<p>Applying to Uchicago with a GPA of 3.1 and an SAT of 1230? My GPA suffered due to extenuating circumstances freshman year ( I had a 2.6), I've had a 3.2 and 3.6 the last two years. But besides that would I just be wasting my time? Yes, I know there is always a 0.000001% chance of acceptance but you know what I mean.</p>
<p>1230/2400 or 1230/1600?</p>
<p>@marvin100 1600 lololol.</p>
<p>@marvin100 still, the test score isn’t exactly helping me.</p>
<p>are you wealthy? If the 50-70 dollars for the application is something your family won’t miss, then do it. There’s no reason why not (in that case). If you have a limited amount of money you can use on applications then don’t do it.</p>
<p>@Dpenn96 we can afford it, what’s the point though? I’m not pouring my heart into an essay solely because we spent money.</p>
<p>Here’s what i would do. Finish all your applications for your other schools, make sure they are perfect, etc. After that, if UChicago is your favorite school, you might as well spend a couple hours on it. Theres no reason why not, as you said theres a (minute) chance that you’ll get in. You said the point in your original post. The point is that theres always a chance, the reason why not would be money, but since we’ve already addressed that issue then theres really no reason why not if you have the extra time.</p>
<p>@Dpenn96 Yeah that’s why I’m not doing EA (waiting for GPA to marginally increase and would get rejected). Does UChi really care about essays as much as everyone says?</p>
<p>The short is answer is yes they do.</p>
<p>If you were applying as a student with a 4.5 with the most rigorous schedule possible, great EC’s, and a 2290 on the SAT, the essay would set you apart from the rest of the applicants with that resume. If you’re applying as a student that is considerably below their numerical averages, every word in the essay counts in making your argument/ winning over the admit officer. Same goes for recommendations. </p>
<p>Honestly… not if you don’t have the test scores to go with them. They are gunning to catch Yale in the rankings, and test scores are king right now. Then GPA, then essays… their app is also quite a bit of work – nailing those essays is hard. Gonna be honest with you, you are better off putting your energy into making sure your other applications are polished and as good as you can make them. </p>
<p>@Dpenn96 I’m waiting for RD also because I believe I can get a stellar recommendation from my current English teacher.</p>
<p>Wait, does UChicago use the common app?</p>
<p>@intparent I’ll see what happens when I take the SAT again and ACT, although it obviously probably would not come up that much. Thank you for the honest advice.</p>
<p>Yes, they went to the Common App a few years ago. Part of the campaign to catch Yale – their application numbers shot up tremendously as a result (thus reducing their yield, and improving their ranking…).</p>
<p>@Dpenn96 yes.</p>
<p>If it uses common app then i would still say yes</p>
<p>Just don’t waste time on it before you nail the rest of your apps. The amount of free time you spend on the app after you finish everything else would be worth a Uchicago degree should you get in.</p>
<p>@Dpenn96 that’s the thing. Place is a boot camp to get in, and get out with a degree.</p>
<p>I mean thats the expectation if you’re looking to get a UChicago level education. They don’t just hand them out.</p>
<p>@Dpenn96 well I’m going to work as hard to get in as I do to get out, as you said.</p>
<p>@Dpenn96, the thing is that the essays are very… intense. Questions are rich and difficult, and they are looking for something special in them. My kid mulled over the essay topics for several weeks before deciding which one to write on, and took weeks more of writing, editing, leaving it for a while, going back, before getting it right. She got in… but it was more time consuming than any other essay she did. Plus (at least 2 years ago) they had a “Why Chicago” essay and an optional essay on books, music, etc. that you like. And optional does not mean "optional’ at top colleges. And they expect the same level of thoughtfulness and quality in those essays, too. </p>