Chances (Although I will regret this in a couple hours)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
1

<p>I am applying Early Action, btw</p>

<p>GPA: 3.784 UW, 4.430 W (I have taken a very rigorous course load -- as indicated by my weighted GPA -- I have actually gotten 4 B's over my high school career, compared to 17 A's) </p>

<p>SAT: 730 M 740 CR (1470 M+V, UChicago doesn't look at Writing)</p>

<p>SAT II:
Math IIC: 720
Chemistry: 710
*I go to an extremely competitive school
*we do not rank because of overly-competitive atmosphere</p>

<p>AP Scores
Chemistry 5
US History 4</p>

<p>EC
Freshman Summer-- Took classes at local community college
Sophomore Summer -- UPenn PreCollege Program
Junior Summer -- took a class at my state university/ Shadowed General Internist Hospital Specialist at Brigham and Womens Hospital (Harvard Med Teaching Affiliate :) )</p>

<p>***Also I am researching with a professor at Rutgers. We are trying to find a correlation between cortical asymmetry (depression) and hypertension/heart disease using a electroencephalogram and a pulse/blood pressure monitor. I think this is pretty unique</p>

<p>Model UN (10,11,12)
--Have attended numerous national conferences in Model UN and have won several Individual (national) Awards -- As many of you MUNers know, winning at large conferences is no easy feat
--My school's MUN team is the best MUN team in the state
-- Placed first several times at my High School's 'mock' model united nation conferences.</p>

<p>-I was lucky enough to receive a *New Jersey Legislature Citation of Praise and Commendation for my Community Service
*
-I shadow General Internists every weekend at the Best Hospital in New Jersey (It's surprisingly difficult to get a team of doctors to let a high school tag along with them on rounds)</p>

<p>200+ hours of volunteering at Nursing Home
National Math Honors Society (11,12)
National Spanish Honors Society (11,12)
JV Lacrosse (9,10)</p>

<p>-I've have lots of demonstrated interest at UChicago (Summer Open House, Met up with my admin counselor), Then when my admin counselor came to my HS, I was able to talk to him for about half an hour about UChicago.</p>

<p>-Both my grandparents are alumni of the university, My grandfather's dissertation is actually still in the UChicago Library!
-My Uncle is actually a faculty member of the University of Chicago Hospitals </p>

<p>-I finally finished my essays, and although my opinion is 100% subjective, I am proud of them</p>

<p>and yes, unalove, I did happen to read your thread about "chancing", but alas, I succumbed to peer pressure and my stress.</p>

2

<p>good, i think you have a decent change.. we are alike in our stats..
but my SAT's are a little uneven; i have a perfect math while a 580 reading...</p>

<p>=) good luck to both of us</p>

3

<p>Chicago doesnt look at writing at all?</p>

<p>I guess my 800 writing is going to waste =/</p>

4

<p>kidchicago -- yeap, I talked to my admissions counselor over the summer about it. Writing isn't counted (sorry!). </p>

<p>But as you know, at UChicago, SATs are not extremely important. In fact, when I attended the open house this summer -- they gave us an "order of importance" list:</p>

<ol>
<li>Rigor of Courses, and how you fared (In essence, GPA and strength of schedule)</li>
<li>Essay (It's the University of Chicago after all)</li>
<li>Extracurriculars</li>
<li>Standardized Test Scores</li>
</ol>

<p>But I think that UChicago looks for less tangible qualities as well, such as desire to learn, scholarship, etc. </p>

<p>Good Luck to All of Us '08 EAers :)</p>

<p>On a side note, I received an email from my interviewer -- kind of excited to interview (although people have been telling me I should be nervous?)</p>

5

<p>hmm, are there any others out there willing to voice an opinion? I realize the complete inaccuracy of these statements, but to get some type of consensus (whether it be accurate or not), would hopefully give me an impression of how the majority of my application will be received -- at least I think so. </p>

<p>so i guess this is a "bump"?</p>

6

<p>your stats look good, but it's really all about the essays and your courseload.</p>

<p>have you visiting the school? have you sat in on classes yet?</p>

7

<p>Yes I think that if you write a great essay you will probably get in. You have plenty of community service, and the research with the professor is very unique. Good luck!</p>

8

<p>I'm sure you've heard this before, but I think it will come to your essays. Your academics are solid. It sounds as if you have made good use of your advantages in life - its wonderful you have been able to do the research and shadowing. I think that if your rec's are good, and your essays show some individual spark and a good fit with the University, you are probably in good shape. </p>

<p>Its normal to be a little nervous about interviews - but remember, in appropriate doses, adreneline is good for you!</p>

9

<p>thanks for all the replies!</p>

<p>I realize many of you commented on the 'essays', and like I said before -- I feel proud of them (although my opinion means nothing). What I can hope for is that they will be well received by the Uchicago (which I guess explains why 'chance' threads can be inaccurate, especially for a school like Uchicago)</p>

<p>Haha, and as for the the interview -- I am beginning to feel a little pressure, but (this may sound arrogant, none intended though) I have always thought of myself as a good conversationalist (which includes 'thinking of my feet'). </p>

<p>Cosmos:
- I have visited the school, but alas, I went during the summer and was unable to sit in on a class. But if class is like anything they published in the "life of the mind" view book, I feel that UChicago is the 'place for me' (cliche, I know). Also, I have taken a very tough courseload (all Honors/AP), so I don't feel as if I am lacking there specifically (but what do I know? I am not an admin counselor). </p>

<p>adios,</p>

<p>El Individual</p>

10

<p>Speaking from the perspective of someone who - from the sound of it - went to a high school that is similar to yours, the classes that you (perhaps) find in your high school are nothing like the ones you will find at the U of C. </p>

<p>Do your best to make a visit during the year and sit in on a HUM or SOSC class and perhaps you will see what I mean. Unless your school places a heavy emphasis on theoretical approaches to coursework and reading, I doubt that your classes are like those here. </p>

<p>I'm sure that you would enjoy the type of education that is offered here, but, to be sure that it is just what you're looking for, do try to visit a class and take a look at reading lists and that sort of thing. </p>

<p>I'm not trying to be overly-intense about my school or anything - it's just that I feel, from my experience, that the classes here are unlike anything found at any other school (particularly in high school).</p>

11

<p>Have I exhausted everybody who was willing to post a response, or is my chance thread one of those threads where one casually skims over but does not reply (trust me, I do that all the time too)?</p>

<p>So I guess this is my second "bump"?</p>

12

<p>You've gotten lots of good responses. I agree that you have a good chance.</p>

13

<p>I agree :) and again, thanks for the many responses</p>

<p>Now back to furiously editing/revising my essays -- although I feel that no matter how many times I revise it, I always second guess myself. But I think I am at the point where I will not feel guilty (at all!) of submitting this version of my essay.</p>

<p>thanks for everyone's help and encouragement, I feel it has helped me a lot (for lack of a better word). </p>

<p>Au revoir,</p>

<p>la "Individual"</p>

14

<p>Strong candidate with excellent chances for admission. Your stats are such that your "why Chicago" type essay should be done carefully so Chicago doesn't think that you are using them as an elite back-up school. It is also important to note that the Univ. of Chicago gives significant weight to teacher recommendations. I don't understand the post below; was it made in reference to my post? If so, I was not being sarcastic at all and am wondering how you could have misinterpreted it as such. You may want to have someone proofread your application before submitting it to avoid the type of misinterpretation shown below. As some background info., Chicago is very sensitive about their USNews ranking and wants to maintain a top 10 ranking. In order to do this , Chicago's yield needs to improve and their acceptance rate lowered. In short, Chicago wants to be your first choice and they want to know it.</p>

15

<p>icy -- i thought you were being a bit too optimistic about my chances, I mean UChicago is a top 10 school. As much as I would love to matriculate there (and as much as I love hearing your comments), I feel there are others who may disagree (but I guess that doesn't matter). </p>

<p>Sorry for the misinterpretation, and I will have several people read my application prior to submission.</p>

16

<p>I think I did show why I really 'loved' UChicago in my essay, I talked mostly about the "Core" (cliche, but truthful). </p>

<p>thanks for the clarification!</p>

17

<p>so, tonight I have promised myself I will submit my college application, at which point I will have done everything I could have, and the rest is up to the admission counselors.</p>

<p>It is a relief, yet I am furiously reviewing my application to find errors.</p>

<p>my final 'bump' (I promise)</p>

18

<p>I have submitted my application :) </p>

<p>A burden off my shoulders</p>

19

<p>what was your interview like?</p>

20

<p>haven't had it yet -- it's in a week. </p>

<p>also, anyone else want to chance (I feel as if the next month and a half will seem to be an eternity)</p>