<p>Are my chances better for University of Chicago or Georgetown University? I'm looking at both of them for reach schools and I'm not sure which one I would have a better chance at getting into. Both of these schools lie close to my heart, but I need to choose one. My GPA is a 3.8 unweighted, and I'm in the top 13% of my class. I have taken nine APs (AP chemistry, psychology, world, physics, US history, calculus, literature, language, and economics). I also am part of the debate club, as well as apart of National Honor Society. I only have a 25 ACT score but I got a 10 on the essay. The one strength I have is that my essay conveys my passion and diversity. I need to apply to the school that really cares about what kind of person I am so they can see that I belong to their university. I know both of these schools are reaches, but which would I have a better chance in getting accepted? Thank you!</p>
<p>Unfortunately, that 25 on the ACT is going to kill your chances in these schools. I know UChicago places heavy emphasis on its essays, and I don’t know much about Georgetown. Even if essays weighed in a lot in the college’s admissions, you still need good grades and test scores.</p>
<p>Honestly you have a better chance at Bowdoin (provided that you do not send test scores) than at U Chicago or Georgetown…</p>
<p>You’ll get rejected by both with that ACT score. The rest of your credentials don’t matter if you have a 25 ACT score…it clearly conveys grade inflation (in my opinion). Somebody taking 9 AP courses and 3.8 unweighted GPA should get at the very least…a 29-30.</p>
<p>Look at Bowdoin as Catria said.</p>
<p>Try taking the SAT and see if you can do better.</p>
<p>UChicago is a bit more prestigious and more of an ivy. But since they’re pretty close together, I guess your major matters more. Get more ECs and get 2100+ SAT then you’ll be a strong applicant :)</p>
<p>Chance me? :D</p>
<p>@tyrtle First off, it amazes me how you can make such a rude comment, and pretend like you know what you are talking about. You’re lucky I have done my research and don’t take your comment to heart. You sit here and tell me that my ACT score clearly shows that my grades are inflated? Ok, so me working 100% my entire high school career means nothing because I have test anxiety and can’t take standardized test? No, I totally disagree. And I know 100% that admissions do not just look away from your application when you have a low ACT score. For your information, University of Chicago has admitted someone with a 24 ACT, and that would be my cousin about four years ago. So before you make rude, unnecessary comments, please get your facts straight. You should probably read up on American universities because most use a holistic application and look at every part, not just your ACT. So please, either do your research, or stop giving your advice. You didn’t even answer my question. Thanks for nothing!!</p>
<p>How was tyrtle supposed to know that you had test anxiety?<br>
Even with holistic admissions, test scores still play a big role in admissions. I think your cousin was very lucky (maybe a hook?).</p>
<p>@Wumanizer He didn’t know but he shouldn’t just assume my grades are inflated. And he still didn’t have his facts straight with the admissions process.</p>
<p>Test-optional schools would be good to look in to. Bates, Bowdoin, and Wake Forest are all awesome schools that’ll provide virtually anything you need academically, for example. A 25 isn’t terrible but it’s hard for UChicago or Georgetown to justify accepting you when they could easily find another applicant whose GPA matches yours while they have a 99th percentile ACT score to go along with it.</p>
<p>Pretending you didn’t provide any stats, Georgetown is somewhat easier to get into as UChicago has recently been cracking down on its admission standards.</p>
<p>Your GPA is very good but still isn’t uChicago or Georgetown material. Both of these schools are practically ivy leaguers in terms of being admitted. Schedule strength is good but your extracurriculars are lacking greatly. You would need to raise your ACT composite at least 6 points to be considered at a school of that caliber. Good luck!!!</p>
<p>Provided that your cousin truly did get into a top school with a 24 ACT (as of course I assume you’re not lying or anything), that’s an extreme anomaly, so don’t bank on getting into a top school yourself with that score. And as for the holistic admissions process you’re referring to, that only applies at top schools for slightly subpar test scores; as 88% of admitted applicants had at least a 30 on the ACT at UChicago, there’s a very slim chance you’ll be admitted, as the 12% that gets in with less than 30 on the ACT is most likely made up of athletes, celebrities, etc. (maybe excluding your cousin, I don’t know). </p>
<p>Honestly, we’re not trying to be rude; we just want to make sure you don’t waste time, hope, and money on applying to schools you only have a small chance at getting into.</p>
<p>As others said, I’d recommend you apply to test-optional schools, as the rest of your stats are superb. </p>
<p>Best of luck! :)</p>
<p>Also, 2 things:</p>
<p>1) May I ask what scores you got on the AP exams?</p>
<p>2) The reason tyrtle made the assumption about grade inflation might have been because at most schools, people take tests that are worth a significant part of their grade, so people with severe test anxiety will have a low GPA. Your GPA is quite high, so it’s a little confusing that you were able to pull off such amazing grades while having test anxiety; is the ACT the only test over which you have anxiety? If so, college adcoms might be confused about that. Additionally, if you don’t have a doctor’s note / medical reason explaining your test anxiety (e.g. side effects of a necessary medication), your test anxiety may not be taken seriously by adcoms (which would be awful, since in know firsthand that test anxiety is a legitimate thing).
Just something to think about…</p>
<p>It’s amazing how none of you are answering my question. You think I don’t know that my ACT is low? I know, that’s why I am saying that these two are my reach schools. I also didn’t go into detail about my ECs I didn’t even think I mentioned them. I know my ACT is low, I just want to know if I should apply to Georgetown or University of Chicago. I actually regret putting up my ACT score, so thank you for the one person who actually answered my question.</p>
<p>My question is “should I apply to Georgetown or University of Chicago” so actually “no” would not be a sufficient answer.</p>
<p>jaxi, we’re just trying help you. I understand that unsolicited advice isn’t always appreciated, but I promise you, we’re (at least, I am) only doing this out of kindness, not malice. </p>
<p>To answer your question, we can’t tell you where to apply. Georgetown will be less of a reach, but you really should just choose the one you like best–or both! :)</p>
<p>The point is that it doesn’t matter which of them you apply to. That’s what “no” means. They’ll both reject you lol. They are pretty much out of range with a 25 ACT unless you are a top ranked high school wide receiver. Unless you get your ACT to at LEAST a 32, you will not be considered competitive for either of the schools.</p>
<p>So, Gtown or Uchicago? Gtown, I guess, cause it has a higher acceptance rate. But don’t waste your money on either until you get your scores up lol</p>
<p>@thebeatlestody You are so kind, thank you. I understand my chances are, to say the least, slim, but I want to apply to at least one reach school. I mean, somehow my cousin got into University of Chicago and maybe I can be like her! Is it likely? No. Is it possible? Yes. I just want to apply to a reach school just to try because there is a chance. And even a 1% chance is a chance. What are we without hope? Nothing. Thank you again for being so kind, unlike others!</p>
<p>No problem, just trying to be helpful :P</p>
<p>I commend your courage and optimism in applying to such tough schools! We need more people like that on CC!</p>
<p>What schools are you applying to otherwise?</p>
<p>PS: That whole “there’s a 1% chance” is BS. If you don’t fall in the range, you don’t fall in the range. It’s probably less than 1% if anything, and usually those 1% cases are for a series of bad grades due to some life circumstances, not bad test scores…</p>
<p>Bring the ACT up to around a 30-32… and I would say you have a decent shot at Georgetown</p>
<p>right now both school are Mid to High Reaches…</p>