<p>Looking from the stats of uChicago, I can easily tell that it's unique. For example...</p>
<p>uchicago doesn't require essays from the aCT, according to an article by USAToday. nor does it really want SAT essays. What it does want, are responses from its own rather unique institutional essays.</p>
<p>of course, essays are what distinguish Uchicago from the rest. But what about other facets of its admissions? Of course, the acceptance rate is quite high for a top tier college - 40%! Furthermore, only 76% of students are from the top 10% of the class. So UChicago doesn't care so much about grades or test scores as much as it cares for those essays.</p>
<p>But what about ECs? What if I specialize in only one EC, say math/science? Will I have to get into USAMO if that's the case?</p>
<p>I am puzzled by UChicago. 40% is quite high, and schools like Stanford require twice the number of essays as Chicago, yet have much lower acceptance rates. This gives me the idea that the ones who write outrageous essays (at least challenging or different ones) are warmly accepted simply because they are "unique." I am hoping this is not so, but it seems to be, otherwise they would have to rely at least a little more on numbers. To answer your question, I have no idea.</p>
<p>I know people here seem to think that U Chicago cares more about essays than numbers... but looking through the records at my school of applicants from the past 4 years and who got in, there is a VERY clear pattern. From my school, there was a certain threshold GPA. If you got higher you were in, otherwise you were rejected. I think they take the top students across the board, and the essays are there to ensure that you'd actually enjoy U Chicago and do well there. A good essay here will probably help outweigh lower rank/test scores, but it seems to me that rank/test scores are still pretty important.</p>
<p>I thought the higher acceptance rate was because they have a self selective applicant pool. I mean, the school has a reputation for being very challenging academically (the place where fun comes to die). Plus, it's not nearly as well known by most high school students as the Ivies and Stanford are.</p>
<p>It's also strange how Chicago is ranked only 14 on usnews. Don't get me wrong 'cause 14 is quite amazing. But I don't see how it can be placed alongside only JHU and Cornell. UChicago is underrated. I always considered it at Harvard level. Is there a particular reason for having a lower ranking than it deserves? Maybe it's that selectivity...</p>
<p>I think marlgirl is right on. But I hope it is not just the gpa, but the whole package (as they like to say). She is someone who spreads themselves thin as not to miss any interest. Still if it is gpa, I hope it is the weighted GPA where dd is more competitive. DD is very into Chicago, she started wide open but this is the school she knows most about and she is starting to think of college in terms of it.</p>
<p>There are some great competitors here in this forum. Good luck to all of you and I'll be really thrilled and excited to see who gets in their first choice at CHI.</p>
<p>There was a double article in (I think) Newsweek several years ago about Chicago's admissions process. They do like some quirky students, interesting students. But the top 20% and bottom 20% of applicants are put into an "accept" or "deny" category quickly with little time spent on reading essays. That aspect would be mainly a grades/test scores judgment. It's the middle 60% where everything comes into play. And they do read every application with the idea of finding out what makes each applicant tick.</p>
<p>Does UofC really not place a great emphasis on grades? My grades are quite low, actaulyl, very low, but my AP scores are all 5's and one 4, and my SAT score is pretty good too, and so are my EC's. im just a tad depressed because my grades are so horrendous i doubt i'd get into many schools im interested in (hampshire, smith, UofC, reed, oberlin, macalester, bates) Anyone have any info on the grade emphasis at UofC?</p>
<p>Nice List. I think you have a good shot at Hampshire, Smith, Oberlin McA, Bates. I'm not really sure on where U Chicago stands on GPA, but 92% rank in the top 20% of their class. Are you in this range?</p>
<p>If your grades show a clear upward movement, then you will have better chances. That article that I mentioned above shows a couple of cases just like that. That also would include your first-semester senior year grades, which could be critical to a favorable decision in your case.</p>
<p>um. well. they go from high, to low junior year, back up for senior year. i THINK i'm in the top 25ish, DEFINITELY in the top half. it's just a really competitive school, the top 10 or so have 4.0's. its the low junior year grades that have high ap test scores, but i'm definintely working a lot harder this semester and have all A's and one C (AAH I HATE ECONOMICS AP) so i guess thast an improvement.</p>
<p>The Chicago acceptance rate can be misleading. It looks high, but this is due in part to their daunting application and a self-selection process among the applicant pool. While many colleges work to pump up their application numbers (and hence their apparent selectivity), Chicago continues to demand multiple unique essays. Few students will bother to apply there on a whim, or as a last-minute add-on to their list.</p>
<p>I agree with the self-selection process. Before freshman year, I didn't even know what UofC was. I knew the cliche good schools, like Harvard, Princeton, etc, but for some reason, UofC doesn't get the same kind of press. It would be interesting to do a study or investigation as to why that is.</p>