As usual, chances. Thank you!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
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<p>I've been posting here a bit but i figured i'd post my chances. I'm applying to Uchicago regular decision and I was wondering as to the extent they weigh GPA, essays, etc. As in, do they care more about GPA or EC's or what? It's been something plaguing my mind for a while because i always hear that they place the most emphasis on essays- but how can that be?? i dont think, realistically or cynically, that amazing essays, EC's and SAt scores could really compensate for a bad gpa.. i'm just wondering what you think. </p>

<p>My stats:
ridiculously competitive HS in california..ranked 87th or so in the nation
SAT 1: 1410 best, one sitting: 1390
SAT2: 750,740,729 in spanish,writing and math
GPA: alas! 3.1 or 3.2/4.0
AP tests: 4,5,5 (US History, English Language and Biology) - AP scholar</p>

<p>probably in the top 25%, definitely top 50%</p>

<p>Essays: They're .. pretty weird. my main essay is pretty interesting, ive been told, my why uchicago essay is pretty straightforward but creative and shows why i fit there so well and my last one is about my lvoe affair with Ulysses my james joyce. everyone's who's read them has enjyoed them.</p>

<p>EC: </p>

<p>I've been dancing for 10 years,extremely seriously
Class officer for 3 years
Speech and debate captain for 2 years, officer for 1 (state championships qualifier, moderately good record)
Journalism staff writer
yearbook ads editor
have chaired several community projects, mostly awareness about teenage drunk driving, and other community problems.
was in drama for 2 years
i do yoga, art (sometimes act as a TA) and photography
i've won a few photography contests
nominated for DAR good citizens award
won a few dance contests
won some writing contests.
jobs: i tutored. </p>

<p>I haven't got too many EC's but they're quality- i spend more time on them than anything, which,i suppose, is the reason for bad grades but good test scores, my absolute dedication to excellence in my EC's. i dont know if i should write that in an essay or as supplemental info or what. I really want to go to UChicago, and plan on making that obvious! I woudl appreciate it if i got some information about what i mentioned earlier- if EC's and such can make up for dismal grades. Thank you!</p>

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<p>Wondrlst, you lose credibility when you post "I really want to go to X" in different fora.</p>

<p>I think your GPA/rank sinks you for Chicago.</p>

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<p>Oh, but TheDad, i do really want to go to all of the schools I'm applying to. That's how i chose them- i had this huge list, and decided only to apply to the ones i wanted to go to really, really badly. Who say's i can only have one first choice school? I have 6. Liking UChicago a lot doesnt mean i like Smith or Macalester, or Reed, or Oberlin or Hampshire any less. So how should that lose credibility? You jump to the conclusion that I'm just being phony in my desire to attend these schools, that saying "i really want to go here" is exclusively meant for one school. That's not true.</p>

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<p>But about my GPA- I'm sure of that. I just have that slight hope that my rigorous curriculum, AP scores and SAT2's prove i actually know a bit about the subjects i did not-so-greatly in, and college level courses i took show that i really do love learning.</p>

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<p>I noticed two people with GPAs of 3.2/3.3 on this forum who had pretty impressive resum</p>

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<p>ahh good luck to us 3 in the RD round =( So when people say that chicago's emphasis isn't really on numbers, they mean low SAT scores but good gpa is fine? The other way around just doesnt work,eh? Does it make us seem smart but lazy or soemthing because its not that so much as my priorities.. do somethign i love that hleps the school, community and makes me happy or study for something i can learn later.. hm. impractical, but thast me.</p>

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<p>Yeah, it doesn't make sense to me, either.</p>

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<p>The message I got from reading about and visiting Chicago was that they are determined to consider all elements of the student's 'package'--that they are very determined to consider the whole person and all the elements of an application are important. That said, it does not follow that you can necessarily be weak in a key area. You may get in despite being weak in a key area, however. Chicago's academics are rigorous and you need to show you can succeed. They will look at multiple criteria to figure if you are a good fit. That's why ppl say to make the best essays you can. dd's stats were not quite as impressive as most other accepted EA posters here, yet they were still very strong in all areas. Outside of stats she has stellar unique intellectual and leadership EC's, and her school considers her a 'walks on water' even though other have better stats, so I figure crazy good reccos.</p>

<p>By the way, nice list. dd had 2 of your schools on her list as well, and there are 2 others I'd have liked her to consider.</p>