Chance me for UChicago? (Low GPA, High SAT)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
1

Hey guys!!
So my annoying friend posted a “Chance me” thread earlier today for UChicago against my will, so if the stats/info seem similar to Crzcorgi’s post, that would be why! :wink:

Here are my stats/extracurriculars/etc:
GPA: UW 3.2, W 3.35 (LOL hopefully better with senior year 1st semester!)
SAT: (single sitting) 2330 - 730 Math, 800 CR and Writing
Course rigor: pretty hard throughout
Senior year schedule: AP Econ/Poli Sci, AP Computer Science, Advanced Journalism, AP Lit, AP Stats, AP Spanish (I skipped a year of Spanish, if that makes any difference!)

Extracurricular:
Tutoring peers and children, mentoring 5th graders, helping kids with foreign parents in English, computer/business internship, a few clubs and board positions, science fair, national history day, 365 community service/volunteer hours

Awards: National History Day county blue ribbon, national spanish exam Gold 97th percentile, ap scholar/national merit whatever

Essays: brilliant, I hope xD
Rec letters: brilliant
Ethnicity: I would fit under the “Asian American” category.

For my common app essay, I wrote about why my GPA is so horrendous. It’s not exactly a good excuse (I was unmotivated and didn’t care and then went through something that motivated me), but it’s a pretty well-written essay.

You guys can be mean! :wink: UChicago is my #1, but I know it’s quite a reach with my GPA!

2

Can’t tell you much more than you know already. For an unhooked asian male with a 3.2, Chicago is an uber-reach.

3

Harsh, but true.

4

GPA should be viewed along with class rank. If you are top 10% of your class, you are still OK.

The essays are very import. If you have a very compelling story to tell, or you have some hooks, you still have good chance.

5

Have you already applied? Did you apply EA? Have you visited?

6

OP is female.

7

@goingnutsmom Oops!!! :expressionless:

I think I’ve gotten so used to writing “unhooked asian male” when making the ORM point that it’s almost a reflex by this point. Something I need to watch out for.

I stand by the rest of my post even if one changes “unhooked asian male” to “unhooked asian,” but this reminder to pay close attention is no bad thing.

8

Got it.

What are your safeties?

What about colleges that skew male? What about colleges where Asians are a campus minority?
What about colleges where an applicant from your area would add geographical diversity?

9

I haven’t already applied - I’m applying RD! & no, unfortunately I haven’t visited; I live in California and my parents don’t want to fly to Chicago in the winter, lol.
My safeties are UC Riverside, UC Santa Cruz, CSU Pomona, and community college at the very last resort!

10

Very slim chances given your GPA and that you are unhooked.

11

The GPA will be an issue but if there was an upwards trend and the school is known for its rigorous course load you still have a chance especially with the killer SAT score. Chance me back? http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1833760-chance-me-class-of-2020.html#latest

12

It is not impossible. Our school had a similar student to you get in last year BUT he wrote an essay that everyone who read it said it was the best they had ever read. I think he probably had amazing recs because he did really well in the classes he cared about, he just wasn’t willing to play the games you have to play with some teachers to get As. That was clear though in his app that he was an independent thinker. All that being said he was rejected from a bunch of much lesser schools than U Chicago who either didn’t get him or didn’t want someone who is uber smart but not willing to fit in the student box.

13

@dcplanner Thanks!! I’ve got my fingers crossed xD

14

@dcplanner Do you happen to know what the students essay was about? Thanks :slight_smile:

15

The 1-in-1000 low-GPA student who got in wrote a truly unique essay that no other applicant even considered, which is presumably why the university decided to overlook his grades. Not only will choosing a specific topic because it worked for another applicant not give you an advantage (Jonathan Swift gained notoriety for A Modest Proposal but nobody remembers who echoed his suggestions a year later), doing so is the polar opposite of the approach Chicago is looking for.

16

His essay was just an anecdote about a very minor set back (akin to a stubbed toe level of minor). It wasn’t what he was writing about though, it was the unique viewpoint and writing style. He had a great first year at UChicago and totally fit in there.