@milee30, given Chicago’s 8% acceptance rate, I suspect a 34 ACT / 1500 SAT and a 3.8 UW GPA is the base threshold for an unhooked applicant; our DD’s both applied EA last year and both were denied - one had an exceptional interview, according to the interviewer, but it didn’t matter as I assume they have piles of similar applicants. That said, best of luck to your son!