UChicago EA Advice

<p>Okay, I really want to apply to Chicago Early Action, however I have a reluctance to do so, because one half(the math half, lol) of my SAT scores really sucks. I'm talking 560, that kind of sucks. lol. The rest of my application is great, my grades and courseload are solid, and my essays are great(in my opinion). I realize the university doesn't emphasize scores as much as others, but I just wondered if that would kill my app EA. I got that score at the beginning of 10th grade, which is why it sucks so hard. </p>

<p>So, my actual question is... Should I apply EA, at the risk of my test score killing me? OR should I wait and take the ACT in December, which I think I can expect a solid score on?</p>

<p>I don't think I can stand waiting until April, for RD. :(</p>

<p>I dont think that score will be that bad. Especialy if everything else is good and if you have that eccentric thng about you that theyseem to like so much. And plus, its supposed to be all holistic and everything, so i say go for it. Question! Does UChicago reject anybody under Early Action? Or do they defer all EA applicants who are not accepte din the early round and reconsider during early decision?</p>

<p>Although some might be rejected outright, most not accepted EA would be deferred to RD (you could probably find those numbers if you look hard enough). After all, EA applicants usually constitute the strongest pool with the most interest in a particular school.</p>

<p>If you think you can do significantly better (break 650), hold off on the EA app and apply RD. Remember, UChicago accepts score choice. </p>

<p>Obviously, UChicago touts that they take a holistic approach (every school does), but consider that they haven’t gone as far to join the SAT optional movement, so it obviously still holds some weight. why present anything anything less than your “best” (whatever that means to colleges) self to adcoms?</p>

<p>Retake and apply RD.</p>

<p>wow…wow. Are you saying I can’t apply EA if I take the Oct. 10 SAT?</p>

<p>I’ve actually read somewhere that UChicago actually rejects most of its applicants outright. This is mostly because they get a lot of applicants that don’t really give a damn about the university and use it as a safety, sending off essays with very little thought etc… (i.e. not the kind of people they’d even consider)</p>

<p>If you’re not that kind of person, then you might stand a reasonable chance…this is hearsay again, but I believe that they don’t look at the SAT scores with any expectations; they just want to see if it raises any red flags about the applicant. I’m not sure what a 560 says about you in the context of your entire application, but you should definitely consider retaking it and applying RD.</p>

<p>You can apply with the scores you already have. At this point your essays should be your main concern.</p>

<p>Thank you all for your advice!
I think I’m gonna go for it EA, because I really love the school and all, but if I get rejected I always have next year(I’m technically a junior, but I have the option of graduating this year), so I figure that it can’t hurt too much.</p>

<p>wait, so are you saying that lke uchicago doesn’t expect SAT scores to be incredibly high, as long as they otherwise like the applicant? and it just cant be too low? like i got 2100 i got 630 math 670 critical reading and 800 writing and i am going to retake them but if it doesmt really go up, do you think they willl keep me from getting in?</p>

<p>It certainly could keep you from getting in, but no one knows exactly what will happen, let alone why.</p>

<p>well i definitely know that it could, but like do you think it most likely would make me not get in? or do you think, there’s just way to know, and it could go either way?</p>

<p>I can’t reasonably gauge that without knowing more about your stats.</p>

<p>Jubles, retake the SATs if you think you can improve on it. Don’t retake it if you don’t think you can improve on it. There was a parent on another thread recently who gave a (very) detailed analysis as to how UChicago looks at standardized scoring, and how much it counts for; I suggest you read it if you are truly concerned about how much your SAT’s will help or hinder you getting accepted.</p>

<p>Also, just making sure that you are aware, UChicago does not look at the writing section of the SAT. They only care about the math and critical reading sections.</p>

<p>whoa! Hold off a minute! If you are a junior then you have time to improve your scores, take more rigorous classes either at HS or perhaps online or a a
cc, AND do great in them, get even better recommendations and THEN apply next year. Chicago wants students to have taken the most rigorous classes their HS offers. Have you exhausted all of the advanced classes your HS offers? Will your GC recommendation letter mention that when commenting about the classes you took? Will the school profile report submitted with his letter confirm that? Don’t be in such a hurry IF there are more advanced classes you can take as a SR. If you apply this year and are rejected you may not be even considered for admission next year at all.</p>

<p>Yes, I have taken the maximum level in all of the subject areas available, and done well in them. Everything that they should receive will reflect that, counselor report, school report, etc. I’m still thinking about just putting of to RD, to see my test scores.</p>

<p>Also, I hadn’t thought about that, if I apply and am rejected they may not even consider me next year, so I have to think about that some more, too.</p>

<p>‘I have taken the maximum level in all of the subject areas available, and done well in them.’
Then go the extra step and take some advanced online classes at Stanford’s EPGY High School, or self study some AP classes or take some college classes at a CC-in other words, show Chicago your continued commitment to learning!! Many students who have “topped out” at their HS early look for other opportunites to further their education outside the walls of HS.
Colleges do hang on to admissons files for a couple of years, so a rejection this year may may result in your application not even getting a glance next year.</p>

<p>thanks for the response! it was nice of you, and i will have to check out that thread. and yes, i know, its really annoying that they do not consider the writing because that part is really easy for me but then i do bad on the other parts its sooo annoying. ugh. so i knew that kind of but i didnt know what it meant exactly, do they just not consider the writing section as much as the others, and not put it in their class statistics, but they look at it a little bit without saying? or do you think they really just dont care about it at all? this is quite annoying. i want to get into university of chicago so much and i dont think im going to. but i havent studied for the SAT so maybe doing that will help me idk. thanks for the advice! :)</p>

<p>I believe that UChicago completely disregards the writing section. They do not publish it in the incoming class statistics. When I visited UChicago over the spring, during the information session, the admissions counselor said that they do not even consider the writing section because they think it is ridiculous to be forced to write an essay in 30 minutes, and then be evaluated on it.</p>

<p>okay thanks for the info! so is university of chicago your first choice?</p>