My chances for UChicago?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
1

<p>Thank you so so much for your altruism! I'll chance you back if you prepfer this altruism be reciprocal.</p>

<p>I'm an African American, by the way. Also, the random *s in this post mean nothing and I don't know how they got there. >.></p>

<p>SAT: 2140 (first testing)
Critical Reading (verbal) 800
Mathematics 660 ((Ugh; WILL rise on retesting)
Writing 680 (I usually do really well on writing, but on my first testing, I didnt pay attention to time during the essay; so will probably improve by at least 50 points in future)</p>

<p>ACT Test Scores (first testing)
* *English * 34
* *Mathematics * 28
* *Reading * 32
* *Science * 32
* *Writing * 33
* *Composite Score * 32</p>

<p>AP Scores: 5 in AP Euro, 7 in IB Economics (the rest aren't done till Senior Year in IB)</p>

<p>GPA: 4.75/5
(Think that converts to a 3.8/4)</p>

<p>Rank: 12/(500-550)</p>

<p>Course Rigor:
I took the best classes whenever possible, which at my school means 3 honors classes in 8th grade, all but a few advanced honors classes in 9th grade, honors classes and 1 AP class in 10th grade
And in the 11th grade, I decided to become an IB Candidate, taking 3 HL courses, 1 SL, and the rest, Honors classes.
Senior year is even heavier. ^_^</p>

<p>And I fit in some online honors classes to expand my class-taking capacities.</p>

<p>ECs: Not as great as I want because my opportunities weren't pristine. Nothing interesting is particularly close and my parents don't like to drive around much for me. It was a struggle to get what I did get.</p>

<ul>
<li>NJROTC Academic Team Commander - Sop, Jun and prob Sen years</li>
<li>NJROTC Physical Fitness Team Commander (for proper stereotype deflection) - Junior, Senior?</li>
<li>NJROTC Public Affairs Department Head - Same as Academic</li>
<li>" " Newsletter Editor - Same as...</li>
<li>Military Ball Planning Committee Member</li>
<li>Track (Distance running) - 8-12 grades (varsity, state-level)</li>
<li>15 hours of community service per school year at a variety of places</li>
<li>Summer job at McDonalds before Junior and Sophomore Years
And more things during senior year...hopefully.</li>
</ul>

<p>ROTC is my main EC. I didn't plan it this way (I wasinitially forced into it by my parents, though now I've come to love it), but with all the individual teams and activities that comprise the program, it actually turned into a great way to obtain leadership positions. I may or may not be involved in ROTC programs in college.</p>

<p>I also put a lot of time into activism for the gays at my school, and that's really my proudest accomplishment. I was able to force the approval of the founding of our school's GSA (and ensuring that its name unambiguously asserts a pro-gay position), and change my ROTC Unit's policy on same-sex couples allowed at the formal military ball. All while facing the vigorous wrath of my unsupportive parents (/essay topic).</p>

<p>I also really, really, really love psychology and related sciences (like neuroscience) . I've studied through many advanced textbooks, academic handbooks, and theoretical works on the subject. I've also devoted a lot of *time to philosophy, with psychology really complementing my studies (for example, I use the data on the psychological basis of value to draw normative conclusions about what matters and explore the fact-value distinction).</p>

<p>But there really hasn't been any way of putting this interest into anything more than a really obsessive hobby. I don't have the resources to play scientist in recordable ways. >.> </p>

<p>Awards:
Keystone Award in Social Studies (highest honor for the subject at my school)
Scottish Rite of Freemasonry JROTC Award
Letter in Track Team
Highest GPA on Track Team Award all 3 years
Probably will progress in National Merit and National Acievement Scholarship Competitions, being from South Carolina</p>

<p>So...What am I missing? Does early decision/action help at UChicago? </p>

<p>I LOVE LOVE LOVE UCHICAGO.</p>

2

<p>Your scores, gpa, etc. are I would say acceptable, not great. Increasing test scores will definitely help your application. They’re not bad scores though! It’s just that Chicago has very high average scores.</p>

<p>I actually think your ec’s in ROTC are very interesting and it seems like you had a lot of leadership positions in them. You also are skilled in track and founded your schools GSA. All nothing to scoff at. Sure, they might not be “academic” ec’s but they are quite commendable and the ROTC especially will make you stand out. </p>

<p>Your academic interests can be illustrated in your essays. This is a great time to show off all of your intellectual curiosities!</p>

<p>Statistically, a higher percentage of “EA” students are accept so go for it.</p>

<p>If you can get your scores up and write some good essays, I think you have a really good shot. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>With current test scores, getting into UChicago will be difficult, even with your creds and passion. However, If you can bring the scores up to ~2300 SAT && ~35 ACT and write a good essay, you will be a very strong candidate.</p>

4

<p>Oh. I thought being URM would salve that failing. >.></p>

<p>No matter! My retest shall go amazingly.</p>

5

<p>I mean, being URM certainly helps. But because we can’t ever tell just how much it helps, I tend to ignore dealing with race in my chance responses. And it’s not failing! Your scores are still good!</p>

6

<p>Hello, recent high school graduate here! I don’t have any way to know for sure how the committee will view you but, in my eyes, your drive to go beyond the standard curriculum, the rigor of your classes and your devotion to the ROTC as well as the GSA make you a great candidate. Your test scores are not top TOP, but you still have time to raise them. Either way, don’t freak out too much about the SAT. I got a 650 in the Math part and still got in (somehow), so that 660 will not be the death of you if you can’t raise it as long as the rest of your application is strong. Relax, keep up your grades (in the end the most important part), keep doing what you love and put a lot of work into those essays. Best of luck!</p>

7

<p>I think you will be just fine. Applying early won’t hurt. The track stuff will help a lot. I agree that standardized tests could be higher, but your class rank is excellent so it shows you are a hard worker. My friend was #50 out of 400, 30 ACT no SAT, and only major EC was varsity football and he was waitlisted (and he’s Asian). Just try to get a few more points on overall ACT and SAT, and try to get all SAT subject test scores to at least 700. Also they love IB stuff so hopefully you are taking a lot of those Senior year. </p>

<p>Represent the South at UChicago!! Memphian here.</p>

8

<p>Also UChicago is getting much more competitive and has many more applicants each year than the following year. So stay strong!</p>