Chances at U Chicago

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
1

<p>Gender: Male
Race: White
Location: New Jersey
Intended Majors: Economics, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics (not quite sure which one(s) I'll pick)</p>

<p>GPA 4.21 UW, large rising trend (up from 4.01 after soph year)</p>

<p>SAT I 2280 (super scored after two sittings)
CR 690
Math 790
Writing 800</p>

<p>SAT II (will be taking Physics and perhaps Spanish in the fall)
Math II 780
US History 780</p>

<p>AP (should I include these?)
US History 5
US Gov 4</p>

<p>Senior Schedule:
AP Physics C
AP Calc BC
AP Spanish
AP English Lit
AP Psych
Western Civ H</p>

<p>Also as an important note, I wasn't able to fit economics into my schedule, so I'm using MIT's OCW to study economics and then I'll take the AP test in May. Should I mention this on my application?</p>

<p>ECs (inc. Senior year)
Mu Alpha Theta 3 yrs, will be running for President this year
Model UN 2 yrs
Spanish Honor Society 2 yrs, treasurer for both
NHS 2 yrs
Tennis 2 yrs JV, 1 yr Varsity</p>

<p>Work
For a summer job I'm working with my dad who sells auto parts and works on cars. I feel this could be very useful in terms of an Engineering/Physics major as both of those come into play when designing/constructing cars.</p>

<p>Hooks: 1st gen student</p>

<p>That's about it. I haven't done any research or any nation-wide competitions like the AMC or Science Olympiad. I regret this now, but I was lazy until my junior year and never sought out any opportunities outside of school to further my education. I've got to live with that now.</p>

<p>If anyone has any other questions or any suggestions on what I could do to improve my application, please post them.</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

2

<p>First, UofC doesn’t offer engineering, so if you’re really and truly interested in that for undergrad, you’re out of luck at UofC. But on the bright side, UofC has the best Economics department in the country and a really good physics and math departments (I really want to have Professor Sally… but so does everyone).</p>

<p>Second, UofC doens’t count your Writing Score on the SAT. So instead of looking at a 2280, they’ll see a 1480, which is still a good score, but is lower.</p>

<p>Third, there seems to be a little confusion amongst CC’ers, but I think the general consensus is that UofC does not look at SAT IIs and puts very little weight on how well you did on the APs. </p>

<p>Fourth, your ECs aren’t great (I’m being brutally honest) but they aren’t poor either. However, don’t go joining 18 different clubs in your senior year to make your ECs look better, because that will probably hurt more than help.</p>

<p>Fifth, good work experience. That’s solid. And unfortunately, being “lazy” is not really appreciated on college apps as an excuse as to why you were less involved or had lower grades. But you’re right, you DO have to live with that now. </p>

<p>Your GPA is good, depending on your rank. If you’re #1 in your class, that’ll help, but if a 4.21 puts you somewhere in the 30th percentile, it might not look as good. And for all we know, your school might have tremendous grade inflation. I’m not accusing, however, because I don’t know where you go! Haha. As well, where you go to school is going to make a big difference. If you’re taking the hardest classes and performing well, that’ll look good. But if it’s the norm for even average students in your school to take 18 APs just to say they took them, it might not look as good as you want. </p>

<p>And just as we tell to everyone, if you can write a good essay, you’ve got a chance. That really is the key to getting in, from what I’ve heard/seen/read. Your resume isn’t the best I’ve seen, but not the worst either. Work really hard on your essays if you want to be admitted. :smiley: Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Thank you very much for all the advice. I’m aware of the absence of engineering, so I would probably be going to Chicago for the economics.</p>

<p>I agree that my ECs are weak. I’ve also read a lot about the so-called “resume building” that some students do over their pre-senior year summer and the beginning of their senior year, so I’ll make sure not to do anything like that.</p>

<p>Yes the 4.21 puts me in the top 5%, so that should be fine. My schedule next year is also the most challenging of anyone in the school as far as I know, so that’s a good thing as well.</p>

<p>I’ll make sure to put a lot of time into the essays, as I’ve read that Chicago really focuses on them.</p>

<p>Thanks again!</p>