Freaking out. Just applied EA to UChicago. Could someone please gauge my chances?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Alright, so I'm new here and thought I'd say "hi." Though as the subject line indicates, I'm here for a semi-negative reason. I REALLY want to go to UChicago, but I'm really scared now that I've applied, lol.</p>

<p>SAT - Didn't send.
SAT IIs - Taking in November
G.P.A. - unweighted: ~3.8, weighted: 5.2
ACT - 29 (Writing 34, Science 23, Math 25, Reading 33)
APs - Will have 13 by graduation; I am an AP Scholar with Distinction
Rank - Top 3%
Awards - Princeton Book Award, Smith College Book Award, National Gold Medal in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards (honored at Carnegie Hall), President's Volunteer Service Award, Silver Knight nominee, etc.</p>

<p>ECs - This is where I think I may end up being okay. Just an idea: I am the only student who sits on the School Board, elected by my peers. Volunteered at orphanages in Ghana and Vietnam, then started a Pen Pal Program between schools here and schools there. I write for a major newspaper's community news network, my writing has been published, Managing Editor of School newspaper, works on national editorial board of a student-run national lit magazine, sit on the board of directors of my district's United Way, in four honor societies, President of Interact Service Club, etc. </p>

<p>If it helps, I also took undergrad classes at UChicago this summer, earning an A and a A- whilst getting a recommendation from a professor there... I also am a female (not Hispanic) living in Florida.</p>

<p>If anyone could give me some insight, I'd really appreciate it.</p>

2

<p>I’m sure you know that your weaknesses are your math/science scores, which are way below average at Chicago, while your CR/writing scores are comfortably within Chicago’s range. If you applied a few years ago, it would’ve been hard to get in since well-roundedness was so emphasized. Today with the new head of admissions, no one really knows what is emphasized and what isn’t.</p>

<p>I would say low reach. Your ECs are great, your grades in your UChicago classes are impressive, and your standardized CR/W scores are good. But with respect to a school that will be admitting about 1 in every 6-7 applicants next year (but probably 1 in 4-5 for EA), it’s hard to say that your math/science scores will just be okay. Best to just wait it out and see what happens.</p>

3

<p>you seem like a strong applicant, though your test scores are low.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for responding. I really appreciate it. I guess what I’m trying to gauge is the extent to which that’ll (i.e. test scores) hinder my possibility of acceptance…</p>

5

<p>I think you’re a strong applicant. The scores are not the highest, but hey, who said they’re looking for the top scores?
:slight_smile: good luck!</p>

6

<p>ECs are awesome.</p>

<p>But I think you should try to raise ACT to 32 for almost sure acceptance.</p>

7

<p>I think your high achievements-grades and ECs-balance out your slightly low (for UChicago) ACT. Your chances are good, but you are certainly not a sure shot. Did you do the “Find X” essay?</p>

8

<p>Thanks for the chance
Very impressive class rigor, rank, awards and ECs and I’d assume that taking classes there over the summer would further increase your chances. IMO you should get in; good luck!</p>

9

<p>I normally would say “no” immediately based on GPA/ACT, but after I got done reading your ECs and summer accomplishments I had to take a step back. That is some really wonderful stuff you’ve done. It really makes me realize what I’m up against! I would say a low to medium reach only because your ACT…can you take the November one? That could really solidify your chances because you seem like a phenomenal kid that I think deserves to go to their choice college. </p>

<p>Good luck, and EA should help out a lot!</p>

<p>Chance me back:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1023069-whaddya-think-i-chance-back.html#post1065812777[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1023069-whaddya-think-i-chance-back.html#post1065812777&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

10

<p>Very impressive ECs. I’d say you’re about even with chances. You’re matchy!</p>

<p>Chance me back! [Chance</a> me for Cornell ED! You know you want to. - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=1022386&referrerid=421954]Chance”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=1022386&referrerid=421954)</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

11

<p>I think you have a very good shot at getting in, especially if you took classes there. Imo anywhere from a match to a low reach. Good luck.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1022659-you-know-you-want-chance-me-chance-back-well.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1022659-you-know-you-want-chance-me-chance-back-well.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

12

<p>This is rather hard to decide because you have very good ECs but low test scores. Your For UChicago I’d say it’s a medium reach. As long as you write essays on the same level as what the Scholastic Gold Medal would seem to indicate and demonstrate passion, I think you should get in.</p>

13

<p>Your numbers are low, but your ECs are impressive. It definitely helps that you took classes there and did well. I think that if the professor’s recommendation is good, then you should have a good shot of getting in. As long as the adcoms look at your application holistically, I think you would be a more attractive candidate than a “bookworm” with a much higher GPA and ACT score but few ECs.</p>

14

<p>I’d say it’s a slight reach, but you definitely have a good chance of getting accepted…Great ECs.
Best of luck.</p>

15

<p>ohh tough. Your only weakness is that ACT. Clearly you are anything but well-rounded. If you simply havent taken the math to test well in it, that sucks, but if you have, you NEED to buy a practice book and take like 10 math and science tests. If you can get those up in the december test you’ll have a ton of colleges to choose from. With that 29, things are real iffy. Also, you’ll need good SAT subject tests. I’d say you have a fair chance despite those math and science scores because of your ECs.</p>

16

<p>First off, don’t say “whilst.” Please. </p>

<p>You have amazing ECs, if I do say so myself. Your ACT is a bit weak though. I don’t know what you got on your APs and SAT IIs, or else I could tell you how you’re doing academically. However, you have a passion for writing and making a difference, it seems, so you might just get it. If your essay is something like “I realized my place in the world when I went to Ghana and all of the people were starving and I felt bad that I’m not ever hungry” the admissions peeps will probably puke everywhere and reject you. Your esssays and recs are crucial here. Good luck though :D</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1025558-h-n-3-m3-0r-w-ll-thr0w-v3g3t-bl3-y0ur-f-3-a.html#post1065830999[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1025558-h-n-3-m3-0r-w-ll-thr0w-v3g3t-bl3-y0ur-f-3-a.html#post1065830999&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

17

<p>To yaintime21: I’m really sorry about the “whilst.” Didn’t mean for it to be taken personally. If you think that’s bad, you’ve obviously never heard me speak, lol. </p>

<p>To you guys who asked:
Actually, my essays have absolutely nothing to do with Ghana (or Vietnam for that matter) at all. I’ve been told by many different people that they’re really strong. I did the essay on the two types of people in the world, as well as the optional and the Why Chicago? </p>

<p>Also, in the way of recs, I have them from two teachers of mine from junior year who were basically fighting to adopt me and one from the professor at UChicago whose class I aced. </p>

<p>I sometimes think I might just get lucky, but most of the time I’m pretty scared that I have no chance. Thanks to all of you for your honesty! It’s helped give me some perspective.</p>

18

<p>Hi there. So, I posted previously, freaking out about UChicago. Now that I’ve calmed down, I was hoping that a few of you would chance me for UChicago and all my other schools. I pinkie promise that I’ll chance you back. </p>

<p>So, here’s the list:
EA: UChicago
Amherst College
Cornell University
Oberlin College
Wesleyan
Bard College
Johns Hopkins
NYU (Gallatin)
Swarthmore
UMichigan
Williams
Middlebury
Northwestern
Wash U</p>

<p>And here are my semi-updated stats:
SAT IIs - Took in November (U.S. History, Literature, World History)
G.P.A. - unweighted: ~3.8, weighted: 5.2
ACT - 29 (English 35, Science 24, Math 25, Reading 33) (I’m VERY worried about this; taking it one more time in December.)
APs - Will have 13 by graduation; I am an AP Scholar with Distinction. All 5’s on all APs taken so far.
Rank - Top 3%
Awards - Princeton Book Award, Smith College Book Award, National Gold Medal and several regional awards in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards (honored at Carnegie Hall), President’s Volunteer Service Award - Gold Level, Silver Knight nominee in English and Literature, Certificate for Superior Writing from the National Council of Teachers of English, National Journalism Honor Roll, etc.</p>

<p>ECs - (I’m trying to keep this short, so I bulleted, just so you guys get the idea.)
*I am the only student who sits on the School Board, elected by my peers to represent 380,000 students.
*Volunteered at orphanages in Ghana and Vietnam, then started a Pen Pal Program between schools here and there. We just registered as a 501(c)(3) and have expanded to four schools in Miami and three abroad.
*Appointed to the Superintendent’s Student Services Advisory Committee.
*Sit on the Youth Advisory Committee of the Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade County.
*I write for the Miami Herald’s community news network.
*My writing has been published in five different publications, both local and national.
*Managing Editor of the my school’s newspaper, which was just recently rated as “All-American” by the National Scholastic Press Association.
*I work on national editorial board of a student-run national lit magazine.
*I sit on the board of directors of my district’s United Way.
*In four honor societies (National, English, Social Studies, Quill and Scroll). Hold officer positions.<br>
*President of Interact Service Club; brought membership from an original 8 to 82 and currently organizing a district conference. </p>

<p>Recs: Great, but then again, so are everyone else’s. The only thing worth mentioning is that I have one from a UChicago professor, whose class I aced over this past summer. (I took undergraduate courses there and got an A and a A-).</p>

<p>To anyone who reads all this and bothers to chance me: YOU ARE A SAINT!</p>

19

<p>Your ECs are very strong and the diversity will be good boost. Your test scores like the rest mentioned need a bit of a boost.</p>

<p>You stand a fair chance at UChicago with ECs and scores like those. Your biggest hook will be the rec from the professor from UChicago. You should be on a good track. </p>

<p>As for the rest:
Reaches - Cornell University, Johns Hopkins
Fair match - NYU, Northwestern</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1039611-chances-aspiring-neuroscience-major-please.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1039611-chances-aspiring-neuroscience-major-please.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

20

<p>^lol</p>

<p>As to the OP, you have fantastic ECs. From what I’ve heard, being published counts for a lot. You seem like a great applicant :slight_smile: I think your ACTs are a little low, but honestly, standardized tests don’t count for that much, and I think that if you come across as a strong applicant through your essays, you should get into Chicago. In fact, I think that you’re a much better applicant than people I’ve seen with 2400s. Good luck to you, hope to see you at Chicago!</p>

<p>Chance back? :slight_smile: (same school haha)</p>

<p>Objective:</p>

<p>Potential environmental science / econ major</p>

<p>SAT: 2350 (M: 750, V: 800, W: 800)
SAT IIs: (a little low) Math II: 790, Bio (M): 720
GPA: 96.7 (UW), my school doesn’t rank haha.
APs: 5 on BC, 5 on Chem, 5 on World History, 5 on US History [school doesn’t offer that many APs so I self-studied the last two]
School: ranked top 10 high schools by US News and World Report (magnet, competitive)
Current load: Multivariable calculus, Spanish VI, Current Global Issues, English IV, AP Physics C, Engineering Design and Development
(self-studying for AP Spanish Lang and Lit exams, and AP Macro and micro exams)
AP Scholar with distinction
NMSQT Commended (lol a little low for PSATs haha)</p>

<p>Subjective</p>

<p>Model UN: president, international awards (Princeton, UPenn, UNA, etc. 1st places)
Newspaper: editor in chief
Yearbook: editor
Performing arts club: president
Student council participant
Independent research: several national and international awards, published twice (envi sci related)
Varsity rower - good 2k erg score
Drum major of marching band
First chair flutist
Technology student association: gold/silver/bronze achievement awards, 3rd at states</p>

<p>Volunteering</p>

<p>NHS member
Key Club participant
Founded research-mentoring program in my community / volunteer at middle schools around community to mentor kids
Candy striper
Open houses at my high school</p>

<p>Work experience/internships</p>

<p>Barclays Capital (this year) - pretty difficult to get
Science internship in Meadowlands
Stars Challenge program</p>

<p>New Jersey Scholars Program
National Youth Leadership Conference
CTY</p>

<p>White, legacy at Brown/Harvard, middle class (ish)
Hook: crew recruit candidate at UPenn, Princeton; published in 2 scientific journals</p>