My Chances at the University of Chicago (ED1) and Northwestern RD, Dartmouth RD, and Brown RD

Chance Me / Match Me!
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Hello there, one of my first posts here

Demographics: South Asian Male Status: Undocumented DACA, Divorced Father is Green Card, Brother is a US Citizen in the US Army. Income: 0k for the past two years, going on with around $24,000 from my brother abroad who provides money.

Stats: GPA: UW ~3.75 Weighted 4.9/5.33
Lives in: Suburbs of Chicago, grew up in the suburbs my whole since my family moved here when I was three.

ACT: 35 SAT 2: Chemistry 760, Math II 800, Biology E 720 (oof) Senior Courseload: AP Physics C E/M and Mechanics, AP Economics Micro and Macro, AP Calculus BC, AP Spanish 6, AP Literature and Composition, and Symphonic Wind. My school does not offer AP to sophomores, but I will have taken 12 AP course by the end of the senior year with all my other classes that aren’t AP being High Honors courses.

Can speak 3 languages fluently (Korean, English, Spanish) and Japanese slightly. I have received the Bronze award for the National Spanish exam and have been taking Spanish for 6 years (Year 6 in High school, but really I have been taking Spanish since I was in elementary school).

EC: Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Played at Carnegie Hall this Spring, School Pep Band Leader, Korean Culture Club Leader, 200+ Hours at the Northshore University HealthSystem (Conjunction with UChicago! Coincidence??), Aquarium Fanatic (Breed, sell, and trade aquarium fish, plants, and etc), Neurology research at Feinberg (Northwestern) for a whole summer and continuing; Published medical research case on fistulas as first author, worked at my aunts Cafe for around 24 hours a week during the past two summers, host the official community server and work with the game developers for a popular game (Rusted Warfare), co-manages part of the Chicago aquatic plant society where I do my aquarium stuff, Solo Drone photographer and avid member of Sky Pixel.

Awards: Youth Volunteer recognition for Northshore Community Hospital, Premio de Bronce for the National Spanish Exam, Honor Rolls all 4 years high school.

Hooks? DACA, No income (from parents), divorced parents, but still am doing well.

Antihooks: No income ;( [I’m counted as international but not completely since DACA) and I’m an Asian male.

Essays: Really weird. Quirky but really speaks true to who I am with my AP Lang and AP Lit (same teacher) saying they are really good. 9.5/10 and 10/10 for the weird one.

Common App is just good: around 8.5-9/10

LOR: STELLAR. English teacher and AP Chem teacher who I am the assistant teacher for her class this year. 10/10 and 10/10

I am ED 1 UChicago, it has been my dream school since it’s…freaking HOGWARTS

That was a lot of text, but thanks to those who read it or tried to read it haha!

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Bump

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You look like a solid applicant, but who really knows what UChicago is looking for? As a non documented student who is considered international, know that UChicago is need sensitive for international students. Have you filled out the International Student Financial Aid Application? It appears you will need your entire COA covered.

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Thank you for the response. Yes I have filled out the ISFAA and uploaded my SAR from FAFSA which I was able to fill out with my DACA SSN.

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Divorced parents is an anti-hook for financial aid at Northwestern, Dartmouth, and Brown, which require both parents’ finances before they will offer financial aid (Chicago only requires the finances of the parent you live with).

For admission, all of these colleges are reaches for everyone.

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Thanks for the info (I actually only thought Dartmouth required the non-custodial waiver). I think I just need to fill out the Non-custodial parent waiver for CSS and IDOC as my mother’s whereabouts are unknown to our whole family. But based on my statistics and background, would I have a good chance at getting into the University of Chicago as an early decision applicant?

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Dang…this decision is seriously taking a toll on my mental health during the holidays haha

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I got rejected ED1. Not deferred either.

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I’m so sorry. That stinks.

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I’m not even sure what to do. I can’t even afford community college and as a DACA I can’t get loans or even get any federal aid…my family can’t afford college if the college can’t afford to give me a full ride.

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http://www.personalcollegeadmissions.com/financial-aid-nonresident