Notre Dame is my first choice college but I am also considering UChicago as a backup (if I don’t get in to Notre Dame). Should I even bother applying to UChicago? Is there any chance of me being accepted by UChicago and denied by Notre Dame? Has anyone heard of this scenario playing out?
-Iowa
-Catholic school
-32 ACT composite
-4.34 weighted GPA (mostly As and A+s)
-above average ECs, leadership positions
-double legacy at Notre Dame
-single legacy at UChicago
There’s definitely a chance of being accepted by Chicago and rejected by Notre Dame. There are students who get into Princeton and not Dartmouth, Stanford and not Caltech, Harvard and not Berkeley, Georgetown and not GWU, etc.
If Notre Dame is your first choice, apply early to Notre Dame. If Chicago is your second choice, meaning you won’t be applying ED, be aware that your odds of acceptance are less than stellar - the RD acceptance rate was just over 3% this year - and Chicago shouldn’t be your only backup. The first step of your college search should be picking an academic and financial safety that you’d be happy to attend.
You definitely want to find some matches and at least one safety. All apps should be to schools you like (research them) and can afford (run the NPC) without too much debt.
I’m sure Chicago and Notre Dame are more similar than I imagine but . . . they really are very, very different universities. Sure, they are two prestigious private universities not that far from Iowa, but I think there is more difference between them than there is between either and Northwestern or WashU, to mention two others. What makes Chicago your second choice?
I also like Northwestern and WashU and will probably apply to both. UChicago is my second choice because I think its teaching philosophy makes it the best place to learn. Also, it’s in Chicago (a city I love) and my mom went there and loved it.
One big difference is that ND can be very stingy with FA while UChicago is a “no loans” school. You should run the NPC on both to see what the expected difference is.
I agree that running the NPC for each school is a good idea. You need to get a solid understanding of what your family can afford.
Have you been able to visit UChicago and ND? I also think that this would help you sort things out- especially an overnight visit.
I also think that ND and UChicago are very, very different type of environments. ND is really big on sports and the ensuing school spirit as the bonding experience. I think UChicago has the academic Core and ensuing intellectual conversations as the bonding experience. Although this may be changing.
If ND is really your first choice and you are 100% sure that you would attend, see if ED gives you an edge. Remember to read the contract carefully.
So far with ND, UChicago, WUSTL and Northwestern, I only see reaches on your list. You could be rejected/wait listed from all of these. Cast a wide net.
UChicago should never be considered a back up school by anyone unless you are in the very select few- development, rare talent, recruited athlete, high stats low income URM…