Chance Me Pretty Please

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
1

Hi, I would really appreciate it if you guys could chance me for UChicago

GPA: 3.8 UW; 4.125 W. Have taken 7 ap courses throughout high school, 6 more senior year (stats, gov, literature, comp sci, physics 2, euro history) for a total of 13. School doesn’t rank
ACT: 33 superscore (33 writing, 32 math, 34 english, 33 science) 32 highest one sitting (32 writing, 28 math, 34 english, 33 science)
New SAT: 1490 (760 math, 730 reading/writing)
AP’s: 4’s on language, biology, calc ab, chemistry, micro/macroeconomics, psychology. 5 on APUSH.

EC:
Scientific research: Did research project this summer that explored how to improve chemotherapy by manipulating body proteins. entered into Siemens competition, awaiting results currently

MUN: 4 years. Junior officer and public relations officer senior year. I have won many awards and attended conferences at Univ of Michigan, Michigan State, Lansing, and UPenn.

HOSA: 3 years. Medical Law and Ethics soph year; 3rd at regionals and competed at states. Creative Problem Solving junior year; 1st at regionals and competed at states. Senior year pending

Economics Club: Went to most meetings, competed in national econ challenge and capitol hill stock challenge

Biology Competitions Club: went to meetings, competed in a few video contests junior year, entered Siemens this year

Writing Competitions Club: went to meetings, did THS creative short story contest

NHS/Project LEAD: volunteering clubs. have amassed around 150-200 hours. got exemplary membership for 60+ hhours n one year

Essays
My teachers, my peers, and I all think they’re good. But it’s the ad coms opinion that matters. Still working on the chicago supplements but I think they will turn out really good

Rec letters
One good one from AP chem teacher, one ok one from AP psych, good ones from counselor and research mentor

I am Asian. Split between Poli Sci, Biochemistry, and Economics for intended major. Will apply ED. I have legacy from my father

2

Usually with Asian applicants, unless you are first gen, you would need to be at it above the 75th percentile to be a strong competitor. Otherwise, you are in danger of getting deferred/wait-listed.

Since your stats are not at the 75 th percentile mark, I think your essays are your best chance to tilt the odds in your favor.

Beyond that, it’s kind of hard to give an accurate prediction. Many factors will come into play including geographic diversity, strength of recommendations, which round you apply. If you get wait-listed, your ability to pay sticker price will become important also.

Good luck. Remember you can only get admitted if you apply

3

@CollegeAngst I am applying ED and am from a top 10 public school in Michigan. I also have legacy and can pay most of sticker, although I believe Uchicago is need blind. Do you think any of that will help my chances?

4

You’re clearly demonstrating rigor and extracurricular achievements. Your GPA/scores are not outstanding. Nobody knows how Admissions will look at ED applicants. In last year’s EA pool there were some with your credentials who got in and some who didn’t. The difference between them? It was probably in the essays and the teacher recommendations. My kid had way fewer APs than you, no significant awards, but a better GPA and better scores. It was the essay and probably the teacher rec that made the difference. If you can take the stress, look at last year’s EA results thread here to see what I mean.

5

@lomutt146 It is hard to predict what will happen with ED because we don’t have any history of ED at Chicago. Having said that, my personal opinion is that like Penn, Chicago will give the biggest preference to legacies during the ED1 cycle. As a general rule from what I know, if you have a legacy hook and are between fiftieth and seventy fifth percentile and apply ED, thus advertising your willingness to accept an offer, your chances are much better. Not a spam dunk, but better than the average applicant without hooks.

So you are asking the right questions. If Chicago is your first choice, given your scores and GPA, ED may indeed be your best bet, but make sure you have great essays.

6

I think a legacy applying ED will definitely get you a leg up. Having said that, your ‘why UChicago’ essay will need to convince them that you are applying because you actually want to attend for what UChicago is and not just because you are cashing your legacy chip.

You know a lot more about UChicago than any student can find on the website, or even by visiting, and it has already impacted you in your life through your father’s experience there. You already have a relationship with UChicago. Make it personal and heartfelt.

7

You have a decent chance because of your father.

Your EC’s are acceptable, scores are mediocre, GPA is mediocre, and none of the academic results can really be measured without class rank, but theoretically if you wrote great essays, visited the school, exploited your legacy status, and sat through the optional interview I’d say you have a decent chance.