Chance me for Chicago?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello, I'm currently a junior and am really worried about my stats! Can you guys chance me?</p>

<p>Unweighed GPA: 3.77 (I could get this to 3.80-3.82) by the end of first semester senior year for my regular decision schools.</p>

<p>Freshman year - I had all A's except for 1 B in a history class for first semester.
I had really bad grades sophomore year. I got 1 B first semester and 2 B's and 1 C second semester but was facing some problems at home and other stuff during this time.
Junior year - I got 2 B's first semester and will probably get 1 B second semester.
Senior year - I'm going to work so hard and make sure I get all A's first semester.</p>

<p>Senior year - I'll be taking 6 AP's (Bio, English, Stats, Calc AB, Gov, and Psych) Right now (junior year), I'm taking 3 APs (English, History, Computer Science.)</p>

<p>Every year, I have taken the most rigorous course load possible--all honors/AP classes.</p>

<p>ACT: haven't taken it yet but I'm hoping to get at least a 30 and retake it until I get a 31 or 32 or 33...</p>

<p>School Type: Public - roughly 300 students in each grade
Location: IL (suburbs!)
Race/Gender: Asian (South Asian) Female
Prospective Major: Undecided or Poli Sci?
Class rank: top 7%.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars (leadership): Model UN (Exec Board), National Honor Society, Spanish Club (VP), Mandarin Club (Pres/Founder)--> turned it into Culture Club (Pres/Founder), Earth Action Network, Yearbook Club (editor).
Job/Work Experience: none.
Volunteer/Community service: 200+ hours at an environmental and sustainablity center
Summer Activities: volunteering^^...hopefully getting a job summer before senior year to pay for college apps
Essays: Obviously haven't written any yet but I'm going to work really, really hard on them since my stats are awful. I'm so excited to write the UChicago essays.
Teacher Recommendation: Obviously don't know, but I expect that they'll be great. I'm picking teachers who love me!
Counselor Rec: Hopefully it'll be good. I'll have a new counselor during my senior year but my old counselor told me that she wants to write my rec. letter and have the new counselor upload it. She said if it was any other student, then she wouldn't have to do this. I meet with her often. She knows me pretty well. :)
Additional Rec: I probably won't send one. I don't want to annoy the admissions counselors!
Interview: I'll probably get one...Hopefully, it'll go well!</p>

<p>Hooks: sibling legacy...who did really well there (won awards etc.)</p>

<p>Strengths: leadership in e.c.? hopefully teacher recs?
weaknesses: stats :/</p>

<p>Please chance me for UChicago. And if you can think of other schools where I'd have a chance at, let me know!</p>

<p>Chicago is my number one choice! Should I apply early or regular decision?</p>

<p>I want to apply early because I want to let them know that they are my top choice! Also, I wouldn't mind finding out my decision earlier! If I am accepted early, then I am going to withdraw my other applications and stop applying to other schools. I love this school so much!! I also heard that it's better to apply early if you have legacy.</p>

<p>But the problem is I feel like I could really improve my GPA by the end of first semester senior year and have a better chance in the regular decision round?</p>

<p>If I don't get accepted early, I'm hoping that I'll at least get deferred which would allow me to show them my improved grades. My other sibling applied to Chicago early and got in (ultimately chose not to go) but that sibling had way better stats than me.</p>

2

<p>As you know, University of Chicago is one of the most competitive universities in the US as it has been confirmed by this year’s 8.8% acceptance rate (don’t quote me on this, but I am pretty sure it was something similar). For colleges at a such level, all you can do is to show your strength through the application and hope that luck is on your side. That being said, I think that you have a fairly good chance (speaking relatively here; it will still be extremely difficult to get accepted).
You can definitely improve your grades as you mentioned you would next year (positive trend is always good). For the standardized tests such as ACT and SAT, I suggest you try to get a score that is within the University of Chicago score range. Lastly, the essays are extremely crucial and may even be the deciding factor for the admission office, so start early so you can proofread and edit later.
As for the extracurricular activities, the number doesn’t really matter; you just need to show the admissions office that you care and are passionate about the activities you put down on your application. In fact, your extracurriculars look pretty similar to mine and I got my acceptance letter from University of Chicago few weeks ago.
In short, it looks like you have a pretty good shot. It’s great to see that you are passionate about the university and I wish you good luck next year!</p>

<p>P.S. If you don’t mind me asking, what high school are you from? I am from Southeastern Wisconsin, I know some people who go to school in Chicago suburbs (New Trier, GBN, GBS, etc.)</p>

3

<p>Thanks so much for your reply! I really appreciated it. And congratulations on getting accepted to UChicago! That is awesome considering that the acceptance rate was really low this year. And am I allowed to personal message you to tell you which school I’m from? Are you planning on going to UChicago next year or have you not decided yet?</p>

<p>Anyways, thanks for replying. I already have so much anxiety about the college process and I’m not even a senior yet!</p>

4

<p>You can send me the message if you want. I honestly don’t care much. I was just curious.
Last year, that’s exactly how I felt, but once I actually submitted the application, I completely forgot about it until maybe about a week before the decision came out. University of Chicago is currently my top choice, but I am still waiting on decisions from other schools as well.</p>

5

<p>Message sent! I couldn’t send you a personal message because I didn’t have at least 15 posts but I think the message sent from my email account that is connected to CC. Anyways, thanks and good luck on the decisions on your other schools! Hope everything works out well for you! :)</p>

6

<p>Your credentials are very impressive, but like wkee94 said, UChicago is a reach school for most applicants. Try to improve on the ACT as much as you can, but don’t stress to much about it as it is only one part of your application.</p>

7

<p>U Chicago: Reach (but aim for 32+/2150+)</p>