Final Chances thread

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
1

<p>EA- </p>

<p>School is on newsweek's public elite with Thomas Jefferson, Stuyvesant, etc.
faculty- 80% PhD's. 100% masters. It is BOARDING.</p>

<p>Recs- Found out they were very good! Also have a supplemental rec from my piano teacher that said I was the most talented in her entire career
STATS:
Scores-
SAT I- 1470
ACT-34
SAT II- 800 Math IIc, 760 Math Ic, 620 Bio M( I got a 4 on the AP though)
GPA-weak spot 3.78 UW 4.778 W. (grades dipped after i came to boarding school last year due to adjustment, but they shot up 2nd semester)
AP's- Calculus BC-4(4 AB sub), USHistory-4, Stats-4, Bio-4, Chem-4, Psychology -3( we seriously had 10 class periods before the AP)
Courses have always been most demanding, even for my school. (i'm one of only 3 people taking 8 classe</p>

<p>Senior year courses-midterm grades
1st semester-
AP European History-96(A)
AP English Literature-94(A)
East Asian Studies-99(A)
Solving Complex Math Equations II-100(A)
Linear Algebra- 93(A)
Mentored Research- 94(A)
Government/Economics-94(A)
Calculus Based Physics-92(B+) </p>

<p>Linear and Cal based are generally considered the toughest courses in the school</p>

<p>2nd semester courses
Abstract Algebra
Differential Equations
AP English Lit
AP Euro
Solving C. Math. Eq. II
Globalization
Cal-based Physics
Evolution of the Hero</p>

<p>EC-s</p>

<p>1) Team Gear UP- Founded/coordinated non-profit- "GSSM Elementary Science Club" - student led outreach program for elementary kids. Conduct series of enrichment programs called "Elementary Science Exploration Series" (ES squared)</p>

<p>Just finished exhibiting at a science enrichment day </p>

<p>2)Speech/Debate- Team Captain. National Qualifier(policy). State Champion(PFD)</p>

<p>3)Piano- State Winner in the SCMTA pre-college auditions(grades 10-12, won as a 10th grader). Several other regional awards. Played for 11 years, submitted CD</p>

<p>4)Cross Country/Track- All Region Track 2007- 1 mile, 2 mile, 4X800 meter relay. (won't be recruited though)</p>

<p>5) Beta Club- participant all 4 years, president last year.</p>

<p>6) Student Council- elections are very competitive at my school. SC advisor is also GC, so rec will emphasize the leadership here (I am only secretary, but we only have 2 positions (moderator and secretary))</p>

<p>Summer Activities-
1) Research Intern at oncology lab
2) Furman University's Emerging Public Leader Program(one of 22 selected from across the east coast).</p>

2

<p>
[quote]
School is on newsweek's public elite with Thomas Jefferson, Stuyvesant, etc.
faculty- 80% PhD's. 100% masters. It is BOARDING.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>And because I'm going to crappy rural public school on the outskirts of nowhere and none of the faculty happen to have doctoral degrees, that's going to affect my chances too?</p>

<p>Give me a break.</p>

3

<p>whoa now, calm down. </p>

<p>I'm not trying to be cocky, but the context of the school is important to note.<br>
Because of our faculty, I can pretty much guarantee that my school is one of the more difficult schools in the nation, which may explain why it's so hard to make A's here.</p>

4

<p>Thrice-- Admissions people understand the range of schools that people apply from, it gives context. Dealing with a flawed system can be miserable and informative for a student all at once. I think CNI appreciates the gift of his education and it does not reflect poorly on anyone else. Universities need need all kinds of students from all kinds of situations. A uniform student body would be far less likely to question itself. Please don't worry about things you can't control--- just make the best of the spot you are in until you find choices.</p>

5

<p>Isn't it enough to say "extremely rigorous school" without going into the credentials of the staff, though? It was the specification (ooh, 4/5 of my teachers are doctors!) struck me as elitist and pretentious, but then again, there's no inflection on the internet.</p>

<p>Then again, most chances threads feel like that, so no worries.</p>

6

<p>We have 1 phD. teacher in our whole school... and a couple of masters...</p>

<p>I agree with Thrice..
THEN AGAIN, ...</p>

7

<p>I think part of the mentioning of teacher credentials is just to verify that the school really is as advertised. Very few students have control over where they attend<br>
Everybody is tense when their application year rolls around. When you get to college ( and you will) a lot of worries about arrogance wash away--- those who wear superiority on their sleeves are vulnerable to intellectual knockdown.
When I was at U of C, many eons ago, a house mate believed that he could have designed the human body better than God or evolution....... a brilliant and wacky guy. He was humbled reasonably quickly and we played with his arrogance like a tabby with a mouse.</p>

<p>Not to worry-- you are all ignited by what Chicago has to offer, and that
says so much about who you are as people.....you have my admiration.</p>

8

<p>CNI -
best wishes - hope that December comes quickly!</p>

9

<p>Thricedotted -
I wouldn't worry too much. My son - currently a 3rd year - also attended a semi-rural high school - no Phd's on staff. Summers were spent working (for pay). He brought a different skillset to Chicago that his friends from more financially advantaged backgrounds.</p>

<p>CNI has made good use of his resources. You have, perhaps, had to fight for yours. Nonetheless, the spark has brought you both to the same place.</p>

10

<p>^^ I think that's true. People here come from all walks of life. My immediate family shares four degrees from three different Ivy League institutions, and financial aid was never something we considered. Some of my good friends are first-generation college students, are relatively low-income, and come from all sorts of high schools all over the country. Needless to say, some high schools open themselves to certain kinds of offerings, and others don't. </p>

<p>The vast majority of people, no matter where we went to high school, didn't play the college admissions game, or if they did, they didn't devote that much time to it. My mom once offered to send me to a private SAT tutor because everybody I knew in high school was getting private tutoring, and I looked at her like she was trying to come after me with a knife. </p>

<p>I guess the real question is: what do you like to do, and how are you going about doing it? You're probably not curing cancer and saving puppies, but are you having fun in math team and Model UN? Why is UChicago a good place for you, and what could you benefit from being here?</p>

11

<p>All of the HS seniors applying this year who post here on a regular basis consistently impress me with their smarts, writing ability, and passion. I hope all of you are accepted. One thing that is nice about Chicago is that it still doesn't have sooooo many applications for each spot, and it still loses good acceptees to other schools, so basically it doesn't HAVE to reject 90% of its qualified applicants. You really all could, and should, get in. And you don't have to look over your shoulders at each other. CNI has a great story to tell, but it's not the only story, not even close.</p>

<p>To CNI (and anyone else like him or her): I understand that anxiety comes with the territory, and to some extent makes you who you are. But it's really not fair to post something that comes across as boast-full as this does (even if the boasts are legitimate and earned, as I'm sure they are) and to ask for reassurance that what looks great on paper looks great on paper. You are just sticking it to people who haven't had your opportunities. And with your strength of schedule and a school change, a 3.78 UW GPA is NOT a "weak spot".</p>

12

<p>Ya if you are as pretentious and pompous on your Application as you are here I think UChicago will see that and not take that too well. Be humble and impress others or work towards understanding people; all people</p>

13

<p>schismmanifesto- As I said in my previous post, I'm not trying to be cocky. I view myself as a pretty humble person, and hopefully you would too if you actually knew me. With that being said, the reason why i'm posting stuff about my school is that chicago cares A LOT about strength of schedule, and I was hoping the fact that I have a very difficult schedule at a very difficult school would help.</p>

14

<p>I think you have good chances. Chicago, however, ultimately is most interested in your essay. I've spoken with some UCHicago students recently who have told me they know some Chicago students who got in solely with their essay; they had 3.3 GPAs and the like.</p>

<p>Don't get me wrong. Something like 80% of Chicago's accepted students are in the top 15% of their class or whatever, so academic achievement is important. But your essay really is the most important part.</p>