So I’m currently a sophomore and I have a 4.056 GPA, I’ve taken the hardest classes possible and my psat is 1190. We take the psat again in two weeks which I hope to get higher than 1300, and I was wondering if my psat should be higher at this point of high school in order to get into UChicago? Also, I was wondering how large of a role extracurriculars have in applying for UChicago because I lack in volunteer hours but hope to soon join a shadow job at a hospital. I’ve played sports every year so far and am part of the school board. So yeah, I’m just really worried more about my standardized test scores rather than my work ethic which is very strong.
It probably says something about UChicago that my first thought after seeing the title was that this is probably a current student with an axe to grind writing a long rant
Figure out what you like and do it. A lot of people here kinda stumbled into here doing what they liked and writing about it on their application. Yeah, you will probably need a high(er) standardized test score to have a “realistic” (marginally) chance of admission, but it’s more important to figure out what interests you. And even if it doesn’t help you get in here, college admissions is less important than coming to terms with who you are and what you want you want to do and be.
@Chrchill - What I’ve noticed is that the interviewees tend to start their pithy recitation of some such with "So . . . ". This is true whether the person be a reporter, a scientist, a commentator, or whoever. It’s very interesting that they all seem to have this habit (tic?). The “So” introduction is invariably followed by a set of facts with a little bit of commentary thrown in for good measure, making the speaker sound informed and intelligent (at least to NPR listeners). It’s some sort of NPR-speak.
Very different from using “So” at the end of a sentence as in “I don’t listen to NPR, so . . . " which is a tad dismissive and makes the listener immediately think So . . . What?” That use of “So” substitutes for a coherent ending to the statement,
Neither should be used in writing. So! (or as I like to say: So Now!)
In order to have any logic, cogency or poetic flair, “So” must be immediately followed by one and only one word: “what!”. Full stop, exclamation point. That usage is the height of elegance and concision and can function as the response to almost any declaratory statement beginning with “So”.
To answer your question, Chicago’s admission rate continues to decline and is now in the single digits. Your standardized test scores probably should be a minimum of 1450 SAT or 33 ACT to be competitive. The good news is that your performance on standardized tests strongly correlates with time spent in school. As a sophomore, 1190 is quite respectable.
I would also take a timed practice test of the ACT to see how you do. For some students, there is a marked difference between the two formats. For others, their results are equivalent. If you fall into the latter category, focus on preparing for the test that is most comfortable for you. The free SAT prep through Khan Academy is very helpful. ACT has on-line prep resources as well, but they cost a modest sum for access.
Chicago also is moving towards accepting more students in the ED round. “So,” if Chicago remains your first choice when you are a rising senior AND if you talk with your parents beforehand and they can afford it, you might want to consider an ED application to improve your chances.
@dasanixxx First, I urge you not to fall in love with one particular school. There are countless places where you can receive a wonderful education. No matter what you do, no matter what your scores are , no matter how awesome your ECs are, you still have a tiny chance of getting into UChicago.
I second what others have said about trying the alternative test. My D1 did much better on SAT then ACT and D2 had the reverse experience. Colleges do not care which test you take.
No college will care about yout PSAT score unless you are a NMSF. Don’t worry about them.
Nondorf apparently just announced that the mean SAT “was well over 1500” or something like that. if you use the College Board’s practice tests, just know that they have re-scaled the Math section for the real test. Your current Math score is based on current scaling but the practice tests - some of which came out PRIOR to the first administration of the new test - might have very different scaling. Look to actual #'s of problems missed, level of difficulty, and so forth, rather than scaled score, to gauge your degree of improvement.
