Chicago Early Decision Chances?

Major: Computer Science and/or International Studies

Demographic: Asian male, upper middle class

GPA W: 4.67

Hook?: Father is Chicago alumni

Class Rank: 1st out of 550~600

SAT: 1540/1600

SAT Subjects

US History: 770

World History: 790

Korean: 800 (could or could not be my first language)

Taking three more soon (Math 1, Literature, Bio)

AP Scores

AP Human Geography- 5

AP European History-4

AP Art History-4

AP Environmental Science-4

AP English Language and Composition-4

AP Psychology-5

AP US History-5

AP World History-5

Extracurriculars

  • General interest in CS and Cybersecurity. Won a city hosted tournament and won top prize
  • Republican volunteer for governor elections in state (having interview this week)
  • Was a peer mentor at school... before the program died
  • President of Model UN at school (rose from VP to P this year after all seniors left)
  • Founded Social Studies Club
  • Captain of Quiz Bowl (coach loves me)
  • French Honour Society
  • Vice President of Archeology Club
  • NHS
  • Politics Club founding member
  • Editor for Electronic Arts. I am in charge of the ratings for Japan and Korea for FIFA 16~18
  • Long time volunteer at local aquarium
  • Licensed soccer referee and manager
  • Translated for Khan Academy and USDA after being selected for their program
  • Currently contribute and moderate forums for a language learning service.

You’ve got to be a strong candidate with your legacy status and outstanding HS record. You already know this but I’ll say it. Spend some quality time writing and editing your essays. Good luck!

Stats are strong, which means essays and recommendations are where you should focus. And deciding whether you want to apply ED, which can make a big difference for kids who are in your position.

Why are you taking more subject tests? AFAIK, no school in the US requires more than 3 and once you’ve hit 750+. there’s nothing to be gained by higher scores. I’m guessing it’s because your subject tests have all been humanities thus far, but Math 1 throws up a red flag for me – especially in an applicant that wants to be a CS major. Will you be taking some form of AP Calc senior year? If so, why not Math 2? You must have done well on the math part of the SAT (740 minimum). Basically, the additional subject tests raise a question I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Without them, I’d have just seen CS tournament result and assumed competence (perhaps rooted in self-study).

I have already taken Calc, but math hasn’t been a strong spot for me so I decided to go with 1

So did you get an AP score for calc?

eeehhhhhh… yes but I’m not gonna report it

well if it’s a 3, it won’t hurt you, it won’t help either but I don’t believe you can pick and choose your AP scores unless you’re self reporting on the common app.

I’ll self report

Is there any reason to take the additional subject tests? If not, then don’t. As I said, they are what made me ask “what’s up with math?”-- something I wouldn’t have questioned otherwise.

Alternatively (or in addition), consider not listing CS as a potential major. At UChicago you are not constrained (or advantaged ) in any way by what you say about majors at the application stage, but holistic admissions processes do seem to evalute academic rigor in the context of an applicant’s interests. So you don’t have to take/excel in the hardest courses in everything – just in the fields that appear to be your intellectual center of gravity. You’ve got a very strong International Studies background so you’ve met that criterion.

Just to be clear, I’m not saying that once you get to UChicago you can’t or shouldn’t major in CS if that’s what interests you once you take some courses and see how it’s taught. I’m just saying that, as an applicant, I think you look stronger as a potential global studies major than as a potential CS major.

OP is planning to report AP scores but withhold Math, so the strategy is to substitute in a Math 1 subject test instead. However, with a 1540 SAT, the Math portion there is most likely fine; if so, then the Math 1 is probably not going to be all that helpful. If he pursues this strategy he should consider taking Math 2. My D did NOT do well on her Calc. AB exam (in senior year) but did fine on Math 2. It’s not that hard.

There is, of course, the possibility that AP and subject test scores are not all that helpful to the adcom, who are already looking at transcripts, course load and test scores to determine academic strength. At this point, OP might consider not worrying about reporting anything that is not required, and just focus on delivering a few outstanding essays instead.

Edit/update: @exacademic made all these points already.

I’m applying first choice Global Studies
Second Choice Linguistics
Third Choice CS

I agree with @exacademic , don’t bother with the math subject test and put your interests as you describe above.