make the pilgrimage.
3.) Attend the “Latke-Hamantash Debate”
For the uninitiated, the latke (potato pancake) and hamantash (triangular stuffed cookie) are two iconic Jewish holiday foods. One is salty, the other sweet. One is served on Chanukah, the other on Purim. Every year, four UChicago professors are selected to make a case for the superiority of one food over the other at this traditional lecture presentation. You don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy experts in a variety of fields put their disciplinary knowledge to work in a delightfully silly way. If you aren’t in the tank for one side or the other from the outset, you might even find some of the arguments compelling.
If you’re interested in UChicago, check out our article on 5 Things To Do on a Friday or Saturday Night at University of Chicago.
4.) Come to Terms with “That Kid”
“That Kid” designates a certain type of student well-represented among University of Chicago’s student body. “That Kid” thinks they are the smartest person in the room. “That Kid” attempts to argue with the instructor. “That Kid” refers to tangential, unassigned texts to make a point that is enlightening to no one. Though more numerous in some fields than others, everyone will take at least a few classes with a “That Kid” and will have to figure out their own way of save the experience of the class from them. Some choose to fire back when “That Kid” makes a pedantic argument. Some fear that to engage with “That Kid” is to give into or worse, to become “That Kid.”
5.) Struggle to Get Into a Class
This is not so much something to seek out as something that every University of Chicago student inevitably goes through. Sometimes it will be easy, sometimes not, but it always walks the line between exciting and stressful. When you aren’t placed in a class you want to take, you will send the professor a pleading email. They might tell you that they’ll sign you right up. If not, you will attend the first session anyway. At the end, if a registered student doesn’t show up, the professor may give you their seat. If not, you’ll have to get creative. Worry not – no course is impossible to get into, but you may have to be persistent.
Alessio Franko graduated from the University of Chicago in 2014 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Cinema and Media Studies with a Minor in German Language and Literature. He is currently based in New York City, where he works in television and video.