Official University of Chicago 2016 EA Results Thread

johnman27362011 · December 19, 2011, 11:16pm

ACCEPTED

[ b]Objective:[ list]
[ *] SAT I (breakdown): CR:680, M:700, W:690, Total:2070
[ *] SAT I superscore (breakdown):SAME
[ *] ACT (breakdown):N/A
[ *] ACT superscore (breakdown):N/a
[ *] SAT II: Chemistry:740, US History:730, Biology E:680
[ *] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.58
[ *] Weighted GPA: N/A
[ *] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A, but 6/28
[ *] AP (place score in parentheses): US History:5, Chemistry:3
[ *] IB (place score in parentheses): N/A
[ *] Senior Year Course Load: AP European History, AP English, AP Calculus, Statistics, Social and Political Change, Anatomy, Expository Writing (.5 credits)
[ *] Number of other EA applicants in your school: NONE, 0
[ *] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):[/list] Sophomore: Citizenship Award, Honor Roll (GPA >3.5), Junior: Citizenship Award, Headmaster’s List (GPA >3.75)
[ b]Subjective:[ list]
[ *] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Chess Team Captain, school community service rep, newspaper political editor, give school tour (selective), play squash and soccer
[ *] Job/Work Experience: Internship my junior year summer
[ *] Volunteer/Community service:[/list] rep for my schools organization
[ b]Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):**[ list]
[ *] Essays (Include Subjects):[ list]
[ *] Common App Main: 10
[ *] EC Short Answer: 9
[ *] Extended essay(which topic): Free Topic, 10
[ *] Optional Essay: 9
[ *] Why Chicago: 9
[ *] Other:[/list][ *] Teacher Recommendation #1: Didn’t see it, but was prob good
[ *] Teacher Recommendation #2: Didn’t see it, but it was prob good
[ *] Counselor Rec: Didn’t see it but it was prob good
[ *] Additional Rec: From my Chess Tutor of 10 years: excellent letter
[ ] Interview: Went very well
[ ] Art Supplement:[/list] N/A
[ b]Other[ list]
[ *] Date Submitted App: 10/31
[ *] State (if domestic applicant): NY
[ *] Country (if international applicant): USA
[ *] School Type: Small private school
[ *] Ethnicity: White
[ *] Gender: Male
[ ] Income Bracket: 1,000,000+
[ ] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):[/list] LEGACY: My sister graduated from the college in 2011, and my dad graduated from the business school in 1981
[ b]Reflection[ list]
[ *] Strengths: Essays, Recs, and legacy
[ *] Weaknesses: GPA and SATs
[ *] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted because of Essays, Recs, and i’m a legacy
[ *] What would you have done differently?:[/list][/list][ b]Other Factors:Studied harder in freshman and sophomore year, but I got in so it’s cool
[ b]General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc:
I’m in so obviously i did something right

jordane · December 19, 2011, 11:44pm

Decision: Deferred

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown): 1990
[] SAT I superscore (breakdown): 1990
[] ACT (breakdown): n/a
[] ACT superscore (breakdown): n/a
[] SAT II: n/a
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): not positive…
[] Weighted GPA: 3.8
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): school doesn’t do them
[] AP (place score in parentheses): AP US Government (3), AP US History (3)
[] IB (place score in parentheses): n/a
[] Senior Year Course Load: AP English, PSU Challenge Modern European History (taken through a college near my high school), Biology, Precalculus, French Four, Latin One, Economics, Theology, Psychology
[] Number of other EA applicants in your school: I think I am the only one
[] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Awarded a fellowship with the State Department last summer (v. prestigious), semi-finalist for another this summer [/ul]
Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Mock trial for four years (team captain this year), Politics Club for four years (president this year), Model United Nations for three years (all my school allows, Security Council Delegate for a Big Five Country this year), State Department Fellowship, school ambassador, internship at the Oregon Historical Society in my senior year
[] Job/Work Experience: Nectar Frozen Yogurt Lounge (wOOt for fro yo!) junior year only
[] Volunteer/Community service: blog writer for Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement, served at a homeless shelter, lots of random service work, not really consolidated in one area [/ul]
Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):[ul]
Not to be pretentious, but my essays were really, really awesome. I was REALLY proud of them. Ten. I know, I know, that’s super pompous. But they were really good.
[] Essays (Include Subjects):
[] Common App Main: influence of the news on me after meeting people from all over the world
[] EC Short Answer: mock trial and how it made me a more confident person
[] Extended essay(which topic): I was lame and chose the “write your own questions prompt,” my questions was “why would someone be awake at three AM,” I talked about observing Ramadan two years in a row with my Muslim friend even though I am a Catholic, and the impact that had on my life
[] Optional Essay: I have these quote books in which I write all of my favorite quotes, and I talked about how those are consolidations of all the words that inspire me
[] Why Chicago: talked about being frustrated not being able to take honors classes in my freshman year of high school, wanting to be challenged [/ul]
Recommendations:[ul]
[] Teacher Recommendation #1: Politics Club advisor, known me since freshman year, I think pretty damn good
[] Teacher Recommendation #2: French teacher from my junior year, I am pretty sure a really good recommendation because she really, really liked me and was really impressed by my French skills and also she witnessed me being a really good friend on several occasions and seemed to really admire me (I promise I am not this conceited in person…)
[] Counselor Rec: No idea. I think she thinks I am kind of crazy for applying to so many (really good) schools, so I am not sure. She does not really know me (at all).
[] Additional Rec: Mock trial coach. I saw the letter and it almost made me cry it was so nice.
[] Interview: Really, really good. Interviewed with an alum in my city and I think he really liked me. [/ul]
Other[ul]
[] Art Supplement: If I could do art I would have submitted one!
[] Date Submitted App: 23 October 2011
[] State (if domestic applicant): Oregon
[] Country (if international applicant):
[] School Type: Catholic, college preparatory, all-girls
[] Ethnicity: White as mashed potatoes
[] Gender: WOMAN (sorry, that girls school feminism shining through)
[] Income Bracket: Pretty high up.
[] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): State Department fellowship!
Reflection[list]
[] Strengths: Essays, recommendations
[] Weaknesses: Test scores
[] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Test scores. One hundred percent. And maybe a little bit of the grades.
[] What would you have done differently?: Gotten better test scores.[/ul]
[/list]Other Factors:
General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc: I think that I MAY have a shot at regular decision, but I am really not sure. I hope so. The deferral actually made me really happy; I thought that I was going to be flat-out denied.

headedintoLatium · December 19, 2011, 11:46pm

ACCEPTED

Objective:
SAT I superscore: 2220 (800 CR, 670 Math, 750 Writing)
ACT: 32 but didn’t submit
SAT II: US History (750), Lit. (800)
GPA: Don’t know for this year
Rank: My school doesn’t rank, not sure about percentile
AP: Latin Vergil (5), English Lang. and Comp. (5), Music Theory (5), US History (4)
Senior Course Load: AP MEH, AP English Lit., AP Stats, Honors Latin V, Art History (elective)
Number of other EA applicants in your school: 1
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): ummm…do National Latin Exam awards count? If not, then no major awards

Subjective:
Extracurriculars: Lots and lots of music stuff (including All-State for violin for two years, chamber music, playing at my church), co-editor of school newspaper, Latin project for my teacher
Job/Work Experience: Camp counselor
Volunteer/Community service: Playing violin at church (A LOT…seriously this is like all I have lol)

Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):
Common App Main: 8-9; about my love for reading; threw in a slightly calculated Star Trek reference
EC Short Answer: 7; about my chamber group
Extended essay(which topic): 9; “Don’t write about reverse psychology”; used reverse psychology by listing all the reasons they shouldn’t accept me (sounds stupid but actually turned out well)
Optional Essay: 7-8; my favorite books/authors and music
Why Chicago: 8-9

Other
Teacher Recommendation #1: From my English teacher last year; probably my best one because 1) she is awesome at writing recs and 2) I was kind of a teacher’s pet haha
Teacher Recommendation #2: From a Latin teacher I had 3 times
Counselor Rec: Pretty standard I suppose
Additional Rec: From my school advisor and director of the music school I take lessons at; he’s known me since I was 7. Also I think the head of my school sent a letter
Interview: Average
Art Supplement: Music recording
Date Submitted App: October 30 I think
State (if domestic applicant): Massachusetts
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: Highest tax bracket I think

Reflection:
Strengths: Essays and recs
Weaknesses: Freaking math score; also pre-calc last year killed my junior GPA
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Who knows
What would you have done differently? Nothing!
General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc: I’m surprised they took me but I’m thrilled!!! I can’t wait to meet everyone next year!!!

ccparent1 · December 20, 2011, 12:13am

Decision: Deferred

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown):2380 780 M
[] SAT I superscore (breakdown):single sitting
[] ACT (breakdown):
[] ACT superscore (breakdown):35 32 reading
[] SAT II:800 Physics, Chemistry, US History, 790 Math II
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):3.98
[] Weighted GPA:4.833
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 2% in a class of 800
[] AP (place score in parentheses):6 5s and 2 4s
[] IB (place score in parentheses):
[] Senior Year Course Load:6 APs
[] Number of other EA applicants in your school: probably a few
[] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): NMSF, AP National Scholar, Did research at a national lab
[/ul] Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses):Started a premed club, leader for two others, dance, piano
[] Job/Work Experience:summer job after 9th and research after 11th
[] Volunteer/Community service: major involvement in a local health effort for 3 years
[/ul] Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):[ul]
[] Essays (Include Subjects):[list]
[li] Common App Main: ok[/li][] EC Short Answer:ok
[] Extended essay(which topic):
[] Optional Essay:
[] Why Chicago:
[] Other:[/ul][] Teacher Recommendation #1: probably good
[] Teacher Recommendation #2: probably good
[] Counselor Rec: good
[] Additional Rec: good (from a Chicago alum and research mentor sent it personally to adcom)
[] Interview:no
[] Art Supplement:abstract
[/list] Other[ul]
[] Date Submitted App:10/31
[] State (if domestic applicant):TX
[] Country (if international applicant):
[] School Type: large public
[] Ethnicity:Asian Indian
[] Gender:F
[] Income Bracket: > 200k
[] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):[/ul] none
Reflection[ul]
[] Strengths:
[] Weaknesses:
[li] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Advise to deferred candidates asks for mid year report and a note to adcom professing serious interest. Based on the current superlative grades, my D does not need to show a mid year report to prove her academics. The applicant needs to write a note to the adcom expressing Chicago as the number one choice can only mean yield control.[/li]
[li] What would you have done differently?:[/ul][/list]Other Factors:[/li]General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc:

eb9811 · December 20, 2011, 1:08am

Deferred. Not really surprised. Not to sound cocky, but my stats were ridiculously high. However, I think it was pretty obvious from everything I wrote that UChicago was not a place where I would “fit”. At all.

SnowQueen842 · December 20, 2011, 1:16am

Decision: Accepted

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I: 2270 (700 CR, 790 WR, 780 M)
[] ACT: 35
[] SAT II: 770 Physics, 760 Math II
[] Weighted GPA: 4.8
[] AP (place score in parentheses): Calc BC (5), Lang & Comp (4), Physics C Mechanics (5), Physics C E&M (4)
[] Senior Year Course Load: AP Comp Sci, AP Psychology, AP Chemistry, AP Lit & Comp, Adv. Technical Co-Op with LANL
[] Number of other EA applicants in your school: 1 other
[/ul]
Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars: Dance (student liaison to board of the company I’m in), Key Club (VP), Track & Field, NHS, a string quintet
[] Job/Work Experience: Summer/School year job at a bookstore, Research last summer
[] Volunteer/Community service: All through Key Club and NHS [/ul]
Writing:[ul]
[] Essays:[list]
[li] Common App Main: Book/character that has influenced your life (Millicent Min: Girl Genius)[/li][] EC Short Answer: Working at LANL
[] Extended essay: the time you found something you weren’t looking for (wrote all about discovering ballet)
[] Optional Essay: didn’t write
[] Why Chicago: I wrote it the night the application was due, and I’m scared to go back and read it
[/ul][li] Teacher Recommendation #1:Physics teacher, didn’t read it[/li][] Teacher Recommendation #2: Lang & Comp teacher, didn’t read it
[] Counselor Rec: didn’t read it
[] Additional Rec: didn’t do one
[] Interview: didn’t do one
[] Art Supplement: didn’t do one[/list]
Other[ul]
[] Date Submitted App: Nov. 1st
[] State: New Mexico
[] School Type: public
[] Ethnicity: white
[] Gender: female
[] Income Bracket: my parents won’t tell me…
[li] Hooks: a woman going into physics?[/ul][/li]
General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc:
So, so, so, so, grateful to see the little congratulations bubbles on the screen :)

ILoveUofC · December 20, 2011, 1:18am

eb9811:

Not to denigrate your hard won achievements, but your scores seem pretty average for this year’s high-scoring group.

Necktie · December 20, 2011, 1:26am

Pick one:
Decision: Accepted

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown): 790M, 780 CR, 790 WR
[] SAT I superscore (total): 2360
[] SAT II: 770 Bio M, 790 Lit.
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.5
[] Weighted GPA: 4.3
[] AP (place score in parentheses): Euro (5), Bio (5), US (4)
[] Senior Year Course Load: 5 Aps (Calc AB, Lit, Physics, Gov, Latin)
[] Number of other EA applicants in your school: 1
[] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):[/ul]
Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Eagle Scout, Pennsylvania Junior Classical League (President), Latin Club (President 11th), Astronomy Club (President 11th),Music, others (those are the main ones), took Astronomy course at U. Penn for the Young Scholars Program (received an A)
[] Volunteer/Community service:[/ul] through boy scouts
Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):[ul]
[] Essays (Include Subjects):[list]
[] Common App Main: 7-8. Prompt 1, about when I grasped the size of the Universe and contemplated my existence. I think it tied in nicely with the summer astronomy course and astronomy club president- also was a bit philosophical which fits Uchicago, light hearted
[] EC Short Answer: 8-9 About Latin and how I respond to the question “Why do you care about a dead language” I thought it was unique and pretty snappy
[] Extended essay(which topic): 7-8 Describe a time you found something you weren’t looking for. About a childhood gift I received and how finding it years later affected me.
[] Why Chicago: 4-5. I’m sure it’s overdone but maybe not. I talked about how the University of Chicago isn’t where fun goes to die for people like me/us.
[] Other:[/ul][ ] Teacher Recommendation #1: Alright. English teacher. Likes me, thinks I’m smart, but received B in her class.
[] Teacher Recommendation #2: Pretty good. Latin teacher, involved in tons of latin ECs and the teacher knows me pretty well
[] Counselor Rec: Good
[] Additional Rec: Letter of rec. from the PJAS talent search (science fair competition)
[] Interview: none
Other[ list]
[] Date Submitted App: Oct. 28th
[] State (if domestic applicant): PA
[] School Type: Large competitive public
[] Ethnicity: White
[] Gender: Male
[] Income Bracket: 30,000-80,000
[] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):[/list] none
Reflection[ list]
[] Strengths: Test Scores, ECs, Essays
[] Weaknesses: Grades/GPA
[] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I think you really have to paint yourself as a unique applicant who loves the school
[] What would you have done differently?:[/list][/list][ b]Other Factors:* Nothing
General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc: YAY!

GriffinOfDoom · December 20, 2011, 1:48am

Decision: Accepted

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown):2380: 800CR 800WR 780M
[] SAT I superscore (breakdown):same as above
[] ACT (breakdown):35: 32E 36R 36M 36S 11WR
[] ACT superscore (breakdown): only took once
[] SAT II: 800 Bio M, 800 Lit, 740 Math II
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):4.0
[] Weighted GPA:not sure
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):1
[] AP (place score in parentheses):5 Calc AB, 5 Bio, 5 Lit
[] IB (place score in parentheses): none
[] Senior Year Course Load: Calc BC AP, Physics C AP, Microeconomics AP, Chemistry AP (not taken for credit), US History AP, College Level Philosophy and World Religions course
[] Number of other EA applicants in your school: 0
[] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):[/ul] National Merit Semifinalist, AP Scholar
Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Mock Trial Team (president, lead defense attorney), Academic Challenge/Decathlon Team (Captain), Math League (Captain), Band and Jazz Band (section leader and principal alto saxophone), NHS, summer swim team
[] Job/Work Experience: None
[] Volunteer/Community service:[/ul] Mission trip to Jamaica in 2010, altar server at parish, play saxophone in free community concerts
Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):[ list]
[] Essays (Include Subjects):[ul]
[li] Common App Main:about how competition with my sister led to my love of learning, 7/10[/li][] EC Short Answer:about mock trial team, 8/10
[] Extended essay(which topic): play-doh and plato: 9/10
[] Optional Essay:kinda threw it together at the last minute, 5/10
[] Why Chicago: 8/10 I think…I visited the school and feel in love with it so it was very passionate
[] Other:[list][] Teacher Recommendation #1: Read early draft, but not final, 10/10
[] Teacher Recommendation #2: at least 8/10
[] Counselor Rec:9/10
[] Additional Rec:
[] Interview: went really well. It was an on-campus interview with a current student, we talked for about an hour about tv shows and swapping mock trial stories…it was awesome
[] Art Supplement:[/ul]
Other[ list]
[] Date Submitted App: Oct 31
[] State (if domestic applicant):NJ
[] Country (if international applicant):
[] School Type:Private
[] Ethnicity:Italian
[] Gender: F
[] Income Bracket: 100,000 ish
[] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):none [/list]
Reflection[ul]
[] Strengths:my academics and test scores, recommendations, and my essays were pretty strong
[] Weaknesses: extracurriculars and major awards
[] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: obviously my test scores probably had something to do with it, but I think flying 800 miles to visit the campus to show interest really helped.
[] What would you have done differently?:[/ul][/list][ b]Other Factors:** Well, it worked so…nothing!
General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc: I literally started crying when I saw I was accepted…so happy I feel really lucky and grateful to have made it (especially with the applicant pool this year)! Congrats to those who made it, and to those who didn’t…keep your chin up, you’ll find somewhere right for you.
To those who didn’t yet apply: my advice would be to show as much interest as possible, even if a campus visit isn’t an option. Schedule an interview, and email your admissions counselor with any questions, or just to introduce yourself…that was highly recommended at the information session I went to.
Once again, CONGRATS UCHICAGO CLASS OF 2016!

eb9811 · December 20, 2011, 1:49am

@IloveUofC…that was the point, in a way. They’re acceptable for Chicago (as in, they would get me accepted…or could…), so you have to look at other things, and at least for me, it was obvious from my essays, especially reading some of them again (cringe), that Chicago wasn’t the school for me…wouldn’t fit in, wouldn’t be happy.

I’ve always heard they were a school about fit, so I’d have been more surprised to get in to UChicago than Harvard/Princeton/Yale…

muskrat267 · December 20, 2011, 2:01am

Pick one:
Decision: Accepted

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown): 2320 780 M 760 CR 780 W
[] SAT I superscore (breakdown): took once
[] ACT (breakdown): 34 don’t remember
[] ACT superscore (breakdown): took once
[] SAT II: 800 math ii 800 physics
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.96
[] Weighted GPA:
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
[] AP (place score in parentheses): 5s on bc calc, chem, english lit, 4 on physics b
[] IB (place score in parentheses):
[] Senior Year Course Load: kinda light
[] Number of other EA applicants in your school: idk i think 0
[li] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): not really - athletics stuff (sport not offered at chicago), robotics world champioships qualifier, ntl merit [/ul][/li]
Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): sport, robotics, other stuff
[] Job/Work Experience: tutoring, coaching sport
[li] Volunteer/Community service: didn’t really come across on app [/ul][/li]
Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):[ul]
[] Essays (Include Subjects): good. wrote in two days before deadline. 8
[] Teacher Recommendation #1: math 8
[] Teacher Recommendation #2: history 7
[] Counselor Rec: 8
[] Additional Rec: summer research person
[] Interview: I thought it was pretty bad. the lady was very interesting but I sort of came to realize during the interview that it was not a good fit for me. (ive never visited)
[li] Art Supplement:[/ul][/li]
Other[ul]
[] Date Submitted App: hahah like 12:02 am on 12/2. not recommended
[] State (if domestic applicant): pa
[] Country (if international applicant):
[] School Type: private
[] Ethnicity: white
[] Gender: F
[] Income Bracket: applied for fa
[] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):[/ul]

Reflection[ul]
[] Strengths: scores, gpa, EC’s sort of not really
[] Weaknesses: no major awards, mostly just a math/science person not “liberal artsy”
[] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: eh good enough
[] What would you have done differently?: probably not applied because not really the place for me and someone could’ve had my spot. I wanted to be in somewhere so I wouldn’t have to apply to safeties, and applying to 3 unrestricted EA schools increased the chances. whatever the class size works out in the end.[/ul]

Other Factors:
accepted to caltech and mit as well
General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc: congrats to everybody! 90% sure going to MIT but chicago’s a very nice school.

zhangvict · December 20, 2011, 2:21am

Decision: Deferred

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown): 720M 740CR
[] SAT I superscore (breakdown): 740M 740CR
[] ACT (breakdown):
[] ACT superscore (breakdown):
[] SAT II: 790 Physics 760 Maths IIC
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): n/a
[] Weighted GPA:
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): n/a
[] AP (place score in parentheses): n/a
[] IB (place score in parentheses): Predicted 42/45
[] Senior Year Course Load: IB diploma, Higher Maths, Physics, Economics, English, Standard Level Chinese B and Art
[] Number of other EA applicants in your school: Me only
[li] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Nothing much, two mathematics certificated from UK competetion[/ul][/li]
Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Assisant scout instructor, Learn the Guitar, Debate club, Gardening club, Math Camp,
[] Job/Work Experience: Student volunteer to help a well known artist assemble and present her work
[li] Volunteer/Community service:Volunteer overseas English teacher, Distributing aid to street sleepers, helping special needs kids with their homework, peer mentoring [/ul][/li]Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):[ul]

[] Essays (Include Subjects):[list]
[li] Common App Main: About thinking about the universe, don’t know[/li][] EC Short Answer: OK
[] Extended essay(which topic): about art, Not as good as common app, Play Doh
[] Optional Essay: Yes, Lady Gaga, a book I like, and a type of pen I like
[] Why Chicago: OK, it was specific
[] Other:[/ul][] Teacher Recommendation #1: Didn’t read
[] Teacher Recommendation #2: Didn’t read
[] Counselor Rec: Didn’t read
[] Additional Rec: From Art teacher
[] Interview: Interviewed by an art gallery worker. Thought it went well idk…
[] Art Supplement:Yes, a portfolio of works in various visual mediums[/list]

Other[ul]
[] Date Submitted App: ~oct 14
[] State (if domestic applicant):
[] Country (if international applicant): Hong Kong
[] School Type: Semi-private
[] Ethnicity: Asian
[] Gender: Male
[] Income Bracket: 150k+
[] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):Nothing[/ul]
Reflection[ul]

[] Strengths: Intellectual mind, possibly my essays, art
[] Weaknesses: spread out EC’s, not very many awards, not as good junior grades, errors in precessing my application caused them to recieve ten teacher recomendations and three secondary school reports
[] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I dunno!! See weaknesses above
[] What would you have done differently?:submitted at a later date so I have more time on my essays[/ul]

Other Factors: Sent a transcript from two summer college courses, both A’s

General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc:
a little sad. Chicago is the school I would have most enjoyed learning in

XCyoungX · December 20, 2011, 10:29am

Pick one:
Decision: Accepted

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown): 2300 (superscored)
[] SAT I superscore (breakdown): 740 CR, 760 M, 780 W
[] ACT (breakdown): N/A
[] ACT superscore (breakdown): N/A
[] SAT II: 800 Math
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): not sure
[] Weighted GPA: 4.496 (4.0 scale)
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): No official ranking in school, but in top 1% I think. 
[] AP (place score in parentheses): US Hist (5), Bio (4), Eng. Lang/Comp (5), Calc AB (5), Calc BC (5), Physics C (3), Stats (5)
[] IB (place score in parentheses): N/A
[] Senior Year Course Load: taking a college course each semester, but other than that nothing special.
[] Number of other EA applicants in your school: Not sure; maybe none?
[] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Nothing national. 1st or 2nd in state at chess from 8th-10thj grade. [/ul]
Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Chess (team captain), school newspaper (story editor), Science Olympiad
[] Job/Work Experience: Guest columnist for local newspaper, taught chess
[] Volunteer/Community service:[/ul] volunteer instructor @ local elementary school chess club, NHS
Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):[ul]
[] Essays (Include Subjects):[list]
[li] Common App Main: 10[/li][] EC Short Answer: 7
[] Extended essay(which topic): Make up own prompt. 9
[] Optional Essay: Didn’t do
[] Why Chicago: 10. Visiting the school and seeing a class definitely helped.
[] Other:[/ul][] Teacher Recommendation #1: Very good; teacher knew my writing well and used some of them as examples in-class.
[] Teacher Recommendation #2: Good, but probably nothing special. Sophomore year teacher.
[] Counselor Rec: Good, but again probably nothing special.
[] Additional Rec: I can’t quite confirm if this one was even sent; if it was then it was very good. It was for a class I had been in for 3 years.
[] Interview: N/A
[] Art Supplement:N/A [/list]
Other[ul]
[] Date Submitted App: day or two before EA deadline
[] State (if domestic applicant): IN
[] Country (if international applicant): US
[] School Type: public
[] Ethnicity: Asian
[] Gender: M
[] Income Bracket: High
[] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):[/ul] None
Reflection[ul]
[] Strengths: Somewhat unique EC profile, good essays, pretty good recs, lots of AP
[] Weaknesses: nothing singularly spectacular about me. No hooks, national awards, sky-high test scores, etc.
[] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Can’t say for sure, but see “Strengths.”
[] What would you have done differently?: start college app process & visited schools like UChicago earlier. Last few months = quite stressful. [/ul]Other Factors: Took two college courses between end of junior yr. & end of 1st semester senior year.

General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc:
In general I feel extremely fortunate. I know for a fact that I’m just a pretty average guy who worked hard the last couple of years, and ended up with an overall profile that the school liked. Even if EA/ED didn’t work out for you, don’t settle for less. With how close these things are, it doesn’t mean you’re not qualified.

sa0209 · December 20, 2011, 10:53am

Decision: Accepted

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown):
[] SAT I superscore (breakdown):
[] ACT (breakdown):36
[] ACT superscore (breakdown): 36
[] SAT II:Chemistry 800, Physics 790, Math II 800
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):3.95
[] Weighted GPA: 4.99 (weird scale)
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 6/733
[] AP (place score in parentheses): Physics B 5, Calc BC 5, English Lang 5, Macroeconomics 5, US Gov 5, US History 5
[] IB (place score in parentheses):
[] Senior Year Course Load: Multivariable Calculus, AP Spanish, AP Psychology, AP Lit Comp, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, BAND!
[] Number of other EA applicants in your school: lots, 5 from our school got in early
[] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Eagle Scout, All-State Band, 8th Place State Math, Exploravisions Science Competition Honorable Mention, National Merit Semifinalist, AP Scholar with Distinction [/ul]
Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Boy Scouts (Senior Patrol Leader, Eagle Scout), Youth Orchestra, Math Team (Governing Board), Varsity Swim Team, Korean School Teacher, Wind Quintet, NHS
[] Job/Work Experience: Summer School AP Calculus A-Assistant Teacher
[] Volunteer/Community service: Hospital 300 hours [/ul]
Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):[ul]
[] Essays (Include Subjects):[list]
[li] Common App Main: wrote about my love for music and sharing it with children by organizing an outreach orchestra (8)[/li] [] EC Short Answer: perseverance in swim team (8)
[] Extended essay(which topic): Don’t write about reverse psychology (10) talked about how if someone asked me the question “Don’t write about music” and why that is just as irresistable as don’t write about reverse psych
[] Optional Essay: Fascination of Biology from the “Future is Wild” series (7)
[] Why Chicago: very descriptive and used anecdotes from my visit (9)
[] Other:[/ul][] Teacher Recommendation #1: should be awesome
[] Teacher Recommendation #2: this teacher respected me a lot
[] Counselor Rec: idk
[] Additional Rec:
[] Interview: very awesome! I’ll talk about it more later
[] Art Supplement:[/list]
Other[ul]
[] Date Submitted App:
[] State (if domestic applicant): IL
[] Country (if international applicant):
[] School Type: Big Public
[] Ethnicity: Asian
[] Gender: Male
[] Income Bracket: 200k+
[] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):[/ul]
Reflection[ul]
[] Strengths: Scores, Essays
[] Weaknesses:EC’s very generic
[] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: My creativity in the essays and the outstnading interview
[] What would you have done differently?:[/ul][/list]Other Factors:
General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc: My interview was fantastic and was very conversational and we both ended up laughing and screaming together because it was so exciting! Later he sent me a personalized congratulations email. It was not generic; it was extremely personalized with references to things we talked about like orchestra and good food. He also said he wasn’t surprised I was accepted and said my learning style would math UChicago perfectly. I’m deducing that a great interview will do MORE than “tip you over the edge.” It can be a serious component!

DonVox · December 20, 2011, 10:59am

Decision: Deferred

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown): 800 CR, 800 M, 730 W
[] SAT I superscore (breakdown): same as above
[] SAT II: 790 Chinese, 780 Math II
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): IB cirriculum
[] Weighted GPA: ~6.65/7
[] Senior Year Course Load: Higher Levels: History, Economics, Math, Chinese B. Standard Levels: Physics, English A1
[] Number of other EA applicants in your school: 3 (3 deferred, 1 admit)
[] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):[/ul] 1st in Columbia Golden Circle Awards Writing Competition for non-fiction and 1st in an International Herald Tribune writing contest.
Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Fencing Team (Captain), School Magazine (Associate Editor), School Online Column (Co-ordinator), various charity activities, Taekwondo, Student Council Rep, Philosophy discussion club, Debating team, MUN
[] Job/Work Experience: Interned at a law firm one summer
[] Volunteer/Community service:[/ul] Worked in a local human rights monitor organization, Oxfam, World Vision school branch, school trips to India and Nepal.
Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):[ul]
[] Essays (Include Subjects):[list]
[] Common App Main: 8
[] EC Short Answer: 7
[] Extended essay(which topic): Non-scientific method, 8.5
[] Optional Essay: 6
[] Why Chicago: 6
[] Other:[/ul][] Teacher Recommendation #1: V. Good (Didn’t read recs so this is a guess)
[] Teacher Recommendation #2: Good
[] Counselor Rec: Good
[] Additional Rec:
[] Interview: Guy said he’ll write something good
[] Art Supplement:[/list]
Other[ul]
[] Date Submitted App: Nov 1
[] Country (if international applicant): Hong Kong
[] School Type: International, private
[] Ethnicity: Asian
[] Gender: Male
[] Income Bracket: 200k+
[] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):[/ul] Writing awards
Reflection[ul]
[] Strengths: SAT scores (perfect considering UChig only takes into account CR and M), Grades, writing awards
[] Weaknesses: “Why UChicago” and 2nd optional essay, not particularly strong ECs.
[] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Didn’t show enough enthusiasm. 33% yield from my school’s admitted students last year, UChig might be wary of that.
[li] What would you have done differently?: Write more about how UChicago is my top choice[/ul][/list]Other Factors:[/li]General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc: Disappointed. I thought I had the scores and above-average essays, along with awards and an OK EC array.

Ancolie · December 20, 2011, 12:43pm

Decision: Accepted

Objective[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown): 2240 (800 CR/680 M/ 740 W)
[] SAT I superscore (breakdown): 2280 (800 CR/ 680 M/ 800 W)
[] ACT (breakdown): 33 (36 R/ 36 E/ 33 S/ 28 M)
[] ACT superscore (breakdown): 33 (36 R/ 36 E/ 33 S/ 28 M)
[] SAT II: 760 (US History), 780 (Literature)
[] National Merit Semifinalist
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.89
[] Weighted GPA: School doesn’t weight, so I’m not sure.
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 16/247 (unweighted GPA only)
[] AP (place score in parentheses): 5 (US History), 5 (Art History, self-studied), 5 (English Language), 3 (Chemistry)
[] IB (place score in parentheses): None
[] Senior Year Course Load: Dual Enrollment English 1010, Government and Econ (no H offered), AP Calculus AB, French AP (independent study), Dual Enrollment Psych 1030, Physics H, Advanced Art, NJROTC
[li] Number of other EA applicants in your school: None [/ul][/li]
Subjective[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): SGA (senior class rep), NJROTC (platoon commander, academic team captain, officer), school board student representative, NHS, French National Honor Society (chapter founder and president), drama, show choir
[] Job/Work Experience: None
[li] Volunteer/Community service: Tons, mostly with tutoring elementary schoolers [/ul] [/li]
Writing [ul]
[] Essays (Include Subjects):[list]
[li] Common App Main: My Common App was about my experience having an exchange student as a kid and of visiting her in Ukraine this summer. 8[/li][] EC Short Answer: ROTC. 8.
[] Extended essay(which topic): My “Between Living and Dreaming” was my strongest, I think. I wrote about my farm, about family tradition, and about the allure of history. 10.
[] Optional Essay: My optional essay was about Animorphs (lol) and a desire for tragedy in literature. 9.
[] Why Chicago: My blue-haired tour guide! It was sappy. 8. [/ul]
[li] Other [ul][/li][li] Teacher Recommendation #1: Fantastic, from a teacher that knew me well.[/li][] Teacher Recommendation #2: Never saw it, but described everything I’d done in ROTC.
[] Counselor Rec: She loves me, so I assume it was fine.
[] Interview: Missed it. ;_; [/ul] [/list]

Other[ul]
[] Date Submitted App: Late October
[] State (if domestic applicant): Tennessee
[] School Type: Public, medium sized, very backwater with almost no AP or honors classes, never sent anyone to any sort of reputable school
[] Ethnicity: Caucasian
[] Gender: Female
[] Income Bracket: $80000-$100000
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Underrepresented area, grew up on a farm, active in things like ROTC that, from what I can tell, most applicants aren’t active in. [/ul][/li]
Reflection[ul]
[] Strengths: I write well, and my essays were insightful. Unique extracurriculars with lots of leadership experience. And I’m from the middle of nowhere!
[] Weaknesses: The whole “I’m from the middle of nowhere” thing meant I was short on AP classes, but I self-studied to make up for that.
[] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: My charming personality and sheer likability!
[] What would you have done differently?: Nothing! [/ul]

General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc: Congrats, everyone, we’ve earned it! And good luck to all of those deferred… I hope to see you in Hyde Park next year. :)

DeepBreathPlease · December 20, 2011, 1:40pm

Decision: Deferred

Objective:[ul]
[li] SAT I (breakdown): CR: 780 M: 630 W:740[/li]
[li] SAT I superscore (breakdown): CR:790 M:630 W:740[/li]
[li] ACT (breakdown): E: 35 M:34 S:31 R:36[/li]
[li] ACT superscore (breakdown):E: 35 M:34 S:31 R:36[/li]
[li] SAT II:English Lit: 760 U.S. History: 730[/li]
[li] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):[/li]
[li] Weighted GPA:4.1295 out of 4.5[/li]
[li] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):7/175[/li]
[li] AP (place score in parentheses):U.S. History (5) Lang&Comp (5) Chem (3)[/li]
[li] Senior Year Course Load: AP Calculus AB, AP Lit&Comp, AP Studio Art, AP Government, Physics, Campus Ministry Team[/li]
[li] Number of other EA applicants in your school:0 EA 3 RD[/li]
[] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):NMSC Semi-Finalist, AP Scholar
Subjective:[list]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): 3 years Volleyball (letter)
3 years math team (3 letters)
SADD Chapter (President)
NHS
JO Volleyball 3 Years
Cross Country 1 year
[] Job/Work Experience: none
[] Volunteer/Community service:[list]Volunteered two summers at Fraser School working with toddlers (some with Autism and other disabilities)
Volunteering during Senior Year as a class room assistant at a local charter School
Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):[list]
[] Common App Main: Wrote about a teacher I had and how he has shaped what I want for my future (8/10)
[] EC Short Answer:expanded on my volunteer work at Fraser school and how the kids have helped me as much as I have helped them (8/10)
[] Extended essay(which topic):Between living and dreaming- really strong, everyone who read it said it would get me in. I still believe in it and am hoping it will end up pulling me through (9/10)
[] Optional Essay:wrote about my favorite blogs/books, the writing style was very strong and I think it showed who I am and the wide variety of interests I have (7/10)
[] Why Chicago: I wrote about how a math class I took sophomore year lead me to want to go to UChicago and then went on to talk about the specific programs I am interested in (8/10)
[] Other:[list][] Teacher Recommendation #1: An English teacher who knows my writing really well and, though I did not read it, am sure helped my case.
[] Teacher Recommendation #2: Chemistry teacher, saw me struggle through Pre-AP Chemistry and then bloom and thrive in AP Chemistry, really likes me, didn’t read but very good I think
[] Counselor Rec: I’ve talked to her a lot this year and though she’s not someone I would pick to write a rec for me I think she probably did an average job but explained my circumstances well
[] Additional Rec: none
[] Interview:none
[] Art Supplement:[/ul]none
Other[ul]
[] Date Submitted App:10/31
[] State (if domestic applicant):Minnesota
[] Country (if international applicant):
[] School Type:Private Catholic
[] Ethnicity:White
[] Gender:Female
[] Income Bracket:100+
[] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):[/ul]none
Reflection[ul]
[] Strengths:Essays, recommendations, class rank
[] Weaknesses:test scores?? EC’s
[] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I think my essays and recs helped me stand out but not enough to push me over the edge to accepted, hopefully someone will read them in the RD round who really connects with them
[] What would you have done differently?:[/ul][/list]Other Factors: I might have taken the SAT one more time because I was sick the second time I took it and ended up with 2150- the same score I got the first time
General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc: I was really devastated to be deferred. I had a feeling it would happen but everyone was telling me I was going to be accepted so my hopes were higher than they should have been. U of C remains my first choice, no questions asked. I cannot imagine myself anywhere else next year and I believe that things will work out the way they are meant to. It seems in my life I’ve always had to fight a little bit harder for everything I want, so I’m going to keep fighting now. To everyone accepted: I have now wish greater than to be joining you in April. To everyone deferred: I know how this feels but let’s keep our heads up and stay positive. It’s not over. Don’t give up the hard work now; now is when it matters. To everyone denied: You are all interesting, beautiful, wonderful people and maybe someday we will run into each other and I’m positive that wherever you are then you will be happy and feel at home.

thepseudoindie · December 20, 2011, 1:40pm

[ size=+2][ color=green][ b]Decision: Accepted**[/color][/size]

[ b]Objective:[ list]
[ *] SAT I (breakdown): 800 CR, 770 M, 800 W
[ *] SAT I superscore (breakdown): 2370
[ *] ACT (breakdown):
[ *] ACT superscore (breakdown):
[ *] SAT II: 800 Math II, 750 Lit, 800 US History
[ *] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
[ *] Weighted GPA: 4.5
[ *] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 1%
[ *] AP (place score in parentheses): 5’s on all 8 AP tests taken
[ *] IB (place score in parentheses):
[ *] Senior Year Course Load: 4 AP classes, 1 elective
[ *] Number of other EA applicants in your school: none…I feel special
[ *] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):[/list] just National Merit Semifinalist (which will probably be finalist)
[ b]Subjective:[ list]
[ *] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): 2 major leadership positions, varsity cross country, secretary NHS, all in all very unique/different extracurriculars
[ *] Job/Work Experience: 2 internships, 2 part time summer jobs
[ *] Volunteer/Community service:[/list] volunteered at 2 places over the years, 300-ish hours total
[ b]Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):**[ list]
[ *] Essays (Include Subjects):[ list]
[ *] Common App Main: had pretty unique topic, showed passion. 8
[ *] EC Short Answer: horrid. 5
[ *] Extended essay(which topic): the finding something you weren’t looking for; one of my better essays, showed “UChicago spirit”, 8.3
[ *] Optional Essay: random (but unique/weird!) compilation of favorites, 7
[ *] Why Chicago: really showed my voice/passion for the school, 8
[ *] Other:[/list][ *] Teacher Recommendation #1: didn’t see, but should be good
[ *] Teacher Recommendation #2: saw, and it made me blush
[ *] Counselor Rec: at least above average
[ *] Additional Rec:
[ ] Interview: pretty decent, 1 hr
[ ] Art Supplement:[/list]
[ b]Other[ list]
[ *] Date Submitted App: 10/31
[ *] State (if domestic applicant): CALI SWAG
[ *] Country (if international applicant):
[ *] School Type: public
[ *] Ethnicity: Asian
[ *] Gender: F
[ ] Income Bracket: “ineligible for financial aid” <— makes me sad
[ ] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):[/list] absolutely none
[ b]Reflection[ list]
[ ] Strengths: great academics, extracurriculars really showed passion, essays should have been a strong point as well
[ ] Weaknesses: the short Common App essay…
[ ] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:
[ ] What would you have done differently?:[/list][/list][ b]Other Factors:
[ b]General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc: soooo excited! but too bad I’m getting zip financial aid.

itmustbeadream · December 20, 2011, 4:02pm

Decision: Accepted

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown): 2240 (740 CR, 780 M, 720 W)
[] SAT I superscore (breakdown): 2260 (760 CR, 780 M, 720 W)
[] SAT II: Didn’t send
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): N/A (school doesn’t give unweighted gpa)
[] Weighted GPA: 4.98/5.0
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A (school doesn’t rank)
[] AP (place score in parentheses): US History (5), Chemistry (5), Physics B (4). I never really was a fan of the AP curricula.
[] Senior Year Course Load: AP Calculus BC with Advanced Topics, Astrophysics (two tri), Research in Physics, Western European Cultural Studies (two tri), Climate Change Biology (one trimester), Molecular and Cellular Biology (one tri), Classical Piano and Guitar, Introduction to Complex Systems, Differential Equations, some others…
[] Number of other EA applicants in your school: 4?
[] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National finalist in NASA competition? [/ul]

Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Physics research at major university, Gay-Straight Alliance (president), Physics Teacher’s Assistant (I do grading/teaching review sessions/run nightly tutorials), teaching science lessons at local elementary school after-school programs, Secular Student Alliance (president)
[] Job/Work Experience: None
[] Volunteer/Community service: 50 hours at library over summer, 90 hours per year at school (various tasks, ranging from grounds duty to helping grading)[/ul]
Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):[ul]
[] Essays (Include Subjects):[list]
[] Common App Main: Talked about why I like science, and how my research project brings together a lot of different aspects of learning into one cohesive idea. Got a little philosophical, but nothing memorable. 5
[] EC Short Answer: Talked about my work with the GSA. 6
[] Extended essay(which topic): Made my own topic… this essay got me in. I talked about my development as a person over the past few years. This essay is what got me in; I really put my soul into it. 10
[] Optional Essay: Didn’t do. The above essay was 1200 words… oops. I thought I’d spare them some reading.
[] Why Chicago: Pretty straightforward, wanting a liberal arts education while having an environment that I can continue my research in. 7
[] Other:[/ul][] Teacher Recommendation #1: I knew this teacher fairly well, did well in her class. She would give me extra problems to do because I’d finish early. Probably very good.
[] Teacher Recommendation #2: Didn’t know this teacher as well, but I liked her a lot. Obviously, she must have had something good to say.
[] Counselor Rec: Didn’t read, I believe very good.
[] Additional Rec: None
[] Interview: I didn’t think it went very well, but it mustn’t have been too terrible.
[] Art Supplement:[/list]

Other[ul]
[] Date Submitted App: 10/31
[] State (if domestic applicant): NC
[] Country (if international applicant):
[] School Type: Residential, STEM curriculum.
[] Ethnicity: Caucasian
[] Gender: Male
[] Income Bracket: 70-80k
[] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):First generation… that’s about it.[/ul]
Reflection[ul]
[] Strengths: I really think I conveyed my passion for the school in my essays, and physics and an innate intellectual desire were the cohesive narratives binding my app together. First gen helps. Finalist in a NASA competition.
[] Weaknesses: I had a few B’s, most of my essays weren’t incredible.
[] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Extended essay was powerful, to say the least. I put a lot of thought, emotion, and meaning into it… even though I only worked on it for five hours.
[] What would you have done differently?: Not worry so much! [/ul]Other Factors:
**General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc: **
I know it probably doesn’t sound like it (my mom just got out of surgery, so I’m a bit out of my wits), but I’m absolutely ECSTATIC about the decision. Chicago has been my dream school for what seems like… forever. If I end up there (I’ve got my fingers crossed for financial aid) then I’ll be happy beyond words.

loldanielol · December 21, 2011, 7:27am

Pick one:
Decision: Accepted

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown): 2310
[] SAT I superscore (breakdown): see above
[] ACT (breakdown):
[] ACT superscore (breakdown):
[] SAT II: 800 USH 790 Bio-M 770 Math II
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.90
[] Weighted GPA: school doesn’t weight
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 10%
[] AP (place score in parentheses): four 5’s and one 4
[] IB (place score in parentheses):
[] Senior Year Course Load: five APs, toughest courseload
[] Number of other EA applicants in your school: not sure, I think quite a bit (10+) but I think I was the only one accepted.
[li] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): NMSF, FBLA regional/state awards, one FBLA national award, various minor other ones.[/li]
[/ul]
Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Amnesty Int’l (President), FBLA (Vice-President), board of a student-run nonprofit org., board of American Cancer Society
[] Job/Work Experience: three separate tutoring jobs (one private, one with a tutoring branch, one with a tutoring franchise), internship with a Cal State professor, research internship with an online nonprofit organization
[li] Volunteer/Community service: city-sponsored program, Rotary Interact, CSF [/li]
[/ul]
Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):[ul]
[] Essays (Include Subjects):

[list]
[li] Common App Main: 9, wrote about friend with cancer and how he influenced my outlook on life; very sincere and honest but lacked depth.[/li][] EC Short Answer: 8, about involvement with nonprofit org,
[] Extended essay(which topic): 10, between living and dreaming, took what I believed to be a standard stance, but as it turned out it was a very unique stance and a good reflection of myself,
[] Optional Essay: 10, bold and interesting, about how I appear to be a paradox.
[] Why Chicago: 8, emphasized the intellectual atmosphere and the Core and also referenced to UChicago’s first-edition copies of rare books by Adam Smith and other famous writers, well-written and well-researched,
[] Other:[/ul][] Teacher Recommendation #1: AP Bio teacher, excellent, she loved me.
[] Teacher Recommendation #2: APUSH teacher, excellent but not as good, we have mutual respect.
[] Counselor Rec: Probably excellent, he has 350 other students but he seems to like me.
[] Additional Rec: none
[] Interview: none
[] Art Supplement: none

[/list]
Other[ul]
[] Date Submitted App: 10/31
[] State (if domestic applicant): CA
[] Country (if international applicant):
[] School Type: competitive public
[] Ethnicity: Asian (Taiwanese)
[] Gender: Male
[] Income Bracket: >100K
[] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none

[/ul]
Reflection[ul]
[] Strengths: academics, interesting EC’s (they’re focused and convey my passion well), excellent essays
[] Weaknesses: GPA/courseload was a bit weak (I’m a year behind the top kids in math), not too many ECs
[] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: no idea!
[] What would you have done differently?: apply earlier!

[/ul]Other Factors:
General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc: I was fully expecting a deferral, so this was a pleasant surprise. I applied last-minute and did the Why Chicago and the extended essays in two days without having anyone revise it. But I think I really showed my independent spirit and quirkiness through both essays. These essays are the most important component of your application, hands down, so don’t be like me and make sure to spend lots of time on your essays. Anyway I’m waiting for RD results to come out (got deferred ED from my dream school so I’m still hoping) before making a choice, but UChicago seems a likely choice.

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