<p>Yeah, I have a 3.8 in HS and I got waitlisted.
Don't go by the gpa's and test scores.
Shine on the essays, they are honestly as important, if not more important, than they are made out to be.</p>
<p>idad, that is pretty awesome!</p>
<p>GPA plays almost no role in the admissions process. The essays play by far the largest role.</p>
<p>I know people with ~3.0 GPAs who got admitted (not waitlisted) and know people with 3.9 GPAs who were outright denied admission. Chicago cares about whether or not you're a good fit for this school. Part of that is your GPA since that might be an indication of how well-off you are academically, but it's more about your personality, which can only shine through in things like essays and interviews. Essays are more important, though, because they show off both personal and academic qualities.</p>
<p>The comment on my S's GPA was to indicate how low it was in HS, not necessarily how high it is at Chicago, though I am pleasently surprised so far.</p>
<p>UChi's admission process is weird to me, then. They don't look at grades and SAT scores, yet they have a brilliant, high performing student body. My mind is having a tough time adjusting to that. If what all of you say is true, I hope I ace those essays. ;) :p </p>
<p>Another thought: Diocletian, I'm sure those accepted with 3.0 GPAs are few and far between. They probably had some extraordinary talent that would have sealed their admission to not only Chicago but anywhere else they had applied. I know I don't fall into that category. Maybe, idad's son does. </p>
<p>Well, maybe, if I sign my soul to ED, lol, but then financial aid....<br>
:Sigh: At least, I still have one more year and a quarter.</p>
<p>They do look at grades and test scores, but those alone are not the sole determiners, nor is the absence of very high numbers in either of those categories going to keep one out. Often, however, the student who produces outstanding essays will have both high grades and high test scores as well.</p>
<p>Diocletian, I assure you they take scores and grades into account. Any school not doing that will be setting a student up for failure. Chicago wants to make sure that incoming students are capable of the workload, and once that's done they look beyond the scores and numbers to see who you are and what you can give to the institution, which is where even people with lower grades and scores can shine and showcase their unique dorkiness and whatnot.</p>
<p>Everyone,</p>
<p>I didn't say Chicago didn't take grades and test scores into account, so please read more carefully. But my point is that good grades and test scores are neither necessary nor sufficient for gaining admission to Chicago. If you have good grades then that's awesome, but you won't get in on that alone. If you have "bad" grades then don't worry too much, because your essays can redeem you. Obviously if your grades are totally abyssmal then you have some explaining to do, and it will definitely be an uphill battle. But the admissions process is very personable and if you can somehow convince the admissions people that your grades weren't really indicative of your intelligence then they will almost certainly listen.</p>
<p>Private_joker,</p>
<p>As for high school grades, well, I know at least a dozen people who had somewhere around a B/B+ average in high school. Of course there is a high correlation between a good essay and good grades and test scores in high school, but I can't stress enough that a B average isn't the end of the world at Chicago like it would be at most peer institutions.</p>
<p>Everyone should read this: <a href="http://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/level3.asp?id=313%5B/url%5D">http://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/level3.asp?id=313</a></p>
<p>It is a good overview of Admissions' "admission" philosophy. It might also help to read the essay prompts to see that Chicago isn't just looking for someone with a great transcript. There's a reason it's called the <em>Uncommon</em> Application.</p>
<p>Thanks, for the link, Diocletian. </p>
<p>As mysterious and innovative as UChi's admission's process is, one thing is for sure. For Class of '12, I'm gonna face some tough competition.</p>
<p>On a side note: Do you think that being from MA is going to hinder my chance of acceptance? MA is an academic powerhouse, afterall.</p>
<p>Private_Joker,</p>
<p>I don't know if admissions has any kind of geographic quota, so I can't really say. I'd just worry about studying well and, when the time comes, drafting a sincere and well-written essay. The rest will sort itself out.</p>
<p>There's not much point in fretting over things you can't control.</p>
<p>Private_Joker</p>
<p>According to the 2009 admission statistics, 8% of the class is from New England. This translates into about 100 students. I suspect most of these would be from MA.</p>
<p>i'm not sure if someone posted this article...but it might help to give an idea of UC admissions.</p>
<p>"A good college admissions process is not like computer dating its like love letters, said Theodore A. ONeill, dean of admissions at the University of Chicago. He said that current trends in online applications take away students individuality and result in generic and utterly boring essays."</p>
<p>this one is posted somewhere on CC...but again, just in case you haven't seen it:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.scfun.net/sceduc-cl-newsweek.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.scfun.net/sceduc-cl-newsweek.pdf</a></p>
<p>PrivateJoker -
my son's UW GPA was a 3.6 when he applied, and his SAT I math was a 670. However, his essay not only was good, but (IMO) it showed the intellectual fit that Diocletian has discussed. I have read at least one extremely good essay - from a stellar candidate (he did not post here, so don't try to guess) - who did not show this fit - and that student was wl'd. So.... make sure you have a safe list overall, but don't give up on a reach or two.</p>
<p>Thanks, ohio_mom and savoirfaire87. The links and encouragement are invaluable. </p>
<p>And, diocletion, you're right. I shouldn't be fretting over circumstances beyond my control. Patsfan is probably right. MA is a hot state for UChi, but what can I do but give Chicago my all. </p>
<p>After reading the two articles, I am pleasantly surprise of how unique Chicago is- with all its quirks and idiosynchrasies. I hope I'm not dreaming. I hope Chicago is as amazing as I gathered.</p>
<p>Almost forgot....</p>
<p>EVERYONE HAVE AN AWESOME MEMORIAL DAY.</p>