Currently, the rural-urban disparity in access to higher education opportunities is primarily trending toward continuous shrinking; however, this disparity is still very clear and is especially marked in terms of opportunities to attend the top universities. Urbanization and the extension of admission to colleges and universities have played an…

Reviews some of the key changes affecting the Chicago region and examines the degree to which they have or have not altered the evolving spatial structure of metropolitan Chicago. Traces the historical legacy, economic matrix, and shifting social patterns, concluding Chicago has more human/urban depth than most western metropolises. (TRS)