Hi! I don’t think there’s a thread for transfer applicants this cycle, and was curious if there’s anyone out there who’s applying.
Hey, Vesperan, I saw that you are a successful transfer and was Z-listed back in high school. I’m in kinda a similar situation where I was waitlisted and I think offered deferred admission but didn’t pursue the option since I didn’t want to take a gap year. I’m a sophomore rn and I think Chicago will be a much better fit socially and culturally in its academic environment. Could you take a look at my stats and give me some general advice on what to emphasize/what you emphasized in you application essays?
Stats: Currently at top 20 private university
College GPA: 3.7~/4
Major: Business/Math
ACT: 36
College EC: Business Clubs, Business Plan Competition, Club Sports
Work: Internship at a small PE firm in Chicago last summer, part-time jobs in college
I will apply to study economics at UChicago and plan to take some Booth courses as well. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Yeah! So your stats all look fine—I think I had a 3.5ish GPA and my ACT was a 35, so you’re definitely in a good place numbers-wise.
I’d say the #1 important thing is the essays. If your prompts are like mine were, there’s the common app essay (why do you want to transfer), uchicago’s “why here” and “why not your current school” ones, and then the supplemental/uncommon essay.
Are you applying to other schools? I only applied to UChicago, so I focused all three essays including the common-app one on why I wanted to be there. I think the specificity of the three “why transfer” essays is really important—identify the things that aren’t working at your current school, why you’re 100% sure they’d be different at uchicago, and why you think transferring in general is necessary for you. Also, the more fun and uchicago-esque your supplemental essay is, the better. Mine was made calligraphy/watercolor and about programming. I guess just remember that the school doesn’t NEED transfers to fill out the class, so they’re really only taking people who are the absolute best fit and have a very coherent idea of why they want to switch.
Otherwise, demonstrating that you really know and care about uchicago is important. and maybe trying to get familiar with the transfer admissions counselor helps too, since they’re involved in all the transfer decisions and if they know you well enough to advocate you it would only help. If you’re close enough to spend some time on campus or able to visit in person, that’s also a really good idea.
I’d be happy to read over your essays, show you mine, or answer any more specific questions you have! UChicago has been awesome for me so far, and I’m really glad I ended up here. Good luck!
Yeah I actually visited UChi over winter break and talked with one of the admissions counselors and followed up with an email. I’m applying to six or seven schools total just because their transfer acceptance rates are so low and my current school is not the best fit for me socially/academically. Is it possible for you to DM me your UChicago essays? That would help a lot. Thanks!
I sent you the essays! Sorry for the delay, midterms happened.
I’m in the process - sent you a DM @Vesperan though it was very late so I may not have clicked the right thing.
UChicago is the dream, and I am turning in the apps in a couple of minutes.
hey @vesperan, i just submitted my app. could i take a look at your essays too?
who is the transfer admissions counselor?
It’s hard to tell because UChicago doesn’t list their contact info
@dkpark9095 it’s hard to tell because UChicago doesn’t post their contact info
Wouldn’t it just be the regional counselor from your area?
Last I checked it was Zach Evans—he was the transfer admissions counselor when I applied and definitely was last year too. I can double check.
@dkpark9095 — sure! just send me a dm, it’s more convenient over email.
@Vesperan Could you send me the essays as well? The unfortunate thing is, my school lacks a common core curriculum, so I wonder if that could be negative in admissions
@dkpark9095 Mary Hetlage is the transfer admissions director this year.
Hi, Vesperan.
I am applying this year. I am a year-2 student studying in Hong Kong.
University GPA:3.98/4.3
(A+ is 4.3, 3.88/4.0 second highest in the 2016 cohort of maths department)
Major: maths. wanna double major CS
Internship: TA of Scratch, Application Inventor for a year
University EC: Swimming team, Drawing club
Honors: part of dean’s list every semester, some international drawing honors
I applied to study maths.
I am so nervous and looking at the admitted rate makes me …lol
Mary Hetlage is my regional counselor. Should I email her anything???
Ya, it’s definitely nerve-wracking, but 2% is better than 0
Hey guys quick question, do we have to complete the CSS profile for UChicago?
Does anyone know how to get to financial aid on the portal?