Official University of Chicago 2016 RD Results

MotherNerd · March 23, 2012, 5:57pm

Decision: Rejected

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown):800W/800R/720M
[] ACT:
[] SAT II:
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):3.95
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):15/200ish
[] AP (place score in parenthesis):Bio (5) US History (5) English Language (5) Calculus AB (5)
[] IB (place score in parenthesis):
[] Senior Year Course Load: Independent Hispanic Lit, Jazz Band, AP Gov, Chamber Choir, AP Enviro Science, AP Eng Lit, Advanced Chem, and Wind Ensemble
[] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): lol
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Cross Country, 4 years, captain, state for three years, various awards. Would have run on the college team but probably not varsity. Not recruited (Coach even told me that smart distance runners are a dime a dozen, unlike throwers or sprinters… lol)

Band, 7 years, concert/jazz/pep/marching, drum major and first trumpet, All-State for three years.
[] Job/Work Experience: Yard work over the summer
[] Volunteer/Community service: random little things
[] Summer Activities: work
[] Essays: all the common app stuff was good, the why UChicago was good, but the main essay was kinda crap and I didn’t do the favorite things.
[] Teacher Recommendation: good, I assume
[] Counselor Rec: template
[] Additional Rec: none
[] Interview: went pretty well

[/ul]Other[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): WA
[] Country (if international applicant):
[] School Type: public, rural
[] Ethnicity: white
[] Gender: male
[] Income Bracket:
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): rural? I tried to play that side up…[/li]
[/ul]Reflection[ul]
[] Strengths: test scores
[] Weaknesses: essay
[] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: essays
[] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted at Willamette and Lake Forest, likely letter from xc coach at Carnegie Mellon, still waiting everywhere else

[/ul]General Comments:

I applied early, and probably should have waited. My long essay for UChicago was a rush job, and I knew it… The rest of my app got me deferred, but I didn’t bother sending an email or anything because a) I’m lazy and b ) I didn’t think it would make much of a difference with the meh essay

Saugus · March 23, 2012, 5:58pm

Decision: Waitlisted

Objective:[ul]

[] SAT I (breakdown): 2340 superscored (800 CR, 800 W, 740 M)
[] ACT:
[] SAT II: 770 US History, 710 Lit
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.87
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1 out of 532
[] AP (place score in parenthesis): Euro (5), Human Geography (5), Lang/Comp (5), US History (5), Environmental Science (5), Biology (4), Psychology (self-studied) (4), MacroEcon (4), MicroEcon (4), Chem (3).
[] IB (place score in parenthesis):
[] Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc AB, AP Lit, AP World, Spanish II, Physical Education (required), AP Gov second semester, AP Art History and AP Psychology online.
[li] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National AP Scholar, National Merit Commended, Interact Merit Award for Outstanding Service as District Governor.[/li]
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]

[li] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Rotary Interact-- President/Founder (9&10), District Governor (11&12), Founder/Chairman of International Governors’ Consultative Council (12). [/li]Boy Scouts-- Eagle Scout and Den Chief
Academic Decathlon- Co-Captain
Piano (12 years)
NHS
Peer mentoring

[] Job/Work Experience:
[] Volunteer/Community service: Interact/Boy Scouts
[] Summer Activities: Summer Camp, trip to Singapore, trip to Yosemite, examining my own hypochondria and OCD and attempting to find a cure.
[] Essays: First was one was a bit overly misanthropic and forced; I liked the second.
[] Teacher Recommendation: Both good, although they both included some criticism.
[] Counselor Rec: Didn’t read, but he said it was very good.
[] Additional Rec: From adult Rotary Interact Chair.
[] Interview: Phone interview, average.

[/ul]Other
] State (if domestic applicant): CA
[] Country (if international applicant):
[] School Type: Non-competitive public
[] Ethnicity: Asian. I left the box blank, but my parents immigrated so I had to list their countries earlier on the form.
[] Gender: Male
[]Income Bracket: Fluctuates
[] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None.
Reflection
[li] Strengths: Rank, AP scores, SAT, Interact[/li][] Weaknesses: Unweighted GPA, SAT IIs maybe, lack of depth in ECs past main one, race, math level.
[] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Wasn’t really any reason to take me early. They can find better versions of me in RD, and if by some chance maybe not, then…
[] Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Nowhere yet.

General Comments: Surprised. Didn’t know Chicago was this selective.

collegeguyyeah · March 23, 2012, 6:01pm

Decision: Accepted

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown): 2040 (680 680 680)
[] ACT: 31 Combined
[] SAT II: 710 USH, 720 Bio-M
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): ~3.91
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 4/450
[] AP (place score in parenthesis): 554 (world, us, lang)
[] IB (place score in parenthesis): None
[] Senior Year Course Load: AP Psych, AP Calc, AP Gov, AP Biology, AP Lit
[li] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar, Regional French Competition First Prize[/li]
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): I self studied French and Germanic languages all throughout high school, I tutored chemistry at my school all senior year, (Founder and President) both the Photography and Film Photography Club at my school, NHS, (Founder and President) of a very quirky/nerdy book related club at my school, Black Belt in Taekwondo, extreme video game collector (didnt actually put that on my application lol but I seriously do that)
[] Job/Work Experience: Tutoring throughout all four high school years
[] Volunteer/Community service: I volunteered for a local political party during the 2010 elections, I was in Key Club in 9th grade, I do various acts with my local chapter of NHS, I volunteer at an animal shelter almost every weekend for the past 3 years
[] Summer Activities: Traveled to Europe and Central America with my school (two different years)
[] Essays: I thought they were all pretty good and showed who I am but Im not the best writer around. I thought there was great personality though.
[] Teacher Recommendation: I had two of them sent. I didnt read them but suspect they were good. One of them isnt a good writer but it was from the teacher who teaches the hardest class at my school.
[] Counselor Rec: Probably really good but I didnt read it either. Hopefully she is a good writer. She really likes me.
[] Additional Rec: Didnt send one.
[li] Interview: I didnt get one, but I did visit![/li]
[/ul]Other[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): AZ
[] Country (if international applicant): USA
[] School Type: Crappy public (the school is less than 10 years old and barely off its feet)
[] Ethnicity: My mom is from a latin country so I marked that, but I also said I refer to and think of myself as a white European on commonapp since thats on my birth certificate (you can have a white caucasian latinoethnicity markings are stupid)
[] Gender: Male
[] Income Bracket: I dont know, between 100k-120k but we already have one kid in my family at a private school with 6 people in my family
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Maybe geographic [/li]
[/ul]Reflection[ul]
[] Strengths: Rank, GPA, SAT Subjects, Interest, Possibly essays (in my mind)
[] Weaknesses: SAT I scores, my school, no interview, white, no awesome research, no awesome competitions, no academic teams at my school
[] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
[] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Rejected ED at Northwestern and nowhere else so far

[/ul]General Comments: This is so amazing. I can’t believe it. I am getting 54k in aid also!!!

kevzxcv · March 23, 2012, 6:05pm

Decision: Waitlisted

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown): 660 CR 700 M 800 W
[] ACT:
[] SAT II: 630 Lit 680 Chem 690 US
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): ~3.9
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2
[] AP (place score in parenthesis): Euro (3) Chem (3) APUSH (4) English Lang (5)
[] IB (place score in parenthesis):
[] Senior Year Course Load: Academic Decathlon, AP Gov/Econ, AP Calc AB, AP English Lit, Marching Band, AP Physics C Mech., AP Latin
[] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Magna Cum Laude on the National Latin Exam
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Band, Academic Decathlon, Journalism Club (president), NHS (treasurer), CSF (secretary), Earth Club
[] Job/Work Experience:
[] Volunteer/Community service: Earth Club, City Recreation and Parks Commission
[] Summer Activities: Band, Academic Decathlon
[] Essays: Personal statement was about reading a novel, which sparked my interest in English. Chicago supplement was about a baking party I had with friends.
[] Teacher Recommendation: Ok
[] Counselor Rec: Ok
[] Additional Rec:
[] Interview: None

[/ul]Other[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): CA
[] Country (if international applicant):
[] School Type: Public
[] Ethnicity: Asian
[] Gender: Male
[] Income Bracket: Low
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): I wish. Haha.[/li]
[/ul]Reflection[ul]
[] Strengths: … SAT writing?
[] Weaknesses: SAT II
[] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I don’t know, really. It’s so… yeah.
[] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Will find out soon.

[/ul]General Comments:
Not too bad. Was hopeful, but realistically didn’t expect to get in (though I wanted to). Good luck to everyone! Also, I’m not sure if I’ll take that spot on the waitlist–I’ll think about it.

universidadchica · March 23, 2012, 6:12pm

Decision: Rejected

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown): 2270 (740M 800CR 730W)
[] ACT: N/A
[] SAT II: 800 Math I, 760 Bio M, 740 Math II
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): School uses a different scale where 4.0 is an A and 4.33 is an A+. I have a 4.07 on this scale.
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
[] AP (place score in parenthesis): Bio (5), Gov’t (5), Chem, Physics C, Calc AB, Spanish
[] IB (place score in parenthesis):
[] Senior Year Course Load: AP Chem, AP Physics C, AP Calc AB, AP Spanish, World Lit, Journalism
[] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Finalist, Presidential Scholars Candidate
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): ):Soccer (4 yrs), Basketball (4 yrs), Lacrosse (2 yrs), Interact Club (2 yrs) - Secretary, NHS (2 yrs), Science Club (2 yrs), Intern for local land conservation trust
[] Job/Work Experience: Soccer referee, tutor, babysitter
[] Volunteer/Community service: Various projects ~200 hrs
[] Summer Activities: Soccer, internship, volunteering
[] Essays: I thought they were pretty good
[] Teacher Recommendation: I’m sure it was great
[] Counselor Rec: Probably fine
[] Additional Rec:
[] Interview: I thought it went well

[/ul]Other[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): RI
[] Country (if international applicant):
[] School Type: Public
[] Ethnicity: White
[] Gender: Female
[] Income Bracket: Middle
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None[/li]
[/ul]Reflection[ul]
[] Strengths: Grades, scores
[] Weaknesses: Extracurriculars
[] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I didn’t stand out
[] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted: Boston College (honors), Tulane (honors), UMiami (honors), URichmond (full tuition scholarship) Waitlisted: Wesleyan Rejected: MIT

[/ul]General Comments: This is pretty disappointing, especially since I was waitlisted by Wesleyan a couple of hours ago. I feel like things aren’t looking great right now. Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to wait until next week to see…Congrats to those who were accepted!

PMCM18 · March 23, 2012, 6:14pm

Decision: Accepted

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown): 2250 (800 W, CR 800, 650 M)
[] ACT: NA
[] SAT II: 700 M Biology, 750 World History, 800 Spanish (don’t think I sent this one)
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): School only does weighted, 4.19
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): School doesn’t rank
[] AP (place score in parenthesis): French (4), Spanish Language (5), Psychology (5), Human Geography (5), US History (5) - took the most AP’s one could sophomore and junior years
[] IB (place score in parenthesis):
[] Senior Year Course Load: Anatomy and Physiology, Puerto Rican History, AP English Lit, AP Spanish Lit, AP European History, AP Calc AB
[] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Presidential Scholar candidate, National Merit Finalist, a lot of school awards in specific classes (Human Geo, Psychology, French, Bio, Chem etc.)
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Community Service Club (Pres 11th and 12th, VP in 10h), United Way student club (Treasurer this year), Model UN (member since 8th, various awards), Film Club (VP last year), Environmental Awareness Club
[] Job/Work Experience: None, but I did write about how my position as treasurer of the United Way club was basically a job without pay
[] Volunteer/Community service: Will graduate with at least 100 hours, did many activities like feeding the homeless, Habitat for Humanity, beach clean ups, etc.
[] Summer Activities: CTY Civic Leadership Institute in Baltimore (2011), The Oxford Tradition (2010), Ecological trip to the Galapagos (2010)
[] Essays: I chose to pose my own question and wrote about what qualities I considered to be essential for a good pizza (not kidding)
[] Teacher Recommendation: At least one was excellent, the other prob was at least very good
[] Counselor Rec: She wrote a lot about my intellectual nature, so I’m going to give her a huge thanks come Monday
[] Additional Rec: None
[] Interview: Didn’t get one

[/ul]Other[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): Puerto Rico
[] Country (if international applicant):
[] School Type: Private, very competitive. Out of classes of around 45 (mine is the smallest, 38), it tends to send at least like 10 to top ranked schools.
[] Ethnicity: Hispanic
[] Gender: Female
[] Income Bracket: Did not ask for financial aid
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM?[/li]
[/ul]Reflection[ul]:
[] Strengths:Course rigor (I have taken the most rigorous non-science classes in my school as they became available and will graduate with the most AP’s), commitment to community service
[] Weaknesses: I applied with two B- in my semester report card, so I had resigned myself to a rejection. Also, the math section of my SAT must be borderline for them.
[] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: My week long rain dance. Jk, I actually have no idea, especially considering the strength of the applicant pool. These things can be so random.
[] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Deferred - Princeton; Accepted - Dartmouth (likely letter), Swarthmore (Early Write)

[/ul]General Comments: Firstly, I would like to congratulate all the students that have been accepted and wish the best of luck to those that are on the wait list. In general, I wish the best of luck to everybody with what is left of the admissions process. Admissions tend to be very random and adcoms might as well flip a coin for candidates, given the increasingly insane amount of qualified seniors that apply each year. Those that were rejected please don’t think that this an indication of future college notifications or that you were necessarily weaker than other candidates. Besides, what matters the most if what you make of your years in college, not where you go. So work hard and follow your passion; that way, you’ll be guaranteed a happy and successful future.
Now I wish to address non-Seniors that are lurking on these boards. When I started reading the stats of the students that applied to Chicago and other schools of the like, I thought “there’s no way they’ll consider me if they reject/wait list people like that”. Yes, Chicago is VERY competitive, but don’t think that you need to have 15+ AP
s and 25+ extra curricular activities to get in. Based on my track record and that of other students in my school that have been accepted to other super competitive schools (I’m talking Harvard, Yale, MIT, Caltech, etc.), the important thing is to challenge yourself and follow your passions to the fullest. Don’t participate in activities or take classes that don’t appeal to you just to build a good resume. You should try to ENJOY high school, take classes and get into activities that interest you. As long as you do that, you will eventually attend the college that suits you best.

zmallet · March 23, 2012, 6:26pm

Hahaha I can finally post one of these :P

Decision: Accepted

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown): 2290 (790 CW, 800 M, 700 W)
[] ACT: -
[] SAT II: 800 Maths II, 780 Chemistry
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): -
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): -
[] AP (place score in parenthesis): -
[] IB (place score in parenthesis): -
[] Senior Year Course Load: Regular English, French, Painting, Physics, Chemistry + Honors English, Painting, Physics, Chemistry, Calculus, Geography, Art History + First year maths paper at local university
[li] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): First in Visual Arts subject in country in 2010, lots of other small maths/science awards… came first in the country in Computing in 9th grade as well but that was ages ago haha, hardly counts. [/li]
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Visual Arts (Committee Leader), Club & School Badminton (team captain x3 years), Dragon Boating, Piano 8 years
[] Job/Work Experience: Family laundromat worker
[] Volunteer/Community service: Various charity volunteer work, trained by JP for peer mediation
[] Summer Activities: Went on a 2 month school exchange to Paris
[] Essays: Hahahhaa they were ok, I’m not sure how other people would have liked them; for supplement I included a photo I took on UChicago campus in the “why Chicago” essay, and I chose the question about the thing between living and dreaming and wrote about mystery, and did the optional list of favourite books/movies etc.
[] Teacher Recommendation: I assume they were good since I got in LOL I have no idea though, I haven’t seen them
[] Counselor Rec: ditto
[] Additional Rec: ditto
[li] Interview: Didn’t do it, my friend’s sister was the alumnus and I already talked to her informally prior to applying so I didn’t have many questions[/li]
[/ul]Other[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): -
[] Country (if international applicant): New Zealand
[] School Type: Private single sex
[] Ethnicity: Asian
[] Gender: Female
[] Income Bracket: Applied for Fin Aid, got close to 60k
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None[/li]
[/ul]Reflection[ul]
[] Strengths: I have no idea, I always thought I was a mediocre applicant haha. I did submit an art portfolio though.
[] Weaknesses: Being the same as everyone else?
[] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Hahahahah I don’t know but I’m happy
[] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Got a likely for UCLA engineering, rejected from MIT, waiting for the majority of other offers

[/ul]General Comments: Celebrating after I get home from work tonight wewwww

DrSpencerReid · March 23, 2012, 6:31pm

Decision: Accepted

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown): Didn’t take
[] ACT: 34 one sitting
[] SAT II: 790 U.S. History, 790 Math Level II
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.93
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 30/550 (UW)
[] AP (place score in parenthesis): 5, 5
[] IB (place score in parenthesis): None
[] Senior Year Course Load: 7 APs
[] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National writing, art, forensic awards
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Debate, Speech, Model UN, math club, Ambassadors Club (Tons of awards in each)
[] Job/Work Experience: Internship
[] Volunteer/Community service: Volunteer tutor, Greenpeace, etc
[] Summer Activities: Traveling, reading, watching Jersey Shore (just kidding) (but not really)
[] Essays: Common App was great, worked on it for a month; Why Chicago was my favorite, extremely detailed and really showed that I would fit in perfectly at UChicago; Extended essay was written day before the deadline but unique I guess…
[] Teacher Recommendation: One from AP US History teacher, one from debate coach
[] Counselor Rec: Must have been generic?
[] Additional Rec: Didn’t know you could have one…haha
[] Interview: None

[/ul]Other[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant):
[] Country (if international applicant): International
[] School Type: Public
[] Ethnicity: Asian
[] Gender: Female
[] Income Bracket: IDK
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Anti-hook: Asian[/li]
[/ul]Reflection[ul]
[] Strengths: Essays, scores, excelled in ECs even though no leadership positions
[] Weaknesses: Probably counselor’s rec, no leadership positions, UW rank sucks (which I guess was okay due to my schedule)
[] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Overall nice impression, good essays, well-rounded
[] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted WashU, Northwestern, Rice. Waiting on Ivies, Georgetown and Stanford

[/ul]General Comments: Sup Hogwarts.

Brownford · March 23, 2012, 6:37pm

Decision: Waitlisted

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown): 2290 (superscore); 780 CR, 800 W, 710 M
[] ACT: N/A
[] SAT II: 710 Literature; 650 Biology
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 1%
[] AP (place score in parenthesis): Lang 5, Lit 4
[] IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
[] Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc AB, AP Euro, AP Psych, English 165 (CC), Literature 252 (CC), Physics
[] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Scholastic Art & Writing 1 Gold Key, 2 Silver Keys, 3 Honorable Mentions; tons of other photography awards; chosen to speak at a TED conference; regional awards in my sport
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Founder of a successful photography, business, nonprofit, and publication; Editor-In-Chief of school paper; interned at The Stanford Daily; nationally competitive athlete for over a decade (not a recruit friendly sport)
[] Job/Work Experience: Freelanced for modeling agencies, newspapers, magazines, etc.
[] Volunteer/Community service: Founder and president of a nonprofit that has raised closed to 20k; 150+ hours of volunteering
[] Summer Activities: Raised tons of money, competed all over country, worked on my novel, took lots of pictures
[] Essays: Good, but not the level that would merit publication in those essay guides
[] Teacher Recommendation: Outstanding
[] Counselor Rec: Outstanding
[] Additional Rec: Outstanding
[] Interview: Great

[/ul]Other[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): CA
[] Country (if international applicant): U.S.
[] School Type: Private
[] Ethnicity: White
[] Gender: Female
[] Income Bracket: No aid
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None[/li]
[/ul]Reflection[ul]
[] Strengths: Interview, ECs, GPA
[] Weaknesses: Subject test scores, my essays could have been better, more academic awards
[] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
[] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted: SMU (Founder’s Scholarship), UCD, UCSB; Waitlisted: WashU; Rejected: Stanford REA; waiting on the rest

[/ul]General Comments:
UChicago was high on my list, but I’m honored to even be waitlisted. Does anyone have any indication as to the size of the waitlist and how likely it is to make it off it?

Congrats to all who were accepted!

dariceguy13 · March 23, 2012, 9:22pm

Decision: Waitlisted

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown): R/M/W (Super Score): 800/800/750 Didn’t send because I thought ACT was good enough for Midwest school
[] ACT: 34
[] SAT II: Chem: 790, Bio: 780, Math II: 800
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.96 (unofficial, school doesn’t calculate)
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
[] AP (place score in parenthesis): didn’t send, but 4 on Chem, 5s on Calc and Bio
[] IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
[] Senior Year Course Load: 1st Sem: Multivariable Calculus, Organic Chemistry I, History of Philosophy, Graphic Novels, Chamber Choir, French 3, Calc-Based Physics: Mechanics
[] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): USABO Semifinalist, University of Toronto National Biology Scholar with Distinction (29th place)
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Mu Alpha Theta (VP), Acappella (president), school newspaper (section editor), speech team, scholastic bowl, tennis (varsity)
[] Job/Work Experience: N/A
[] Volunteer/Community service: Started small project where I gathered young musicians from around my hometown to play at retirement homes, hospitals, etc. ; hospital volunteering (3 summers),
[] Summer Activities: Above music service project, hospital volunteering, research
[] Essays: Common app I thought was pretty good.

Supp. Meh. I wrote the entire supp in about an hour (I was kinda sick and this was my tenth app in only a few days). I wrote about 500 words, living and dreaming, talked about how music was in between because the emotion takes you over but is at the same time intellectual because of theory, technique, etc. Why Uchicago was a little boring and “what everyone else would say”

I also did the optional one. Just wrote about a bunch of my favorite books and pieces of music/composers.

[] Teacher Recommendation: Science rec was probably really good. English was probably decent.
[] Counselor Rec: Decent
[] Additional Rec: N/A
[] Interview: I thought it had gone very well. She complimented me on being very “well-spoken” and said I seemed to be interested in a lot of things and genuinely intellectual and curious.

[/ul]Other[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): IL
[] Country (if international applicant): USA
[] School Type: Math and Science Magnet
[] Ethnicity: Asian
[] Gender: M
[] Income Bracket: >400k
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): No.[/li]
[/ul]Reflection[ul]
[] Strengths: Stats, interview,
[] Weaknesses: Essays? I honestly didn’t think they were that bad even though I didn’t put that much time into them. They were honest essays.
[] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: To be honest, I was pretty sure I was going to get in. I know having the stats and some extra currics isnt enough, but everyone always says I would fit in there. I guess my essays just didn’t reflect that.
[] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted at UIUC. Waitlisted Caltech. Deferred at Princeton. Rejected MIT. Likely from Dartmouth. (Yes, I’m pretty proud to have acquired all five types of letters)

[/ul]General Comments:
Congrats to everyone who was accepted! I can’t say I’m not a little bitter, especially because I was pretty sure I was going to get in, but I think everything will work out in the end because I was pretty honest, even if a little lazy, on my apps. If I manage to get off the waitlist, maybe we’ll be classmates!

modest423 · March 23, 2012, 9:35pm

Decision: Accepted

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown): 2350 (800 CR, 760 M, 790 W)
[] ACT: 36 (36 E, 36 M, 36 R, 36 S)
[] SAT II: 800 Math II, 800 Math I, 800 Chemistry, 800 Biology E, 770 US History, 770 Literature, 750 French, 740 Latin
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/360
[] AP (place score in parenthesis): Calculus BC (5), Latin (5), Physics B (5), Chemistry (5), US History (5), English Lang (5), Biology (5), French (5), Environmental Science (5), Human Geography (5), Macroeconomics (5), US Gov (5), Psychology (5)
[] Senior Year Course Load: Post-AP French Literature, AP Comp Gov, Linear Algebra, AP English Literature, AP Physics C, AP European History, AP Art History, Post-AP Latin
[] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Various Olympiad/AMC/AIME awards, National Merit Finalist, National AP Scholar, various scholarships, leadership awards, volunteer awards, etc.

[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Varsity Tennis (1st Singles 4 years, team captain 3 years), Varsity Boys Lacrosse (4 years, captain 2 years), Varsity Boys Soccer (4 years, co-captain 2 years), US Senate Page Program, Varsity Debate (4 years, qualified to Tournament of Champions twice, NFL Nationals three times, CFL Nationals 4 times), Mock Trial captain, Literary Magazine contributor and assistant editor, Violinist (local youth orchestra)
[] Job/Work Experience: Interned at state governor’s office for 2 summers, Interned at an attorney’s office, Worked at local ice cream store for four years
[] Volunteer/Community service: Volunteered at local nursing home since I was 9, reading to them, bringing my pet dog, taking care of them, playing music for them, talking to them, etc.
[] Summer Activities: Debate camp, volunteering, interning, reading, working, etc.
[] Essays: Excellent
[] Teacher Recommendation: Best in career.
[] Counselor Rec: Best in career.
[] Additional Rec: From state governor, wonderful comments.
[li] Interview: Good[/li][/ul]

Other[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): NY
[] School Type: Public
[] Ethnicity: White
[] Gender: Male
[]Income Bracket: 75,000-100,000
[] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First generation
[/ul]Reflection[ul]
[] Strengths: Grades, awards, testing, rank, extracurriculars, essays.
[] Weaknesses: Essays were a bit specific so they could have been a hit or miss.
[li] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I’m surprised and so happy.[/ul][/li]
Also Accepted to[ul]
[]MIT
[]Rice
[]UChicago
[]Washington University in St. Louis
[*]Yale (Likely Letter)[/ul]

aquiade · March 23, 2012, 9:45pm

Decision: Waitlisted

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown):
[] ACT: 32
[] SAT II:
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.97
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1 of 347
[] AP (place score in parenthesis): World History (5), US History (5), AP English Language (5)
[] IB (place score in parenthesis):
[] Senior Year Course Load: AP Physics, AP Bio, AP Calc, AP English Lit, Journalism, Practical Law, Band
[] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Nothing too major, state academic/athletic award, AP Scholar, outstanding social studies award, etc.
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Varsity Swimming (Captain), Quiz Bowl (Captain), NHS (Treasurer), Newspaper (Editor-in-Chief), Marching Band (Section Leader), Pit Band.
[] Job/Work Experience: Filming football games
[] Volunteer/Community service: A bunch of stuff with NHS. Tutoring, blood drives, canned food drives, etc.
[] Summer Activities: Swimming
[] Essays: Strongest part of my application. My English teacher loved my “write about a time you found something you weren’t looking for”. She said it was the first essay she didn’t have to mark up at all.
[] Teacher Recommendation: I read one of them and I thought it was excellent. It was a teacher I’ve had more than once and he explained how he’s seen me mature over the last few years. The other was probably really good too, the teacher likes me a lot.
[] Counselor Rec: Dunno, good I think.
[] Additional Rec: None
[] Interview: Didn’t get one.

[/ul]Other[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): Michigan
[] Country (if international applicant):
[] School Type: Large public
[] Ethnicity: White
[] Gender: Male
[] Income Bracket: >100k
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None whatsoever[/li]
[/ul]Reflection[ul]
[] Strengths: Essays, recommendations, extra-curriculars.
[] Weaknesses: TEST SCORES, no amazing awards, white male.
[] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: My test scores were comparably low, and I didn’t have any SAT II. In hindsight, I should have taken them. But hindsight vision is always 20/20 so oh well.
[] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Waitlisted: Northwestern and Washington University in St. Louis (I kind of want to cry). Accepted: University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Northeastern, Grand Valley (w/ a Presidential Scholarship)

[/ul]General Comments: Well, I’m really disappointed because I kind of feel like I would have gotten in if I had been born a year earlier. This was one of my two top choices and I’m slightly crushed. Well, I can always try to get in as a graduate. Congratulations to everybody who got in.

canhazphysics · March 23, 2012, 10:05pm

Waitlisted too!

I so love Chicago.

Brotherjames37 · March 23, 2012, 10:07pm

What is going on here? Wayyy to many waitlisted. Either:

1) Lots on CC are having terrible luck today

2.) UC decided to hand out a boatload of waitlists.

dzair · March 23, 2012, 10:10pm

Accepted! I will post my stats laterrr or you can message me lol

Seahawks506 · March 23, 2012, 10:14pm

Decision: Accepted

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown): 2290 (750 M, 740 CR, 800 W) 1490 CR+M
[] ACT:
[] SAT II: 780 Math II, 730 World History
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.86 (4.4 weighted or something)
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 13th-percentile; blaring weakness
[] AP (place score in parenthesis): mostly 5’s, 2 non-5’s (12 classes, total 14 tests)
[] IB (place score in parenthesis):
[] Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc BC, APES, AP Art History, AP Comp Gov, AP US Gov, AP Micro, AP Macro, AP Lit, School newspaper (6 A’s 1 B 1st Sem)
[] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Nothing major, several decent ones though
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): I won’t go into detail, but I was a featured sportswriter, chess team captain, inner-city volunteering with the homeless/drug addicts, class officer, DECA awards, etc etc
[] Job/Work Experience: Microsoft marketing intern (15h/wk)
[] Volunteer/Community service: lots, inner-city impact
[] Summer Activities: Meh, nothing much
[] Essays: 9/10, killer essays I’m guessing that showed why I was a good fit.
[] Teacher Recommendation:9/10
[] Counselor Rec: Should have been great, we knew each other well
[] Additional Rec:
[] Interview: As good as interviews get- we were able to connect on a more profound level. Like seriously, it was definitely a significant factor IMO.

[/ul]Other[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): WA
[] Country (if international applicant):
[] School Type: Extremely competitive
[] Ethnicity: Asian-American
[] Gender: M
[] Income Bracket: Living comfortably
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): nothing[/li]
[/ul]Reflection[ul]
[] Strengths: EC’s, fit, interview, SAT
[] Weaknesses: Class rank, GPA, asian
[] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: It’s all about fit, and I fit UC to a T!
[] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted to USC (quarter-scholarship), UW (Business school pre-admit), Deferred from Duke.

[/ul]General Comments: Really wasn’t expecting this, knowing that Chicago was so ridiculously competitive and that my class rank could’ve been a dealbreaker singlehandedly. An example of how holistic review helps schools dig up some students who fit well, rather than going by arbitrary numbers! I will 90% likely be attending Chicago. Thanks to Ms. Holly Bland and the Chicago admissions staff!

muckdogs07 · March 23, 2012, 10:27pm

WAITLISTED

2130 SAT (one sitting)
class rank – about 7/500
wGPA 4.3 in mostly AP and honors classes
AP 5’s – Calculus B/C, Psychology, European History, US History
4 – English Composition
This year–Multi-Variable calculus, AP Physics C, AP French 6, and AP Government
Varsity CC and track, plus other decent, but not amazing EC’s
summer academic camps at UVA and Vanderbilt
Strengths–good recommendations, hard classes
Weaknesses – SAT score and no amazing ECs

Accepted: University of Virginia (EA – 1st choice so far), Va. Tech, Ohio State (big Buckeye fan, but doubt I will go there)

Waiting to hear from: Vanderbilt, Duke, Wake Forest, Johns Hopkins, and William & Mary

Took myself off the waiting list because the University of Chicago was not my clear #1 choice, although had I been accepted it would have been hard to turn down given its great math and science departments

Good luck to all on the waiting list!

shootastar · March 23, 2012, 10:42pm

Decision: Accepted

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown): CR 800 MA 800 WR 680 (2280 superscore)
[] ACT:
[] SAT II: Math II 800, Lit 700
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): N/A
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
[] AP (place score in parenthesis): N/A
[] IB (place score in parenthesis): mid-year report 41/42
[] Senior Year Course Load: Econ HL, History HL, Chinese A2 HL, English A1 SL, Math SL, Biology SL
[] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Golden Award for Community Service? nothing major
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): MUN, school magazine, global issues group, badminton, cross country, piano
[] Job/Work Experience: worked at a law firm last summer
[] Volunteer/Community service: 200+ hours
[] Summer Activities: community service, leadership programs
[] Essays: My why UChicago essay was very unusual and really showed my passion for learning and great love for the school. I did the “from Play-Doh to Plato” prompt for the extended essay, and my approach was very unique–so much that I was worried it was a bit off. I used it to show my personal progression/evolution in my aspirations. The Common App was also very genuine and revealed an important aspect of me in a rather moving/powerful way.
[] Teacher Recommendation: Read one and it was amazing. The other should be great too.
[] Counselor Rec: Didn’t read, but should be fine.
[] Additional Rec: N/A
[] Interview:

[/ul]Other[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): N/A
[] Country (if international applicant): Hong Kong
[] School Type: international school
[] Ethnicity: Asian
[] Gender: Female
[] Income Bracket: high enough to be able to finance all tuition fees and other expenses
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none[/li]
[/ul]Reflection[ul]
[] Strengths: ESSAYS, SAT I, IB grades (transcripts)
[] Weaknesses: ecs (no formal leadership positions)
[] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: My personality and passion shined in the essays!
[] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted at Wellesley and Bryn Mawr. Waiting on Pomona, Swarthmore, Cornell, and Northwestern (not that I really care anymore!).

[/ul]General Comments: I’m so happy and excited–UChicago is my first choice! I poured my heart into my application. I think the admissions people really sensed my intellectual passion and decided I would be a great fit. Thanks UChicago!

Congrats to all others who got accepted! :D

Jrtf9088 · March 23, 2012, 10:58pm

Decision: Waitlisted

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2040 (Math: 630 Critical Rdg: 700 Writing: 710
ACT: didn’t take
SAT II:
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.8
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A

AP (place score in parenthesis): World History (3), US History (4), AP English Language (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Biology, AP Statistics, AP U.S. Gov’t, AP English Lit, AP Psychology, Honors Spanish level 5, Concert band
Major Awards: uhhh lots of school-related awards (grade recieved) - Scholar Athlete Award (10-12) Outstanding contribution to spanish 3 (10) highest average in chemistry and apush (11), outstanding female instrumental artist (11) student of excellence spanish 4 (11) academic hall of fame, whatever that means (11) Major awards? AP scholar?

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):High School Concert Band (Clarinet First Chair/Concert Soloist), Literary Magazine, Leo Club (Community Service Club, President)
-Environmental Club
-Book Club
-International Club
-Student Ambassador to Bronx School of Law and Finance students
-Varsity Cross Country Varsity Letter
-Varsity Winter Track Captain
-Haldane Drama Production/Stage Crew Assistant Stage Director

Job/Work Experience: Filming football games
Volunteer/Community service: A bunch of stuff with NHS. Tutoring, blood drives, canned food drives, etc.
Summer Activities: Swimming
Essays: Strongest part of my application. My English teacher loved my “write about a time you found something you weren’t looking for”. She said it was the first essay she didn’t have to mark up at all.
Teacher Recommendation: I read one of them and I thought it was excellent. It was a teacher I’ve had more than once and he explained how he’s seen me mature over the last few years. The other was probably really good too, the teacher likes me a lot.
Counselor Rec: Dunno, good I think.
Additional Rec: None
Interview: Didn’t get one.
Other
State (if domestic applicant): Michigan
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Large public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: >100k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None whatsoever
Reflection
Strengths: Essays, recommendations, extra-curriculars.
Weaknesses: TEST SCORES, no amazing awards, white male.
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: My test scores were comparably low, and I didn’t have any SAT II. In hindsight, I should have taken them. But hindsight vision is always 20/20 so oh well.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Waitlisted: Northwestern and Washington University in St. Louis (I kind of want to cry). Accepted: University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Northeastern, Grand Valley (w/ a Presidential Scholarship)

dreamingsnow · March 23, 2012, 11:19pm

Decision: Accepted

Objective:[ul]
[] SAT I (breakdown): 2210. 730 CR, 760 Math, 720 Writing
[] ACT: 33
[] SAT II: English 750, Math II 800, US History 760, Chem 690
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.98
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1-2%
[] AP (place score in parenthesis): Psychology 5, AP Calc AB 5, Chem 4, AP English Lang 5, US History 5
[] IB (place score in parenthesis):
[] Senior Year Course Load: AP Euro, AP Micro/Macro Economics, AP Eng Lit, AP Biology
[] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Chinese Honor Society (Co President)
Student Enviornmental Alliance (Co President)
Founded a club called Tribe to Tribe
Major piano stuff- tri-state and state competitions, many awards, recorded pieces and submitted them to colleges
Orchestra (Pit, volunteer, classes)
Model UN
Speech and Debate- LD debate, some placement
Varsity Girls Tennis (1st/2nd Doubles)
[] Job/Work Experience:
Self Employed piano teacher for 2 years
Tutor at Kumon
[] Volunteer/Community service:
Community program to teach tennis to kids with special needs- for 4+ years
Fiddle club volunteer, play violin to nursing homes, etc
[] Summer Activities:
Interned at a Genetics Lab over the summer of 2011- human IPS cell research
Summer 2010- won piano competition, got to perform in europe
[] Essays:
Common app was ok….maybe mediocre. But I did have fun with the uchicago supplement- wrote a Shakespearean sonnet with correct rhymes, iambic pentameter, and connected specifically with Uchicago. Maybe that’s what got me in?
[] Teacher Recommendation:
I hope good, but never saw them.
[] Counselor Rec:
Part of a big school, so counselor sort of knows me. Probably wrote a good but non-specific one.
[] Additional Rec:
Piano teacher recommendation- she wrote a very strong letter, really emphasized my unique talents.
[] Interview:
Pretty good- it was about an 1 ½, one of the longest interviews I’ve had. We talked a lot about many different things, and she seemed to like me.

[/ul]Other[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant):NJ
[] School Type: Public (over 3000 kids)
[] Ethnicity: Asian
[] Gender: Female
[] Income Bracket: +200,000
[] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Probably negative hooks since I’m asian.

[/ul]Reflection[ul]
[] Strengths: class percentage (although our school doesn’t rank), uchicago supplement, piano supplement?
[] Weaknesses: SAT scores, common app essay, maybe recommendations
[] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: This was an unexpected but very happy surprise. I honestly don’t know why I was accepted over others, but I’m glad I got in!
[] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted UMichigan, Rutgers. Deferred early from Yale.

[/ul]General Comments:

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