@goingnutsmom I think I was pretty clear that I was bristling at the suggestion that UC was doing ED just to game the rankings. Obviously there is nothing wrong with trying to climb the rankings but it’s a little offensive to assume that they are doing this just move up. Especially since most of the rankings don’t factor in yield anymore.
UChicago is need blind and meets need so if it’s a true number one for a kid, why shouldn’t ED be an option? Doesn’t matter if you are full pay, have an EFC of 0, or are a donut hole family and have to work a second job or raid your retirement or take out a parent plus loan. The ED kid weighed all of that before applying and is ready to make the commitment. The EA kid might love the school just as much and be just as brilliant but they want to see what their other options are before they decide. That is not the same level of commitment. If everything else is even, why wouldn’t UChicago take an ED kid and fill a guaranteed spot rather than take a gamble on the EA kid who is waiting to hear back from USC before they decide?
There is so much slop and inefficiency in the application process in general. ED is just one step toward making it a little more efficient.
@notveryzen, I think we will have to agree to respectfully disagree.
ED overwhelmingly favors the institutional needs of the school- whether that is climbing the rankings or giving the school more control over its resources (such as merit scholarshipsor or need based aid) is really only known by the school itself.
I don’t know nor you know what exactly was their rational behind this move. We can only make guesses. I think it was most likely a variety of reasons.
But I don’t get offended because I don’t see the admissions process of the school as an extension of my kids worth.
There is some reasoning behind the process but it’s not an exact science and I’m glad that schools have a holistic process and it’s just not a numbers game totally for the student. Sometimes it does get frustrating that there does not seem to be transparency in the system.
I’m inclined to think that ED for them affords the school more wiggle room for merit allotment than anything else.
Signing out now and good luck to all!!
For those that were accepted, have you received anything in the mail? We thought D would have by now, but perhaps it is the Christmas rush.
Just received official acceptance letter in the mail but not the financial aid package.
@applefallen did you apply ED? Do EA applicants only receive the mail after we confirm?
Does anyone know if the ED agreement has to be submitted by Jan. 1st? Or can it be submitted a few days later?
@Vlau0707 the deadline is 1/6.
People who were deferred EA but are now switching to ED2: What made you decide you were now able to switch to a binding decision? UChicago is my number one, but my family was very hesitant about ED1 for financial aid reasons. I’ve been going back and forth about whether I should ED2, and I’m wondering how you made the decision to ED2. Thanks 
Have any Ed students received Merit scholarships?
D17 was EA-deferred and has opted for EDII because she now realizes how important this up-front commitment is in order to be considered. We are willing to forego significant merit aid at her backups in order for her to attend. It will be a sacrifice for sure but the deferral really forced her to decide what she wants. She realizes that the odds are definitely against her and will not be devastated if she is deferred again or rejected but it’s no question she would enroll if accepted so EDII is the right choice.
^ in response to @tod4sl0sd1as
i just received a package from UChicago with a shirt, scarf, and a bunch of other stuff! really makes me excited to be there next year i just cant believe that my admissions counselor actually wrote me a card talking about me essay - do they do that for all admitted applicants? Can’t imagine the workload there xD
@littlecutefishy did you commit to uchicago already? I want free stuff(!!) but I’ve only received my letter so far
UChicago is my ED and my dream school so i submitted my decision to attend on the day i got my acceptance xD i think i submitted it so early they just decided to send the new year’s greetings package of stuff together with my acceptance certificate
@littlecutefishy They send it all together to internationals because international postage is expensive. They don’t want to send more packages than they have to.
Wait Wait Wait??? Am I gonna get a scarf and shirt and stuff from U Chicago??? Also is there an accepted student groupme or facebook? (I got in EA)
@NikkuWadde there is both! look up uchicago class of 2021
Guys so my admission package has been held by the customs duty in my country and they need to know exactly what’s inside it before they dispatch it to my house. Could someone who’s received it please state what all does it contain? It weighs little over a kg is all I know
okay thanks @Dartmouth_21. I found the Facebook chat but not the GroupMe? Just PM me and I’ll pm back with my contact stuff