Do I have a shot? Chance me please! 2020 Applicant

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
1

Hi! I’m currently a high school senior from Indianapolis, Indiana, graduating in the summer of 2016. As of now, I’m looking at mostly colleges in my region, including University of Chicago, University of Notre Dame, Butler University, and Indiana University. Also have considered Depaul and Northwestern. UChicago is certainly one of the top colleges on my list and wanted to get some opinions on my chances on going there.

Academics
SAT I- 2180. Reading - 720, Math - 760, Writing - 680
ACT- 33 composite. English - 33, Math - 30, Reading - 34, Science - 34, Combined English/Writing - 32
Sat II- Not taken
GPA- 4.19 weighted, 3.98 unweighted (on the 4.0 scale)
Class Rank - 22 (as of 2nd semester junior year - has not been updated)
Class Size - 597
AP- Chemistry (4), Calculus AB (4), Computer Science (1 - Teacher left mid-school year with cancer, will not report this score), currently enrolled in Calculus BC, AP Government, AP Economics, and AP Biology.

ECs-
National Honor Society
Played in CYO Basketball League (6 years)
Played in Local Township’s Basketball League (8 years)
Organized blood drive at local high school
Organized toy drive at local highschool
Involved in youth outreach program (was a community event about bugs meant to get young kids excited about science)
Aquarium Club
Volunteered at Local Hospital
Worked at Local Pizza Place, 15 hours per week

Awards-
Honor Roll - All 4 years of high school
Varsity Academic Letter

Teacher Recs-
My chemistry teacher adored me and wrote an amazing letter on my behalf. I will need to get one more letter of recommendation, no letter will be as good as her’s but I will be able to get another good letter from a few other teachers.

Essays-
Haven’t done much of my essays yet. Having trouble coming up with some meaningful issues in my life without sounding corny or having a “woe is me” attitude despite having a nice childhood.

State- IN
School- Public
Class Size - 597
Gender- Male
Income- <$75k per year
Race/Ethnicity- White
Hooks- None

I wish I had a higher SAT. Really wanted at least a 2200. But since UChicago takes it out of 1600 and throw out the writing, my 1480 out of 1600 doesn’t look as bad as the 2180 out of 2400 I feel. And not a lot of awards on my resume, sadly.

Thank you all so much in advance!

2

Well, nobody really can tell you yay or nay because…well…UChicago. It’s like chancing any other extremely selective school. But if you were my kid, I’d tell you to go for it.

3

A little low on SAT and ACT, you may want to retake.
But, go ahead, apply.

4

OP I think your grades and scores are fine. The great recommendation will help. As for the essays, it’s easy to get tied up thinking about what you think they want, and I think that is a mistake. Be honest and clear with your thoughts. From reading your EC’s, it looks like you are generous with your time in volunteering. Why do you do that? How does that relate to a UChicago education? You do not come from a super high income family, that and the EC’s are interesting to me. That might be a place to start. Good luck to you.

5

Appreciate all your input.

@petrichor11 true. You never really know.

@artloversplus I agree to an extent. My scores are average in comparison with other attendees. At this point though, I have no desire to retake them. Going to Uchicago would be incredible, but I dont think I have the desire to put in a ton of hours prepping to raise my scores slightly. Rather just go with what I have and hope the rest of my application is good enough.

@kaukauna thanks! You make some good points about the essays. I’ll definitely use those ideas as a jumping off point.