Applying as International Student

I applied Early Decision to UChicago as an international applicant although I currently attend a high school in the US. I would like to know if international applicants are considered a disadvantage and if I would be competing against the people who applied at my school plus international students with the same citizenship. Also, I asked my school counselor, and she said international students are relatively easier to get in than domestic students. To some extent, is this true? Please let me know!

I will say it’s quiet not true about “easier”… There are tons of International applicants applying to UChicago, so if you didn’t connect your international background with your activities, stories, essays, it’s not helping.

In consideration of the admission itself, all US Elite universities are more willing to accept US students. The difference is how they treat internationals, some are better, some are not. And in this case, UChicago is the “better” case, if you compare it to Dartmouth, Brown, Duke, which are all the same tier with it.

So, there is not much difference, nothing easier, a little bit harder. But there is my personal view: If you’re going to be admitted by UChi, especially in ED round, you are, regardless of your citizenship; if you’re not, even if you are a US citizen, you’re not. UChicago is far more open to internationals, which means it will not deny a high-potential student simply because of his citizenship, and there is a much larger pool for internationals.

But, of course, if someone have some very similiar backgrounds, scores, essays, and has a citizenship. He’s more likely to be admitted.

Do you need financial aid? Some colleges are not need-blind for international students.

+/- 13% of the total class is international based on the published numbers from 100 countries. With the increase in yield, I don’t see how it would be easier for an international student as the number of acceptances is most likely +/- 300 students with 220+/- enrolling. Unfortunately total international applicants is not published.

To clarify above, UChicago first-year international applicants are eligible for both need-based and merit-based aid.

@Deaston No, I didn’t apply for financial aid since our family is considered as high income and UChicago is need-aware for internationals