UChicago chances??

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
1

<p>I would appreciate any feedback on my chances. Thank you!</p>

<p>Background:</p>

<p>White female -- IL
Wants to major in Biology with hopes of MD/PhD degree program for medical research.</p>

<p>Testing/Grades:</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 UW, 4.275 (highest possible) W</p>

<p>Medium sized public high school</p>

<p>Rank: 1 out of 500ish</p>

<p>ACT: 35 (36 E, 36 R, 35 S, 35 M)</p>

<p>SAT: 2350 (800 CR, 800 W, 750 M)</p>

<p>AP: Euro (5)
Will receive scores for Physics B, English Lang, and US History in about a week
Taking Bio at community college this summer in place of AP Bio
Senior year schedule: AP Calc AB, AP Chem, AP Psych, AP Lit, Honors French V, Advanced Speech, Film as Lit, Orchestra, Gym</p>

<p>SAT Subject: Physics (750)
Will receive scores for Math II and Lit in a few days
Plan to take Bio and Chem in October</p>

<p>ECs:</p>

<p>Did research in physics lab since summer before junior year (i.e., two summers + junior year during school year)</p>

<p>Private violin/viola teacher (9,10,11) -- several students</p>

<p>Top Youth Orchestras for viola (co-principal chair, ~5 hr/week)</p>

<p>National Honor Society (President) (12)</p>

<p>Tri-M (President) (12)</p>

<p>Top school orchestra (President) (10, 11)</p>

<p>IMEA -- Honors All-State Orchestra (10, 11), District (7,8,9,10,11)</p>

<p>National French Honor Society</p>

<p>National English Honor Society</p>

<p>Debate Club (Vice Pres) (10)</p>

<p>EcoClub (11)</p>

<p>Math Team (10, 11)</p>

<p>Literary Festival (9,10,11)</p>

<p>WYSE (10, 11)</p>

<p>National Merit Commended</p>

<p>250+ volunteer hours since freshman year (mostly music stuff)</p>

2

<p>If you are careful with your application and you have good references (I expect you will) and you convince admissions (somehow) that you will pick UChicago if admitted, you have a very good shot at admissions. By the way, congratulations on your outstanding accomplishments.</p>

3

<p>Thank you very much! I have two options for a supplemental LOR: 1) my research mentor that I have known for about a year 2) my private music teacher who I have known since I was 11.</p>

<p>Do you think one of these options would be better? My research mentor has more to do with my prospective major, but I have known my music teacher for longer and she knows me better personally.</p>

4

<p>Tough question. I’m not up on it (son applied more than a year ago) but can’t you submit both plus a guidance / college counselor? Or maybe you have someone else in mind? Anyway, if you are caught between the two above, based on the little bit of information provided I would choose the research mentor. However, if the music teacher is a great writer, and is more enthusiastic, and she will really express just how intellectually curious and otherwise special you are, you may want to go with her. Sorry for the slightly wishy washy answer, but the best recommender here is the one who can express how well you will fit at UChicago (key words: intellectually curious, love learning, motivated by rigorous challenges). </p>

<p>Others please weigh in.</p>

5

<p>The absence of a letter from your research mentor (assuming your research activities are clear from your application) would stand out like a sore thumb. You don’t really have a choice here.</p>