Chances for UChicago

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>First off, do freshman and sophomore year really matter a lot? I did average last year (around 3.2 GPA) and I am doing good, not great this year (1st quarter- 3.5 GPA, 2nd quarter- 3.2 GPA currently)
My school goes by semesters, and each semester has two quarters in them. I go to a top 15 high school in my state (public). I've heard that if your grades progress, colleges like that. Here are my grades so far:</p>

<p>Freshman year-</p>

<p>Semester 1:</p>

<p>B
B-
C+
A
A-
A</p>

<p>Semester 2:</p>

<p>B
C
B-
A-
B
A-</p>

<p>Sophomore year-</p>

<p>Quarter 1:</p>

<p>B
A
B
B
A
A</p>

<p>2nd Quarter:</p>

<p>B (going to be B+/A- soon)
A
C-
C+ (going to be a B-/B soon)
A
A</p>

<p>So my semester 1 grades are looking like:</p>

<p>B
A
C+
B-
A
A</p>

<p>I will be working my butt off from here on out.. As a junior, my classes look like they'll be:</p>

<p>AP World History
AP US History
Honors Reading
College Writing
Algebra ll
Spanish
Physics
Marketing
Government
Sex ed (required to job shadow in this class, does job shadowing look good to colleges, or does everybody do that?</p>

<p>I'll take multiple practice ACT/SATs and I will retake them as well.</p>

<p>As a senior, I will take AP English.</p>

<p>My extracurriculars look like:</p>

<p>Football- 1 year
Track- 4 years
DECA- (will join local DECA chapter as a junior)
Academics related camp- (completed during summer of 2012)
Volunteer at local retirement home/volunteer with soup kitchen (will complete during summer of 2013)</p>

<p>(Any suggestions for more EC?)</p>

<p>I know, you're probably laughing lol. Pretty bad for somebody wanting to go to a prestigious college like UChicago. Nothing spectacular, really. I have read a lot of reviews on both campus life, and how to get in however. Apparently, your GPA & test scores are important, but not the most important. You can have a good GPA & good test scores, but you'd need a killer essay? Most applicants say that the essay is the most important factor, and if yours really shows your personality, and it is unique, and you show a thirst for knowledge, you have a better chance of getting in. So that makes me feel better. I really think I fill the mold of a student at UChicago (inquisitive, love learning, one of the few people left who like reading, etc) but I think since I didn't apply myself my first year and a half in high school, I may have screwed myself. Please be 100% honest here, and tell me if I have a chance of getting in? I really think that I will be able to write a pretty good essay, and I will work on my grades big time for the second semester of my sophomore year on.</p>

2

<p>I guess I can’t edit my post anymore? I will continue taking spanish as a senior probably, I forgot to mention that.</p>

3

<p>Why didn’t you apply EA?</p>

4

<p>I am a sophomore, I am basically asking if my grades are already too bad to get in… And if I work really hard from here on out if I have a chance.</p>

5

<p>Yes, they are too low.</p>

6

<p>Even if I get great grades as a junior and good ACT/SAT scores?</p>

7

<p>Your grades are on the low side, and at this point your ECs do not make up for them. You need to get your GPA at least to 3.5, do really well on your standardized tests, and beef up your ECs. I say don’t worry about the essays for now. That is something you can spend a month on in fall of senior year. I do not think that great essays can offset weak statistics (just my opinion, but my kid got into U of C EA this year).</p>

<p>I do think your courseload is mostly appropriate (you are taking the right level of courses). Although I wonder about your math sequence. Algebra II as a junior implies you would only be to pre-calc as a senior, is that right? That is a bit of a weakness.</p>

8

<p>Your grades ALONE eliminates any chance of you getting into UChicago. Set your aims lower.</p>

9

<p>What are your backup plans?</p>

10

<p>Are you aware that U Chicago is likely in the top 20 Universities in the WORLD? You can’t expect to get into these places with multiple C’s… You should not have more than 1-2 B’s actually…</p>

11

<p>I didn’t say that I expect to get in, I just said that I think I sort of have a shot if I really improve my grades, score well on the ACT/SAT, and write a great essay. Here is some advice from students at UChicago on getting into the university (from **************). Now, I know it is a huge long shot to get in, especially for somebody with such a bad start like me, but these are a little reassuring:</p>

<p>“Don’t hold back on your essays; they like a little bravery. Strong letters of recommendation, and maybe a little prior research experience if you are going into the sciences. Don’t worry about grades or test scores too much, they are secondary to your character and dedication to knowledge.”</p>

<p>“Present yourself in the “Why I want to go to UChicago” essay as very interested. Pay attention to detail, and make a visit if possible.
Otherwise, take the hardest classes in high school, even if you won’t get the best grades. This will show that you are willing to put in the extra effort. And don’t worry about test scores too much.”</p>

<p>“Show who you are and what you think about in your essays. Try your best in school, but don’t worry if your transcript isn’t perfect. The Uncommon Application itself will help you determine if this is the right place for you.”</p>

<p>“Don’t worry about your test scores (I got in with a 26 on the ACT)–Just write some killer essays and get heavily involved in high school.”</p>

<p>“Strong scores and strong credentials can only get you so far. Take the Uncommon Application seriously, and answer the essay questions with well-thought, incisive responses”</p>

<p>“Write a great college essay, as it’s heavily weighted on your app. Demonstrate that you belong here (and there are myriad ways of belonging) at this elite institution. Personally, I think my high standardized test scores and AP scores, as well as my essay, compensated for my relatively low GPA and class rank. But really, I believe getting into college is a lot like matchmaking: if you belong with this college, and it with you, it will somehow manifest itself in the application process.”</p>

<p>“The U of C looks for a certain breed of student - intellectual, highly motivated, and a bit eccentric. Test scores and GPA alone won’t cut it.”</p>

<p>“Admissions seeks to find people who want an Education and feel that it is there primary reason for going to college. They want someone who has broad interest and doesn’t close themselves off from other possibilites. With that said, test scores, though looked at, don’t carry as much weight as they do at other top schools. People get accepted who score lower than the middle 50 percent, including myself. My once piece of advice is to focus most of your efforts on the essay. This shows admissions if you are the free-thinking, learning-loving person they are looking for. Although the college is attempting to accept more “traditional” students, I think it is not in the tradition of the University to accept people who come here for the reputation of the school rather than wanting to learn. Make sure that you want to go here before you apply. Visit, stay overnight, observe a class and see if this is the school you want to invest 4 years of your life to.”</p>

<p>“Above all, the University of Chicago is interesting in the person and the things that drive the person to apply and, thus, want to attend the U of C. Scores, grades, GPAs… those are all well and good and, of course, important. It’s the essays and the recs that will secure your spot, however.”</p>

12

<p>My kid got in EA this year with a 3.7. Great test scores, okay ECs, probably good recommendations. No hook. Her essays were fine, but not fabulous. You don’t need a 4.0 to get in. But this poster needs to hit nothing but net from here on out on his grades to get up to that level.</p>

13

<p>Why are you giving us essay tips? Why are you posting a thread if you are already certain that you have a chance?</p>

<p>I honestly think you have little to no chance. According to your grades, you look like a slacker, especially if you suddenly start getting A’s. If you don’t get a 4.0 from here, you don’t look prepared for UChicago. If you do, you look like you lack the focus and only started caring.</p>

<p>I doubt you will get a test score to balance out your GPA, and even at a 36 I feel that would be enough. It is hard to believe that you are getting C+s right now and you will emerge with a “great test score.” Your ECs are generic and honestly seem like r</p>

14

<p>Everyone’s being unnecessarily harsh. Yes, your grades are on the weaker side, but you never know. Work hard these last two years, and if that’s enough, then it’ll have paid off, and if not, you’ll still end up somewhere great.</p>

<p>I know a kid who got into Stanford EA this year. He basically screwed around his Freshman year, but woke up and worked hard the next two years. His ECs weren’t particularly strong, but he did have some research.</p>

<p>On the other hand, another friend has a 4.0 GPA, All-State violinist, has won many competitions, with a great SAT score, and she was deferred from UChicago.</p>

<p>You never know what’ll happen so don’t worry too much about it for now and just keep trying to improve your grades.</p>

15

<p>I never said I was certain that I had a chance, I said before that it is a long shot and I have a very small chance. I posted those quotes from a website (idk why it was blanked out) because they express that the essay is the top priority, not your grades. Like I said, I have a small chance, but all I was saying is that those quotes give me a sliver of hope. Thanks for being honest. I’m not trying to be rude, but I don’t think you read all of my posts. I’ve already explained this.</p>

16

<p>Then why are you posting?</p>

17

<p>I guess I’ll have to explain again, I was asking whether my grades were already too poor to get in. I asked for an honest opinion. Then I posted those quotes because those were quotes from current/former students explaining what they think the priorities of the school is, and how to get in.</p>

18

<p>Can you give us quotes from another school that indicate that U Chicago is any different?</p>

<p>Every school stresses essays. A good GPA and scores are a constant prerequisite.</p>

19

<p>Maybe if you get all straight As for the rest of high school, take the most rigorous course load available, get extremely high test scores, accumulate strong ECs, AND have outstanding essays and recs, you could get the adcom to overlook your early weak grades. But you have absolutely no margin for error, and even if you do everything right from now on, you still might not get in.</p>