I have been getting a lot from them- they even sent me a T Shirt. I’m applying ED, and I’ve felt good about everything so far, but I’m afraid my ACT (33) is a bit low. (If it helps, I’m submitting 4 AP scores: AP World (5), APUSH (5), AP Lang (5) and AP Euro (4)). I go to a competitive high school, and the only class I’m taking that isn’t honors is math- I’m terrible at math. I got perfect scores on reading/writing for ACT, but the math/science scores brought my composite down. I want to be a history major and I worked my love of history into my supplemental essay (my creative writing teacher, whom I admire most and went to Princeton, read it and said he thought it was a strong essay for UChicago). I’m afraid my ACT score is going to bring my application down. Should I re-take it?
No. Your ACT score is good, especially in that it fits with what you plan to do at UChicago. Also, it is highly favorable for you that you’ve got a knowledgeable reviewer of your essay and he says it is strong. Fit and essay are important, and you appear to have both.
Based on a survey of incoming class of 2020, here are the approx distribution of ACT scores
36: 9%
35:22%
34:30%
33:14%
32:13%
31:6%
30:4%
<30:3%
So greater than 60% of the class will have scores higher than 33. In my opinion, if you don’t have a hook, your essays will need to be stellar, to be competitive.
@CollegeAngst, just curious- what is the source for the above information? Is there a breakdown of the class 2020 SAT stats as well?
Even if the ACT score is below the average, I would not suggest a retake unless you do a lot of prep work. And this takes quite a bit of time that you may be better spent at other things- essays, keeping up with schoolwork, other college applications and such.
Don’t make UChicago your narrow focus OP. Have a good list of schools that you would be happy to attend.
It’s enough but there is so much more that you need especially stellar essays.
Here you go. Lots of interesting data. Yes there are SAT stats as well
https://www.chicagomaroon.com/article/2016/9/14/class-2020-survey/
My kid had a 33 and got in.
(edit to add that she also had 9 AP classes, ranked 3 of 300, and strong ECs…so it really is a package)
Ok, now I’m really confused. OP has a SAT of 2370 and climbs 14,000 ft peaks. Why would a 33 ACT matter? Send the other score.
You’re 100% fine, especially for a history major with the two 36s it’s not a big deal. Especially with the 2300 SAT you posted about on the chances threads. @CollegeAngst is a high schooler based on his/her post history, don’t pay attention to that advice - it’s really shitty. That poll s/he posted is also going to be skewed bc it’s self-reported. Regardless, though, there are tons of students with 33s here and admissions officers don’t care about the difference between a 33 and a 34 at all. They’ll see that you’re not spectacular at math, but they’ll obviously see that anyway from your classes.
@phoenix1616 just to clarify, I do well in my math classes. They just aren’t honor/AP level. I was in honors algebra and algebra ii during freshman and sophomore year, then in junior year I moved down to regular pre calculus and am in regular calculus this year. I have made A’s in all of them, and my secondary rec is from my math teacher last year (first rec from history teacher).