Chicago is the dream. But do I stand a chance?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
1

<p>OBJECTIVE:
• SAT: 2110. (CR+M=1420)
• SAT II: Math II 780, Chemistry 690 (Ouch!)
• High School Academic Record:
Grade 9: 88%
Grade 10: 94% (CBSE BOARD EXAMS)
Grade 11: 91%
Grade 12: 90%
• GPA (Grade 9 – 12, by Josef Silny) = 4.25 on a 4.000 Scale.
• Class rank: Top 5% (Valedictorian - senior year)
• Country: India (International applicant, yeah I know)
• Applying for aid: *YES *</p>

<p>SUBJECTIVE:
--- ACADEMIC
• The Red Blazer for "Academic excellence over a period of 4 years" (Grade 7, 8, 9, 10)
• National Aerospace Olympiad - Selected among top 15 teams from India (Grade 10)
• Scholar's Award For Academic Distinction (Grade 9)
• Highest Marks in Physics, Chemistry in Entire School (Grade 11)
• NSTSE Awardee (National Level Science Talent Search Examination ) (Grade 9)
• Class rank Top 1% (Grade 9,10, 11 12 )</p>

<p>--- EXTRA CURRICULAR
• HANDBALL (National Level Handball Player)
Grade 12. Winner of the CBSE National North Zone Handball Tournament (Recognized by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports)
Grade 11. 1st in Inter-house hand-ball tournament. (Team captain)</p>

<p>• MUSIC – Violin Player (Orchestra)
In 2009, I released a music album under the label of MIDI International studios. Every single daily had my pictures, and said great things about my music. More than two thousand copies were sold in the first month of its release! (I consider this album probably as my biggest achievement.)</p>

<p>• PUBLIC SPEAKING AND MUNs.
Grade 12. Regional Finalist British Council Debating Matters India 2010 (Sub-National Level);
Grade 12. First in Annual Debate at St. Stephen's, Delhi University(National Level);
Grade 11. Second in the All-India Debate Competition at Sanawar , Kasauli(National Level)
Grade 10. Commendation for Best Delegate DPSMUN 2008 (National Level).</p>

<p>• WEB DESIGNING
Grade 9,10. I was the member of the team of students selected to design the school website. Out of the entire batch, only 4 students were selected for this. The selection was based on a competition organized by the computer department of our school. </p>

<p>• LEADERSHIP
I was elected the School Captain of my school for the academic year 2008-2009. As a captain I had to ensure discipline, encourage participation, and deal with everyday problems of the student body. As a representative of the students, I was expected to bridge the gap between the student body and the administration. </p>

<p>• Learned French (DELF - Alliance Francaise)
In 2008, I did a course of French from Alliance Francaise. DELF is an official qualification issued by the French Ministry of Education to certify French language proficiency of foreign students.</p>

<p>• *“MADDAD” <a href="Founder%20Member">Hindi for "Help"</a> *
In 2006, I co-founded an organization called "Maddad". It is a non-profit organization which aims at addressing modern day issues, and speaking out against unethical or immoral actions of the people in power.
One of our successful campaigns included a rally against the poor implementation of plastic bag laws, according to which the use of plastic bags in the city is banned. The Chief Minister of Delhi, not only applauded us for our constant efforts to make people aware of the importance of standing up for what you believe in, but also awarded us with a “ letter of appreciation.”</p>

<p>*** My Chicago Essay *<a href="Topic%20of%20my%20own%20choice">/b</a>: I wrote about my relationship with my violin teacher. When he came out of his closet and told the world that he was gay, he received a lot of flak and was removed from his position as a teacher in school. This shouldn’t be surprising given the orthodoxy that exists in India. I wrote about how I supported my teacher everywhere, wrote letters to the Prime Minister, members of the Parliament etc., and also testified in court in favor of my teacher. Ultimately, my teacher won the case against the school and was reinstated. </p>

<p>Thank you so much.</p>

2

<p>Yes, you stand a very good chance.</p>

3

<p>No, you probably do not stand a good chance, considering that you are an international student applying for financial aid. If you get rejected, it won’t be because you don’t qualify. It will be because you are unlucky. And very lucky you would be to be admitted to U of C under a need-sensitive policy. They might just be “well, we already have two Indian kids who get financial aid, we don’t want any more.” and reject you even though you are qualified and would probably be admitted had you not been international.</p>

4

<p>^ Damn, I hadn’t applied for aid earlier but then changed my mind.</p>

<p>But is it true that UChic lays a lot of stress on essays? My essays are unique and very me. I hope they see me as more than just numbers and figures. :)</p>

5

<p>I think they see everyone as more than numbers and figures. As for your essays be “unique and very me”…most students can probably say the same about their essays. Just hope the “me” you convery is the “me” they need. You sound liek a great candidate and your financial aid situation is something they will make sure you sort out if they want to accept you. Sounds like you have a good shot overall, though.</p>

6

<p>^ haha, true. everyone thinks their essays are good, and “unique”.</p>

<p>I just hope I get in. :)</p>

<p>Are you a 2015 applicant to Chicago as well?</p>

7

<p>Every college bases their admissions heavily on essays. Whether you have a 2400 SAT, a 4.0 GPA or not, what’s going to get you in is your essay.</p>

8

<p>^ True. But I believe that the essay component becomes less important as you go up the scale in your SAT score. For example, a 2400er might make it in with a moderately “good” essay, but a 2100er most likely will not.</p>

9

<p>I disagree, SoHopeless. If essays get less important as you go up the scale, why aren’t top universities filled with high-scoring robots? It’s true that a high SAT score gets you consideration in the college process for top schools, but that’s about all it does. You need great essays and ECs to prove that you’re a human being, not a study-aholic, the former being what colleges look for.</p>

10

<p>Anapestic is right…all you can do now is sit back, relax and wait for the news. People with higher stats than you will be rejected…people with lowere stas will be accepted. That is the whole idea around a holistic admissions process. You’ve done all you can at this point.</p>

11

<p>What I was trying to say was that suppose a 2400 SAT with a 4.0 GPA applies to all Ivy schools with a “good essays”, and another kid with a 2000 SAT, and 3.6 GPA applies with a “good essays”* too.</p>

<p>Good essay= A successful essay, but not something that’ll take the adcoms by surprise, or knock their socks off.</p>

<p>Chances are, that the 2400er will be accepted to more places than the 2000ers.</p>

<p>Anyway, that’s not the point. The point is, WHEN IS CHICAGO RELEASING ITS DECISION? :P</p>

12

<p>of course but a 2100 with an excellent essay can get in over a 2400 with a so-so essay ;)</p>

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<p>rejected since you’re an international applying for FA</p>

<p>it’s incredibly hard</p>

<p>your essays sound unique though. even though i’ m betting on you getting rejected, i wouldn’t be surprised if you got in either. good luck, keep us posted. and i believe last year they came out the 19th</p>

14

<p>^ hey thanks. It’s very hard to get in with aid as an int’l. Oh well.</p>

<p>I’ll keep you posted. :)</p>

15

<p>quickquestion1 sums up my response to SoHopeless well.</p>

16

<p>Lullinatalk,</p>

<p>Just to clarify, are you saying that SoHopeless won’t get in to Chicago because of financial aid?</p>

<p>If you are, then I have to disagree. Admissions are need-blind to finances, meaning that a student’s admission is not determined by whether or not they are applying for financial aid. </p>

<p>Sent from my DROID PRO using CC App</p>

17

<p>University of Chicago is not need-blind for international students.</p>

<p>Source: <a href=“https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/costs/[/url]”>https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/costs/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>“UChicago’s approach is simple: We provide aid according to need, and we define need as the difference between your educational costs and the amount you and your family can afford to pay. Your application for financial aid has no bearing on whether you will be admitted to the University; in other words, our admissions process is completely need-blind for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.”</p>

<p>Emphasis on the second half of the last sentence.
Super emphasis on the last six words of the paragraph.</p>

18

<p>Although you are an international applicant that will set you at an automatic disadvantage, along with Fin Aid and being an ORM, your stats and ECs seem adequate. Your essay seems unique and should give you an edge; along with your devotion to handball. I’d say it would be a match for you if weren’t an International applicant, but since you are, nothing is for sure. But then again, applying for the high tier schools are usually random crap shoots…best of luck!</p>

19

<p>Admission to almost every U.S. college for international students applying for financial aid depends on the luck of the draw. As I said, a 2400/4.0 Intel finalist might be rejected just because there are two other Indian students already receiving financial aid. I’m just saying don’t be disappointed if you don’t get in or get in with very little financial aid.</p>

20

<p>@askBoston</p>

<p>Calvin is right. UChicago is need-aware to int’l students. :(</p>

<p>@Slimone7</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

<p>@lullinatalk</p>

<p>Hoping for the best; expecting the worst.</p>