<p>My g.p.a is a 3.5(unweighted) and i got between a 32-36 out of 36 on my ACT with writing. I took the best classes that my school offered for freshies and sophmores, and I took 3 AP classes this year, and will take 3 more for my senior year. I probably won't take any AP test for the 3 APs i took this year. I'll take the tests next year. I will also participate in newspaper, DECA, yearbook, couple other clubs and sports and have a job my senior year. I'll take my SAT Subject test in October also.</p>
<p>I'm gonna try to write a good essay. I am East Indian and I sort of have a sob story, would these two seperate factors improve my chance if i included that in my essay?
Also, Am i less likely to get into UC because i live in Colorado?
Does being a girl improve my chances?</p>
<p>I know my high school career is way lame compared to all of the people on this board, but UC is seriously my dream school and I'm trying not to give up hope.</p>
<p>There are quite a few factors that go into your admission. As far as numbers go, the ACT is going to help; I would try to raise the GPA a little during your senior year. </p>
<p>What's really going to help you is essays - try to show that you have character and spirit, and would make a good addition to the community. Don't gush TOO much about how much you want to go, but do talk about how passionate you are about academics, learning, the life of the mind etc. </p>
<p>Colorado/girl: probably not going to influence it either way</p>
<p>My son was admitted with similar numbers. His sob story was religated to his GC's recommendation. His essay was a) very good and b) demonstrated that he really should be at the U of Chicago. His teacher rec's were excellent - the teachers gave him copies.</p>
<p>Just a question - is there any particular reason that you are not taking the AP exams?</p>
<p>It's hard to say what exactly goes into an admissions decision, but letting your application show your interest in the school and why you think it would be a great place for you can't hurt.</p>
<p>I would also suggest that you look into other schools that share a lot in common with Chicago that you feel more secure about getting into-- this is not to suggest that you won't get in, but rather as a protective measure for you to know that no matter what, you'll end up at a place where you will be happy.</p>
<p>Many Chicagoans I know also considered: Johns Hopkins, Oberlin, Barnard, WashU, Emory, Reed, Lewis and Clark, Sarah Lawrence, Vassar, UMich, St. John's College, McGill, Bryn Mawr, Smith, Wellesley, Bard, Vanderbilt, Carnegie Mellon, Bates, Colby, Cornell... the list goes on and on.</p>
<p>In an addition to the colleges mentioned above The University of Pittsburgh Honors College is decently well suited to UofC-minded students as well. I was very surprised when I visited as to just how well a UofC kid fit in there, although I still liked Chicago much better. It's a good safety, and they give good scholarships. </p>
<p>Off that topic- I'd really, really, really emphasize doing well on your essays. Make them creative, make them you. If you feel like your sob story is a major part of your life, by all means use it, but make sure you pick a prompt that allows you to do it or create your own- don't just try to make the prompt fit your story. If you're just using it for admissions pity (I am by no means saying you particularly intend to do this, just that people often do)... don't. Write about something you're passionate about, write something creative, just write whatever comes to mind. If it's your experience, then write about that; if it's not that particular experience, then write about something else.</p>