Chances for Pre-Med?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
21

<p>Woah. My internet has been dead for a couple of weeks. Um...I'll reply to people's posts.</p>

<p>Um...I am Indian. Or Asian. Indian/Asian.</p>

<p>My real name is not Visali. Actually, for some unknown reason, it's an American name, but I think my ethnicity is pretty obvious with my last name.</p>

<p>Of course you can't see what I'm passionate about. I mean, I just listed my stats, and plus, I'm only 16. Do you know how hard it is to get opportunities in a small town when you're younger than 16? I applied to many places for a variety of things, and they all said they would call me back. Did they? Nope. But if you want to know what I'm really passionate about...I would say it's medicine and tennis. I love both of them. I can't live without them. I need both of them in my life to be sane. </p>

<p>I'm sorry if I didn't make my intended major clear. I want it to be chemistry and/or psychology. I haven't exactly decided yet. I love both of them. I told myself that I still have time before I choose my major.</p>

<p>What kind of school is Chicago? Is it really hard that it makes you pull your hair out? I mean, I want to be able to get into a good med. school. I know Med Schools look a lot into GPAs and MCATs. What is the average GPA for Chicago graduates? </p>

<p>I did get an interview. I got it pretty quickly. It wasn't suppose to start until 5:30, but my dad and I didn't want to be late so we left pretty early considering traffic. We got there at five and decided to kill some time until she arrived. After walking around a little, I got cold and we decided to go inside the cafe. As soon as I walked in, I saw her. I'm like "Wasn't the interview suppose to be at 5:30?" My dad said that he saw her looking at us when she entered the cafe. I think it went pretty well. After talking to her, I wanted to go to Chicago more. </p>

<p>I'll definately try to get a college visit. Thanks for all of your advice. :D</p>

22

<p>
[quote]
What is the average GPA for Chicago graduates?

[/quote]

In 1999 it was 3.3, and it's probably risen slightly since then.</p>

23

<p>I believe my S was told at some orientation that it was about the same. However, it varies significantly by concentration. One way to get a feel for likely GPA in a concentration is to look at the GPA that allows one to qualify for honors. I have seen some where a 3.0 puts one in the running, while others require a 3.5.</p>

24

<ol>
<li>You are unlikely to get in.</li>
<li>If you want to do premed many other schools will serve you a lot better than UChicago.</li>
</ol>

25

<p>One thing I noticed in many posts is that they say I won't get accepted. It is very unlikely. Okay, fine, but tell me why. Tell me why it would be a waste of my money if I applied. Tell me why you think I don't have a chance of getting accepted or why you think it is very unlikely.</p>

<p>Is it because of my ACT scores? Or because I'm Asian? I want to know why. Thank you.</p>

26

<p>Asian: Strike 1.
Female: Strike 2.
Few AP classes: Strike 3.
Unspectacular ECs: Strike 4.
ACT score: Strikes 5 through 10.</p>

<p>Good luck look undoing all of that in your essays!!!</p>

27

<p>I do not believe there is any bias against (or for) either Asians or females at Chicago. The number of APs matter only to the extent many more are offered at a particular school. Chicago is interested in its students attempting the most challenging curriculum available. Students have been admitted who have never taken an AP course. ACT score is not much a factor, essays and recommendations are very important.</p>

28

<p>drummerdude.
dude.
that completely sucked.
visali,
so imagine your the admissions guy.</p>

<p>he looks at your application.
sees:
passion interest intelligence warmth on and on.</p>

<p>do you think he'll say to himself, </p>

<p>"yes that would be great,
but unfortunately asian female. low act. we don't really CARE about test scores, but suddenly we do. asian. female. strike 10."</p>

<p>unless this is David Duke's brave new world, this sounds a tad unreasonable, no?</p>

<p>don't pay attention to some of the things people say here. my GOODYNESS!</p>

<p>apply. do it. really!
personally i think they'll take you.</p>

29

<p>First of all, thanks idad for clearing up a lot of questions in the Chicago forum.</p>

<p>I can't help it I only took 2 APs. There is only four offered. AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics, and AP Calculus. So, if Chicago looks at each student individually with their unique circumstances, I think I might be okay. </p>

<p>Also, I'm sorry, but when you state that I have unspectacular ECs, it feels like you're saying I didn't even try. And that somewhat makes me mad. I just turned sixteen, and there aren't that many oppurtunities for people who are younger than sixteen in a small town. Plus, I immigrated to America in 1997. I spent the first three years just learning English. </p>

<p>Seriously, do you have any idea how it feels to be surrounded by all these people who speak a completely different language and make you feel stupid when you were the smartest in your grade back in your country? To me, learning English and becoming an honor student in less than ten years is a big accomplishment. </p>

<p>Maybe, you're right. Maybe, Chicago will see me as you see me and will reject me. If they do, I wouldn't be disappointed. I mean, if all the college saw was just my stats, it probably isn't the college for me, like you stated. I will apply, and I will put my heart into my essays. Hopefully, I'll get accepted. If not, maybe, it wasn't meant to be. </p>

<p>I'm sorry if I got emotional, but it was making me a little mad how some people in this thread were just saying "You have no chance of getting in." I mean, you don't know. Unless you work for admissions, you don't know so I don't understand how people can be so certain I won't get accepted. But then again, maybe it's my fault because I asked for your honest opinions. I can't be mad for you being honest. So, I'm sorry.</p>

<p>Edit:</p>

<p>Thank you, Orangetree.</p>

30

<p>Hmmm...perhaps you want to look into putting all that into the essay as well! haha....'specially since it seems you feel fairly strongly about it! :)</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

<p>(i don't believe in the bias against females either. i think it just so happens that there are more good male applicants than female ones that's all. i think they're treated equally.)</p>

31

<p>Ah, what is this I see? </p>

<p>Chicago is not the school that will reject you based on your ethnity, gender, difficult circumstances (in your case, having to adjust to a culture at odds with your native one (which is, I must say, a noble feat in itself)), limited opportunites in school, or ACT score. The whole point--the Idea of the University, I might say--is to look past the cold statistics and into the warmth and vitality of the /individual/. If an applicant happens to be rejected, it will not be (at least, I think not) a consequence of the factors mentioned above. Rather, it may be simply that (s)he is just not a good match for the University, or may not necessarily thrive in a "Life of the Mind" environment. </p>

<p>Convey clearly your character and passion, and everything will fall accordingly.</p>

32

<p>Look I don't mean to say that the school discriminates against Asians or women explicitly (well ok they DO against Asians, that's what affirmative action effectively does) but in these cases there are generally more women and Asians applying (and with high stats) than others proportional to the population. And if you really think a 26 doesn't put a good sized dent in an app, you are kidding yourself. It can be overcome, and sure there are plenty of people who do it, but it still hurts.</p>