Chances of UChicago??

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Unlike many paranoid applicants with near perfect scores, I do not have flawless stats to get me into the University of Chicago, which is quite competitive.</p>

<p>I applied EA, hopefully at least slightly boosting my chances. Although it is too far for me to visit, I did attend an info session that I mentioned in one of my supplemental essays.</p>

<p>Speaking of the essays, I answered the prompt "Why are you here and not somewhere else" and think I did a very good job on it. I write well, and I know that they focus a lot on the quality of the supplemental essays. I also did a solid job on the essay asking why you want to go to the school.</p>

<p>Here are my stats:</p>

<p>GPA: 3.7 Weighted.
My school is psychotic and will not let me see my unweighted GPA. My guidance counselor retired at the end of my junior year and the replacement is a completely nutty and inexperienced algebra teacher.</p>

<p>The reason my GPA is so low is because of sophomore year. My dad became fatally ill and as a result, my grades suffered and I received two C's.</p>

<p>Ranking: Top 11%... hopefully once senior year grades are factored in, it can be a 10</p>

<p>ACT Plus Writing: 31 (Superscored - I got a 30 both times I took the test) I plan on taking the test again in December and actually plan on studying/preparing for it this time, so hopefully I can really bump up my score</p>

<p>Courses:
Freshman Year - All honors
Sophomore Year - All honors except Spanish
Junior Year - AP English, rest honors except Spanish
Senior Year - AP Psychology, rest honors except Basic Finance</p>

<p>ECs:
National Honor Society (Officer)
Student Council
Drama Club
Community Theater Organization
Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots Club
Key Club
Interact Club
Yearbook Staff
Women's Empowerment Club (Founder)
Crew Team</p>

<p>Volunteer:
18 hours volunteering for the Hallmark Health VNA & Hospice
20 hours tutoring underclassmen in Humanities
~100 hours volunteering for the local cat shelter, my community theater company, and school events</p>

<p>My LORs were very impressive. I have one from my US History teacher from last year who's class I got an A+ in (it was not an easy A, I had to work my ass off) and he wrote a really glowing letter, although he did misspell my last name. The other is from a AP English teacher, a movie actor/Harvard graduate, and I don't think that he could possibly have anything negative to say about me.</p>

<p>Any other factors that I'm missing? I know this is a reach school and I'm not expecting to get admitted easily, I'm just curious. Are my chances of getting accepted to Emory or Tufts much better? Thanks so much, I'll chance back!</p>

2

<p>So step #1 - work hard to get along with that “nutty” GC. Your GC relationship could be critical to your college admissions in general. They recommendation can help or hurt you. You actually should ask your GC to explain your dip in grades due to your father’s illness in their recommendation. Also, colleges sometimes call and talk to GCs. You don’t want to be on the naughty list when that happens. So get along, and go mend fences as best you can if you have done anything that might damage that relationship already.</p>

<p>My kid got into U of C with a 3.7 two years ago. But she did have great test scores. Your essays COULD help you, but I have to say that U of C is looking for a fairly creative, interesting essay. A solid, serviceable essay isn’t going to boost you there. And your ACT is below the 25% mark. So… odds are very slim, honestly.</p>

<p>Your chances are better at Tufts, although your score is still below the 50% mark. You are above the 50% mark at Emory, so that is a match.</p>

3

<p>Thank so much. My guidance counselor loves me, he is just incompetent. I never thought to have him mention my dad’s illness in the LOR, hopefully it is not too late.</p>

<p>I have a increased chance of getting into Tufts because I live in the town where it is located and they have an agreement with my high school that they must prioritize applicants and admit a certain amount from my town each year.</p>

<p>Emory is my favorite out of all the schools, so that is good news! Thanks so much.</p>

4

<p>My son had a very similar experience in sophomore year, and first and foremost, know that you aren’t alone. I really commend you for your courage and resilience. He is also applying to the U of C and like you waiting for results. That said, Tufts and Emory will be more likely to admit you simply because they are less competitive. They are extraordinarily fine schools. I strongly advise that you make the Admissions Office at all three schools aware of your situation. You have been through a life-changing experience and it explains a lot. They will want to know. At the very least send a letter and ask that it be included in your file. Regarding Tufts and Emory, there is a section in the common app that gives you an opportunity to explain unusual circumstances–Use it! If Emory is your favorite school make your essays stand out. Good luck, my fingers are crossed for youl</p>