<p>Hello!
So I think that I have gotten the Chicago bug because thats all Ive been thinking about.
Here are my stats:
Junior
GPA-3.9, unweighted 18-619 Top 3% 5.4 weighted top 10%.
1 AP so far and one more next year. We have block scheduling so it is hard to get all requirements and extra APs
Havent taken my ACT yet but I am shooting for a 27 first and a 30-31 the second time
In NHS, Rotary, and art club.
Won several art show awards
I am looking to be a bio major but I like art so I might minor in it.
I am going to be volunteering full time this summer at a hospital.
I can get 2 supplementary recommendations from former alumni, a professor at UofF in Russian Studies and a highly respected cardiologist at a Chicago county hospital.
I am so motivated and determined to go there, it would be my dream
Is there anything I can do to improve my chances of getting in?
Ill apply EA.
And please dont tell me I have no chance and I shouldnt even bother. I am not going to give up or be discouraged. I will only try harder</p>
<p>Happy?
Even Einetein wasnt good at spelling.</p>
<p>You should aim for a a 30-31 the first time, because even that is a pretty low score if you hope to get into U. of. C.</p>
<p>Yeah. I know a lot of people that got in with a 27-29. They don’t pay attention to tests as much as GPA, and recs. I’m just not a strong standardized test taker</p>
<p>Also speak Greek and go to a pretty diverse high school if that makes any difference</p>
<p>I know people who made billions by dropping out of college, so clearly you should do the same.</p>
<p>@dd1993
Huh?
Is anyone reading what I wrote?
Im not in college yet, nor would I ever consider dropping out of anything I make a commitment to.
If you dont have anything productive to say, then please dont waste my time.
Clearly you have no idea what youre talking about because you just came up with that comment out of the blue…
Im not looking to make a billion dollars. I want to do something that will make me happy.</p>
<p>I’m making fun of the fact that you are generalizing like crazy. Your knowing “a lot of people” that got in with a 27-29 means UChicago doesn’t pay attention to test scores? Their 30 - 34 ACT range and 2090-2330 SAT range doesn’t exactly tell the same story.</p>
<p>Look at this year’s EA results thread. Chicago doesn’t seem to be taking as many chances on low testers as they used to. (And with the surge in applications last year, they don’t need to.) </p>
<p>Good chances will require much higher scores than the ones you’re aiming for.</p>
<p>so I know there is someone who didn’t get accepted last year
her gpa is 3.9
her ACT score is 34
tons of EC and very good rec. LOL that’s why it makes me so nervous now.
I bet essay is EXTREMELY important then</p>
<p>Judging admissions into a highly prestigious university such as Chicago is a tricky matter. Of course people have gotten in with lower ACT scores and what not, but if your dream is to ensure admission into Chicago, you will clearly have to improve your overall application profile. Even then there is no such thing as a guaranteed lock to get in. </p>
<p>That being said, I would strongly suggest that you do your best to improve your ECs. If those mentioned are the only ones you are currently involved in, I would suggest to join more (NHS is a very common EC, and therefore doesn’t really count for much unless you have a leadership role in it). It seems that you are at least somewhat talented at art, so perhaps pursue more activities related to that EC. You could also potentially consider submitting an art portfolio to Chicago that consists of your best work.</p>
<p>The Chicago essay is also extremely important. Once the prompts are available, start planning out what to write and maybe get a few drafts written as soon as you can. The more time you devote to the essay, the better it will be.</p>
<p>Honestly, at this point, if I were a Chicago admissions officer, I am not yet convinced at your application profile, but if you are truly motivated to go to Chicago, I don’t imagine it would be too difficult for you to pull yourself up to a “probable” level if you try hard enough.</p>
<p>@dd1993
Would you like me to give out their names???
Its written right on their website that they dont judge you by a simple test score.
I dont remember the strand but I literally just finished reading about a girl that just got in with a 3.5 GPA. Average GPA acceptance being 3.7-4.0.</p>
<p>Also to Kameow…
Ive heard of a lot of stories like that, they arent looking for perfection…they are looking everyone for diversity.</p>
<p>And to everyone else beating down on my not yet taken test scores… I look at things in different ways, usually people that are into art do. I’m going to somehow integrate that into one of my essays. Being an art student is definitely not a crutch though, it helps me see things in abstract ways, most 35 ACT scorers wouldnt understand. I also talked to a UofC college rep and he told me that the ACT isnt nearly as important as GPA and class rank.
I know my future ACT scores wont be the best but I think my essay, recs, and passion will help me out</p>
<p>@ n99127
Yeah I didnt list everything. Here is a mixture of at least 400 hours and still counting…
Ive volunteered with
Medicare, helping with home health for seniors.
Local animal shelter.
Greek Fest, an event to raise funds for my church.
ART IN TOWN, a program that gives special needs children in my school district an opportunity to be creative and use their imagination through art
Finally I am going to devote a lot of my summer at my local hospital.</p>
<p>Also, I never mentioned that even though I am crazy about art, I also love science.
I want to become a plastic surgeon; it really is a mixture of art and medicine</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone is beating down on your low expected test scores simply because they don’t think you can get in. The issue (at least for me) is that you are AIMING too low. Why do you expect to only get a 27 the first time? Shouldn’t you aim to get a 36? The point is, you have to work hard to get into Chicago. The more you can do to improve your chances, the better.</p>
<p>So yes, definitely incorporate art into your essay if it is appropriate. Send a portfolio. However, I would definitely encourage you to not sell yourself short and expect to get a 27 ACT. Do whatever you can that you feel will help you fulfill your dream :P.</p>
<p>Your right.
I definitely should aim higher.
I know at least i will get a 27, but who knows, i could end up surprising myself.</p>
<p>But other then that would you say i have a fighting chance?</p>
<p>@dd1993
Would you like me to give out their names???
Its written right on their website that they dont judge you by a simple test score.
I dont remember the strand but I literally just finished reading about a girl that just got in with a 3.5 GPA. Average GPA acceptance being 3.7-4.0.</p>
<p>Also to Kameow…
Ive heard of a lot of stories like that, they arent looking for perfection…they are looking everyone for diversity.</p>
<p>And to everyone else beating down on my not yet taken test scores… I look at things in different ways, usually people that are into art do. I’m going to somehow integrate that into one of my essays. Being an art student is definitely not a crutch though, it helps me see things in abstract ways, most 35 ACT scorers wouldnt understand. I also talked to a UofC college rep and he told me that the ACT isnt nearly as important as GPA and class rank.
I know my future ACT scores wont be the best but I think my essay, recs, and passion will help me out</p>
<p>I don’t think we go take the test and said I am aiming for 27, you just do the best you can, NO ???</p>
<p>^agreed.
@OP, that was one person who got in with a 3.5. Most get in with 3.75+ gpa. If want to give yourself the best shot at UChicago, then you have to be up there. Some people got in with 27-29 ACT, but the majority get in with higher. You said you wanted to increase your odds of getting in, well that is one of your best options. Don’t forget essays and recs and ultimatly the adcoms will judge if your a “good fit” for UChicago because it is a very unique top university. Also, just because you really want to go there is not the same thing as “good fit.”</p>
<p>Be more weird and interesting and compelling.</p>
<p>just let me in, and I will make me fit !!!</p>
<p>haha^
and Yeah i really like their whole philosopy…and I would consider myself unique as well.</p>
<p>I definitely want to get WAY better then a 27. Im not going to get my hopes up and be unrealistic though </p>
<p>Like i said before i am just not a good stand test taker…
but i will be working on getting my score up now until april.</p>
<p>For anyone…one more question,
Do you know anyone that got in this year or last?
If so, was there anything that stood out about them?</p>