UChicago Regular Priority List

Hi all!

So, I’ve been in contact with the UChicago coaches for swimming since the beginning of the summer. I would be there #2 breaststroker and have strong academics (35 ACT, 800 Chem & Math II, National Merit Semi).

So, I just received an email back from the coaches after I told them that I would be applying their regular decision. They told me that they would add me to their Regular Decision Priority List. Does anyone know what this means? Like does it help with admissions in any way?

Thanks and appreciate the help!

Yes, it helps.

Thanks! Do you happen to know if it’s like a big push or a slight push with admissions?

EnglishSheepDog,

The folks here who have been through a recruiting cycle or two are great resources, but I sincerely think you should be having this conversation with the Chicago coach, who should have a better idea of what precisely the regular decision priority list means. By reputation (and by reputation only), Chicago coaches have less pull with admissions than at other D3 schools. So, this is not the time to be shy. If you are truly a recruit (and it sounds like you are), the coach should be only too happy to answer your questions.

I would email the coach and ask if there is a convenient time when you could discuss all of this over the telephone. I would have a very frank discussion about whether ED would enhance your chances for admission, what percentage of recruits that he has supported are admitted ED, what percentage of recruits that are on regular decision priority are admitted. I would straight up ask how successful he is in getting recruits admitted. You did not say if you have had an admissions preread. If not, you absolutely should ask for one now.

I am not as familiar with Chicago recruiting, but most (not all, but most) recruits at the D3 level apply ED. Unless you are not certain about Chicago, I would seriously consider that option. While you surely will hear some stories of recruits who get in RD, you hear many more of recruits who were turned away RD because they were unwilling to commit early to attending the school.

Good advice from goingthruaphase. Chicago has given out likely letters (guaranteed admission) already to the athletes on my child’s team, who have all committed ED. Maybe it’s different with swimmers, but my kid’s recruit class is complete.

Hey @thiscollegething could you tell me what sport your child plays? I am also a recruited athlete at uchicago and would like to know.

May I inquire as to why you did not apply Early Action? Did you miss the deadline?

I didn’t apply early since I applied EA restrictive to a different school that I don’t really plan to swim at

Hi @englishsheepdog I am not sure if there will be that much support from the coach or if the team will be set. Some likely letters for athletes have already come out.

If or when you’re ready to commit, make this clear to the coach and ask if he can assure a likely letter upon your changing your application to ED. Years ago, coach told his players to apply EA (there was no ED), he put his players on a priority list, they all got waitlisted until they told him they were committing, then they received a likely letter.

Myluckydog is absolutely correct. Depending on SCEA application, if it doesn’t go your way, you can switch RD to EDI or EDII and ask for likely letter.