U of Chicago vs. Northwestern admissions

<p>Overall which one is easier to get into?</p>

<p>I answered this on the other thread, and I'll answer it again: both have highly competitive admissions, and both have relatively similar admissions data, so it's impossible to say definitively that one is "easier" to get into than the other.</p>

<p>Some have noted that the doors a Chicago can be a bit perplexing at times. It may take a several attempts before actually figuring out how they open. Based on that, Northwestern may be a little easier to actually "get into."</p>

<p>I think it depends. </p>

<p>If you've got a really great essay and demonstrate a passion for whatever it is you want to do, you can get into Chicago with lower stats than Northwestern. Other than that, I think they're pretty comparable. I just know that Chicago can lenient at times on kids who's grades are a little spotty if they feel that they are diamonds in the rough.</p>

<p>While there are plenty of kids who apply to both, the schools are very different. The question isn't which one is easier to get into but which one you'd prefer to go to.</p>

<p>My child was one of the diamonds in the rough that was previously referred to. The admissions officer actually used that term as a description for someone who is extremely interesting and accomplished and would fit in well with the university, even if the stats are a little lower than the mid fifty percent of those admitted. They seem to know what they are doing and what they are looking for. In my child's case she is an accomplished musician and is active in several musical groups on campus and finished the first year with honors. So, if you happen to fit in that category, you can potentially get admitted to Chicago even with less than a 2100 on the SATS and without perfect grades.</p>

<p>It may be harder to decide to apply to Chicago than to Northwestern.</p>

<p>Questions like the OP's always worry me because the question implies some sort of comparison between the two schools. Really, all they have in common are Chicago (OK, one in the city, one next door) and similar competitiveness for admissions. Other than that, they are so different it is hard for me to imagine a kid that could be happy at both. </p>

<p>In truth, comparing any two schools in similar academic tiers with regard to admissions competitiveness is a waste of time. Admissions is way to idiosyncratic at any one school to even predict what happens at one, much less two.</p>

<p>So look at their published stats, especially the more detailed breakdowns published on school's websites and draw your own comparisons. But beware, because the mix within those stats varies. Take an ultra-elite Pton or Harvard. Then realize the entire bottom half of the admissions SAT and Class rank distribution could be (indeed, probably is, but who knows?) made up of hooked applicants. But we can't be sure. OK, now compare Northwestern to Chicago. One has big 10 athletics and needs to fill a lot of jock slots. One gives a legacy advantage ("10 percentage point" according to Northwestern) where the other only waives the admissions fee. One has killer essays. And so forth. how could one ever compare?</p>

<p>Otoh, one gives out merit scholarships while the other does not (well, the other started a limited merit aid program on a financial-needs basis this upcoming school year).</p>

<p>Are there U Chi students that were not admitted but would have rather gone to Northwestern? If so I'm willing to switch lives with you.. let me know..</p>

<p>Often people who are accepted to one are not accepted to the other. I think that perhaps each is attracted to a different type of applicant.</p>

<p>I know one student like that at Chicago, Taromakino. Not an incoming first year, though.</p>

<p>Ehh, like others said, it's quite difficult to compare. Neither one is easier to get into. When I first started my college search, I felt like UChicago was the place for me. I heard a lot about the "uniqueness" of the school (and also the difficulty of being admitted), so I worked very hard on the essays. I felt that with my SATs (1470, 2180 superscore), I had a better shot at UChicago than Northwestern (mainly because everyone was telling me how important the essays were to UC). In the end, I was admitted to both, and the decision was extremely difficult. I'm currently headed to NU in the fall, but I must say, I love both schools. I think that as long as you are truly honest in your essays and application, you shouldn't have too much of a problem. Just know what you're looking for in a college experience, express that in your essays, and you'll be fine.</p>

<p>dangnguyen, what made you choose NU over chicago? I applied to both as a transfer student and I was rejected by Chicago but admitted to NU, but from what I've heard about Chicago I still believe its a better fit for me. However, what I know about both schools is mostly anecdotal information, so who knows.. maybe NU will be better for me.</p>

<p>Taromakino, I chose NU because of a variety of reasons. Essentially, I realized that it was just a better fit for me (based on talking with other students, family, teachers, etc.). Academics at both schools are amazing, so I couldn't go wrong either way. And NU just seemed like it could offer me more based on my personality, expectations, and future plans.</p>

<p>As is pretty much the same reason I chose Chicago over NU :-)</p>

<p>how are northwestern's undergraduate programs in business and humanities compared with those of university of chicago or ivy league schools?</p>

<p>Not as good...especially not as good as chicago.</p>

<p>None of Northwestern, Chicago, or any of the "Ivies" except Penn and Cornell (sorta) offer undergraduate business programs at all. So it's a little hard to compare them in that dimension. Northwestern has just started certificate programs in Finance and Management Analytics for undergraduates. It involves juniors and seniors taking a few classes in its Business School, but other than that I don't know what it means. Chicago also has a well-regarded Business School (as do Harvard, Columbia, and Dartmouth, and, of course, Penn), and I think undergraduates may be able to take some courses there if they make a case for it, but Hell will freeze over before Harvard or Chicago establish a business major.</p>

<p>Penn has what is clearly the premier undergraduate business program in the country, and several of Cornell's schools offer business concentrations. So they win by default.</p>

<p>In the humanities, you would have to look department by department, school by school. Historically Northwestern has not had anything close to the reputation of any of the Ivy League schools or Chicago in most of the humanities, although the gap has probably been closing for years. I'm sure some people will tell you that it has closed, or that Northwestern is better than any of 'em (or than most of 'em, or some of 'em) in this or that field, and they may even be right. And it's not like the other schools are monolithic in this regard: there's a lot of variation among them.</p>

<p>landofoo,</p>

<p>Your comment is lame. Chicago is no better than HYP for humanities or Penn/HYP for business. See JHS's comments.</p>