<p>Hi, I just finished my first year at Cal and I want to apply to UChicago. I want to major in either Physics or Math, and also Philosophy, maybe with a minor in French Literature depending on what is possible.</p>
<p>I'm not sure how competitive the process is. I have a 3.75 at Cal. I really, really want to go to Chicago. I would need lots of financial aid (need, single mom is low income). I'm a SoCal male from public school. SAT is 2110 but I can retake; I can definitely get a much higher score right now.</p>
<p>I’ve honestly never felt so excited about a school… so much has changed since HS. There are literally no other schools I’d rather attend (other than Yale and Williams… but I know they’re impossible to transfer into).</p>
<p>Financial aid for transfer students is often more limited than freshman apps. Also, you are late in the process and probably have missed the deadline for a fall start at Chicago. You should call them and see. Your stats are inline, and retaking the SAT at this point would not do you any good. You will need a certificate of good standing from Cal and some references. First check out UChicago’s deadlines and process. My son was accepted as a transfer from Penn but wound up staying at Penn.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. Isn’t Chicago a “full-need” school? Many top schools advertise (almost) no-loan full rides for this income bracket, but maybe that policy does not apply to transfers at Chicago. Also, I don’t understand how I’m late in the process; isn’t the deadline for most transfer programs in March? I plan to apply for fall entrance as an incoming junior, even though I’m only about to start my sophomore year at Berkeley. And finally, I have to admit that I feel my SAT are too low for Chicago… since class profile stats show ~2250 as average. Your son is a lucky guy!</p>
<p>suggest you do a little more research on a school that you feel “so excited about.”</p>
<p>Chicago is not known to be generous with finaid. Chicago is not no-loan. Chicago requires self-help in the form of loans, summer earnings and work study. Chicago will cost $58k next year likely $60+ by the time that you apply.</p>
<p>Agree with Mom that retaking the SAT is of zero value. Your college gpa, recs and essay (‘Why Chicago?’) are all you need.</p>
<p>I thought you were trying to start this fall. You have plenty of time for junior transfer. It can be a big change for someone from California. There is a poster on this forum whose son transferred from USC to Chicago and hated Chicago and went back. The transfer students were stuck in a remote dorm somewhere.</p>
<p>A transfer from Berkeley to Chicago does not seem very easy, but there is no reason you should not try. It’s too bad it is not the other way around as Berkeley rolls ou the red carpet for thousands of transfer. You simply would be competing with mostly students from junior and community colleges.</p>
<p>Majoring in Physics or Math? Go find a research assistantship. Meet and talk to professors. Do something interesting; Berkeley’s a science powerhouse and you should take advantage of that. Demonstrate that you’ve done well at Berkeley, and show promise that you’ll do even better at Chicago.</p>
<p>Don’t be discouraged, and keep your chin up :). If you invest in tangible assets towards Chicago, even if you’re disappointed you’ll still have those things to your credit.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies everyone. I’ll definitely talk to my Cal profs about research, which is important, even regardless of admission to Chicago.</p>
<p>
Come on, don’t be mean.</p>
<p>bluebayou, from collegeboard:</p>
<p>Average percent of need met: 100%
Average need-based loan: $4,483
Average need-based scholarship or grant award: $35,540</p>
<p>Percent of total undergraduate aid awarded as:
Scholarships / grants: 88%
Loans / jobs: 12%</p>
<p>I never said it would be fully no-loan, just close. And that’s about right. Chicago is need-blind, meets 100% of need, and offers low-loan FA packages. Don’t be so negative… most people agree that Chicago would be very affordable for me. Chicago is also part of Questbridge. To the contrary, I think the consensus on Chicago (at least for low-income families) is typical elite private school generosity. You might be confusing Chicago with NYU or Michigan.</p>
<p>Definitely apply, but just be forewarned if you find out next spring that Chicago is not affordable to you and your family. Instead of CB, suggest you check out the numbers on IPEDS. Average grant = $24k (for continuing students). </p>
<p>I’ve been a cc a long time and have yet to see a parent poster note that Chicago is “generous” with need-based aid. But if your “consensus” differs, I hope it works out for you. It’s a great college.</p>