Questions about Admissions Criteria to my DREAM SCHOOL

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
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<p>Okay, just so everyone knows, the University of Chicago is absolutely my dream school. I cannot express how much I love it and how many times I would die and go to Heaven if I was accepted. If I was accepted, I would withdraw all of my applications to other schools and not look back.</p>

<p>Anyway, I have some questions about my record. First of all, I've never really done any volunteer work. I do have a lot of extracurriculars (I do theater, singing, lots of clubs and such), but I've never really found any volunteer work that truly interests me. It's not because I don't <em>want</em> to volunteer, I just don't want to volunteer anywhere for the sake of volunteering. Do you think this will hurt me?</p>

<p>Because it's worth mentioning: even though my grades in German Hnrs have varied between C's and D's, I'm essentially one of the top German students in the country - I won a free study trip to Germany last year along with about 40 other top-scoring students on the National German Exam. It was kind of a big deal for my family.
I have a 34 on the ACT (31 on math, 36 on reading, 35 on science and 35 on english), 750 and 760 on both of the SAT-II's I just took (U.S. and Bio-M), and I expect all 5's on my AP's when they come in. I got a 5 on AP Euro last year, even though I failed second semester, and I took AP English Literature, AP U.S., and AP Biology this past year, my junior year. Senior year I'm taking AP Chem, AP English Language, and AP German, and I will probably self-study a few more. </p>

<p>On to the major issue...my grades. Yes, they're terrible. Freshman year they were alright, sophomore year was absolutely awful (I failed several classes, albeit all honors and AP classes, as well as gym), and I did reasonably better this year but I still failed first semester English honors (which I just took over the summer and got an A) and first semester gym, I was dropped with an F from second semester AP U.S. a week before the AP exam, and I failed the second semester of Precalcular Hnrs again (it's a very hard class at my school). </p>

<p>I'm not going to list the excuses I have for my grades, because I don't really feel that it makes a difference - my grades are my grades, and there's nothing I can do about them now. All I can do is work harder next year. </p>

<p>IF I can manage all A's first semester of my senior year (my class load really isn't that difficult; it's definitely easier than it has been the past three years because I'm not taking math, which is my worst subject), do you think I will have a shot, or have my abysmal grades ruined my chances at the school of my dreams? </p>

<p>What can I do to make myself a more appealing applicant? Is there anything I can do that will distract them from my horrible grades? I would love advice. If I don't get in to the University of Chicago, I will be crushed!</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>A few things will be key. First, be frank about your grades, don't try to hide them. You need a good explanation. The fact that you got all 5's on the AP tests for the classes you failed says something, as does your German studies. But Chicago might still be worried that you can handle the academic environment here. You'll want good recommendations from teachers attesting to that.</p>

<p>Second, I would definitely go for an interview. I never did, but it sure seems like you're going to need an advocate on your behalf. Just be sure you know exactly why you want to come to Chicago and be able to articulate it well. That's very important on the "Why Chicago?" essay, too.</p>

<p>Third, write brilliant essays.</p>

<p>Your grades do hurt you, but the admissions people at Chicago are always going to give an honest listen to whatever case you're making. Your job isn't to hide your grades, but rather to convince them that you can succeed at Chicago in spite of them.</p>

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<p>Chicago is possibly the least numbers oriented school in the country, so if there is any top school in the country you could get into with those grades it would be Chicago. At the same time, those grades might just be too low. However, outside of GPA you have solid stats so if you can pull together some unique essays you at least have a shot. </p>

<p>I'm unsure if whether or not you should apply EA. Since you don't want to risk being rejected EA with your current grades (before you can show them your senior grades), it might be best to apply regular even though Chicago is your 1st choice.</p>

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<p>that is also why they have some of the highest SAT scores in the country</p>

<p>......</p>

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<p>First of all, I'd disagree with the EA remark... if it comes down to ur first semester senior grades, Chicago will go ahead and defer you... I think that delaying your app to the normal deadline wont do you any good - in fact, I think it may cause some doubt as to Chicago being your true first choice... "If this kid's first choice is Chicago, why didn't he apply HERE early?!"</p>

<p>Second of all, your grades dude!!! I think that, despite you not giving us your explanation - and you shouldn't, especially since you never know who might be reading this - I think that it would behove you to have a carefully thought out explanation when it comes time for your interview and your application. You're obviously a bright kid - you seem like a very bright kid (evidenced by having chicago as your first choice!!1), so I hope that there's some logical explanation to your grades. However, when you do things like fail gym, I think this will lead them to question your committment to school in general, which probably isn't a good thing. Therefore, I think this will be your main task - explain the difference between you as a test taker and you as a student, 'cause there surely is a huge gap between that. If you truly hated your school for whatever reason, say that. Above all, be honest. Chicago is looking for kids who write the essays which truly talk about themselves... and wants kids who truly want to be there. If you do, then my advice would just to be up front about what made you me (if you pardon me) a lousy student in school, while still a tremendously bright kid.</p>

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<p>I have always been under the impression that if your GPA is below a 2.5 or generally in the 2.0's, you are pretty much screwed when it comes to getting into UChicago. Especially in the absence of a tramatic event (family death, medical depression, etc).</p>

<p>Is not GPA the number one criterion for admission?</p>

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<p>it is... but a) he might have a plausible reason as to why that happened, and b) he is a superb candidate in everything else.</p>

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<p>Here is my stat: Extracurricular: 800 hours of community service. 3.99 GPA. 2050 SAT. 12 APs. President of NHS. Four years knowledgebowl. But I still think the Essays are what make the cut, so do them ahead.</p>

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<p>My GPA is unweighted.</p>

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<p>By the way - from what I have heard by the stats, for the same rough stats/interest EA vs Reg makes no difference for acceptance rate - so if you think your grades will soar, go reg.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

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<p>i agree to what felipe says...but only to a certain extent. Id like to be optimistic here on sous' behalf, but we also have to be realistic. </p>

<p>Failing classes (not one class, but multiple classes) is a big deal. Even though Chicago wants to see creative minds and do not rely heavily on numbers as some might say, we cannot forget that chicago is one of the best colleges in the nation, if not the world. Grades at any top college are the most important factor. Chicago is known for its rigourous workload and how it really pushes the mind in terms of its learning; they need to know that a student can handle such a demanding task. Failing grades says everything otherwise.</p>

<p>I'm sorry if I came off harsh, mean. I really do hope you make it, and I hope next year when you come in as a freshman you can come to me, stick your finger in my face, and prove me wrong. But I think we need to be realistic here so that when that day comes, we can be ready. I only say this because I wasn't realistic in terms of my colleges, and I was absolutely devastated. </p>

<p>I'm sorry and good luck. Really I do.</p>

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<p>hey thats not very nice to your future colleagues... you were devasted by the news that youd HAVE to come to school with us? that's harsh....</p>

<p>I agree with (Icried..), though. The reason for my optimism is that, somehow or another, he had it in him to learn the content for his Euro test, and assuming he's done well again, somehow, someway, he learned this stuff. So, I don't think much of his work ethic can be questioned. The question really comes down to why did he perceive his schoolwork to be so meaningless, since he was/is certainly capable of earning top grades?</p>

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<p>yeah why DID you do so terrible? I HIGHLY recommend explaining this in an essay and the interview. you need to explain this to them, because if your GPA is below 3.0 then you are not gonna get in without some major explanations</p>

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<p>As for the reasons why my grades are horrible (yeah, it's pretty sad that I failed gym...twice), the explanation is twofold. I was finally diagnosed with depression this year (last year they thought I had ADD and put me on Adderall - BIG MISTAKE. I couldn't sleep and it just screwed up my grades even more) and I think I might be finally coming out of it. Also, and this is the explanation I am more comfortable with, I've been morbidly obese my entire life and I am just recently starting to shed some pounds. I know some people are going to laugh, but it has made every day of my high school career a living hell...I can't get up in the morning, I can barely walk up a flight of stairs, I'm exhausted all of the time, and I've developed severe insulin resistance. I know it's not really an excuse for my lack of motivation, but it's all I have to offer. I just hope the admissions officers (at every college I apply to) are understanding of this.</p>

<p>Thanks to everyone for the advice, it has really helped. I just hope I can write an amazing essay!</p>

<p>I'm still confused about EA, though. Should I go ahead and do it or not? I was planning on applying regular so that I have time to focus on getting my grades up.</p>

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<p>s_l
your problems come under the general category of 'personal factors', and they certainly would be considered in admissions. This is a big of a two-edged sword, though, and you have to be careful how you handle it. I think that you do need to let adcoms know that you have been having problems: that will put your grades in context. But you also have to let them know that you have gotten this whole situation under control and that you will be able to be a successful student at Chicago.</p>

<p>If you can manage it, the GC report is the place for this information to go. That way, you don't have to risk soundling like you are making excuses in your application. You may want to mention how you are overcoming your difficulties in the 'additional information' section of the application, but you don't need to go into gory detail about it.</p>

<p>My son also had grade issues freshman and sophomore year: at that point we were caring for my fraile, handicapped and elderly parents at home. They fought a lot - and it was very difficult to deal with. I wrote up a description of our home situation (including the social worker reference) and took it to my meeting with his GC. The GC was then able to use this information in the rec. If you decide to go this route, you may want to include a parental unit in on it. </p>

<p>You will have to decide on whether to apply EA or Regular - maybe flip a coin. My son apply RD both to show his senior grades, and not to rush his application. Others have made the case to applying EA and maybe expecting to be defered. The EA (plus deferred admitted RD) statistics were a little better than RD only.</p>

<p>HS can be an absolute nightmare for some students, and I think things will be very much better after you hit college. I hope that you are also applying to some LAC's that will also consider your application as a whole. Best wishes for better days to you!</p>

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<p>To address your concern about lack of volunteer work, I don't think it's a problem. You should only participate in ECs that interest you. If you don't like volunteering, don't do it. Good luck!</p>

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<p>"hey thats not very nice to your future colleagues... you were devasted by the news that youd HAVE to come to school with us? that's harsh...."</p>

<p>sry felipe if it sounded if i was being pretentious, but i think ur putting a very negative spin on what i said. I HOPE you know that what you said isn't at all what i meant...</p>

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<p>One of the most important things: Make sure your guidance counselor knows everything and loves you.</p>

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<p>Keep me in mind when you think of UChicago and numbers. 3.3 HS GPA, 0 APs, 0 Honors classes, 0 IB classes. 28 ACT. No SAT. 3.42 College GPA - 1 C in college, 1 W. In transfer EA.</p>

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<p>Neverborn, how /did/ you do it? You keep mentioning your story (it was my recs and essays!) but I don't actually know what the story is.</p>