<p>Hello! My name is Kayla, and I am a high school senior from Georgia. I am applying to the University of Chicago through the QuestBridge National College Match program. For those of you not familiar with QuestBridge, it is an organization that attempts to secure financial aid for low-income, high-achieving students. A few weeks ago, I was told that I had placed as a Finalist, which is about half of the initial applicants. About 40% of Finalists who are applying to the University of Chicago will be "matched" with the school, which means that Chicago will grant the student a full scholarship for all four years. </p>
<p>If I am not "matched" with Chicago, I will be entered into the Regular Decision process. I understand that most people are not familiar with the QuestBridge program, so I am not asking for my chances based on the National College Match. Instead, I would like to know your estimate of my chances in the Regular Decision program. Any and all estimates would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Grades and Test Scores:
[ul]
[li]Cumulative Weighted GPA: 3.74[/li][li]Cumulative Unweighted GPA: 3.48[/li][li]Class Rank: 33/258 (top 12.8%)[/li][li]PSAT Score: 212, 99th percentile[/li][li]SAT Scores: [/li] SAT Reasoning Test:
Critical Reading: 760
Math: 640
Writing: 740
Total: 2140
SAT Subject Tests:
English Lit: 780
US History: 770
[li]AP Tests:[/li] World History: 5
US History: 5
English Language: 5
Psychology: 5
AP Scholar with Honor
[/ul]</p>
<p>Academic Honors:
[ul][<em>]Academic Letters:
Note: Academic Letters are awards given to two students in each academic subject, based on grades or an essay (or both), designating that those students are the most accomplished in that subject.
English 10 Honors
AP US History
AP English Language
[</em>]National Merit Scholar- "Commended" recognition
[<em>]California Scholarship Federation membership for three semesters
[</em>]Gold Key Club member for freshman, sophomore, and junior years (Note: this is an academic club for the top 50 students in each grade.)
[li]QuestBridge College Prep Scholarship recipient (awarded to low-income, high-achieving high school juniors)[/li][/ul]</p>
<p>Extracurricular Activities:
[ul]
[<em>]Earth Club (environmental community service) - Secretary (1.5 years)
[</em>]A Cappella Choir (highly selective vocal group) (3 years)
[<em>]Tech Crew for spring musical (2 years)
[</em>]Freshman Tutoring (1 year)
[li]CSSSA/Innerspark (selective summer program for young California artists)[/li] Note: CSSSA participants were named California Arts Scholars, the highest recognition
given by the state of California to artists.
[/ul]</p>
<p>Employment:
[ul]
[li]Associate (Cashier) at Panera Bread from September 2009-currently, 3/4ths of earnings are being saved for college[/li][/ul]</p>
<p>Volunteer Work:
[ul]
[<em>]Worked in church nursery- 1.5 years
[</em>]Tech crew for school musical- 2 years
[li]Earth Club participation- 1.5 years[/li][/ul]</p>
<p>Rigor of Secondary School Record:
Without listing my specific classes, I took all available AP/Honors classes except for those in math and science, as those are my weak areas. For those subjects where AP/Honors were not available, I took the most advanced college prep course available. Overall, I would say my courseload was amongst the most rigorous.</p>
<p>Recommendations:
These should be very solid. One is from my 10th grade English teacher- I received a high A in his class and I know him well personally. I intend to pursue a career as a writer and I was always very passionate about his class. The second is from my 11th grade AP US History teacher- I received the highest grade in his class, an A, which is rare as the class is generally called the "hardest" available at my school. He has written recommendations for me before and has been highly positive about my accomplishments. </p>
<p>Essays:
I have been writing creative fiction for most of my life and intend to pursue a career as a writer. I think this indicates I will do well on the essays, though I have less experience in nonfiction.</p>
<p>Talent/Ability:
I am an accomplished writer- I have participated in various arts programs and been published in a handful of lesser-known lit mags. I am also a fairly talented singer- I was heavily involved in the music department and spring musical for all three years of high school so far.</p>
<p>I hope I don't come across as conceited or over-confident, but I wanted to list every accomplishment and qualification that might help you make a decision. Thank you so much for your time and attention!</p>
And chance me, also? <a href=“