To those who weren't accepted

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
1

<p>Thank-you for posting your less than happy news; it is very helpful to juniors and their parents, and shows your personal courage and integrity. </p>

<p>Despite what TS Eliot said, March is turning out to be a pretty darn cruel month this year. Back in the old days (four or five years ago) when the acceptance rate was higher (and people whined about that), we would only see a couple of surprises on this board. People who we thought would be accepted, and weren't. Now I see many of my favorite posters wl'd and rejected, and personally I think it sucks. </p>

<p>I see many of you bouncing back from the shock and moving on; this is good. It sounds sappy, but try to actively focus on the positive (after you've got the venting out of your system, of course!). This isn't just me being a mom, there's science behind it. </p>

<p>Best wishes to all of you, and congratulations to whichever college is lucky enough to get you.</p>

2

<p>that's so sweet... thank you!</p>

3

<p>Thanks ohio_mom. It'll be interesting to know, once the dust settles, how the schools handled the increase in number of applications and how the statistics will turn out.</p>

4

<p>Ohio_mom,
I've posted this privately, but I find it hard to differentiate among who was accepted/waitlisted and rejected here and on the MIT thread (others, too, but these are the two I've been watching closely). How admissions folks can differentiate? These kids are all so bright, so passionate, and interested in so many different things. </p>

<p>You will all land on your feet wherever you go, but I salute the creatvity and enthusiasm you brought to this process, and the way in which you poured out your hearts and souls. Know that we feel your pain, too.</p>

5

<p>
[quote]
I've posted this privately, but I find it hard to differentiate among who was accepted/waitlisted and rejected here and on the MIT thread (others, too, but these are the two I've been watching closely).

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Admissions is a crapshoot at pretty much any college with < 25% admissions rate. And... we're getting there.</p>

6

<p>Thanks to all of the above posters for keeping things in perspective. My daughter still wants Chicago, so wait she shall among all the other stellar waiters.</p>

7

<p>Best wishes to your D, 2forcollege!</p>

8

<p>Thank you!!!! We need all the good wishes we can get!</p>

9

<p>I'm sorry and this may be out of place and/or inappropriate but how did the UChi acceptance rate manage to drop so much in so little time? I just noticed...</p>

10

<p>2forcollege,
Here's hoping your D hears some good news from the waitlist...I know it's something she really, really wants. (Libby! Please Take Note!!!!)</p>

11

<p>
[quote]
I'm sorry and this may be out of place and/or inappropriate but how did the UChi acceptance rate manage to drop so much in so little time? I just noticed...

[/quote]
</p>

<p>For one, we recently moved from #15 to #9 in the US News Rankings. This is especially valid in analysis of the increase in international applications. We've also boosted our advertising campaign, and so lots of students get colorful booklets in the mail which draw them to Chicago. Next year, the acceptance rate will drop even further as we move to the Common App.</p>

12

<p>No! Chicago shouldn't move to the common app... it's uncommon app makes it special :/ That's disappointing... I hope Chicago isn't moving away from what drew me to it in the first place.</p>

<p>Thanks for the answer!</p>

13

<p>Bustles - I'm not especially qualified to answer this, but I'm 90% sure that the Uncommon essays are going to stay. I think the Common App will be used just so that applicants can provide their biographical info, activities, etc. in an easier way.</p>

14

<p>Thank you Counting Down!!!</p>

15

<p>It does not hurt to continue to make one's case for admission once on the wait list, it can make a difference.</p>

16

<p>Phuriku pointed towards solid trends in the Chicago landscape, but I also think that there are a few more aspects at play. Here are my hypotheses as to why Chicago's been on such an upswing:</p>

<p>Two general trends:</p>

<p>1) There's a surge of interest in big-city schools. It seems like a lot of top colleges have seen an upsurge in applicants, but I'm willing to bet money that schools in urban locations have seen comparatively more applicants than schools that are not in urban locations. </p>

<p>2) Our neo-gothic campus, which was "gloomy" ten years ago, is now "Harry Potter." Yes, I think there's a notable J.K. Rowling effect.</p>

<p>One U of C-specific trend and its consequences:</p>

<p>1) The major renovations made to improve undergraduate life that took place and continue to take place. With the "watering-down" of the core, Ratner Gym, Max P, Bart Mart, the 173 bus, etc., the U of C stimulated campus life and made the school more unilaterally appealing. At the same time (so I'm told from professors and staff who have been here for years) the academic demands have remained more or less constant.</p>

<p>With more appeal, the school becomes more selective, and with a higher selectivity, admissions can choose stronger students (or, at this point, not choose strong students too). Stronger students who can manage the workload are going to be happier than weaker students who can't manage the workload as well, and as a result, I don't think the U of C carries the stigma for being such an unhappy place any longer, because the students who are admitted and end up coming can do the work. It sounds like that hasn't always been the case.</p>

<p>Other possible trends:</p>

<p>1) With increased "Ivy Hysteria," Ivy-alternates become more popular. This has been an ongoing trend (books like "Colleges that Change Lives," "The New Ivies," etc.) but I think that a rise in applications to Chicago mirrors the rise in applications to schools like Vanderbilt, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Northwestern, et. al.</p>

<p>2) A re-emphasis on the importance of a pure liberal arts education. (Reed's and St. Johns' rise in applications could tandem Chicago's).</p>

17

<p>The Uncommon essays will definitely still be a part of the application, as a supplement to the Common App. They just sent admitted kids the email asking for suggestions for next year's weird essays. It said they would be a supplement. So, they're there to stay. Now I just have to think of one to submit.... haha.</p>

18

<p>I am a little confused.</p>

<p>There are three writing parts to the uncommon app: the Why Chicago essay, the fav book/movie/artwork essay, and the main essay with the crazy prompt. Which part(s) are they requiring as supplements for next year?</p>

19

<p>I read on the Uncommon Application blog that the crazy insane (essentially UChicago-esque) essay questions will be part of the Uncommon SUPPLEMENT.</p>

<p>I submitted a question already ;) Watch out, Class of '09ers!</p>

20

<p>
[quote]

With the "watering-down" of the core,

[/quote]

How much diluted the core would be?</p>