UChicago Fall 2020 Transfer

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
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@XXATR22 Hey! You seem quite eloquent with your analysis of people’s chances. So, I’m a student at Stanford majoring in one of the arts (not too many specifics on here), though I find the program to be generally lacking in more hands-on and production elements, whereas UChicago has great thesis options for this. I also can’t stand suburbia, and have a lot of burgeoning connections in the city with friends. I also had a very awkward introduction to school, as I had intended to do pre-med, but the culture was really toxic.

I sent in an extensive visual arts, creative writing and film portfolio that I am extremely proud of. My GPA when I applied (lol) was a 3.85 in my major, and a 3.75 overall (I think). My SAT was in the lowest acceptance bracket at Stanford (1430, long story there). I know for a fact that my acceptance letters were great - from two professors in the major who really like me and have supported me.

I wrote about the Olive Garden scenario for the personal creative option, describing how it is a suburban functional intermediary waiting room for the gates of hell/trial, etc given that their food provides no real nutrients, is fake, ya know. Idk how that came off, but it was fun to write and I had a fun time. I think my other essays were equally enthusiastic. My extracurriculars include film stuff, disability advocacy, arts teaching, research at an economics department (idk why), being an early childhood teacher, VR program and exhibition, first-gen low income group, socialist club, minority religious background, etc. It’s very all over the place, but this is mainly because of how Stanford is genuinely not accommodating for people who want more production/practice involved in their “art” classes.

It’s probably one of my top school choices. I think it’s really cool. Wish I did a video portfolio though. Sorry if this isn’t detailed enough, I forgot my Coalition password and I’m taking a ton of Credit/No Credit classes right now so I’m quite distracted. Who knows what’ll happen?

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Hello, @porouscriminal. Thank you for reaching out! I will give you my best analysis of your profile based on the information which you have given, and in the manner in which insight has been provided.

  1. Based on your description, I assume Stanford’s Program is lacking in options “hands-on” and in “production elements” than personally adored, and leads me to assume your current interest is in either the film or dance domains. So far, I, if to be an admissions officer, would expect to find 1) some uploads of artistic supplements in your application; 2) some insight into what you have currently gained from a Stanford education, as well as 3) what you have done in the institution to contribute to it and/or to those around you—e.g., a professor, a peer, a friend, etc. (perhaps some indication of peer tutoring, or your taken role as a professor’s assistant). The above aspects alone would grant me some understanding of what I should expect from you (as in, what I would expect you to continue to do), the applicant, once matriculated on campus.

Stating that a domain in Stanford’s Art program is somewhat lacking, unlike UChicago’s, which you feel/believe has “great thesis options” for your major, in my opinion, can provide a more insightful perspective into your academic history. Because Stanford, it seems, is viewed by many as a grand institution; so, for a program of the seemingly highly praised institution to, it appears, persuade/press you to leave it, I feel, can provide an added seriousness to your application. For example:

Perhaps an officer or two may wonder “Why would an applicant leave Stanford, an apparent fine institution, for us [UChicago]?” Your answering this question in a mirroring or even above serious fashion throughout your application can cause a reaction, I feel, like the following from the prior admissions officer(s): “This applicant is leaving a top-ranked school (Stanford) due to their feeling they are being blocked/limited from a more rigorous dive into their current field of interest [applicant’s major], and believes we [UChicago] can relieve this blockage. How so [how can UChicago relieve this blockage]? Why do they [the applicant/you] think this [that UChicago can relieve this noted Stanford limitation]? Are there any signs of this [UChicago being able to relieve the blockage stated to be present for the applicant at Stanford] indicated in their academic profile? Have they taken advantage of most (if not all) of the Stanford courses (of their intended major) provided to them? Do we [UChicago] have offerings which, indeed, combats the blockage indicated by the applicant that is said to be present in their experience of a Stanford education? Has the applicant highlighted specifically what we [UChicago] have to offer, such as an example class or experience, noted in their essays, Video Profile Video, or else, which they [the applicant] seek? Has the applicant mentioned the supposed offering(s) (that, related to the applicant’s major,) we [UChicago] can provide them through their professors and close acquaintances via letters of recommendation?”

(Part 1/3)

  • I say “seems” as I do not know much on Stanford, neither its academics nor notions.
  • It appears Stanford is, too, a private institution. In my eyes, an admissions officer may wonder how their institution fairs to another of about the same caliber.--Private. The seriousness is more so a more analytical data crunch, qualitatively, based on what the applicant says regarding their desire to transfer, and quantitatively, regarding the data standpoint of Stanford and its practices, etc.
  • I say "indeed" as this can be viewed in both a qualitative and quantitative manner, presented by the voice, actions, and more, of an applicant. The energy of which an applicant presents this matter, for instance. Intense or no?
  • My mentioning letters of recommendation, one of the most insightful components within an application of an applicant (in my opinion), offers an advantageous view of the applicant—i.e., in regard to their interest in their applied to school, and how serious their desire for leaving is, and, etc.. Example, this applicant’s desire to transfer to UChicago for reasons X, Y, Z, is so great that this detail has been shared to us through their recommenders. In the case that an applicant’s recommendation letters are personal, qualitative, and positive, the mentioning of an applicant’s desire to attain what appears to be lacking at their (the applicant's) current institution can do wonders, I believe. For, to me, this indicates the applicant is very motivated to attain whatever aspects they feel (personally essential) is lacking in their current institution.
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@porouscriminal;

Continuing the analysis:

  1. It appears you have done one of the three expectations earlier mentioned, what I would expect to see from you if to be an admissions officer, in my opinion: The upload of art supplements. (If you feel comfortable doing so, perhaps verbally present to me a vague description of the types of creative supplements you have uploaded?—You can do this via this public thread or via PM (Private Message).)

  2. Based on your disclosure, your GPA is high. This is in a comfortable range, in my opinion, indicating you have taken challenging courses. This, partially, non-verbally, answers one of my questions if I were to be an admissions officer: “Have they [the applicant] taken advantage of most (if not all) of the Stanford courses (of their intended major) provided to them?” In this case, a passionate or concise answering of this question by the applicant via their application, if I were to be an admissions officer, is to be expected—compared beside your GPA. This, in a sense, for me, would be the applicant saying: “As you can see by my academic history, e.g., my grades and recommendations (if your letters of recommendations reiterate this—that you, the applicant, have taken all/most of the Stanford courses that bear relation to your intended major), I have taken the courses offered to me as best I can from easy and hard, perhaps even courses of levels not required* (i.e., classes taken above the bare minimum for an undergraduate student, e.g., honors). Now, I say I have taken these courses (those challenging or above expectations) out of passion and desire to learn, etc. I see UChicago is, amongst many things, all about this. Passion and rigorous education, etc.” In short, a GPA, when not a 4.0, can be prized even higher than, in my opinion, already is if paired with, perhaps, (for the applicant) impactful burdens (e.g., perhaps the applicant has undergone struggles—if so, this, in my opinion, should be listed in the “Additional Information” section of the applicant’s application), their taking higher-level courses, or both.

  3. Similar can be said about your SAT score (referring to note #3). It is not a perfect score, however, there is more to an applicant than their stats, e.g., passions, personality, etc.

Sure, in my opinion, “college-ready” indicators can be sensed by admissions officers from SAT/ACT scores (e.g., a low score can indicate little college preparation; a high score, the opposite), however, there are exceptions to the determinisms made by an admissions officer based on an applicant’s scoring—*example, an applicant’s facing challenges can lower the poor signals of a low test score; perhaps they had family challenges and little time to study; perhaps they’re a bad tester; there is much to be pondered upon, in my opinion, as an admissions officer when handed standardized scores—although your score is not low, in my eyes (I say this for clarification. Great job on such a high score!!!)).

  1. Regarding letters of recommendation: It is fantastic to get a letter from a professor representing your current major (i.e., perhaps dance, film? I do not know your intended major.) This, if I were an admissions officer, would tell me that the applicant would do well in their pursuits, in relation to their major. In my opinion, it is always great to get a letter 1) from a professor in your major, 2) a professor in a class related in your major, and 3) (if available—which, for UChicago, would be a supplemental letter of recommendation) and another of relation.

For instance, I am a Creative Writing major. Because a letter from my Creative Writing professor, I felt, needed some other element, I omitted it and attained one from my English professor, a second from my History professor (since, in my school’s case, there is a lot of writing in History by the student), and the final from my Academic Advisor. Moreover, in my opinion, if you feel a professor has not well represented you (if the letter is more academic than personally insightful), the decision to choose another professor for a letter is expected/encouraged.

(Part 2/3)

  • In my opinion, taking high-level classes/challenging classes (e.g., honors, etc.) indicates a high achiever, which could lead to a little less than a 4.0 GPA. In the case that the applicant faced challenges, yet still manages great success, I, as an admissions officer, would deem the applicant very appealing when compared to another applicant with a similar GPA and SAT scores.
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@porouscriminal;

Resuming the analysis:

  1. Your choice of the Olive Garden scenario, if I were to be an admissions officer, tells me you’re a numbers-based, practical-type, rational-/data-based, or quirky type of applicant (if not all the choices listed). Your approach of this prompt, however, tells me, if I were an admissions officer, that you are a mixture of these traits: quirky, rational, perhaps even practical. Because based upon the manner which you have phrased your words in the essay (I do not know how you sound in your essay since I have no access to it/nor have read it), you may have come across as an analytical- (if your writing took on a detail-centric approach), perhaps even comical type (if you, indeed, described it (Olive Garden’s offerings) to be, in actual words, “a suburban functional intermediary waiting room for the gates of hell/trial…” You mentioned that you had fun during the composition, for me, moreover, this shows great academic potential in the field of rationality, data-/analysis-crunching, and areas associated with, or even not, to your major (*if a sense of passion is indicated in the delivery of your application, e.g., via your “Artists Statements,” of which is to be written beneath every supplemental material, and even, for some applicants, via their chosen prompt, and/or the wording by professors about the applicant’s passion and habits, etc., in their letters of recommendation). I must also say, in my opinion, passion is a grand factor in the admissions process. The passion indicated in the application, I feel, gives a sense of insight into how an applicant will act on campus, etc., etc.

  2. Your disclosed extracurriculars, in an approvable fashion, fulfill another one of my expectation, if I were to be an admissions officer. I would expect to find “what you have done in the institution [Stanford] to contribute to it and/or to those around you—e.g., a professor, a peer, a friend, etc. (perhaps some indication of peer tutoring, or your taken role as a professor’s assistant).

Based on the information you have previously given; I infer that you are a film or dance major. So, if I were an admissions officer, I would expect to see extracurriculars mainly centered around your major, in this case perhaps dance or film, or whatever your amazing major is (I love arts, F.Y.I). Therefore, in my eyes, having “film stuff,” “Arts teaching,” and “VR program and exhibition” as extracurriculars strengthens your application. This shows what I call an Academic Trend—a visible, prominent/potential passion streak held by an applicant throughout their academic career, which indicates their aspects relating to their personality type, scattered and disorganized, focused but interested in more than one subject, or clear-cut and focused (if settled upon a certain subject; e.g., mathematics, science, art, etc.) There may be some confusion brought upon admissions officers if your primary interest (perhaps film or dance, or whatever your intended major may be) is not argued in some fashion, which can offset this supposed/possible confusion through your “Additional Information” section (if the reason for a presumably scattered academic history/course selection is due to critical reason/reasonings), the “Why This Institution” essay, (in this case) the “Optional Video Profile,” or in submitted Letters of Recommendation, and/or, etc. Additionally, having a long-term standing in a program or extracurricular can both indicate resilience, passion, and/or focus (in my opinion).

Most important, in relation to your perhaps* scattered extracurricular profile, is your provided reasoning: “…Stanford is genuinely not accommodating for people who want more production/practice involved in their ‘art’ classes.” This would be something to stress in your application. Perhaps in the “Additional Information” section, in your essays—especially in the “Why This Institution” essay; in the “Optional Video Profile,” and/or through your professors in their letters of recommendation, and, etc.

(Part 3/3)

*in the circumstance that an applicant is intending to major in something opposite this trend, I, if to be an admissions officer, would view their application as slightly weaker than an application bearing a similar Academic Trend that lists the subject composed in the trend the intended major).

  • I say “perhaps” because I am going based on your wording, lol! (Good writing, by the way!). :smiley:
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Closing Note:

Overall, @porouscriminal, I feel I can give only a surface- to an intermediary review of your application and your chances. With access to your essays, I can provide more insight; to your academic history, more insight; to your letters of recommendation, more answers; to your supplemental material, “Artists Statements” and, if you had, “Optional Video Profile,” I could provide you an even more in-depth analysis. Which boils down to this:

The only individual(s) with access to that data would have to be UChicago admissions, the data submission site, you, and, for some of this essential data, Stanford. :wink: LOL. (As I have no entitlement to that information, as we know. Haha!)

Regardless, I hope to see you at UChicago; I wish I could have provided you more information, however, there is only so much I can provide as, too, another student. Haha. :blush:

Thank you yet again for approaching me with such a delicate matter. I feel you are an amazing applicant and a very open-minded individual, bundled amongst many other amazing characteristics.

(With the information you’ve provided me alone, I feel you stand very tall in the admission pool).

[Also, one last thing, I LEGIT overlooked this segment of your post. LOL. Sorryyy…

“I sent in an extensive visual arts, creative writing and film portfolio that I am extremely proud of.”

This is a very wise addition and extremely smart move! Good work~!] :smiley:

Thank you again for reaching out and I hope you are doing well!

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@zstar18; @McFly3141592; @heyigotnoclue; @jasonyfgong; @cusnew; @jazziscool; @kaipao; @porouscriminal; @ivysky; @lhammonx; and @Newyorkkidd:

I have noticed a small consistency in prior threads relating to UChicago’s informing applicants of an admissions decisions’ release date. In brief, it appears a week before decisions are to be released, UChicago informs applicants (in a public post) via their Twitter (not individually) of this matter.

Because of this, I would say keep a lookout for a Tweet from UChicago or some form of an announcement on our portal tomorrow, regarding decisions.

(I do not say, for a fact, that we will get this verification/information tomorrow. I just want to ensure, as best I can, we get updated as soon as possible. :blush: )

I hope you all are doing well!

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@XXATR22 Thanks for the notice! You have been very informative and very helpful and I wish you all the best with your decision! I think you have a great chance.

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@jazziscool; No problem! Also, thank you so much for your kind words! :blush:

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@XXATR22 I’ve also been stalking the threads from previous years, and I think you’re right! nervously looking forward to all of this!
also, out of curiosity, what UChicago creative essay prompt did everyone do? mine was the portal one but I almost wrote the literal exact same essay as you, @porouscriminal!

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@zstar18; My creative essay prompt was listed as, I believe, option #6.
I created an “original prompt” and wrote my essay based upon that. :smiley:

Also, writing based on the portal prompt sounds intriguing! Nice work! :hushed:

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best of luck everyone!!!
@XXATR22 - ty for the update

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@heyigotnoclue; No problem! Happy to help! :smile:

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@XXATR22 You are a wonderful writer and extremely helpful! Of course you’re doing creative writing… seriously, thank you, I appreciate your comments.

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@porouscriminal; Thank you so very much for your kind words! :blush:
I feel very happy to hear I came across helpful rather than overly wordy (which some can arguably state, and I not disagree with, LOL).

Also, I wish you the very best throughout this process! :smiley:

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@zstar18; @McFly3141592; @heyigotnoclue; @jasonyfgong; @cusnew; @jazziscool; @kaipao; @porouscriminal; @ivysky; @lhammonx; and @Newyorkkidd:

Hello, there is an update on our portal relating to an admissions decisions date:

“Thank you for applying to the University of Chicago! Transfer applicants will be notified of their decisions on Wednesday, May 6 in the late afternoon local Chicago time. Applicants will be notified via email once decisions have been posted in their UChicago Account.”

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What time do you all think they will be released?

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@ivysky; About 4 PM CST. :smile:

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I spoke with admissions and they said that decisions come out every Tuesday (we all know that) and the time depends on the school but it’s definitely after 5pm

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The lady otp was rude but that’s what she told me

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@Newyorkkidd; Sorry to hear you got a rash response. Perhaps the lady was feeling a little grumpy from receiving many calls regarding the same matter (i.e., release time), maybe from different/multiple students, or was generally not feeling well?

Also, 5 PM sounds a lot later than usual; however, things have shifted much due to the current pandemic. So, I suppose 5 PM sounds logical.

Thanks for checking up with admissions and updating the thread.
(And, thanks for posting! :blush:)