Rejected ED and wondering about chances

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi, I applied to UChicago ED and got rejected. I had prepared myself so I’m not too devastated. However, I’m wondering what this means for my other colleges. I put a ton of time into my UChicago essays, and can’t put as much time into these ones. Do I have any chance at them? Also, how much does EDII help because I’m considering for Pomona?
I already applied to:
Binghamton (accepted)
Buffalo (accepted)
Alabama (accepted, am NMSF so I can definitely afford and am willing to go) (if anyone knows about RRSP there, what are my chances for that, I already applied)
Rochester
Northeastern
Case Western
University of Florida

I am planning to apply to:
Princeton
Columbia
Swarthmore (both parents went here)
Pomona
JHU
Northwestern
Harvey Mudd
Carleton (maybe)

Here’s my profile:
GPA: 98.38/102.14 (* 1.05 for honors, * 1.1 for AP) - would be 98.61/102.35 if not counting classes taken in middle school. I’ve taken challenging courses, but limited advanced offerings in 9th grade
SAT: 1570 (800 EBRW, 770 Math)
Class Rank: No Rank, but definitely top 5 out of 220ish
Subject Tests: 800 Math II, 800 World History, 800 Bio E, 780 Chem
APs (all 5’s): World History, Environmental Science (self-studied), Biology
Comp Sci A (self-studied), English Language, Music Theory (self studied), US History
Senior Year Classes:
SUPA Writing (SU Project Advance)
AP Chem
AP Calc AB (going to take BC exam)
AP Physics 1 (going to take C Mechanics exam)
PLTW Engineering Design and Development
Band
Gov/Econ (required by New York)

ECs:
Science Olympiad:

  • President for 2 years
  • Multiple State Medals
    Mock Trial:
  • President for 2 years
    Biology Research Internship at local University
    Work at Ice Cream Store 20+ hrs per week May-September
    Percussion - All-State Alternate, lots of local stuff
    A few other things like volunteering at refugee center

Recommendations (will only send 2 teachers, not sure which yet):
Engineering Teacher: (9/10) had for 2 years in class, Scioly adviser, wrote recommendation for summer program and said they might think I was his son, he wrote such nice things
English Teacher: (8/10) got to know me pretty well, contributed a lot in class, she read me some great quotes from what she wrote
Mock Trial Adviser: (8/10) Read this one, its pretty good, but feels bland.
Counselor: (8/10) Don’t know that well, but she said she’d write really good stuff, especially with the self-studying I’ve done and how involved I am in clubs

Essays:
Common App: (7/10) I think this is the weakest part of my application and I might rewrite if I have time and can come up with something better. Yikes.

Awards:
National Merit Semi-finalist
National honor Society (means nothing at my school)
AP Scholar
A bunch of in-school awards
Swarthmore Book Award

Intended Major- Chemistry or Biomolecular Engineering
Ethnicity-White, Mother is from interesting country, so something to talk about in diversity essays.
Gender-Male
Income-~150000, but cares about financial aid because of three kids in college at once. I can generally afford the schools on my list, but the cheaper the better.

2

It hurts, I know. You are in a good place. You have good choices at great prices and excellent prospects. The fit with Chicago apparently was not good. The admissions process there is different from a lot of the highly selective schools, so I do not believe it’s a harbinger of what’s to come. You are going to have some good choices., not that you don’t already.

3

You seem to have really good chances at selective schools. Many offer amazing financial aid - would think this would be the case for you with siblings in college. You are clearly a very accomplished person and should be proud. I do think ED 2 in general helps but I don’t know anything about Pomona. I’m sure you’ve heard this before - it’s not where you go but what you make of it once you’re there. Try to stay positive and finish strong with your applications so you don’t have any regrets. Hope it all goes well for you.

4

Thanks! I really appreciate the support.

5

If A rejected you, it doesn’t mean B, C, and D will too. You look like a strong candidate. DO make sure your essays and answers really reflect who you are and bring out the part of you that your stats do not. You will make it past any screen of scores and grades, so your goal is to be the one in that next pile that makes them say “we have to have this one!” Make sure that in doing that , you write about your experience, not your mom’s.

6

Wow, I’m really shocked that you were rejected outright. Based on your stats, I really thought you have a serious chance. But the adcoms are so flippant nowawdays, its hard to know what they’re looking for.

Anyway, pick yourself up and move on from this. You will most certainly get into a good college. Your best shot is actually at Swarthmore, especially since you are double legacy. Looks like Swarthmore also has ED2.

7

So, I got deferred at Case, which worries me somewhat because I demonstrated interest by interviewing, visiting, and emailing. I’m not applying ED2 anywhere, so I might withdraw from Case since it seems like they want ED2. Oh well, nothing I can do except move on and get in my RD apps. Thanks for all the support!

8

Agree that EDII at Swarthmore would give you a great shot. They give a much bigger ED “bump” than Pomona does, plus your double legacy would lend more of a boost to an ED app than an RD one. And it’s widely considered the most UChicago-like LAC. But… I suppose you’ve already decided you don’t like Swat enough to play the ED card, eh? If Pomona is your true first choice then give it your best shot - but getting your essay to a level that you’re more excited about would be a good idea. You’re already in at some very good schools, so you can afford to shoot the moon and hope for the best - good luck!!

9

I think that better news will await you in the RD round. There is still time to polish up the essays. Princeton values service and community; perhaps be reflective, and mention your contribution, as exemplified in your work with refugees and others. I hear that some schools do target aggressively their deferred students to switch to ED2; considering your stats, I would wait for RD if I were you.

As you said, move on. Good luck.