Advice, please?

<p>First, a disclaimer: this is NOT a "chance me" post. I'm a sophomore and I haven't taken the SAT or the ACT, so I understand that it's nearly impossible to chance me at this point.
However, I've wanted to go to the University of Chicago since I was ten. I'm just starting the college-planning process, and I'm not sure what I can do to make that goal a more feasible one.
So, what are your opinions? Which aspects of the application (and grades, test scores, ECs, etc.) are most important for UChicago? What should I focus on in the next two years? </p>

<p>Thanks! I know that this is a very broad and general post, so accolades to anyone with the patience and wisdom to answer this :)</p>

<ol>
<li>Community service. Start an organization, or join one and commit to it. As time progresses, gain leadership positions in said organization.</li>
<li>Challenge yourself with the hardest courses at your school, within reason. Aim for A+ every time. Even if you don’t get it, you’ll certainly be close.</li>
<li>Do interesting things over the next two summers. Summer programs, or go abroad, etc.</li>
<li>Learn and explore things that YOU want to learn, not just things your school has set out for you to learn. Like design? Go learn typography and design your own font. Things like that.</li>
<li>Start studying for the SAT late summer/early junior year. Study hard. Like, a practice test every/every other week. Go for a 2400 or a 36. I mean, really, if you’re going to work hard for something, at least go for the best.</li>
<li>Don’t pass up the opportunity to visit other colleges/universities. Hell, even plan a trip to liberal arts colleges</li>
<li>Visit Chicago. Go to the art museums.</li>
<li>If you have a subject you particularly like, enter the relevant competitions or start a club to find like-minded people, and work hard to the extent that you don’t start hating it.</li>
<li>Listen to upperclassmen. If a significant number tell you a teacher is terrible, don’t hesitate to talk to your counselor or switch to another, yet equally challenging course.</li>
<li>Try to enjoy high school and the life around you.</li>
</ol>

<p>These are all things that I kind of regret during high school as a senior. If there’s one over-arching tip, it’s to put yourself out there, make as many mistakes as you can, and learn from your failures now, when it really doesn’t matter, rather than suffer later. Therefore, don’t take CC or high school stress that seriously.</p>

<p>Hope that helps.</p>

<p>davismiles: Thank you so much! :)</p>

<p>everything davismiles said is very accurate and true, so i second that.</p>

<p>in addition to what he said, when you actually start the application process (lol i know it’s nowhere near close for you to start thinking about that, but it’ll come quicker than you expect, trust me.) uchicago focuses heavily on your ability to express yourself through writing. that’s why they ask for many more essays than the average institution. so when you do start applying, make sure you start writing your uchicago essays early, and put your heart and soul into them. good luck!</p>

<p>I just want to clarify something:
If you happen to love learning and exploring something that the school “sets out for you” to learn, that’s okay, too. That something can be as unique or as common as you can imagine, as long as you show that you love it.</p>

<p>^Yeah, I get where you’re coming from. I just a tad bitter that I spent two and a half years going through the academic factory without ever trying to leave that cave.</p>

<p>Did I just mix parables?</p>

<p>Also, if you feel confident enough about your application post-junior year, considering applying for early admission. But you should talk to admissions about it. It might be only for people graduating early.</p>

<p>[Image</a> 52061 - CtrlV.in](<a href=“Featured Posts - Amirite”>Featured Posts - Amirite)</p>

<p>^ If that was a reference to Plato’s allegory of the cave… then you’ll fit right in here.</p>