Hello, I understand UChicago is a very selective school, can anyone share with any tips of how to apply UChicago?
thanks
@JTWhiteOaks there are many threads on this, you may have to go down the thread to search them out. I’ll hit some summary stuff.
1> If you really want to go there and you can afford it, ED1 really helps.
2> Fit appears to be a key criteria. I see perfect stats people and people with great ECs post on CC over and over again how they did not get into UChicago while on the same I see upper 1400SAT, 3.6 UW GPA get in. My advice is to tailor your essays and if possible coach your recommenders to write LORs that state how you and UChicago are a perfect fit for each other with examples of how “intellectual curiosity” is something that you have shown. For some, a factor of quirky helps in the essay, but I don’t think that is necessary.
3> Show interest (attend Zoom events now), without being a pest email your AC for your area when you have questions.
4> Don’t skimp on your courses in HS. Take the toughest courses you can get. Some will tell you “don’t take so many APs.” Unfortunately if many of your classmates in HS are taking a ton of APs, I think you need to. You need to show that against your peer group you stressed yourself and came out successful.
As @BrianBoiler says, apply Early to UChicago (Early Action if you aren’t sure about ED, but know that ED is definitely a stronger form of demonstrated interest than Early Action > Regular Decision,) as UChicago loves early round applicants more than RD because these students are more likely to have prepared and well thought out applications that show that they’ve thoroughly researched the school.
Colleges will also compare you to students from your high school (maybe not your region given the wide discrepancies in grading policies, curriculum etc. between cities, but definitely within the same school,) regarding if you’ve taken advantage (and SUCCEEDED, this is why colleges say you should get the A in the AP Class when you ask if a B in an AP class > than A in a normal class, however a few Bs are fine in these courses–I definitely didn’t have straight As in every AP class when applying. They will also consider the difficulty in school (one potential way that colleges consider this is by the highest gpa in your school, which your guidance counselor will provide, and by class rank if your school provides it.)
Like most other similar schools, UChicago offers an amazing financial aid program but are need-award for international students, so as I stated in my earlier response to your question about applying to Dartmouth, they will consider how much financial aid you require, but no one but the Admissions Office knows for certain to what degree.
Hope this helps! Good luck with admissions!
The two words that you hear a lot when UChicago talks about itself are rigorous and interdisciplinary. How do you fit in?
Thank you so much for your helpful information!!!
@PikachuRocks15, thank you so much, for the Financial Aid, UChicao actually is Need- blind for all Canadian citizens. it didnt show on their website, but when I asked this question to their admission office, the admission counselor confirmed that.
You’re right @JTWhiteOaks !
Found the following info on UChicago’s Admissions website:
Link: https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/first-year-applicants
Under “Optional Components,” “Financial Aid Application:” The University of Chicago’s consideration of applications for admission is need-blind for citizens of the U.S. and Canada as well as U.S. permanent residents. This means that for these applicants, submitting an application for need-based financial aid will have no bearing on admission to the College. CANADIAN CITIZENS SHOULD FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR APPLYING FOR INTERNATIONAL AID."