<p>SAT scores and GPA obviously matter to some extent, but is it true that U of Chicago really, truly sincerely only care for the essays?</p>
<p>That is not true. The most important factor is your high school transcript, including grades and choosing the hardest curriculum available. SAT scores are not weighed very heavily in admissions. Essays are an important part of an application, including the shorter essays such as the Why Chicago? one, but a student's scholastic record is much more important.</p>
<p>corranged is correct. One must be careful not confuse GPA with doing well. As corranged pointed out, what is important is "choosing the hardest curriculum available." A high GPA while choosing not to challenge oneself will typically not do the trick. Essays come next, but recommendations are also extremely important. Chicago prides itself in admitting students for the faculty. How HS faculty view a student and one's accomplishments means a lot.</p>
<p>how about extracurriculars? how much weight do they hold? god im starting to freak out, i need to stop thinking about this stuff.
but seriously will involevment and leadership make up for a gpa thats lacking?</p>
<p>Whatever conjectures may be thrown out, a ridiculously high % of admitted students are in the 99th percentile of standardized test scores and rank highly in their class.</p>
<p>My theory is that numbers can't bring you in by themselves, but aside from a few exceptions....say 15% of admits, they can certainly keep you out if there is nothing to make up for it (recs, essays, EC's etc)</p>
<p>"how about extracurriculars? how much weight do they hold?"</p>
<p>I am not involved in anything school based, just a few out of school community service things, and I was accepted. My test scores and GPA (3.8 and 33) are also not hugely impressive, so work hard on your essays for sure and take difficult classes.</p>
<p>I think Uchicago is far more tolerant of lower-than expected stats than comparable schools, so long as you demonstrate your qualifications by other parameters. Personally I had a 3.34 GPA, was barely in the top 20% at my school, although I had hard classes and a 2340 SAT score. But they refuse many students with high SATs/gpas; I honestly think the reason I was accepted was my essay. My extracurriculars were scanty though I enjoyed them, but I cannot emphasize how proud I was of my essays. My letters of recommendation were also unusually good I think, so there are many factors in this. </p>
<p>Good essays are good though.</p>
<p>Are there benefits to the Uncommon App??</p>
<p>I found that when I applied, it made me feel like I was applying to specifically the University of Chicago and not an abstract, conglomerate College. That prospect made me really excited and inspired, and I think it helped fuel some of the passion in my essays.</p>
<p>The Uncommon App gives the talented creative writer a chance to shine.</p>