UChicago Chances and Fit

Male/Asian/100-150k/New York

Class Rank: School only ranks if top 10% or not, I’m probably around top 10-15% range, GPA upward trend
My grades are a bit on the low side (for selective colleges), and I’ve spoken with a friend who is in college right now who has nearly the same degree of disjointed family dynamics (Mom diagnosed with cancer, Dad with alcohol and gambling addiction) which I think brought down my grades, as I basically had to raise my brother by myself and handle certain family finances because my parents didn’t do much. They told me that I should include this in the ‘Additional Information’ section, but I’m not exactly sure if this will mitigate anything.

SAT: 780 E 800 M
Subject Tests: Math II 800

AP Classes –
Sophomore Year: Calculus AB, Chemistry
Junior Year: Calculus BC, Economics, English, Physics C (both), Comp. Sci.,
Senior Year: Multivariable Calc. (not AP, but I thought it was important to include), Biology, Gov. Pol.

ECs
Science Olympiad Captain (2 yrs), did well at states/invitationals with awards
Director of my town’s hackathon and SO competition, both with high attendance
School Soccer(Captain of Freshman, JV, not sure about this year on V though)
Club Soccer(Captain, 3 yrs)
Board Member of STEM Outreach program
NHS
Hospital Volunteer (3 hrs/week for a while now, not sure how many hours I have but I was told that the number didn’t matter too much anyway)

Summer Things
Internship at local chemical company (sophomore summer)
Internship at national laboratory (junior summer)

Awards/Other Recognitions
PSAT Semifinalist, maybe finalist? My PSAT was 1500 but I don’t know what the requirements are.
Some AP Award, forget what it was called, but nothing special at all.
2nd authorship (of 8) in a paper submitted to a peer-reviewed journal that I worked on at the lab (impact factor > 5)
Accepted into conference with the above paper

Essays:
Common App: Pretty good, STEM-relevant but doesn’t conform to stereotypical Asian male applicant essay out there.
Why UChicago: Strongest out of all 3, very specific because of my previous involvement and communications with Argonne (another DOE lab that my lab worked with closely)
Writing Supplement: Probably decent, a different take on the “Tell about a time you got caught, or not, if that may be the case.”
Supplemental Material: Submitted abstract of peer-reviewed publication

Recs –
Math Teacher: Good
English Teacher: Generic
Guidance Counselor: Probably will be pretty good, I’m meeting with her to talk about my family situation and I will probably be on her better side.
Supplemental Rec: From director of the lab, pretty good but I’m only submitting it to serve the purpose of showing that I actually contributed significantly to the paper.

I’ve been told that my ECs are pretty strong and that I should apply to selective schools despite my GPA, but I’m not sure. I plan on applying ED1 to UChicago.

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

By the way, I am applying as a pure physics major.

Like you said, the only weak part of your app is the GPA which is putting you outside the top 10%. The AO is probably going to want to know why (as GPA not matching test scores is a red flag), so you’ll need to say something in your app about it.

I personally think you have an incredibly compelling story (hook). Your essays should definitely discuss your issues and their direct impact on GPA. Having seen firsthand the impact of similar situations on kids your age, any AO would go to bat for you with the right essays.

In spite of everything you and your family is going through, you still have time for EC? I don’t think your GPA would impact you at all. ED1 is the way to go.

Your SAT will surely level the playing field, esp Math

I sincerely wish you the best of luck. .

@CU123 @fbsdreams
Thank you, and does the intended major affect admissions chances?

That’s a good question, while UChicago can’t have a first year class of all econ majors, I am not sure how much it would affect admission.