<p>I am currently a junior and considering applying to UChicago.</p>
<p>Ethnicity: Asian</p>
<p>Classes Ive taken:
Freshman year Math A Honors, Earth Science Honors, Global Hist Honors, Spanish II Honors
Sophomore year AP Biology, AP World History, Math B Honors, English Honors, Spanish III Honors
Junior year AP Chemistry, AP US History, AP Spanish IV, AP English Language & Composition, AP Statistics, Pre-Calculus Honors
What Ill be taking my senior year AP Physics B, AP US Gov & Politics, PA English 12 (I decided not to take AP English Language & Composition because the PA class is a lot of writing something which I prefer to a lot of reading), AP Calculus BC, AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, and I dont have room in my schedule for AP Spanish V.</p>
<p>7 APs so far, and 12 APs by end of senior year</p>
<p>Overall GPA 4.0 weighted
SAT I: 1st time 2120 (CR:700 M:620 W:800) 2nd time 2190 (CR:670 M:750 W:770) . Superscore: 2250
SAT IIs: Will be taking Literature and US History in June. Math IIC and Chemistry in October</p>
<p>Rank: I should be within the top 10 of my class my guess is 5 or 6.</p>
<p>ECs:
-Editor for schools Literary Magazine
-Math League
-Tennis team
-Science research (a class after school)
-Peer Tutoring
-Key Club
-Asian Cultural Enlightenment Club
-President of English Honor Society
-Treasurer of Math Honor Society
-Secretary of National Honor Society</p>
<p>Awards/Recognitions:
-Writer of the Year Award in my school
-National Merit Scholar (Commended)</p>
<p>Also, I recently got accepted into Walnut Hills Writing Program in Dublin for this summer.</p>
<p>Many are reluctant to speculate about chances of admission, including me. Just recognize that you have the rigor of course work, grades, and scores that are certainly just fine for U of C. If you feel like it's a good place for you, apply!</p>
<p>I just have a feeling its a no. Maybe you just seem too typical for me. I guess I don't know Chicago's standards for admission, so don't quote me. You could probably apply to 5 competitive schools, including Chicago, and get into 2 of them (which is good nowadays). But it seems like the people that do the best are more unique in their activities/ECs. Just make a nice essay.</p>
<p>Stasis-- Do not be discouraged. You're basic stats are fine (actually wonderful).
If Chicago sings to you, let it show on the app and apply, No one can predict any student's " chances". We don't know you, you do.</p>
<p>I don't think there's any way for your personality to show through in a short list of things you've done. We're not reading you the way an admissions officer will read you, so I think that chicagoboy's comment is irrelevant, as I think all of our resumes look pretty flat in comparison to the people we are.</p>
<p>Here's what I see:
-- You've taken an extremely challenging courseload.
-- You've done superbly well in classes and on standardized exams.
-- You have a lot of interests that you're able to pursue.</p>
<p>Here's what I'm curious about that I don't know but an admissions counselor will:
-- Was your high school challenging? What percent of your graduating class is thinking about four-year colleges? What percent of your graduating class is thinking about elite four-year colleges?
-- Why do you want to come to Chicago? Why do you think this will be a great place for somebody like you?
-- What kind of person are you? What kind of person will Chicago help you to become? What sorts of interests, personality traits, and skills will you bring to the undergraduate community?</p>
<p>Here's what I know:
-- You will do marvelously well wherever you end up going to school.</p>
<p>I think we place high emphasis on the personality and passion of our applicants. Therefore, ECs would be fairly high on the list. And, really, it's about the application as a whole -- whether it comes together to show your personality so the adcoms can understand who you are, what you have shown yourself capable of, and whether you are a good fit for the institution.</p>
<p>I'd say my S's ECs were very strong tipping factors for UChicago. They tied into his essays and academic pursuits and demonstrated that he was genuine about the things he likes. It was a very strong part of the total package.</p>
<p>I also think that my ECs helped to give my application some edge and depth. It was a very short list, but it showed that for me, work is play and vice versa, and it also showed that I was a good fit for Chicago.</p>
<p>Remembering Libby's posts and conversations at the info session, it seems that they care that you are doing something that interests you. My S too, had long term, deep involvement outside school.</p>
<p>Here's what Libby Pearson, our admissions counselor, has to say about how Chicago evaluates applicants:</p>
<p>
[quote]
There is never a concrete answer as to how much each portion is "weighted." If there's some telling detail in the teacher recommendation, then suddenly that becomes the most important document, and weighs 55 pounds. If there is a beautiful argument in the essay, then suddenly that becomes the most important document, and weighs 61 pounds. Reading an application is like reading a short story. Page 7 does not mean more than Page 3.
<p>"I have to say that ECs are very much overvalued in the media and on this discussion board. We just want you to be doing something that you like, which is not sitting on the couch. That can take any number of forms, from taking care of your little brother, to writing a political blog, to starting the pro-life league of San Jose. We do notice the “serial joiners” who do way more activities in their senior year than ever before."</p>