<p>White, Middle Class (need financial aid)
Public high school
SAT I 2000 (CR690 M660 W650) 1350 out of 1600
(I know this barely fits into the range)
GPA: 4.433 out of 5
Class Rank 17 out of 364 (Top 5%)
SAT II's:
Lit-650
US History-640
Math I-660</p>
<p>AP English III score: 4
AP US History scpre: 4</p>
<p>Senior Class Schedule:
-AP English IV
-AP Government
-AP Economics
-AP Psychology
-AP Biology
-AP Statistics
-Mentoring Program (volunteering at local middle schools)
-Academic Decathlon Class</p>
<p>EC's
-Class President (Junior and Senior Year)
-(American Legion) Texas Boys State Delegate
-Congressional Youth Advisory Board (under Congressman Burgess)
-National Honor Society (2yrs)
-Varsity Golf (Team Captain)
-Multicultural Club (Treasurer)
-Student Council (Member at Large 3yrs)
-Academic Decathlon (President)
-UIL-Current Events
-UIL-Ready Writing
-Community Service 200 plus hours</p>
<p>Interests etc.:
-I have written numerous informal prose, specifically one journal over the summer that was over 200 pages of political, social,personal, and religious ideas and philosophy
-I love golf course architecture and nature
-Writing(especially timed writing)
-Philosophical discussion and thought</p>
<p>Questions:
-First, do I have a realistic shot of being accepted?
-If accepted about how much financial aid would I recieve if my parents together make about 95,000 with one sister in college (approx 15,000 dollars a year)
-Finally, I have an extreme passion for golf course architecture however when applying to U of Chicago I will probably choose an intended major in either Political Science, or Sociology, how should I adress this interest in the essay?</p>
<p>I think your chances are low. Your GPA and SAT scores won't compare favorably.
Timed writing? That wouldn't be of any use to you at Chicago. While an interest in golf course architecture is unusual, I don't see how that would fit in with Poly Sci or Soc.
Apply anyway -- who knows.</p>
<p>Just remember your class rank is great and casts a warm glow on your GPA. Your course load is rigorous. Those are features that Chicago values, so don't be discouraged, send your app and you'll know in December!</p>
<p>greennblue, I don't know how you can say his chances are low. What's wrong with top 5%? I'd say your chances are as good as anybody else's, depending on other factors.</p>
<p>Your SAT scores are a bit low, but mine weren't that much higher, so along with everything else as long as you have good recommendations and essays I think you stand as good a chance as anyone else.</p>
<p>In regards to your major, you don't have to address it in your essays at all, so don't worry about that.</p>
<p>In regards to financial aid, it is very hard to tell especially with this year being the start of the odyssey scholarship, so you will almost definitely get some financial aid, but its really difficult to tell without knowing very much.</p>
<p>I think that you have a good shot at it and as mentioned before, your essays and recommendations will have a lot to do with it. My child had similar SATs (higher in the verbal and lower in the math )and a lower GPA, was deferred EA, but accepted regular admission. Try to take the SATs again. I think that Chicago may superscore and I think that they did with my child creating a 1400 score, which is about what they told us they really want on the SATs.</p>
<p>"-First, do I have a realistic shot of being accepted?"</p>
<p>Yes; essays and rec's will be key.</p>
<p>-If accepted about how much financial aid would I recieve if my parents together make about 95,000 with one sister in college (approx 15,000 dollars a year)</p>
<p>You or your folks need to do the financial aid estimator / institutional methodology: factors such as siblings in college, medical expenses, and assets (especially if your folks own there own business) will be considered.</p>
<p>Aid will consist of grant aid (that you don't pay back) and student loans. You will be expected to work to contribute to your expenses.</p>
<p>IF it looks like your family will not be able to afford your EFC (Expected Family Contribution), make SURE that you have merit aid and public schools on your list so that you have academically and financially viable options in the spring.</p>
<p>Yay for UIL kids! I wanted to do ready writing, but I can't because of time conflicts with lit. crit. I'm applying EA this year, so I'm afraid I don't know much more than you do about chances of being admitted, but your course load is rigorous, and it looks like you have a fair chance if you have good essays and recs.</p>