My Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
1

<p>Hi, I would like to get in here, but may someone tell me what my chances are? I just started junior year.</p>

<p>By the end of the first semester of senior year (if all plans out well) I should have a GPA of about a 4.5. Only problem is sophomore year I was a bit withdrawn and had emotional difficulties and I got a D in Geometry, and I had a C first semester in history, and C in one semester of gym.</p>

<p>I took one AP class, European History last year and got a 4. This year I am taking AP English Language. Next year I plan to take English Literature, Biology, Economics, and Calculus.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
French Club
Historical Society
French Honor Society
High Honors and Honors in some classes
Office Helper
Volunteer work at a hospital
Tutor at school
Student of the month for certain classes
Piano player since age 9</p>

<p>I don't know what I will get on the ACT or SAT, but I will study extremely hard and hope to get in the 30s or at least high twenties.</p>

<p>What are my chances, based off this information?</p>

2

<p>I don't know how the senior GPA will help you since the deadline for the UC application is January 2. Don't worry about the grades too much if you had an upward trend, it shows you improved a lot to get that GPA of yours. Your classes though, aren't too impressive. Chicago loves to see a person who takes very difficult classes but then again your school could just not offer that many. Don't worry TOO MUCH about test scores since Chicago doesn't care about those too much. Focus on the essay and good luck!</p>

3

<p>Often there are mid semester grade reports or quarterly reports that one can include. Further, first semester grades are also typically in before the final decisions (RD) are made. If one is on the bubble a good showing the first semester of the senior year can't hurt. I believe it helped my S.</p>

4

<p>I didn't post all of my classes. I think my courseload is pretty difficult. I have about 6 AP courses.</p>

<p>Freshman Year:
Honors History of Western Civilization
Honors French II
English I
Algebra 2
Biology
Physical Education</p>

<p>Sophomore Year:
Honors English II
AP European History
Honors French IV
Chemistry and Physics (Semester each)
Geometry
Health
Oral Communications/Consumer Education (Required at my school)
Physical Education
Child Development</p>

<p>Junior Year:
AP English Language
Honors US History
Honors French IV
Geology
Physical Education
Pre-Calculus
Psychology</p>

<p>Senior Year:
AP English Literature
AP Economics or Government? Not sure yet
AP Biology
AP Calculus AB
Honors French V
Physical Education</p>

<p>Why does my course load not seem that difficult? I took honors and AP Classes! :(</p>

5

<p>Now, it seems difficult. You have a very good chance, in fact I would say a great one if you write a decent essay.</p>

6

<p>I just got my pre-ACT (doesn't count) score and I got a 24. So now I don't think I have a great chance. I have to improve my score by taking the class in the spring. I heard it could make my score up maybe about 4 points, making it a 28. Is that good enough? And how about that D? :( :(</p>

7

<p>Soulin, anyone there? I'm waiting here lonely, listening to Led Zeppelin, waiting for a reply...sighs.</p>

8

<p>I'm an anxious entity here. Um. I'm calling random people, so can you post anyone? Because I think I'm going insane. Thank you, have a nice night. :)</p>

9

<p>I'll post. Although I don't even know if I can get into UChicago. Here's my advice:
A 'D' is probably unacceptable for UChi. You'll definitely be expected to explain that one. Talk to you counselor and see if she would be willing to write a note for you explaining your personal issues, emotional trauma or whatever.
Could you try to take Calc BC instead of AB? It's mostly the same, just goes a bit faster.
Study for the ACT a lot, try the SAT</p>

10

<p>Um. Hm. Nobody talks about my emotional craziness so I'm not going to ask my counselor, because he doesn't know either. Anyone else care to give any interpretations? Thank you.</p>

11

<p>UC doesn't care too much about test scores so don't worry too much. A 28 isn't great but its good enough and you still have a chance ( a good one) and about the D. It wouldn't have mattered too much except that it's a pretty important class you got it in. You can write additional comments in your application and I recommend explaining it then in a paragraph.</p>

12

<p>well if you're not willing to tell anyone about your emotional problems (and yet you're willing to tell perfect strangers over the internet), then theyr'e not going to see any excuse for your D, most likely.</p>

<p>If you're having problems with the ACT, you could try the SAT and see if you do any better on that one.</p>

13

<p>UofChic is my top choice. It's consumed my life for nearly a year and I'm hell bent on getting in. I wouldn't put myself in a postion to say that I'm the final authority or that I can represent the UofC admission committee, but I think I have a decent idea of what the UofC looks for.</p>

<p>They want bright, witty, anti-authority, individuals. Not carbon copy ACT scores. They don't let a GPA in, in other words.</p>

<p>That said, the UofC is likely THE MOST INTELLECTUAL SCHOOL in the country. If you looked at their faculty, students or alumni, you'd see nothing but smart individuals. People who got good grades in high school not because they were seeking a great law firm position or entrance to Harvard Business, but people who want to learn. And not only that, but people WHO WANT TO LEARN EVERYTHING. I can't emphasize this enough. The UofChic prides itself on a humanistic liberal arts education. Think Plato's Academy. Read The Closing of the American Mind<a href="Allan%20Bloom">/I</a> **It's the BIBLE of the UofC* The entire mission of the school is to provide a wholistic education that not only captures english, philosophy and great literature, but also biology, psychology, physics, calculus and political science. 2/3 of classes at the UofChic are electives or the Core program that have nothing to do with your major!</p>

<p>Thus, in total honesty, I don't think you have a chance. Having D's and C's on your transcript will kill you. Even if it is in Geometry or Phy Ed, I believe the admissions committee will say, "she likes literature, but that's not enough." Even if you're a literature nut (which I am too), that's not enough for Chicago.</p>

<p>That said, the essay is the king of everything. There were several kids last year who got into Chicago with beyond fantastic essays who had F's and 26's on the ACT. (I read a story in the Chi-Trib. on it.) That said, the paper published some excerpts from the essays, and they blew me away. (They also had unique socio-economic conditions from which they came from. Which likely helped as well.)</p>

<p>In conclusion, probably not, but if you really want it, go for the essay.</p>

14

<p>^ Ahh, I meant to say that...</p>

<p>Nice to see someone who understands UChicago. If I had a dime everytime I got a blank look or a "what's that? a state school?" when I drop the name, I'd probably be able to afford the tuition.</p>

15

<p>I don't think a bad grade or two will "kill you" as seenatthescene suggests. Any claims of what an admissions committee "will say" regarding an applicant are purely conjecture. There is only one way to know what the admissions committee will say, and that is to apply!! I went to one of the Junior Open Houses last spring and from hearing admissions counselors speak, it is to my understanding that the admissions committee is pretty open minded. Build a strong application, and explain why you got a couple of bad grades. I think if you are forthcoming about your emotional difficulties they'd be open to giving you serious consideration...they are great, independent thinkers and they aren't going to throw your application in the trash because of a few bad grades. Don't let anyone bring you down, and give it your best shot!!</p>

16

<p>haha bendrum, I know what you mean...I was alarmed when the college counselor at my school said to me "uchicago, that's a great school! they call it a public ivy!"</p>

<p>righttttt, because we all know it's public! (rolls eyes)</p>

17

<p>
[quote]
Thus, in total honesty, I don't think you have a chance. Having D's and C's on your transcript will kill you. Even if it is in Geometry or Phy Ed, I believe the admissions committee will say, "she likes literature, but that's not enough." Even if you're a literature nut (which I am too), that's not enough for Chicago

[/quote]
</p>

<p>On a slight personal tangent,</p>

<p>I have a D in math in 9th grade and a few C+'s scattered about 9th-10th. My school splits our transcripts; a highschool transcript or 9-10th and a college transcript for 11-12th. We get an associates degree from Bard College upon graduation.</p>

<p>So, My HS GPA is around a 3.2 while my college GPA is a 3.7 (both UW). In the "college years" I have one B and the rest B+ to A.</p>

<p>Would they look at this like "ah, this kid really began to improve in the college program. The courses challenged him and drew out his passion, as the courses at UChicago probably will" (we went from some really dull books in 9-10th to Tolstoy, Homer and Dante in 11-12th). Or would it be an immediate killer that I had those low grades in my "highschool portion"?</p>

18

<p>there was an article that someone linked to on this forum about the admissions process at Chicago. if you can find it, you should most definitely read it. I found it helpful in understanding the process better</p>

19

<p>Here it is, but it is seven years old now, though I think the spirit is the same.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.scfun.net/sceduc-cl-newsweek.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.scfun.net/sceduc-cl-newsweek.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

20

<p>i read that same article and it made me want to go to chicago..</p>

<p>Look for the line that says, "the idea of a well rounded suburbonite is a complete construction of the college admissions industry. Chicago doesnt want to accecpt people who get taken from scheduled activity to scheduled activity. We want people of substance."</p>

<p>they singled out burbin' and city kids, which everyone should, but rarelly gets done.</p>

<p>--> on a more serious note, I'd still advise anyone who wants to apply should apply. That said, I believe (mind you, this is me, one single high school student) that having a D or a C, will kill your adimssion to chicago.</p>