<p>Hey everyone, I just applied Early Action to UChicago! I'd really appreciate it if any of you could chance me!
Here goes...</p>
<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): CR - 720, M - 730 (so 1450)
ACT: n/a
SAT II: n/a
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): n/a
AP (place score in parenthesis): 5s - Calculus BC, US History...4s - European History, Physics B<br>
IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a
Senior Year Course Load: Third Year Spanish, Honors Biology, AP Seminar, AP Government/Econ, AP Computer Science, AP Literature
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): None
Academic Awards: 1) Won my school's Mathematics Department Award for being one of the top two students in the subject area
2) member of my school's All-Academic team (teachers nominate students for this, on their own, for being a top student in their class and for having an affinity for the subject)
3)NHS Secretary
4)California Scholarship Federation (state-level)
5)AP Scholar with Honor.</p>
<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): 1) Boyscout (Senior Patrol Leader and Eagle Scout)
2)
3) Varsity Team Captain of my school's Water Polo Team. 2 years JV, 2 years Varsity. Was the Defensive MVP.
4) Played club Water Polo for two years.
5) CCS (a competitive regional competition) Swimmer for my school's team. Swam 1 year JV, 2 years Varsity (Going to swim a 3rd year on varsity this spring...was awarded the "Coach's Award" as a Junior on the Varsity team)
6) Swam for a club for two years as well.
7) Traveled to Sacramento to lobby to a California State Assemblyman (in person) on reproductive rights
8) Co-Founder and Treasurer of my school's Esports club.</p>
<p>Job/Work Experience: None
Volunteer/Community service: 1) Bronze Presidential Award (national, for getting 100 hrs of service within a year)
2) Volunteered in Thailand for a summer (got an award for showing "integrity, maturity, and a true passion for life)</p>
<p>Summer Activities: Participated in a Philanthropy Leadership Training Program with the Jewish Community Foundation. Members of the program learned how to judge charities, and were eventually granted $3,000 to distribute to various charities that we visited, volunteered at, and learned about as part of the program.</p>
<p>Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common App main: Wrote about how my dad has a ceramic jar labeled "Fishing Money." Talked about how he saved quarters in it and I related it to how I value the little things and appreciate that small steps can make an impact. Quirky and well-written. (8/10)</p>
<p>UChicago Supplement: Chose the "Why are you here?" prompt. Wrote about me envisioning myself at a mall, staring at the "You Are Here" dot on the directory map. Talked about how my value of "here" is the way I think. I explained that I love to debate and analyze and ask questions. I think this lined up well with UChicago's Core, since it's all about asking questions and not taking things at face value. In the essay, I talked about how I questioned who put that dot on the board and if I could trust them. That showed that I value exploring alleged truths and validating them through my own investigation, just like UChicago encourages it's students to do. (Their econ. majors test their textbooks' models in the real world, for example...Econ. is one of my two intended majors). Overall, I really liked this one. (9/10)</p>
<p>Why UChicago: Talked about me falling in love with the campus when I visited. I showed that I really loved the community and social scene. It also showed that I need a learning environment like the seminar-styled Core. It was solid; it showed that I knew a lot about the college and that I was extremely excited about the chance to attend. (7/10)</p>
<p>Optional Essay: I wrote about my favorite performers. Talked about famous cardists (within that small community, haha) and my passion for cardistry, the non-magical, artistic manipulation of playing cards. It was short (like two paragraphs), but it shows the reader about a unique part of me that is distinctly different from most people. (8/10</p>
<p>Disclaimer ----> I have no idea how to rate my essays/rec. letters, because I am not an admissions officer. haha</p>
<p>Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): I didn't read any of these, but here is what I'm guessing...
Teacher Rec #1: Assuming it was very good. From the math teacher who graduated from Stanford and gave me the Mathematics Department Award. He said he loved writing the recommendation, because UChicago isn't as stuck up as some of the Ivies, so he can actually have a voice when writing the letter instead of having to stick his pinky out all the time.
Teacher Rec #2: Assuming this was good as well. From my Lit. teacher. She really likes me and knows me really well. Was a creative writing major from USC.
Counselor Rec: Didn't read, doesn't really know me that well, but I filled out a questionnaire for her. Was probably fine.
Additional Rec: none</p>
<p>Interview: Went extremely well! Was on-campus. I said some unique things that related Math and Literature and showed how both subjects' way of thinking could overlap and be useful to one another. (I think this was really good, because UChicago's "Core" is all about interdisciplinary studies). I also asked a question about intramural snowball fights, which apparently has yet to been organized at UChicago. This made me feel like I showed them that I would contribute to campus life in a positive, fun way.</p>
<p>Other
State (if domestic applicant): California
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: upper, middle-class
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none...although, I did write about how I am interested in their brand new Molecular Engineering major (which is still being designed!). It will be a brand new major offered for the first time starting when the Class of 2019 enters as freshmen. Would this be a hook, since the college might be looking for students to fill their new major?</p>
<p>Reflection
Strengths: Essay and Interview really lined up with UChicago's philosophy and showed that I'd be a great fit. (At least that's what I think.
Weaknesses: My SAT Score, lack of major academic awards</p>
<p>General Comments: I've shown a lot of demonstrated interest. I've met my regional admissions officer two times in person, and have introduced myself to her. I've emailed her with questions as well. I also contacted the director of undergraduate studies for UChicago's Institute for Molecular Engineering, asking about their new Molecular Engineering major. Not sure if this helps or not.</p>
<p>Also, I am going to be retaking the SAT this upcoming weekend. Hoping to bump my math score up to hit or surpass the 1500/1600 mark.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for any responses!</p>
but I believe they are exactly what this school is seeking…now all you can do is wait…and wait…until mid-December…</p>