I a bit confused about the whole NM thing. I thought that students don’t have to specify their a first choice until May,. To the best of my understanding, UChicago offers merit scholarships to NMF and Natl. Hispanic Recognition students (I thought all, but I don’t know for certain). They also make a point of stating that they “…are one of the few highly selective institutions to award both need-based and merit-based aid.”
This is from their scholarship page: Exemplary students are selected to receive University merit scholarships on the basis of outstanding academic achievement (including recognition as a National Merit Finalist or through the National Hispanic Recognition Program), extracurricular achievement, demonstrated leadership, and commitment to their communities. Merit awards are determined by committee on the basis of the application for admission without consideration of financial need. These awards range by amount from $5,000-$10,000 and can be awarded for four years of undergraduate study or funding for summer opportunities.
They sometimes automatically increase their initial merit offer between the acceptance and May 1st.
They also participate in the Stamps program that offers full ride scholarships,
@LoveTheBard my understanding is all NMF qualify at UChicago regardless who they designate as 1st choice. However based on this thread some disagree so I am not sure. We had a lot of communication with AO and that seemed clear to me until I read this thread…
I was waitlisted with a 31 ACT and 4.3 weighted GPA, mostly musical/arts extracurriculars. My school is a large public low-income free-lunch school. I’m second in my class.
@LoveTheBard yes, the 2nd deadline is May 1. Those who specified UChicago by March 1st (the first deadline) were notified of their awards in early May. That’s how it worked two years ago. It’s weird how there are different stories about how everyone was notified - D was told by NMSC just to check her NM portal. The letter followed a few weeks later.
I recall that historically at least, UChicago’s funding under the college-sponsorship is used up by the May 1st deadline. Whether that’s still true or not - unclear. But it might explain how those NMF’s called off the waitlist would be given internal merit by UChicago itself. The university used to guarantee a certain amount ($4 K/yr ending with class of '20) and that changed a couple years ago once they admitted a whole bunch of NMF’s via ED. Last year it changed again and there were NMF’s who were admitted ED and weren’t given anything (those testimonies are on the UChicago CC threads). Because they have tweaked the past couple of years, everyone has (and perhaps was told) a different story. The prior year and Class of '21 CC threads cover this subject so people are welcome to read them for context if they need to.
In any case, I’d be a tad suspicious of the current wording on the website. There is only one scholarship that is designated as automatic to everyone within the designated group and that’s first gen (all are given $20 K over four years). At least some of the remaining awards (police and fire, NM, etc.) are subject to being viewed as competitive - which explains why the wording isn’t clear. Perhaps it depends on who applies under which plan - or what someone was told by an AO via e-mail (which is documented evidence as to policy and should be honored). For the remainder, particularly those NMF’s admitted ED, it’s probably prudent not to interpret “exemplary students are selected” to mean “Automatic”; it’s best to call or e-mail and get clarification. E-mail might be better because then you will have something in writing.
@nrsebayer I am afraid that is not true. DD is a NMS finalist and she just found out that she is waitlisted. I was a little shocked because her ACT is a 36, 4.0 GPA, and plethora of other stats.
@EnviroFishGame - There seem to be a few posts a year where an NMF kid with superlative stats was waitlisted. My D (high stats, NMF, with parents who attended the grad schools) was deferred EA two years ago, and had she not switched to ED2, she most likely would have been waitlisted as well. .5% admit rate for deferred EA/ED1’s in the RD round that year, per Nondorf. She was the first year under the new admission plan and pretty much all her friends who are there as NMF’s applied ED1. NMF simply wasn’t enough to get her in non-binding, and that was two years ago when the admit rate was a few points higher than it’s expected to be this year. So your DD and @nrsebayer’s DS are very likely not alone. However, guessing that with those stats, she has or will have other great options - or perhaps will be pulled off the waitlist.
My son was also waitlisted RD. 36 ACT 4.0 UW 9 AP classes mostly 5s with 2 4s on AP tests. ECs primarily relate to Ballroom dance where he is a National Champion. We think his common app essay is pretty good but don’t know if it is great. Recommendation letters should be really good but we haven’t seen them. So far he is accepted to UVA and a couple of other safety schools. Just got waitlisted to Johns Hopkins and University of Chicago. Waiting on several more on March 28. We are honestly not really sure what to expect based on these two recent waitlisting.
Waitlisted! I am a US citizen who studied high school abroad. I have terrible scores, 1310 on the SAT, IB diploma with a 27, 3.6 GPA (converted) . I honestly can’t believe I wasn’t rejected out front. I did however submit the optional portfolio with something very meaningful.
What is the real purpose to be put on WL? I have also heard it is very rare to get off the WL so it’s like we kind of like you but you really don’t have a chance. Why do they get my hopes up?
Sojoun3 - It’s really not that hopeless when you take into consideration those who will not accept a place on the wait lit, and those who will not follow up with a strong letter of continuing interest. I’m not saying it’s easy. Far from it. I’m just saying it’s not as though you don’t have a chance. I do agree it’s best not to get your hopes up. Best of luck to you in whatever path you chose to take.
@Sojourn3 The WL is intended for apps that they can neither accept or reject for whatever reason, mainly due to final fit in their vision of the admitted class.
Very few get off it, if not none, so dont get your hopes too high. It’s like a ‘soft rejection’ people say, in many ways.
UChic WL’s notoriously high amounts of apps. Be on the WL on dont withdraw if you really wanna go there in case something happens in the WL, but have options ready.
@Sojourn3 Wait list is created so that the AO can fine tune the composition of the entering class. After receiving the matriculation notifications from the EA and RD rounds, on May 1st AO will know how many students they have for Class of 2023. If the number is lower than their target, then AO may then pull students off the wait list to fulfill their target enrollment. Figuring in some summer meltdown or admission rescindments, AO may actually over enroll by 5 to 10 students. So the wait list chance is not zero.
I have not read the letter to offer wait list to applicants but I am fair sure that it will not use the wordings which will hint that the wait list student’s chance of matriculation is high. So AO is not exactly deceiving the applicant.
No doubt being pulled off wait list is a long shot. Emotionally you have to accept that it mostly won’t happen. Treat it as a free lottery ticket. Embrace the school you have paid for the deposit. If UChicago really calls, then I am happy for you.
It is understandable to be angry, frustrated and resentful after a letter of rejection. The wait list may seem to be toying with your emotion. However, ultimately none of the university is out to get you. They are trying to fill their class with the best students from very limited material on each student. It is not personal. So the best approach is to treat wait list like a business transaction.
@Sojourn3 Don’t think of it as “we kind of like you”, but rather “we want you but just don’t have enough room”. Waitlisting gives you the chance to decide if you like the school enough to wait to see if a place opens up. And even if you decide not to wait, or if you do and ultimately don’t get accepted, you’ll always know you were qualified to go there.