<p>I asked this question earlier, but now there's a twist: UChicago Adcom claims they do not admit applicants based on test scores or even pay much attention to test scores, then WHY is everyone I know/know of who goes to U-Chi a National Merit Scholar or at least had a very good ACT score? Is this just coincidence or DO scores actually count for more than is popularly supposed? </p>
<p>Thanks guys. I know, I'm annoying.</p>
<p>I forgot to add the most crucial element to my question:</p>
<p>Do you know of people who go to UChi who were not NMS? Really, how important is that crap?</p>
<p>My act is 28.</p>
<p>I'm not a NMS.</p>
<p>I'm a transfer student?</p>
<p>Hi bendrumfront.</p>
<p>oh my dear lord, you're a republican...okay i'm not talking to you anymore.</p>
<p>but thanks for the response, anyone else?</p>
<p>Republican? not exactly.</p>
<p>hahaha wow this convo made me giggle. republicans and standardized testing... I fail to see the connection?</p>
<p>wait, why do people think you are a republican? did i miss something
excuse my off-topic comment</p>
<p>The "we don't pay attention to test scores" claim occurs primarily to provide cover should a university run into trouble down the road with disguised affirmative action programs, for example those based on race.</p>
<p>Unless you are in an under represented minority group or qualify as a member of a disadvantaged class - best to ignore those assertions</p>
<p>U of Chicago is known to be very rigouous academically- the core, no grade inflation, a university where intellectual interests , above all, are valued and taken seriously. High SAT scores can indicate intellectual abilities, so they are looked at, but the application essays are really what Chicago adcom's pay attention to. Many NMF are attracted to Chicago because of the intellectual atmosphere there, and because they want to be surrounded by other really smart students who love to learn.</p>
<p>Citation, you have a lot to learn.</p>
<p>bendrumfront -
my son was not a nmf or even commended; he was also not top 10% in his class, not a minority, and not disadvantaged. His transcript was strong, and his essays were good AND demonstrated and he and the University were a good fit.</p>
<p>This is probably correlation instead of causation. Chicago admits students because they are intelligent and good writers, and a lot of these students happen to be National Merit Semi-Finalists.</p>
<p>No high ranked school ignores test scores</p>
<p>I don't believe they totally ignore them, but they aren't the be all and end all of admissions. </p>
<p>I am not an admissions officer, so the following is just my opinion. Good SAT's can indicate a variety of things - a certain natural mental quickness to do well without prep, or the dogged determination to obtain good scores with prep. A low score could raise concerns regarding an applicants ability to succeed. IMO, at Chicago - and many, many other colleges - this concern would not necessarilly put the applicant's application in the reject pile if strengths in other areas trumped a poor score or a bad grade.</p>
<p>i wasn't an NMS and my SAT/SAT IIs were far below avg with subscores in the 600s and i got in.
i think ur transcript and essays are the most important factor in the app and test scores aren't the main factor, as many ppl have said.</p>
<p>Libby did not say test scores were not considered, only that their influence was less than curriculum attempted and essays. I doubt many students who do well in a tough curriculum and write very good essays score poorly on the SAT or ACT. If they happen to do so, Chicago simply believes the tough curriculum and essays are more predictive than test scores. If one looks at the old "Decisions" threads, one will see 1500+ applicants rejected and many 1300 student accepted. Looks like they mean what they say.</p>