sigh...Chances RD 2008... please!!! Dying, here..

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
1

<p>Hey guys, UChicago is my top choice by far, and I'm wondering how my chances are (or aren't).</p>

<p>GPA: 3.75W (3.3 Fresh 3.7 Soph 4.1 Junior 4.1 Senior Term 1)
ACT: 31
SAT2: Lit-600, Math-700, Bio(M)-650
Rank: top 15-20% (unknown for exact)
EC's: Debate 10-12, Speech 10-12, Medical Club 10-12, NHS 10-12, Stanford Debate Camp, JSA Georgetown Advanced Session (for AP Gov't)
Internship at a state agency for half a year</p>

<p>Essays: I really really really poured my heart out into the three essays, and I've let many many people read them. They all tell me they're very memorable, and that they're really good. I was very very proud of them, and I'm hoping these make a substantial impact on my application. I'll let anyone read them, if they want.
Classes: 12 AP classes total (most in my HS)</p>

<p>Recommendations: Both very good, but one talks about how I was lazy term 2 senior year, and although I got a C, I had a 98% on my final so she still very highly recommended me. Don't know about the counselors, but I bet it's at least decent. Sent a supplemental Recommendation from my family friend who teaches at a local college and it was a really good letter.
Interview: Went really well (I know it means nothing... blah), also went to Columbus open-house and visited another time.</p>

<p>Senior Year term 2: C C B B (Yeah, killer... too late to worry about it; I'm reporting them on the mid-year with a statement of an apology/promise to do better Term 3 & 4 and promise to send grades)</p>

<p>UChicago is really my favorite school, and I'm just a dejected student who feels that nothing in school reflected who I am, and I hope UChicago at least takes pity on my ignorant soul.</p>

<p>So basically I'm another lazy kid who's kinda smart.. here comes the rejection/waitlist. Any takers? It's really appreciated! :)</p>

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<p>I can't tell you about your chances (they're as good as anyone's?), but did you do JSA Georgetown this summer? Session I or II?</p>

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<p>1, you? (10char)</p>

4

<p>ah, I did session 2. shame, thought we may know each other. i took Con Law, not AP gov. but while i'm here, i will at least tell you not to give up hope, especially not on Chicago. if you have wonderful, insightful essays and recommendations that show who you are as a learner, you will have a shot despite your gpa (mine was not much, if any, better). i felt the same way as you; that my high school record didn't reflect my passions or my dedication, and took the time to convey that in my essays. Chicago is a school very capable of seeing the student behind the grades and test scores.</p>

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<p>:) Thanks for your kind words.</p>

6

<p>Hm, you have around my chances I'm guessing (similar GPA, classes) but your scores, I will say, aren't anything remarkable. Not that they're bad by any means! Just not extraordinary.</p>

<p>It could go either way for you, but I think it leans a bit more towards 'admit'. Again, case-by-case basis, I'm not on the adcom blah blah blah. I hope you get admitted and we see each other this fall :) Good luck!</p>

7

<p>For all waiting, waiting and hoping--- U of C over-accepted the past 2 years, they have a huge number of applicants this year and so they may be planning to use their wait list. My point is, don't give up if you are put on that list ! You all look like wonderful, interesting students to me. It's easy to understand how a environment high school can be less than motivating.</p>

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<p>I don't want to "chance" you, because I don't think there's anything meaningful you could take away from my own judging of you, particularly when there are significant pieces of the puzzle missing (essays and recommendations) and particularly when I have no idea what the admissions office looks for in applicants, other than smart, qualified students who "fit" with the school.</p>

<p>I do just want to reiterate what glasses said-- with Chicago's rise in popularity, it seems like this year the school is going to be a little more active in waitlisting or turning away applicants. </p>

<p>Chicago's always been uber-selective, it just doesn't have a flood of applicants like other schools has (it still has a smaller applicant pool than Tufts, JHU, and Dartmouth, even though the four schools are of comparable ug size and are comparable academic prestige). So, I mean, worry and don't worry. Worry because the school doesn't take everybody who (I think) deserves it, don't worry because you'll go to college somewhere, somehow, and you'll most likely have a good time there too.</p>

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<p>Hope this helps: I'm a shmuck and I got in. You,however, seem like you've done some solid stuff in high school. It's hit or miss (obviously, since there's only getting in and not getting in), but I can promise that showing them passion about yourself and the UofC can get you a long way.</p>

10

<p>um, i dont think that rec. from the teacher who said you are lazy but smart is going to help at all. colleges kinda hate "lazy but smart". They'd prefer "not as naturally smart but works really hard to do well"</p>