<p>is your ACT factored with writing?</p>
<p>Choose One:</p>
<p>[ size=4][ color=orange][ b]Decision: Deferred **[/color][/size]</p>
<p>[ b]Objective:**
SAT I (breakdown): 690 CR 600/570 M 780/670
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II (place score in parentheses): 760 Lit, 700 USH (I’m an international student so quite pleased with this score) and 670 Math 1
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): NA
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): NA
AP (place score in parentheses): NA
IB (place score in parentheses): NA
Senior Year Course Load: 5 A level subjects (one more than 80% of others in school)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):</p>
<p>[ b]Subjective:**
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Council Member of History, Helper’s and Empowerment clubs, acted in school plays 9-11th grade, sold my artwork, prefect in 11th grade and senior year, Coordinator of Big/Brother Big sister type of programme my co-coordinator and I designed ourself at an under-privileged school, Internship for the If Project, doing research in the women’s jail in Karachi
Job/Work Experience: Paid internship at Detente Consultancy
Volunteer/Community Service: Coordinator of Big/Brother Big sister type of programme my co-coordinator and I designed ourself at an under-privileged school, Internship for the If Project, doing research in the women’s jail in Karachi
Summer Activities: If Project and Detente
Essays: Good…Common app was moving but maybe a bit cliched, about growing up in Karachi, 7/10. Designed my own prompt for the extended essay, loved it, 8.5/10 U Chicago one was ok too, 7/10 and didn’t attempt the optional one which i severely regret now…
Teacher Recommendations: Excellent. One from history teacher who adores me and the other from a literature teacher with almost 40 years of experience, i consistently top her class and she praises me a lot.
Counselor Rec: Didn’t really know her well but she seemed to like me.
Additional Rec: None
Interview: Ok. The interviewer did say she thought I was a good fit and seemed impressed by one of my ECs but I showed that I didn’t know too much about school, didn’t ask enough/the right questions. </p>
<p>[ b]Other**
Applied for Financial Aid? Yes
Projected Concentration:
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant): American citizen raised in pakistan
School Type: Elite private
Ethnicity: South Asian
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: 100-150,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None</p>
<p>[ b]Reflection**
Strengths: Essays, art supplement
Weaknesses: Everything else but especially scores.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Just not competitive enough!
Where else you are applying or have already applied: UC Berkeley, Columbia, Barnard, Moho, Smith, Wesleyan, Amherst, Swarthmore
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight:</p>
<p>Decision: Accepted</p>
<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 800M 740CR 700W
ACT (breakdown): n/a
SAT II (place score in parentheses): Literature 800, Physics 740
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): don’t know, weighted GPA (IBDP) 4.16
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): School doesn’t tell us, but definitely top 5%
AP (place score in parentheses):
IB (place score in parentheses):
Senior Year Course Load:
Diploma Programme
Eng. Lit. HL
Visual Arts HL
Econ. HL
Math SL
Physics SL
Korean LL SL</p>
<p>Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):</p>
<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses):
Rugby 2011-15 (Co-Captain for 2)
Film Crew (Director/President) 2012-15
National Honor Society (Historian) 2013-14
(President) 2014-15</p>
<p>Student Council (Sophomore Representative) 2012-13
Ampersand Literary Magazine (Editor-in-Chief/Graphic Designer) 2013-15
Theatre Production Set Design (Assistant Crew Chief) 2013
Theatre Production Media (Official Photographer) 2011-2014</p>
<p>Hands of Christ 2011-13
Food Committee (Student Representative) 2012-13
Photography Club (Officer) 2013-14
MUN 2011-12
Amnesty International 2012-13
Dance Crew 2012-13</p>
<p>Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community Service: 4 overseas service trips + orphanage trips in-country
Summer Activities: Built a Hackintosh for video editing, designed school calendar (work)</p>
<p>Essays: CA essay and Extended Essay were strong (9-10/10), other two were just okay (7-8/10).</p>
<p>Teacher Recommendations: Didn’t read, but teachers liked me and I did well in the classes.</p>
<p>Counselor Rec: Didn’t read, but probably strong</p>
<p>Additional Rec: n/a
Interview: Went well I think, traveled up to Seoul just to meet him and brought a copy of the printed litmag, so I hope he was impressed. </p>
<p>Other
Applied for Financial Aid? Yes
Projected Concentration: Philosophy/Economics/Film & Media studies (Yes, I know, but I’m still young)
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant): ROK, but applying as domestic
School Type: Private International IB
Ethnicity: Korean
Gender: M
Income Bracket: 80,000 - 100,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none</p>
<p>Reflection
Strengths: Essays, ECs
Weaknesses: My GPA & SAT could be better… And I could have spent a bit more time polishing the arts supplements.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Spent a ridiculous amount of time writing the essays for UofC
Where else you are applying or have already applied: Nowhere else for Early apps, gonna shoot for Harvard & MIT in regulars now, just for comparative FA packages.
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight: With UofC, it’s really an essay game. Don’t send shoddy writing. </p>
<p>[ size=+2][ color=green][ b]Decision: Accepted**[/color][/size]</p>
<p>[ b]Objective:[ list]
[ *] SAT I (breakdown): None
[ *] SAT I superscore (breakdown): None
[ *] ACT (breakdown): 35C (35E 35M 35R 34S)
[ *] ACT superscore (breakdown): 35C (36E 35M 35R 34S)
[ *] SAT II: Taken this month, scores not recieved
[ *] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.98 (1 B Freshman Year)
[ *] Weighted GPA: 4.73
[ *] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2/450ish
[ *] AP (place score in parentheses): World (5), US (5), Macro Econ (5), Micro Econ (4), Biology, Physics C Mechanics, Literature, Government, Calc AB
[ *] IB (place score in parentheses):
[ *] Senior Year Course Load: Above
[ *] Number of other EA applicants in your school: 3 or 4
[ *] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):[/list] [ b]Subjective:[ list]
[ *] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): STEM Club Treasurer, Research Program through UChicago, 4 Years Soccer, 4 Years Volleyball, 3 Years Basketball, Relay for Life Captain
[ *] Job/Work Experience: Summer Camp Counselor
[ *] Volunteer/Community service:[/list] [ b]Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):**[ list] Like 3 or 4, very minimal, though camp counselor may have assisted as pay was very low
[ *] Essays (Include Subjects):[ list]
[ *] Common App Main: Great Immigrant Parent Story (8/10)
[ *] EC Short Answer: Wrote about Research, pretty good (7/10)
[ *] Extended essay(which topic): Made my own topic very outside the box. (10/10)
[ *] Optional Essay: Wrote a laundry list of things I like, did not know it was supposed to be an essay. (2/10)
[ *] Why Chicago:
[ *] Other:[/list][ *] Teacher Recommendation #1: Physics Teacher, Chemical Engineer. Somewhat Generic (7/10)
[ *] Teacher Recommendation #2: English Teacher, absolutely amazing. (10/10)
[ *] Counselor Rec: Did not read
[ *] Additional Rec: None
[ ] Interview: Just OK, I think I came off a bit conceded though did not wish to. She was an English major, apples and oranges as I am a science person.
[ ] Art Supplement:[/list] [ b]Other[ list]
[ *] Date Submitted App: Nov. 1st, 10pm lol
[ *] State (if domestic applicant): Illinois
[ *] Country (if international applicant):
[ *] School Type: Generic Public
[ *] Ethnicity: Whiter than White
[ *] Gender: Male
[ ] Income Bracket: About 60K
[ ] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):[/list] [ b]Reflection[ list] Local applicant, Parent Immigrant
[ ] Strengths: ACT, Research, Essay
[ ] Weaknesses: Community Service, No SAT 2
[ ] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Fit the bill I guess
[ ] What would you have done differently?:[/list][/list][ b]Other Factors:
[ b]General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc: I applied to Stanford early decision but had to change to regular decision in order to take SAT 2’s. Stanford is my dream, but this will be my second choice if I dont get in there.</p>
<p>This is exactly how I feel!!! I’m an international studentwho needs FA too. I am so happy for being deferred. There’s still hope for us! <em>finger crossed</em></p>
<p>[ size=4][ color=orange]**Decision: Deferred **[/color][/size]</p>
<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): didn’t send
ACT (breakdown): 35 both times, superscore of 36
SAT II (place score in parentheses): Math II (750), Biology M (760)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.95
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): school does not rank
AP (place score in parentheses):
IB (place score in parentheses):
Senior Year Course Load: full IB course - IB HL Math, IB HL Biology, IB HL Economics, IB SL English, IB SL Spanish, IB SL History
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): placed in top 5 in the InvestWrite National Essay Competition (not giving specific rank as it’ll give me away); lots of Science Olympiad awards, some at state level</p>
<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Science Olympiad, Economics Club (board member), School Newspaper (Editor), School Literary Magazine (Editor), Indian American Student Association, Model UN (chairperson), Theater [only did two years], JV tennis [only did two years]
Job/Work Experience: marketing intern at a small technology startup
Volunteer/Community Service: volunteer at an Older Person’s home
Summer Activities: went to economics camp (Economics for Leaders at UChicago. While I didn’t mention this in my application as I didn’t have the room to I did mention it in my essay).
Essays: I really liked my UChicago one and I’d say it was a 9/10. My Common App is around a 7/10.
Teacher Recommendations: One was amazing 10/10. The other, I’d say maybe a 7/10?
Counselor Rec: I honestly have no idea…
Additional Rec:
Interview: It went really well. It lasted for over an hour and she said multiple times I’d be a great fit for UChicago.</p>
<p>Other
Applied for Financial Aid? Yes
Projected Concentration: Economics and Astronomy
State (if domestic applicant): MI
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: public, super competitive (top 10 public school in the country)
Ethnicity: Asian (Indian)
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: ~100,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): no hooks whatsoever, more like antihook with Asian-ness</p>
<p>Reflection
Strengths: My awards, test scores, essays, interview
Weaknesses: I got some bad math grades (a B and a B+) and I could’ve had more leadership positions.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:They took two other kids from my school. My math grades.
Where else you are applying or have already applied: Rejected from UPenn. Applying to UofM, Dartmouth, Harvard, and Princeton.
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight: I didn’t want to go here too badly, but it still hurts. Best of luck to everyone else!</p>
<p>**Decision: Accepted **</p>
<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2340 (770 M/780 CR/790 W)
ACT (breakdown): never took
SAT II (place score in parentheses): Bio M (800), Math II (800)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 3/~330
AP (place score in parentheses): Calc AB (5), Physics Mech. (5), Bio (5), US History (5), English Lang & Comp (5), US Gov (5)
IB (place score in parentheses): never took
Senior Year Course Load: AP Micro/Macro, AP Psych, AP Calc BC, special program for English/History, AP Chem, Orchestra
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): none</p>
<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Science Olympiad, NHS, Tri-M Music Honor Society, NHHS, SNHS, Model UN, and a lot of orchestra-related events (county honors orchestra, all-state orchestra, etc.)
Job/Work Experience: Internship at NIH, violin tutoring, orchestra summer camp
Volunteer/Community Service: through my school - NHS organizations
Summer Activities: interning, tutoring, college visits
Essays: CommonApp - Definitely personal and I’d hope unique. About how much I despised physics class in the beginning of the last school year, and how I grew to appreciate it through my experience with tutoring the violin. </p>
<p>Supplements - Made up my own prompt about phobias (talked about my own aversion to blood/needles which ironically clashed with my job at my internship, and how I overcame it by performing surgeries), “Why UChicago?” was pretty quirky and more like a narrative/linear progression of thoughts
Teacher Recommendations: English and Bio teachers, both of which are stellar writers. Didn’t read either.
Counselor Rec: Didn’t have a strong relationship with her. Didn’t read.
Additional Rec: none
Interview: Phone conference. Pretty informative and direct, with straightforward questions like “What makes UChicago different for you than <insert other=”" university="">?" and “Is UChicago your first choice, or would you consider other options?” About 1 hour long, more professional than casual. He also emphasized that UChicago is no party or athletic school - so literally “Where Fun Comes to Die.” Ended the interview stating that I was “a great fit” (not sure how often interviewers say that).</insert></p>
<p>Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes, but definitely not expecting any
Projected Concentration: Biology - Neuroscience
State (if domestic applicant): East Coast
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: ~$200k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none</p>
<p>Reflection
Strengths: Test scores, essays, sent in a music supplement (violin)
Weaknesses: No hooks, no awards (Intel, etc.)
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Essays - I hope it showed that I spent quite a lot of time writing the supplemental essays and making sure every detail sounded the way I intended.
Where else you are applying or have already applied: Caltech (accepted), MIT (deferred), state school
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight: Research, research, research the school. Watch their videos, read their emails and their booklets in the mail. Use their information and tell them literally what you would do on campus, and why their personality resounds with your own. If you have a passion for the school, it will show through your voice and essays. Good luck! :)</p>
<p>[ size=4][ color=green][ b]Decision: Accepted **[/color][/size]</p>
<p>[ b]Objective:**
SAT I (breakdown): NA
ACT (breakdown): 34
SAT II (place score in parentheses): 780 math II 770 chem
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.96
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): NA
AP (place score in parentheses): Chem (5), English Language (5), Government (5), Micro/Macroeconomics, BC Calc, Spanish Language
IB (place score in parentheses): NA
Senior Year Course Load:
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):</p>
<p>[ b]Subjective:**
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses):
Job/Work Experience: Paid internship for 2 years related to technology field
Volunteer/Community Service: volunteer every sunday at nursing home
Summer Activities: coach camps, practically never home for sports camps
Essays:
Teacher Recommendations: Probably good!
Counselor Rec:
Additional Rec:
Interview: No</p>
<p>[ b]Other**
Applied for Financial Aid? No
Projected Concentration:
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: F
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):</p>
<p>[ b]Reflection**
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:
Where else you are applying or have already applied:
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight:</p>
<p>I AM SO HAPPY</p>
<p>@tramng1110 I was hoping that not applying for aid might give me a slight edge over other international students but still got deferred… not that I’m surprised by the deferral though.</p>
<p>**Decision: Accepted **</p>
<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2230 - CR: 800 M: 680 W: 750
ACT (breakdown): nah
SAT II (place score in parentheses): U.S. History: 800, Chemistry: 800, Literature: 800
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.93
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/290
AP (place score in parentheses): U.S. History, Biology, World History, Psychology, Statistics, Chemistry - all 5s
IB (place score in parentheses):
Senior Year Course Load: a few courses at local LAC, AP Micro, AP Macro, AP Physics, Art I, Photography, AP Calc, AP Lit. and Comp.
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Commended, National AP scholar w/ distinction</p>
<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Local student government orgo (cochair), YMCA Youth In Government (a billion leadership positions), rock band that plays gigs around the Twin Cities, theater (directed a play once), Knowledge Bowl,
Job/Work Experience: Some retail (about a year) and some agriculture (about a year)
Volunteer/Community Service: volunteer with a few youth-focused nonprofits, started an social justice activism organization
Summer Activities: reading, working, meditating
Essays: Common App: 8/10 wrote about my elementary school days,
Group of Three: 7/10 wrote about living the examined life,
Why Chicago: 10/10 told them why I wanted to go to Chicago (I don’t believe in fancy essays),
Optional Essay: list/10
Teacher Recommendations: Didn’t read 'em, AP Chem teacher was probably 9/10, British Literature teacher probably also 9/10
Counselor Rec: a mystery
Additional Rec: did not submit
Interview: pretty good (8/10?), we skyped for about an hour, talked econ, talked Plato</p>
<p>Other
Applied for Financial Aid? Yes
Projected Concentration: History
State (if domestic applicant): Minnesnowta
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: around $100,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Legacy - I know they claim not to consider this but it factored pretty heavily into my Why Chicago essay </p>
<p>Reflection
Strengths: Why Chicago essay was tight, transcript is dope, I like learning stuff.
Weaknesses: SAT scores, Common App essay and “Uncommon” essay were both not my best work
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: see strengths
Where else you are applying or have already applied: Accepted into Saint Johns College (Annapolis) but I think Chicago is the place for me
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight: I’ve never posted on College Confidential before, and probably never will again. However, lurking the EA thread this week was a great solace to me. Just wanted to say that. Also just wanted to say that I am looking forward to seeing all of you in Chi-town next year!</p>
<p>**Decision: Accepted **</p>
<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2030 (670 M /670 CR/690 W)
ACT (breakdown): 31, 32 superscored
SAT II (place score in parentheses): math 2 660, U.S. history 750 spanish 630 world history 700
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.98ish?
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2/163
AP (place score in parentheses): APUSH (5) APWH (5) AP English Lit (5) Ap Spanish (4)
IB (place score in parentheses):
Senior Year Course Load: ap calc, ap lit, ap chem, advanced chem, honors korean independent study, another I dependent study next semester (maybe korea part 2 or UN?), economics and govt or internship
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National hispanic merit, NSLI-y korean, two other study abroad scholarships, QB, Hamilton citizenship, and a bunch of other state, regional, and small national awards. </p>
<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): student advisory council (vp 12, 9-12) ___ friends ( vp 9-10, pres 11,12) political discussion ( secretary 12, 10-12), math club (12) United track and field 11,12) model UN ( doesn’t really count, only one conference), NHS
Job/Work Experience: Kmart last holiday season… Ughh
Volunteer/Community Service: NHS, guidance assistant, teacher aid, korean student mentor
Summer Activities: studied abroad the part two summers for free through scholarships, which I think looks better than having your parents Pay for it.
Essays: I loved my uncommon essay about an untranslatable word 
my why uchicsgo essay was okay, but I think it could have been better. I did the optional prompt and made it another 400 word essay about my musical preference
Teacher Recommendations: I had to read them for a scholarship upload and I think they were all 9-10s. my APUSH teacher I hsvent read, but my spanish teacher wrote a nice letter about my maturity since I took ap Spanish as a sophomore, which was unheard of at my school. I’m hispanic, but I learnt spanish only through school.
Counselor Rec:My guidance counselor shed light on my personal life and my volunteer activities,
Additional Rec: I don’t think it was submitted but my principal asked me if he could write a rec for me! It’s very nice
Interview: soo I requested an interview but my interviewer contacted me on the first of December telling me that she just got the request ( someone forgot to tell her). We had it at a horse farm her daughter rode at abd she was late. I did get to talk to other parents who went to Cornell and Brown whole I waited and they told my interviewer they recommended me. She was a nice woman and we talked mostly about ,y studying abroad, essays for uchicago, my interests, and her study abroad times. It wasn’t my favorite interview but it was great </p>
<p>Other
Applied for Financial Aid? Yes
Projected Concentration: east asian languages
State (if domestic applicant): MA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: public, rural area but still top 10-20% in the state
Ethnicity: hispanic ( Puerto Rican)
Gender: female
Income Bracket: really low
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM</p>
<p>Reflection
Strengths: uncommon essay, study abroad, scholarships, my passion for my major and how I put it in action
Weaknesses: test scores, lack of internships and work experience, ap classes available
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: probably my dedication and interest in korea and how I put it into action. I’m too sure why I was accepted
Where else you are applying or have already applied: accepted to georgetown, umass, northeastsrn. Waiting on all of my rd schools.
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight: well you don’t need 2300+ guys I’m happy I got in! Good luck if anyone would like to see my uncommon essay, I can share it Just pm, or tell me where I can post it. </p>
<p>**Decision: Accepted **</p>
<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): (superscore) 2060 (750 CR, 660 M, 650 W)
ACT (breakdown): didnt take
SAT II (place score in parentheses): Latin(710), US History(710)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 4/256
AP (place score in parentheses): AP Latin (5), APUSH (4), AP Lang (4)
IB (place score in parentheses): n/a
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc AB, AP Micro/Macro, AP Human Geo, AP Lit, AP Chem, Greek II
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar</p>
<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Junior Classical League (VP), Academic Team (Captain)
Job/Work Experience: n/a
Volunteer/Community Service: nah
Summer Activities: Governor’s Honors Program 2k14
Essays: Common App (7), Untranslatable word (9- wrote about bling, so much fun), Why UChicago (6- frantically done), Favorites (5- split decision to gush about Pacific Rim 10 minutes before midnight= no proofreading)
Teacher Recommendations: had great teachers who love me
Counselor Rec: generic
Additional Rec: n/a
Interview: no</p>
<p>Other
Applied for Financial Aid? yep
Projected Concentration: Chemistry
State (if domestic applicant): Georgia
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: African American
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: $250,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none</p>
<p>Reflection
Strengths: my passion for Del Toro movies??
Weaknesses: test scores
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: honestly couldnt tell you
Where else you are applying or have already applied: UGA, Duke, Columbia, Georgia Tech, NYU
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight: do not procrastinate sweet god most miserable 5 hours of my life writing all of my essays in a cold room hunched over a desk</p>
<p>**Decision: Deferred **</p>
<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1990
ACT (breakdown): 32 (30S, 34M, 31E, 32R) and 33 superscore
SAT II (place score in parentheses): None
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.68
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 21%ish
AP (place score in parentheses): 4 on English Language
IB (place score in parentheses):
Senior Year Course Load: 4 AP class, several honors
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):</p>
<p>Didn’t feel liek doing the rest SORRY!</p>
<p>[ size=4][ color=orange][ b]Decision: Deferred **[/color][/size]</p>
<p>[ b]Objective:**
SAT I (breakdown):
ACT (breakdown): 35 in English, 33 in math and reading, 26 in science. 32 overall.
SAT II (place score in parentheses):
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.86
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 10%
AP (place score in parentheses): US History (3)
IB (place score in parentheses): Math Studies SL (7), Business Management SL (6), Biology HL (will take), English HL (will take), Spanish HL (will take), Theatre Arts SL (will take)
Senior Year Course Load: HL Spanish, PIB Physics, Theory of Knowledge SL, Pre-Calculus, HL Biology, SL Theatre Arts, HL English, Financial Literacy
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):</p>
<p>[ b]Subjective:**
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Spanish Honors Society (Vice President), Spanish Club, Middle Eastern Dance Club (president and founder), Theatre/Thespian, Irish Dance Club (co-founder)
Job/Work Experience: Employee at a local ice cream shop, waitress at a local restaurant, babysitting
Volunteer/Community Service: 150+
Summer Activities:
Essays:
Teacher Recommendations: Should’ve gone well, my two favorite teachers!
Counselor Rec: Should’ve gone well, she really likes me
Additional Rec: None
Interview: Phone interview- went well</p>
<p>[ b]Other**
Applied for Financial Aid? Yes
Projected Concentration:
State (if domestic applicant): Kansas
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White/Middle Eastern
Gender: Female
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):</p>
<p>[ b]Reflection**
Strengths: Course load, essays, extracurriculars
Weaknesses: Sophomore year GPA
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Sophomore year GPA. 4.0 freshman and junior year…not so good sophomore.
Where else you are applying or have already applied: Case Western (accepted), KU (accepted), OU (accepted), UNL (accepted), Columbia, Marquette, USC, Washington University in St. Louis, Carleton, Knox (accepted)
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight:</p>
<p>@twogoodarms PACIFIC RIM!!!</p>
<p>also accepted as well!! i’ll post my stats when i get home from work maybe or when i finish cramming for my gov final tomorrow #livingontheedge</p>
<p>**Decision: Deferred **</p>
<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): Didn’t take.
ACT (breakdown): 35 composite (35 English, 35 math, 35 science, 36 reading, 11 writing)
SAT II (place score in parentheses): Didn’t take.
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): A 4.0, I guess? My school is on a 5 point scale, and I have a 5.0 unweighted and 5.49 weighted.
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): My school doesn’t rank.
AP (place score in parentheses): Human Geography (5), World History (5), US History (5), English Language & Comp (5)
IB (place score in parentheses): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Stats, BC Calc, AP Spanish Language, AP Psych, AP English Lit, Teacher Internship Program, Senior Leaders
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Inducted into the Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica, ISAC Illinois State Scholar, AP Scholar with Honor, FCCLA State Gold Medalist </p>
<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Future Educators of America (Executive Board); Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; Interact Club; five year AYSO soccer player; JV soccer player in school
Job/Work Experience: None.
Volunteer/Community Service: Plenty of hours tutoring through a organization that connects me to an elementary school in the area; volunteering at special events for mentally disabled adults throughout the year; plenty of random National Honor Society events in and out of school.
Summer Activities: Didn’t specify.
Essays: Common App was about my favorite place and I wrote about my aunt’s bathtub, I loved it (9.5/10); UChicago Question was the “Why are you here?” one, the topic was generic but I thought it had voice (8.5/10); Optional essay was about Harry Potter, Impressionism and indie rock (8/10); Why UChicago was extremely sucky (6/10).
Teacher Recommendations: One from my AP Lang teacher/soccer coach, didn’t read but I’m sure it was fantastic; one from last year’s precalc teacher, I don’t know if she’s a good writer but she liked me.
Counselor Rec: Didn’t read, she likes me but she has to write hundreds so probably not very personal.
Additional Rec: N/A
Interview: Didn’t have one. </p>
<p>Other
Applied for Financial Aid? Yes
Projected Concentration: Undecided, but interested in mathematics and teaching.
State (if domestic applicant): Illinois
Country (if international applicant): I’m undocumented, so I have to apply as an international from my home country (Poland).
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: ~40,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Undocumented alien, first generation, QuestBridge finalist</p>
<p>Reflection
Strengths: Objective stuff, I guess.
Weaknesses: Essays probably should have been stronger. No impressive extracurriculars, either, I guess.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: ^
Where else you are applying or have already applied: Accepted into DePaul, Loyola and SIU Carbondale, and applied regular decision to Yale, Harvard, Princeton and Notre Dame.
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight: I’ve been crying for the past hour and a half over this because it’s my dream school. Not really sure where I went wrong. I guess all I can do is write a very emotional email, sign up for an interview and hope for the best.</p>
<p>[ size=4][ color=green][ b]Decision: ACCEPTED!!! 
**[/color][/size]</p>
<p>[ b]Objective:**
SAT I (breakdown): 2300/1520: (800M, 720R, 780W)
ACT (breakdown): 35 (36 M&E, 35R, 34 S)—(11 W)
SAT II (place score in parentheses): 800 Math 2, Physics, Biology, 790 Chem, 750 USH, 730 Lit
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.72 (with massive upwards trend, and ridiculously tough junior course load; my counselor thought I was insane to even consider it lol)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 10%
AP (place score in parentheses): 5s on Eng Lang, BC, Physics B, NSL, Chinese L/C, Chem; 4s on Biology ( 
), APUSH, World History,
IB (place score in parentheses):
Senior Year Course Load: MV Calc, Mol.Bio, AP Enviro, AP PhC, AP Lit, Health, AP Stat
(Not so) Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): NMS, AP NS, UMD round 2 mathcomp qualifier, School’s top AMC 12 scorer, other small math awards, and a lot of chess awards (1 major result in international competition)</p>
<p>[ b]Subjective:**
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): chess, math, ninja warrior, piano, and other minor stuff (some of u might know me!)
Job/Work Experience: NIH summer intern/chess coach
Volunteer/Community Service: chess coaching
Summer Activities: internship, competitive chess preparation, math prep
Essays:
Common app: meditation in a tranquil environment, and the thoughts that flow through my head as I relax.</p>
<p>Extended essay: I really liked this one. I wrote about the town of Nomia, inhabited by even numbers, whose prime factorizations were their personalities; the odd numbers are myriad (infinite odd primes) so they are the major contributors to diversity. </p>
<p>Why Uchicago: omg I thought this was sooo bad. After reading it, I felt it as just sooo cheesy and poorly constructed, but maybe I’m judging too hard. But I definitely got across why I loved uchic: class flexibility (big deal here), diversity, theoretical approach. </p>
<p>Teacher Recommendations: Physics/English: They must have been good! I have no idea, as I haven’t read them
Counselor Rec: No idea, but she thinks I’m pretty smart
Additional Rec:none
Interview: My first interview. Although I was nervous, it lasted for about 30-40 mins and it was pretty decent overall; she said she’d “definitely give [me] a favorable recommendation”. We talked about ninja warrior a lot lol. </p>
<p>[ b]Other**
Applied for Financial Aid? Yeah
Projected Concentration: Math/Physics/something STEMmy
State (if domestic applicant): Maryland
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public, rather competitive (2000+)
Ethnicity: Chinese
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 200000 around
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Is chess a hook? Otherwise, absolutely none.</p>
<p>[ b]Reflection[/b
Strengths: app stood out, eccentric extended ess, tough courseload
Weaknesses: gpa, why uchicago,
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I took many risks to make sure my application definitely stood out; I didn’t know if it would be in a good or bad way, but apparently the former! </p>
<p>I was also very honest, telling them pretty much everything they needed to know about me. </p>
<p>Where else you are applying or have already applied: maybe I won’t apply to too many other schools…
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight: I can’t believe I was accepted. I thought I was dreaming when I got that letter!!! It’s so amazing and I’m sooo happy!!! I was so nervous about this decision, as Uchic is by far my top choice school out of the other 10 I’m applying to! I took many risks in my app as a whole, and it paid off.</p>
<p>I’ll post more details later!!! I’m just amazed rn. I’ve never imagined myself getting admitted to such an amazing place!!! </p>
<p>ACCEPTED!!!</p>
<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): CR - 720, M - 750 (so 1470)
ACT: n/a
SAT II: n/a
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): n/a
AP (place score in parenthesis): 5s - Calculus BC, US History…4s - European History, Physics B
IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a
Senior Year Course Load: Third Year Spanish, Honors Biology, AP Seminar, AP Government/Econ, AP Computer Science, AP Literature
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): None
Academic Awards: 1) Won my school’s Mathematics Department Award for being one of the top two students in the subject area
2) member of my school’s All-Academic team (teachers nominate students for this, on their own, for being a top student in their class and for having an affinity for the subject)
3)NHS Secretary
4)California Scholarship Federation (state-level)
5)AP Scholar with Honor.</p>
<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): 1) Boyscout (Senior Patrol Leader and Eagle Scout)
2)
3) Varsity Team Captain of my school’s Water Polo Team. 2 years JV, 2 years Varsity. Was the Defensive MVP.
4) Played club Water Polo for two years.
5) CCS (a competitive regional competition) Swimmer for my school’s team. Swam 1 year JV, 2 years Varsity (Going to swim a 3rd year on varsity this spring…was awarded the “Coach’s Award” as a Junior on the Varsity team)
6) Swam for a club for two years as well.
7) Traveled to Sacramento to lobby to a California State Assemblyman (in person) on reproductive rights
8) Co-Founder and Treasurer of my school’s Esports club.</p>
<p>Job/Work Experience: None
Volunteer/Community service: 1) Bronze Presidential Award (national, for getting 100 hrs of service within a year)
2) Volunteered in Thailand for a summer (got an award for showing "integrity, maturity, and a true passion for life)</p>
<p>Summer Activities: Participated in a Philanthropy Leadership Training Program with the Jewish Community Foundation. Members of the program learned how to judge charities, and were eventually granted $3,000 to distribute to various charities that we visited, volunteered at, and learned about as part of the program.</p>
<p>Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common App main: Wrote about how my dad has a ceramic jar labeled “Fishing Money.” Talked about how he saved quarters in it and I related it to how I value the little things and appreciate that small steps can make an impact. Quirky and well-written. (8/10)</p>
<p>UChicago Supplement: Chose the “Why are you here?” prompt. Wrote about me envisioning myself at a mall, staring at the “You Are Here” dot on the directory map. Talked about how my value of “here” is the way I think. I explained that I love to debate and analyze and ask questions. I think this lined up well with UChicago’s Core, since it’s all about asking questions and not taking things at face value. In the essay, I talked about how I questioned who put that dot on the board and if I could trust them. That showed that I value exploring alleged truths and validating them through my own investigation, just like UChicago encourages it’s students to do. (Their econ. majors test their textbooks’ models in the real world, for example…Econ. is one of my two intended majors). Overall, I really liked this one. (9/10)</p>
<p>Why UChicago: Talked about me falling in love with the campus when I visited. I showed that I really loved the community and social scene. It also showed that I need a learning environment like the seminar-styled Core. It was solid; it showed that I knew a lot about the college and that I was extremely excited about the chance to attend. (7/10)</p>
<p>Optional Essay: I wrote about my favorite performers. Talked about famous cardists (within that small community, haha) and my passion for cardistry, the non-magical, artistic manipulation of playing cards. It was short (like two paragraphs), but it shows the reader about a unique part of me that is distinctly different from most people. (8/10</p>
<p>Disclaimer ----> I have no idea how to rate my essays/rec. letters, because I am not an admissions officer. haha</p>
<p>Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): I didn’t read any of these, but here is what I’m guessing…
Teacher Rec #1: Assuming it was very good. From the math teacher who graduated from Stanford and gave me the Mathematics Department Award. He said he loved writing the recommendation, because UChicago isn’t as stuck up as some of the Ivies, so he can actually have a voice when writing the letter instead of having to stick his pinky out all the time.
Teacher Rec #2: Assuming this was good as well. From my Lit. teacher. She really likes me and knows me really well. Was a creative writing major from USC.
Counselor Rec: Didn’t read, doesn’t really know me that well, but I filled out a questionnaire for her. Was probably fine.
Additional Rec: none</p>
<p>Interview: Went extremely well! Was on-campus. I said some unique things that related Math and Literature and showed how both subjects’ way of thinking could overlap and be useful to one another. (I think this was really good, because UChicago’s “Core” is all about interdisciplinary studies). I also asked a question about intramural snowball fights, which apparently has yet to been organized at UChicago. This made me feel like I showed them that I would contribute to campus life in a positive, fun way.</p>
<p>Other
State (if domestic applicant): California
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: upper, middle-class
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none…although, I did write about how I am interested in their brand new Molecular Engineering major (which is still being designed!). It will be a brand new major offered for the first time starting when the Class of 2019 enters as freshmen. </p>
<p>Reflection
Strengths: Essay and Interview really lined up with UChicago’s philosophy and showed that I’d be a great fit. (At least that’s what I think.
Weaknesses: My SAT Score, lack of major academic awards</p>
<p>General Comments: I’ve shown a lot of demonstrated interest. I’ve met my regional admissions officer two times in person, and have introduced myself to her. I’ve emailed her with questions as well. I also contacted the director of undergraduate studies for UChicago’s Institute for Molecular Engineering, asking about their new Molecular Engineering major. Not sure if this helps or not.</p>
<hr>
<p>YESSSSSS. SO STOKED.
I’d just like to tell all future applicants that even if you’re a white male from California with good, but not perfect stats, you can still get in!
All it takes is a little strategy, lots of essay editing, and demonstrated interest!!!</p>
<p>**Decision: Deferred **</p>
<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 800 R/750 M/780 W (superscored); 800 R/730 M/780 W (one sitting)
ACT (breakdown): didn’t take the ACT
SAT II (place score in parentheses): 770 Chemistry, 750 US History, 750 Literature
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.61
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): school doesn’t rank
AP (place score in parentheses): European History (5), US History (5), Chemistry (4), Calc AB (4)
IB (place score in parentheses): didn’t take
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc BC, AP Physics, AP Bio, AP English Literature, CP Gov/Econ, Advanced Journalism, Advanced American Foreign Policy/Model United Nations
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Semifinalist, AP Scholar with Honor, NHS</p>
<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Model UN for four years (Committee Chair), school newspaper-for 3 years [Contributing Writer 10th grade, Editor for a section 11th grade, Executive for the same section this year), Started a club that helped sponsor a health clinic in a third world country (President), part of a club that tutors underprivileged children in a nearby school district
Job/Work Experience: Tutor since sophomore year; Babysitter since freshman year, Paid summer internship at global architecture/design Firm (Gensler)
Volunteer/Community Service: over 300 hours
Summer Activities: Summer after sophomore year, volunteered at an Islamic free health clinic in South Central LA and interned with the organization my club works with (in Pakistan). Summer after junior year I had an internship at Gensler (global architecture/design firm)
Essays: I think they were pretty unique. I wrote about an informal Urdu dialect my cousins and I created when we were little and I was learning English after speaking only Urdu for the “untranslatable words” prompt and about How to Read Literature Like a Professor for the book prompt.
Teacher Recommendations: AP Calc AB and Honors/AP Chem teachers, they both really liked me and I did well in their classes, so I’m pretty sure their recs were positive.
Counselor Rec: I’m really close with her and she’s helped me work towards Chicago over the past two years, so I’m pretty confident about her letter
Additional Rec: none, though I’ll try to get an alumni letter to add to my application for the next time around
Interview: Went relatively well in my opinion, though my interviewer talked more about his academic/career path before, during, and after attending Chicago than about my goals/classes/ECs/etc. I think he liked me though</p>
<p>Other
Applied for Financial Aid? No, but that’s only because I didn’t realize the deadline for No Barriers was earlier for EA applicants
Projected Concentration: I stated Anthropology/the History, Philosophy, and Social Science of Medicine, but made it clear I (currently) want to try a premed track alongside a strongly humanities based major
State (if domestic applicant): California
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public, highly competitive, almost no grade inflation
Ethnicity: South Asian (Pakistani)
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: $250,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): </p>
<p>Reflection
Strengths: I think my test scores, ECs, and National Merit (they sent me 2 letters congratulating me on NMSF and urging me to apply) were pretty helpful
Weaknesses: Definitely my GPA, but hopefully 1st semester grades will get them to reconsider me
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: GPA
Where else you are applying or have already applied: Northwestern, University of Washington, Stanford, Berkeley, UCSD, University of British Columbia, UCLA
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight: </p>
<p>**Decision: Accepted **</p>
<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 36, 36E / 36M / 34E / 36S
SAT II (place score in parentheses): 800 Math 2, 750 Bio E
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.97 (one B in Spanish)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): School doesn’t rank
AP (place score in parentheses): AP Calc BC (5) AP English Lang (5) AP US History (4) AP World History (4)
IB (place score in parentheses): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP English Lit, AP Spanish 4, AP Statistics (I took multivariable calc sophomore year), AP Physics C
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Math: USAMO Honorable Mention (score of 28), Blue MOP, part of the US Team Selection Test group for the IMO. Debate: Qualified to the 2014 NFL Nationals and the 2015 TOC (in Public Forum debate).
Minor Awards: National Merit Semifinalist</p>
<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Math (9-12), Debate (9-12), Chess (9-12, co-founder and captain), tennis (9-12)
Job/Work Experience: Math Tutor for two years, will TA at the 2015 AwesomeMath Summer Program in Cornell.
Volunteer/Community Service: None
Summer Activities: Ross Mathematics Program (2012), AwesomeMath Summer Program (2013), MOP (2014), as well as travel to England, Scotland, Italy, Russia, Boston, New York
Essays: Odd Numbers (9) Why UChicago (9)
Teacher Recommendations: Idk
Counselor Rec: Idk
Additional Rec: N/A
Interview: Didn’t have one</p>
<p>Other
Applied for Financial Aid? No
Projected Concentration: Math
State (if domestic applicant): Illinois
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Large Public
Ethnicity: White/Jewish
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: High enough so I won’t get fin aid
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): My major awards…</p>
<p>Reflection
Strengths: Awards and Test Scores and GPA and Essays
Weaknesses: Lack of an interview, AP’s
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: My awards
Where else you are applying or have already applied: MIT (accepted), CalTech (deferred), Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, CMU
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight: Do what you love and excel</p>