Chances for a 2016'er? (:

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
1

<p>Hey guys! I'm currently a junior, and I'm looking into colleges now! I know, I know, it's kind of late, but what can I do? I made a similar post on the UIUC forum, but sadly, I didn't get any replies. So most of the stuff below is kinda copy/pasted xP. As I live in Illinois, University of Chicago or Northwestern would be the optimal schools for me, but I feel like I'm at the bottom of the ladder, at least for the UChicago applicant pool. Like I said, I haven't looked into colleges extensively, but University of Chicago is definitely one of my top choices, even though I probably won't get it. I heard applying EA helps your chances, if that's so, I'll make sure to do that. If it doesn't play a role in admissions, please correct me! </p>

<p>Grades:
Unweighted GPA: ~3.5
Weighted GPA: 4.1
--> A side note about my GPA; my GPA was damaged by my C- in Fr Hon Algebra, and I'm taking advantage of our school's grade replacement option to retake the class over the summer. This will bring up my class rank, unweighted GPA, and weighted GPA, as I received a 1.7 (I lost the honors point because it was below a C). If I get an A the second time around, it's a 5.0. It makes a relatively significant difference, and just the fact that colleges won't see a C on my transcript (it's my only C). And yes, I'm positive I can get an A the second time around. Just in case, I was thinking of investing in a private tutor, but I don't think I have to go to such extremes. xP</p>

<p>Rank:
Top 10% - Our school provides our percentile rankings in increments of ten, i.e., top 40%, top 30%, top 20%, top 10%, etc. They do provide specific percents upon requests, however. I think my rank would be in the top 7-8%.</p>

<p>Course Rigor:
I took the hardest classes available at my school. I've taken 2 AP classes my sophomore year, I'm taking three AP classes this year (junior year), and I'm scheduled to take 5 AP classes senior year. The classes that aren't AP are all honors classes. </p>

<p>Standardized Testing:
ACT: Haven't taken it yet, but practice tests put my score in the 29-32 range
SAT: Taking it March 12, wish me luck! Practice results have been 1850 (this result was roughly 8 months ago), 1990, 2040 (my most recent score).
--> I haven't prepared as much as I'd liked for the standardized testing, so I'm going to study roughly 5 hours a day during the summer and take each test two more times. My target scores would be 2200 and 32-34, hopefully those are plausible. </p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Debate Team - Captain Jr & Sr year
Newspaper Club - Associate Sports Editor Jr year, coming back Sr year
Tennis - Sophomore year, coming back Jr and Sr year (junior year tennis season hasn't started yet)
Volleyball - Freshman year
Football + Wrestling - Freshman and Sophomore year</p>

<p>Oh, and my GPA shows a relatively sharp upward trend. If there's anything else you'd like to know, please tell me! I'd love college suggestions for me to look into. I'm looking for a larger school, but I have no qualms about smaller schools. I'd prefer a college near a sports city (i.e., Boston, Chicago, LA, St.L). Obviously, high academic standards are a plus. I want to eventually go to Law School, and I'm considering business for college. Here are some names that people have thrown at me, please chance me there as well?</p>

<p>Northwestern University (probably won't get in, but it's such a nice school...)
Carnegie Mellon University
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
New York University
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Notre Dame
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Washington
University of Virginia</p>

<p>Thanks! (:</p>

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<p>I would say it would be quite difficult to get into Uchicago with your stats. Reach. good luck</p>

3

<p>I know you’re asking for UChicago chances (I am wondering about my chances too as a fellow junior) but I noticed you have UW listed. That’s my top school as I’m in state and it seems like you have good chances for UW if you do get your GPA up. Good luck on the SAT! I’m taking it 3/12 as well. Assuming you get your GPA up and do get 2200+ on your SAT’s you should be golden. It’s harder for an OOS applicant but with your EC and transcript you have a really good chance. If you were in state I’d say you would have an almost guaranteed in because your stats/gpa fit right in. Good luck!</p>

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<p>@Ghuskies. You aren’t yet familiar how college admissions works at top private universities, so I will give you the break down. There is heavy emphasis on GPA, Sat Scores, and Essays. An acceptable GPA is 3.7, good gpa is 3.8, a great GPA is 3.9. 2150 SAT is good, 2250 is great, and anything above that is commendable. Essays play a different role at different universities. There are also factors called “hooks.” Being a first generation college student, underrepresented minority, legacy, or athlete give certain candidates in advantage in the admissions pool. **Even with perfect stats, students are regularly rejected. I do not mean near-perfect; I mean PERFECT (4.0, 2400 SAT). There are no guarantees **</p>

<p>Lastly, in-state means absolutely nothing for private schools. State residency is only a factor for public colleges. I hope I provided a good break-down of the admissions process at these top universities.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the info! That does help a lot.
I hope my response wasn’t taken as advice on any of the top tier schools, I was merely talking about UW which is a public school.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for all the replies! And ghuskies, I’d love to go to any school on that list, UW included, so maybe I’ll see you there in two years! (:</p>

7

<p>update: 33 ACT!</p>