<p>my option 5 essay never would have been suitable for the common application.</p>
<p>wow, looks like a great pool</p>
<p>Congrats all EA admits! I'll be a O-aid next fall, so if you guys have any questions, shoot me an email or message or anything.</p>
<p>[ size=+1]
[ color=green]
[ b]
Accepted
[ /b]
[ /color]
[ /size]</p>
<p>[ b]Stats:[ /b][ list]
[ *]SAT:1510/2240
[ *]SAT II:800WH 800Chem 800MathII
[ *]ACT:N/A
[ *]GPA:3.9ish
[ *]Rank:4/244
[ *]Other Tests: (AMC, AP, IB)
[ /list]
[ b]Subjective[ /b][ list]
[ *]Essays:Okay, my "Why Chicago" essay was kinda weak but i thought my others were pretty good. Wrote about Kurt Vonnegut and the Monk/Trane cd. For my main I wrote about how awesome an atheistic, scientific view of the world is.
[ *]Teacher Recs:I think they were probably really good.
[ *]Counselor Rec:No idea, probably good
[ *]Supplementary Material: (research abstracts, music recordings, art slides)
[ *]Hook: (recruited athlete, cured cancer- only major ones that actually would have made a difference, please) [ /list]
[ b]Personal[ /b][ list]
[ *]Location:NY
[ *]High School Type:Mediocre public
[ *]Ethnicity:White
[ *]Gender: M
[ *]Applied for Financial Aid: (just yes or no)[ /list]
[ b]Other[ /b][ list]
[ *]Extracurriculars:Trombone (tons of groups), varsity tennis, Quiz Bowl-like team, community service
[ *]Awards:None, really
[ *]Advice? Commiserations? Feel like bragging?:[ /list]</p>
<p>[ size=+1]
[ color=green]
[ b]
Accepted
[ /b]
[ /color]
[ /size]</p>
<p>[ b]Stats:[ /b][ list]
[ *]SAT:740V, 680M, 750W (1420 V+M)
[ *]SAT II:690MI, 720MII, 730USH, 620 English Lit.
[ *]ACT:n/a
[ *]GPA:4.00
[ *]Rank:my class has about 70 people, therefore, no class rank
[ *]Other Tests: (AMC, AP, IB): USH-5, English Lit-4
[ /list]
[ b]Subjective[ /b][ list]
[ *]Essays: Option 3... I used my theatre experience to explain how I disguise myself on the stage, but also in real life. I said my two people were my public side and my private side...idk.
[ *]Teacher Recs:According to the head of my upper school, they were incredible
[ *]Counselor Rec:probably good, my counselor loves me...haha
[ *]Supplementary Material: (research abstracts, music recordings, art slides): none...though I should have sent theatre clips...I guess it didn't matter
[ *]Hook: (recruited athlete, cured cancer- only major ones that actually would have made a difference, please) [ /list]: Um...no.
[ b]Personal[ /b][ list]
[ *]Location:Newark, DE
[ *]High School Type:Private College Prep
[ *]Ethnicity:Caucasian
[ *]Gender: Male
[ *]Applied for Financial Aid: (just yes or no)[ /list]: yes
[ b]Other[ /b][ list]
[ *]Extracurriculars: Three theatre shows a year, Student director of three choral ensembles, cross country and tennis, yearbook, AFS club, writing club, environmental club, country line dancing club, Common Ground (promotes tolerance and diversity), Academic Bowl, Improv club, cross-cultural conversations, community service all summer at the Food Bank
[ *]Awards:Delaware All-state Chorus for 5 years out of 6, NMS Commended Scholar, Governor's School for Excellence (Acting), Frances D.S. Tatnall Scholarship
[ *]Advice? Commiserations? Feel like bragging?:[ /list]: Chicago seems to really value innovative thinking and things that make an applicant truly stand out...in other words, its not really so much about test scores as it is about your essay and extracurricular involvement...so work on those. I'm assuming that's what got me in!</p>
<p>DS did Option 5. His essays oozed Chicago-ness. We have a two-inch stack of drafts. His English teacher, who used to work in college admissions elsewhere, looked at an early version, thought it sounded "forced" and DS regrouped. She never saw the final. He tends to be one of those writers who can put together a decent first draft, but uses the editing to make it sing. (I am the same way. My younger DS has to get it perfect the first time.)</p>
<p>I did option 5. My prompt wasn't even that Chicago-y, actually, I thought. I mean, it was creative, and my essay was fun (about playing Scrabble. I personify all the letters. Hard to describe.) but nothing special. I guess they took a liking to it, though, and I am VERY happy they did. :)</p>
<p>I think I hold the dubious honor of being the least qualified deferral out of all the deferrals.</p>
<p>
**
Deferred
**
</p>
<p>Stats:[ul]
[<em>]SAT: Didn't send, but it was 1990 (thus the reason I didn't send).
[</em>]SAT II: Never took any.
[<em>]ACT: Composite 33; Math 29, English 34, Writing 33, Reading 35, Science 35
[</em>]GPA: 3.9
[<em>]Rank: We don't rank, but 1/38 (yeah, tiny school)
[</em>]Other Tests: Never even took an AP class, school doesn't offer them
[/ul]
Subjective[ul]
[<em>]Essays: Phenomenal, probably what kept me from being hit with the big REJECT hammer. In hindsight, while my "Why Chicago?" essay said a lot about me, it was a bit generic about the school. I basically discussed how I love learning for the sake of learning itself. It was very formal, however. The second essay was on a painting, a tad less formal, but I'd describe it as story-like in its telling. Took the third option for my extended essay, and rambled on about friendship, movies, and getting lost in all my cynical, snarky glory.
[</em>]Teacher Recs: ...Urgh. Just urgh. Both my English and Math teacher like me in general, but my English teacher thinks I'm unenthusiastic and my Math teacher thinks I'm lazy. I imagine they were mostly positive though. My English teacher also had the chance to see me break down last year, so hopefully she remembered to mention that I do, in fact, have a heart, and it does feel.
[<em>]Counselor Rec: Hopefully better than my teacher recommendations, but she doesn't know me as well. She probably just discusses my academic history and my leadership activities at school.
[</em>]Supplementary Material: None, but I'm intending on sending in a mini-portfolio of my artwork and footage of a speech I delivered on diversity.
[<em>]Hook: I've produced two documentaries that've been broadcasted on public TV. Didn't send them as supplementary materials though.[/ul]
Personal[ul]
[</em>]Location: My school's in New England, I'm from D.C.
[<em>]High School Type: Private, all-girls boarding school for theatre & arts
[</em>]Ethnicity: Asian
[<em>]Gender: Female
[</em>]Applied for Financial Aid: I think I missed the deadline.[/ul]
Other[ul]
[<em>]Extracurriculars: Residential Assisstant, Leader of new-student support groups, Head of Student Cafe, Piano, TV Production, Performing Choir, some others. I've worked as a TV producer and technician, was a graphics illustration intern over the summer as well.
[</em>]Awards: Hah. Whatever.
[*]Advice? Commiserations? Feel like bragging?: To make all you deferrals feel better, let me just say that you're ahead of me. I'm a rare case. I dropped out of high school in my sophomore year from one of the most prestigious schools in this country, only to enroll the next year in a second-tier boarding school in my junior year. I have no regrets, at least.[/ul]</p>
<p>ACCEPTED!!!</p>
<p>Stats:
SAT:2310 (770 M 770 CR 770 W)
SAT II:800 Math II 800 Chinese 770 USH 770 WH
ACT:34
GPA:3.87 UW/4.24 W
Rank:17/745
Other Tests: AP: 5, 5, 5, 5, 4</p>
<p>Subjective:
Essays: For Question 1, I wrote a stream-of-consciousness observation on the LIFE OF THE MIND booklet while listing notable Chicago luminaries (Kurt Vonnegut, Common, Roger Ebert, Philip Glass, Kanye West, Muddy Waters, etc.) along the way to show my interest in the culture of Chicago. Question 2, talked about Yimou Zhang's film "To Live" and how its depiction of overcoming obstacles connected me to my cultural roots. For the essay itself, wrote a screenplay for a short film in which a Chinese-American returns to his birthplace in China and contemplates on the importance of reconnecting with his past.
Teacher Recs: One generic, two glowing.
Counselor Rec: Generic
Supplementary Material: Creative writing - film criticism, personal anecdotes, short story
Hook: Essays? Recs? I honestly don't know.</p>
<p>Personal
Location: CA
High School Type: Mediocre public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
Applied for Financial Aid: No</p>
<p>Other
Extracurriculars: Editor-in-Chief of School Newspaper, President of National Honor Society, Vice President of American Red Cross, Screenwriting/Storyboarding for Film, Classical Piano, 400+ hours community service
Awards: National Merit Semifinalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, Student of the Month, NHS Student of the Semester, Principal's Honor Roll, CSF, CM Advanced Level Piano and Theory
Advice? Commiserations? Feel like bragging?: Just thankful I got in!</p>
<p>Accepted
Stats
SAT I: 1560/2360
SAT II: Maths II 800; Literature 780
UW GPA: 77% (South Africa)
Rank: 24/122
Subjective
Essays: I feel my "Why Chicago" wasn't anything special (The usual "I want a holistic education, etc." stuff). I wrote about Nineteen Eighty-Four and Empire Falls for my second short question, and I think my long essay - I chose the table option - was really great though.
Recommendations: One generic, one really nice but not all that useful, one that made me out to be some sort of genius saint (I read it).
Personal
Location: South Africa
High School Type: Private (read: rip-off)
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
Applied for Financial Aid: No, but I'm applying now to see if I can get anything.
Other
Extracurriculars: Public Speaking - always distinction, winner 2005, finalist 2006; Basketball Team; Tennis Club; Community Service
Awards: Plenty, but I forgot to list any on my application...
Advice? Commiserations? Feel like bragging?: Happy I got in and can withdraw my other applications!</p>
<p>Stats
SAT I: 1370/2080 (630 M 740 CR 710 W)
SAT II: 770 Literature, 750 US History, 700 Math Level IIC
UW GPA: 3.7 (4.7 W)
Class Rank: School does not rank, guidance counselor said top 10% of class of 500</p>
<p>Subjective
Essays: Essay #1 was normal enough, I wrote about how I loved the discussion-based learning of Chicago. Essay #2 was a list of my favorite things, including lemons, public libraries, international airports, the Marseillaise, et cetera. It was definitely my favorite essay. Essay # 3 was about (I chose the open-ended topic) how I used to think I was really unique because I am a first generation immigrant to America who was born in England, lived on three continents (North America, Europe, Africa), moved seven times, and yet never lived in my home country of Nigeria. But then, when I began to apply to colleges, I realized my story wasn't as unique as I thought. I learned to accept who I was, and stopped embarking on a "Quest for Nonconformity."</p>
<p>Location: Pittsburgh, PA
High School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Black
Gender: Female
Applied for Financial Aid: Yes
Extracurriculars: Forensics, Trip. Trio (auditioned all-female singing group), Concert Choir, Featured Vocalist in Jazz Band, High School Nurse Aide
Awards: Junior All-State Choir, Winner of 2007 Princeton Invitational Classic (Forensics), National Quarterfinals (Top 30 in Nation for Forensics), PMEA District and Honors Choir, National Achievement Semifinalist, National Merit Semifinalist</p>
<p>Comments: I realize that many people whose records are academically superior to mine were deferred or rejected. Part of me feels guilty because I am certain my status as a black first-generation immigrant was a significant part of my acceptance. For those who were rejected or deferred, I know it sucks, especially when you see people like me take spots from people with higher test scores and GPAs. But if you think you deserved to be accepted to Chicago simply because your numbers were good, maybe it's a good thing that you weren't accepted, because you probably have a very bad idea of the kind of school Chicago is.</p>
<p>
**
Accepted
**
</p>
<p>Stats:[ul]
[<em>]SAT: 2160 - 740M/720R/700W (didn't submit)
[</em>]SAT II: 650 US Hist, 690 BiologyM, 730 Math II (didn't submit)
[<em>]ACT: 34 (36R, 34S, 33M, 32W)
[</em>]GPA: 4.0/4.0 - no weighting system
[<em>]Rank: n/a
[</em>]Other Tests: (AMC, AP, IB) none
[/ul]
Subjective[ul]
[ <em>]Essays: not quirky, not like the ones i've seen - i'm not an amazing writer (I chose the picture essay and talked about how the picture of my host family in China and I wanted to fight ignorance, etc.)
[</em>]Teacher Recs: probably decent, but they didn't know me very well... both were college professors, one was the dean of my school
[<em>]Counselor Rec: decent.. i didn't read any of them though
[</em>]Supplementary Material: (research abstracts, music recordings, art slides): none
[<em>]Hook: (recruited athlete, cured cancer- only major ones that actually would have made a difference, please) [/ul]: i go to a selective public high school in TX... listed as a "public elite" by newsweek... i don't know if that is a "hook" though
Personal[ul]
[</em>]Location: TX
[<em>]High School Type: selective public, very competitive
[</em>]Ethnicity: white
[<em>]Gender: male
[</em>]Applied for Financial Aid: yes [/ul]
Other[list]
[<em>]Extracurriculars: cultural club officer, club similar to UChicago's PSAC executive, newspaper 4 years, alternate to state editorial competition, AFS summer team mission in China, research in political science at Rice University
[</em>]Awards: Yale Book Award
[li]Advice? Commiserations? Feel like bragging?:[ /list][/li]your essays don't have to be quirky or anything... just make them represent what you feel is important. good luck to everyone RD - see everyone September 24th!</p>
<p>
[quote]
Comments: I realize that many people whose records are academically superior to mine were deferred or rejected. Part of me feels guilty because I am certain my status as a black first-generation immigrant was a significant part of my acceptance. For those who were rejected or deferred, I know it sucks, especially when you see people like me take spots from people with higher test scores and GPAs.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Doba821, you have nothing to feel guilty about! The adcom obviously saw something in you that was special and unique. You, and everyone else in the Class of 2012, are shaping up to be the greatest and most diverse and highly qualified entering class in the University's history. You not only deserve to be a part of the University, but the University community is lucky to have you join us.</p>
<p>Welcome aboard!!!!</p>
<p>doba0821:</p>
<p>When I first saw your stats I thought: FINALLY, a candidate that is not "by the numbers", who got in on intangibles and the (in)famous Chicago quirkiness, rather than raw academic over-achievement sought by all other top-10 schools. I have really not seen anyone who fit that description admitted to date. Then I saw "black female, first generation student", and my suspicions were confirmed: Chicago is now officially a common app school, in more ways than the switch to the common app next year would imply.</p>
<p>Having said that, I congratulate you on your success and wish you all the best. As much as it hurts to see D rejected with an academic record that looks better in most every respect, I realize that she has had every advantage in the world, and that you have had to work much more diligently for what you have achieved. Motivated students like you, who have worked hard to get somewhere and have demonstrated that they are prepared to do so in the future, deserve every break, and most of us bear no ill will.</p>
<p>I would like to think that I speak for most of this board, including rejected/deferred applicants and their parents, who wish you much success in your studies and future life.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Groovygeek: When I first saw your stats I thought: FINALLY, a candidate that is not "by the numbers", who got in on intangibles and the (in)famous Chicago quirkiness, rather than raw academic over-achievement sought by all other top-10 schools. I have really not seen anyone who fit that description admitted to date. Then I saw "black female, first generation student", and my suspicions were confirmed: Chicago is now officially a common app school, in more ways than the switch to the common app next year would imply.</p>
<p>Having said that, I congratulate you on your success and wish you all the best. As much as it hurts to see D rejected with an academic record that looks better in most every respect, I realize that she has had every advantage in the world, and that you have had to work much more diligently for what you have achieved. Motivated students like you, who have worked hard to get somewhere and have demonstrated that they are prepared to do so in the future, deserve every break, and most of us bear no ill will...</p>
<p>
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Dear Groovygeek, your assumptions do Doba0821, the U of C adcom and open-minded people everywhere a grave injustice. You have no idea what Doba's essays and application were like and are jumping to conclusions based on your clear bias and ignorance.</p>
<p>With all due respect, Groovy Geek, you are exactly the sort of person I was talking about. You have tried to analyze the reason for your child's rejection based on numbers, and have concluded that because Chicago has accepted a black female with weaker numbers Chicago is just like other schools, which isn't true. There are plenty of students (white middle class students) who were admitted to Chicago with mediocre scores, but who had something to make them shine. I am friends with some of these people. While your child's rejection is unfortunate, I think your bitterness is somewhat uncalled for.</p>
<p>Doba0821,</p>
<p>Again, welcome to the U of C and best wishes on an awesome time in college! </p>
<p>BTW, might I suggest that you be extra friendly (and forgiving) to all the Psi U guys since they're easily the smartest, coolest and most fun folks in all of Chicago?</p>
<p>Since people seem to read meaning into my statement that was never intended to be there, I will make just ONE attempt at correcting perceptions and then shut up and absorb the arrows heading my way.</p>
<p>[ul]
[li]I never intended to diminish doba0821's accomplishments in any way, nor imply anything about her academic achievement. I see how my original post could be construed to mean otherwise, for which I sincerely apologize. I wholeheartedly believe that her admission to Chicago is well deserved, much more so than someone like my daughter, who has had every conceivable opportunity to do great, and at times has not taken advantage of them.</p>[/li]
<p>[li]I have not tried to analyze anything specific to my own child based on numbers. Numbers in any specific case are meaningless, just ask the valedictorian with near-perfect SATs who got deferred. However, trends in large data sets are meaningful, and I challenge people to go back through the numerous scores posted to date and tabulate the acceptance/ deferral/ rejection percentages based on a single stat - unweighted class rank. While I have not done so myself, I have stared at enough of these to be firmly convinced that there have been very few "positive surprises" for unhooked candidates, based solely on intangibles. My conclusion is that, for whatever reason, this year Chicago is a much more "by the numbers" institution than they have been in previous years.... hence the "common app" reference. Several other people have made a similar observation here. Perhaps it is just sour grapes, I would like to believe that in my case it is not. </p>[/li]
<p>[li]Last but not least, the "black female" comment... Let's face it, every time someone even makes an attempt to comment on an issue related to race, sexual orientation, or gender, it is virtually guaranteed to be twisted into something sinister and "insensitive". This is a natural consequence of society's political correctness and lack of tolerance for alternative views. Be that as it may, my comment was NOT directed at doba0821 or anyone specific. It was ONLY intended to support my assertion that there is a very factual explanation for this seemingly rare event of admission based on intangibles.[/li][/ul]</p>
<p>I repeat my most sincere wishes for future success to doba0821 and every other kid who has worked hard to get where they are. I now bare my chest, which already has a bullseye drawn on it, and have only one request - aim for the heart :-)</p>
<p>
[quote]
Chicago is now officially a common app school, in more ways than the switch to the common app next year would imply.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I have to agree with GroovyGeek here. Last year, I got into UChicago with less than a 1900 SAT and a 31 ACT (I'm white). I saw others with similar stats getting in as well, although I'm not sure of their race. I was pretty pleased, and I thought that I got in not because of my test scores, but because I fit in as a student by my essays and my personality.</p>
<p>Then I found out we were switching to the common application. Then I came to UChicago in the fall, and I was disappointed during O-Week. Comparing Ted O'Neill's Class of 2011 opening speech with past years' speeches... it just seemed lifeless in comparison. I was a bit frightened. Was the downfall of the university occurring right in front of my eyes? Maybe my expectations were just too high.</p>
<p>Then I read in the school newspaper that the class of 2011 was the most diverse class yet. Then I heard about the possible establishment of a graduate engineering school. What the hell was going on? Now I see EA stats, and I'm pretty stunned... if I misread the title of this thread as the Harvard EA Result thread, I wouldn't be surprised by what I saw. Minorities with low stats getting in, most of the students without hooks getting in having 2200+ SATs... it really scares me. We're becoming a stats school, an affirmative action school, a Harvard-wannabe. I think Zimmer's at fault, and now that he's been here over a year, he's feeling more and more comfortable using his authority to do as he pleases, while Ted O'Neill and others sit idly by, unable to protest the president's authority. Has anyone noticed that all of the moves by Zimmer thus far have been beneficial to our ranking in U.S. News?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Phuriku: What the hell was going on? Now I see EA stats, and I'm pretty stunned... if I misread the title of this thread as the Harvard EA Result thread, I would believe everything I saw. Minorities with low stats getting in, most of the students without hooks getting in having 2200+ SATs... it really scares me. We're becoming a stats school, an affirmative action school, a Harvard-wannabe. I think Zimmer's at fault, and now that he's been here over a year, he's feeling more and more comfortable using his authority to do as he pleases, while Ted O'Neill and others sit idly by, unable to protest the president's authority. Has anyone noticed that all of the moves by Zimmer thus far have been beneficial to our ranking in U.S. News?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Phuriku: I usually find your posts informative but I have to scratch my head at this most recent post. What sort of data set are you basing this comment on - "Minorities with low stats getting in"? Stuff that you've read here on CC? Ppl whom you've met at school? Anecdotal evidence? What happened to critical inquiry at Chicago? Addressing a topic like this absolutely requires responsibility on your part to make sure that you have the evidence to back up your argument. </p>
<p>None of here, as far as I know, have been privy to discussion between Z. and Ted O'Neil. We have no information other than hearsay to address these supposed machinations on the part of Z. </p>
<p>Moreover, given that UChi is dealing with a huge increase in numbers of applicants, one would expect that they would run into similar admissions issues as those facing the more popular Ivies. So how would you deal with problem? Make the U of C less popular and go back to the days of accepting 78% of a "self-selecting" applicant pool?</p>