The Lopez brothers grew up just outside of Chicago—attending high school down 55th Street in Hinsdale. Marcos, a fourth-year studying biochemistry and his brother Mateo, a second-year studying economics—both found their way to the College after participating in the Neubauer Family Adelante Summer Scholars program, which brought them to campus as part of a cohort their senior year to take classes with UChicago faculty, research facilities, participate in college application workshops and more.
Why UChicago?
Marcos: I wasn’t really interested in UChicago at first—I thought I wanted to get as far away from Chicago as I could. But our mom brought me to an event on a day we were off school, and I really liked it. The rest is history.
Mateo: When Marcos did the Adelante Summer Scholars Program, it was the first time I’d been to campus—I asked why we were so far from downtown. I thought we were going to UIC. That was my first time being on campus and recognizing what UChicago really is. I helped Marcos move into North for the Adelante program, and then I participated in the program myself a few years later.
Marcos: I've always been the most inquisitive person, even in high school. I really appreciate that everybody here genuinely cares for their academics. You can tell everybody has a passion about something, whether it is in class or non-academically related. That really comes across and everybody that you meet and interact with on campus.
Mateo: What mostly brought me to UChicago is the quality of students that came here and the diversity of people who you can talk to, you can run into, you'll meet in class and you’ll just have a random discussion about some topic that they really love. It's totally not something you'd really study, or even maybe take a class on—but it's something that you can engage on and see their passion for. UChicago is harboring those passions and trying to propel you forward in the studies that you're really interested in.
What is an experience that stands out during your time here?
Mateo: It was actually my humanities class. I took Philosophical Perspectives. And I expected it to be hard—but I also didn't expect class discussions to be as fun as they were. Some people take it because they just think it's interesting, some people are more serious about philosophy, but we’re all engaging with the text. It's a breath of fresh air to hear all ends of the spectrum. And we’re not getting lectured at, you’re engaging with the students.
Marcos: I did Model UN in high school, and here at UChicago we run a high school conference every year called MUNUC—one of the largest RSOs. Last year I served as the under-secretary-general for general assemblies. It was a really big task, and the first time we were returning back to in-person after the pandemic. It was a full circle moment to be organizing and in charge of something that I participated in during high school. It was such a big moment to be part of and planning this event for an organization that has had such a big impact not only in my life in general, but also at UChicago. Students were chanting my name by the end of the closing ceremonies, which was a really nice feeling.