<p>I've heard that at the University of Chicago, standardized testing doesn't play as important as a role as it may in lets say HYP? Is that true?
I used the Princeton Review to narrow down my college search and when I researched U of C, it showed that standardized testing was 'considered'. It wasn't 'very important' or 'important' even. I don't know how much I should rely on this information so I decided to ask. Any comments?<br>
Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>In the 2005 edition of US news, standardized test scores are listed as "important" for UChicago. Class rank is also listed as "important", which, in my estimation, is far less important than test scores. So, these rankings are questionable. </p>
<p>A word of advice: if you are doing research, merely looking at numbers leaves a lot to be desired. In my experience, campus visits and things outside of numbers (like CC) are more telling of whether or not it is a good school for you.</p>
<p>Don't be fooled, though. Test scores are really important when applying to UChicago. I believe they are second only to G.P.A. The difference is UChicago may value the essay and other personal factors more than other prestigious colleges.</p>
<p>I'd actually say that test scores are the least important factor. GPA would probably be the second least important factor.</p>
<p>But what Blaze991 said in the second paragraph is true.</p>
<p>Most important: transcript. What classes have you chosen to take (the most rigorous ones?) and how well have you done in them?</p>
<p>Second most important: essays. We work very hard on our essay questions and are looking for creative thinkers and strong writers.</p>
<p>Libby, given that an essay is one of the few things in an application that is, shall we say, subject to outside influence, be it parental or hired, I'm surprised that you give them so much weight.</p>
<p>So how do you control for the assistance factor? Surely your radar or intuition is not that good?</p>
<p>Obviously, Libby knows much more about UChicago admissions than me. However, I am skeptical of the claim that SAT scores are the least important factor.</p>
<p>I understand that the transcript, course difficulty and how you've done in them, is more important than simply GPA. (although these are one in the same w/ most UofC applicants b/c they are the type to challenge themselves academically)</p>
<p>In a perfect world, colleges would make available the average SAT score for their rejects. This stat would be very helpful for those students applying to college.</p>
<p>The substitue for this stat are few and less telling, but last spring's decisions thread:</p>
<p>Admits: 34 with an average SAT score of 1498
Waitlists: 10 with an average SAT score of 1451
Rejects: 3 with an average SAT score of 1443</p>
<p>That's unreliable data for a number of reasons, granted. </p>
<p>More telling is this from UChicago's website for the class of 2009:</p>
<p>1500-1600 25%
1400-1490 40%
1300-1390 21%
1200-1290 9%
1100-1190 4%
1000-1090 1%
Below 1000 0%</p>
<p>I doubt that only 15% of UChicago's applicant pool has below a 1300, as the "SAT test scores are not related to admits" theory would indicate. Maybe higher scores tend to write better essays or have higher grades, but the fact remains that SAT scores have a strong correlation with admissions to UChicago. If I was at a casino, I would always put my money on the guy with a 1600 over the guy with a 1300.</p>
<p>Don't forget about the reputation for academic rigor that makes Chicago's pool somewhat self-selecting. Weaker applicants tend not to apply, fewer "Hail Mary's" here than one might see at an Ivy for example. If one can write strong essays and has taken a rigorous course load, one will probably score well on standardized tests. That here are 14% below 1300, given there are no athletic scholarships, suggests something other than tests scores matter. My guess is that there are plenty of 1400+ students not admitted that could have been if test scores were determinate.</p>
<p>As for the essay, my S's was not about him, but I thought in many ways it really captured him. I was impressed with how well, without being one of those, challenge I've overcome, or most inspirational person, it brought out his analytical abilities, ability to write, and sense of humor. I can see why there is so much emphasis placed on them.</p>
<p>My question is: what about a student can't be coached? Certainly not SAT scores.</p>
<p>If we read each essay assuming that the student did not write it, then the admissions profession would change in a dramatic and unsavory way. When students sign the application saying that everything in it is honestly and faculty presented, we believe them. </p>
<p>I agree that it is a little weird that we have the 3rd highest verbal and 14th highest math scores in the country, given that we purport not to look at scores. However, I'm not lying. I've noticed that people with better test scores tend to also take harder classes, seek out more educational opportunities, and write better essays.</p>
<p>Idad, we talked a bunch last year around this time and over the months following the start of application season.
For the record, I will hold that my getting in wasn't due to my grades, rank, gpa, or scores, but my essays.</p>
<p>There are more than enough students who can 'do well' at a school, but schools, especially UChicago, will use the essays to see how you will lend yourself to the greater community of the university. If your thinking is reserved just for yourself, what good does that do for the school? Be generous, and don't be scared to show your insight and brilliance with those who read your apps. It's only fair that we share the little tidbits of knowledge eh?</p>
<p>It is no surprise that UofC has high SAT scores even though it is not a top criterion. After all, SAT scores are highly correlated with grades anyway. The CB research itself has shown that SAT scores add little to the process beyond HS record.</p>
<p>What most posters may not know is that colleges actually analyze their data to see what works best for their goals. In other words, a college will look at how well the various components of an admissions packet predict whatever the school wants to accomplish.</p>
<p>If a school wants to publicly post on its website that it has a high number of NM finalists, then it's relatively easy to figure out how to score applicants, at least for that goal. It is a bit more subtle for some other factors, though. Most commonly, undergrad grades are the benchmark. The CB has used first year GPA, for example, in its comparison of SAT scores and HS GPA.</p>
<p>Chicago does not, rightly, publish (or publicize) what "goals" (more properly, predicted variables) it uses, but one can make educated guesses. </p>
<p>More importantly, we should realize that when Libby describes the process, she's not misleading anyone. Those are the factors UofC has found work best in shaping its classes. Be glad, because if you get in, you then know you can do the work and will fit in.</p>
<p>What I found interesting in Libby's description of what is considered was the weight NOT given to GPA. The implication was that a reasonable GPA together with a very challenging course load, was better than a higher GPA with a course load not so challenging. This suggests that the admissions staff must know what is offered at a particular school. Which occasions the following question for Libby, How much time or effort is spent reviewing high schools in each counselors region? Is there a database or a curriculum description to which one refers? Just curious.</p>
<p>I applied to colleges last year, and from everything I was told, it's a lot better to have a challenging courseload and good grades, than an easy courseload and spectacular grades.</p>
<p>College applicants are 'judged' based on what they did with opportunity provided to them, so it comes as no suprise (to me atleast) that such an implication was made.</p>
<p>I really never thought the essay was such an important factor to admissions at Chicago. I certainly understood it was considered as one of the more essential aspects, but second only to the difficulty of class selections? I didn't feel my essay was actually that strong. </p>
<p>Can an ambitious course load counter for a weak essay?</p>
<p>I would guess that the entire picture of the student as presented in the application is what is important, of which the essays (remember there are three) play a large, but not exclusive role.</p>
<p>Then what would be considered a good ACT score according to University of Chicago?</p>
<p>You make the call, here is the 2009 profile:</p>
<p>30-36 61%
26-29 27%
21-25 11%
16-20 0%
Below 16 0%
Mid 50% ACT 28–32</p>
<p>Just out of curiosity, how do you find class profiles and when will '10's be available?</p>
<p>From the Chicago home page (<a href="http://www.uchicago.edu%5B/url%5D">www.uchicago.edu</a>) select "Prospective Students."</p>
<p>On the left side of the page under "Applying" Choose Undergraduate College Admissions.</p>
<p>Choose Admission & Financial Aid</p>
<p>Choose Freshman Applicants</p>
<p>Choose Class Statistics, or</p>
<p>click on: <a href="http://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/level3.asp?id=377%5B/url%5D">http://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/level3.asp?id=377</a></p>
<p>Perhaps Libby will know when the statistics are updated. It will be interesting to see if the SAT scores decline as several selective schools, such as UPenn, have reported.</p>