<p>Yes. I know it's a bit late. Yes. I know I'm running out of time. Yes. I know. </p>
<p>I'm applying for the University of Chicago as an undergraduate freshman. It's my senior year. I am most certainly the average of average as far as Asians go in Mid-western adolescent America. I got a 31 on the ACT, which I am none too thrilled about. My GPA is standard and I am merely the 13 percentile. I've done miserable on AP tests, yet I continue to take as many AP classes as I can (6). I'm a miserable student. I'm a miserable student. My EC's are arbitrarily packed. I've got 6 clubs to which I hold mediocre positions. Though, I do compete. I'm reasonably good at a number of things but not great at one thing as supplementals go. </p>
<p>Upon my visit here my original intentions were to seek out essays of "acceptees" and I suppose half of me wished I hadn't. The other half succumbed to the temptation of idealistic larceny. Yes, I'm weak. I'm deeply discouraged. I've many regrets. I've many regrets.</p>
<p>Oh, do you a favor and stop crying. World and life is more than just STATS and ADADEMICS. If you want to be successful your attitude is what counts. And your current attitude is not going to get you anywhere but in an "AVERAGE LIFE". Don't be too swayed by this forum; yeah, everybody here shows up with HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENTS and super SATS; but not everybody is actually like that. Besides, it's not that bad being average in school; because nevertheless you can be a great person... if you develop the attitude for that...</p>
<p>^^^ not so sure about that, but you do need to gain some perspective here. How do you think the other 87% is going to fare in life? They'll be absolutely fine.</p>
<p>unalove, I know you go there (unless I'm horribly mistaken?); I know that Chicago places heavy emphasis on essays--they have 4 different ones every year for a reason, I assume. How important, though, are the essays compared to the overall package of statistics, etc? My impression, judging from the results threads, seems to be that people who can write very well can often get in despite lower grades and scores, no?</p>
<p>I would assume that not being in the top 10% wouldn't hurt too much, since only about 80% of those at Chicago were in the top 10% of their graduating class (this is a bit lower than its peer schools, probably because it places more emphasis on the non-quantifiable factors).</p>
<p>Even though unalove goes to UChicago, I doubt that she could give you a percentage (IE, it's 65% essays 25% academics and 10% mystery factor). It's really hard to quantify something like that, especially from someone who doesn't work in admissions--and especially because we're talking about Chicago. :P</p>
<p>I would say, don't apply Early Action because you should take the time to craft your essays and make them fantastic. Then, when the winter deadline rolls around, you'll be a lot more confident in the parts of your application that you have had time to prepare.</p>
<p>As a fellow UChicago applicant, I wish you good luck! I only got a 29 on my ACT, if that's any consolation. :)</p>
<p>Ah, well I've certainly brightened up from yesterday though. Fufufu, Sorusch said the same thing my brother and father said. Whooie, I appreciate the helpful comments and advice from you all. Thank you.</p>
<p>Now, can anyone critique an essay of mine? Only members not applying this year please.</p>
<p>First of all, I don't work for the admissions office, and if you're not Libby Pearson, you don't either. </p>
<p>My apologies if that came off a little snippy, but I get a little angry when students try to play admissions counselor to each other through hearsay. Believe me, it's tempting, but it's not at all helpful to you or your peers.</p>
<p>OP, with your stats where they are at the moment, you are competitive numerically among Chicago admits. Your ACT score is in the midrange; your class rank is fine. (If you go to a school that is competitive, you'll probably get bonus points for your class rank-- top 15% at Hillbilly High is not the same as top 15% at Super-Competitive Academy).</p>
<p>However, what I think the other posters are trying to suggest is that these numbers alone will not grant you admission. Your making it into the top 10 will not grant you admission; a 33 or 34 will not grant you admission either. What's also important is what you can't create now if you didn't already have it-- academic passion and drive, interests, a history of engagement in the classroom.</p>
<p>I like to think that Chicago admissions officers and admissions officers around the country like to evaluate applicants on their own terms. Nobody fits into one metric, and the admissions committees probably want to see how you've been performing as you over these past few years. That, at least, explains why Harvard doesn't necessarily admit the 1600's and 4.0's, but rather the entomologists, the classical musicians, the stand-up comedians, the world travelers, the writers, the activists, etc.</p>