Someone had to do it, and I haven’t seen one yet.
Choose One
[aB][asize=4][acolor=#008000]Decision: Accepted ED [/color][/size]**
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 32 (highest composite), 34 (superscore)- 36 English, 29 Math, 35 Reading, 34 Science
SAT II: Didn’t submit
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.6
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 10%
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP English Language/Composition (5), AP US History (4), AP Statistics (3), AP World History (3), AP Physics 1, AP French
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Literature, AP Calculus AB, AP Microeconomics (Semester 1), AP Macroeconomics (Semester 2), AP Psychology, AP Environmental Science, Advanced Chorus, Journalism (Literary Magazine), Health (Semester 1) and PE (Semester 2)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): (Pending) Speech and Debate Academic All-American, 3rd place in World Schools Debate at 2016 National Speech and Debate Association Nationals, AP Scholar with Honors, NHS, State Science Fair
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Speech and Debate (Board member, captain of LD debate), Literary Magazine (Editor-in-Chief), Chorus (Vice President), Guitar, Girl Scouts
Job/Work Experience: PowerPoint specialist for business consulting company
Volunteer/Community service: Girl Scouts
Summer Activities: Debate camp (before 11th grade), Speech and Debate Nationals (before 11th and 12th grade)
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Commonapp essay- important background prompt, wrote about debating a senior from my school my freshman year as he argued that dolphins should be treated as moral agents, like humans (8.5/10)
“Uncommon” essay- portals prompt, wrote about the moral implications of teleportation and how it pertains to questions of self-identity (9/10)
Why UChicago- included a lot of personal anecdotes, related to characteristics they talk about wanting in students, fairly basic (8.5/10)
Optional favorites essay- talked about the evolution of my interests and how they impacted me (8/10)
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: Taught me AP Lit, 10th grade lit, and advisor of literary magazine (I definitely assume it to be the better of the two)
Teacher Rec #2: Taught me Precalculus and Geometry/Adv. Algebra (It was probably pretty good but more generic than my first recommendation)
Counselor Rec: Counselor for 3 of 4 years of high school, doesn’t know me well at all (I go to a large public school), but I reached out to talk to her and make sure she knew about me to write the rec letter (7/10 probably)
Additional Rec: Debate coach, taught me in 9th and 10th grade, knows me extremely well (9.5/10)
Interview: Met an alumni in my city, good but weaker than most of the other aspects of my application
Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: yes
Intended Major: Undecided (put down potential of Comparative Human Development, Philosophy, and Anthropology)
State (if domestic applicant): Georgia
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Intercity public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): N/A
Reflection
Strengths: Awards from Debate and essays
Weaknesses: Interviews, some of my recommendation letters, test scores
Why you think you were accepted: Probably the combination of debate and my essays; I tried to reflect my love of learning throughout the application
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted Loyola University Chicago
General Comments : I’m still in shock by all of this, but I’m so excited for the future! Hopefully this will help others who are applying! Congratulations to everyone!
[aB][asize=4][acolor=#008000]Decision: Accepted ED[/color][/size]**
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1530 （R780 M750)
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II: Math II 770, Chemistry 780
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.97
Weighted GPA: N/A
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A but i think top 10%
AP (place score in parenthesis): Human Geo, Calc AB subscore, Art History, US History, Stats 5s, Chemistry 4
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Lit, Choir, AP French, AP Euro, post AP Chemistry, Bio H
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): book award, Science award, Latin Exam Perfect Score, AP Scholar w distinction
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Yearbook editor, student leader, golf captain, liturgical ensemble, online column about prep schools
Job/Work Experience: tutor and lecturer for standardized tests (TOEFL)
Volunteer/Community service:
Summer Activities: Art history research/internship
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common App: 10/10 I discussed my obsession of public transportation and how I used it to understand the many different cities I’ve lived in
Uncommon Essay: 10/10 I chose the vestigiality prompt and talked about a Benedictine monastery because our school is affiliated to a monastery.
Why UChicago: 8/10, talked about my interest in Art History and freedom of speech at UChicago.
Favorites: talked about my favorite cave in the historical site of caves where I worked at during the summer
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: Chemistry teacher, taught me for 3 years
Teacher Rec #2: French teacher, taught me for 3 years
Counselor Rec: I assume it’s a very good letter but I don’t know what’s on it
Additional Rec: N/A
Interview: Alumni interview, went very well and we talked for about 2 hrs
Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major:Art History
State (if domestic applicant): RI
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Private/Boarding
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: F
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): first generation
Reflection
Strengths:
Weaknesses: SAT I Math, (and the essay part but I don’t think they look at it)
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: definitely my essays, rec letters and demonstrated interest in Art History
**Decision: Waitlisted ED **
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1440 (new)
ACT (breakdown): 32
SAT II: N/A
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.975
Weighted GPA: 4.067
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 3%
AP (place score in parenthesis): US Gov(5) Macro(4) Chem(3)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Eng Lit, AP Calc AB, AP Physics C, AP Micro, Dual enrollened
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): KLAA Scholar Athlete
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): NHS(Vice Prez), Football, Basketball, Track and Field
Job/Work Experience: Part time barista at local coffee shop for past year and a half
Volunteer/Community service: Blood drive organization, Special Needs basketball camp, other NHS sanctioned events
Summer Activities: Football, basketball
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Extended Response: 9/10 my favorite essay I wrote. I thought the prompt I chose worked really well for me and my friends and family seemed to agree. I spent the most time on this one and enjoyed writing it the most.
Why UChicago: 7/10 I went very in depth on this essay, maybe a little too in depth, but I talked about everything I could think of that I loved about UChicago.
Optional: 6/10 Admittedly, this essay was probably too lengthy. I wrote about my favorite authors, visual artists, and musicians and went pretty in depth.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: AP Gov teacher. Helped me get a 5 after having a B- first marking period in the class.
Teacher Rec #2: Spanish teacher I had for 3 years whom I got along with very well.
Counselor Rec: Pretty generic school counselor rec
Additional Rec:
Interview:
Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Political Science/Economics
State (if domestic applicant): Michigan
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public, suburban
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket:150k-200k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
Reflection
Strengths: Extra curricular load, essay, recommendations
Weaknesses: AP Exams taken(compared to some), no interview, SAT and ACT scores
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: My test scores weren’t the best and I don’t think I did quite enough to stand out to counselors. Obviously being waitlisted my application was at least alright, but I still plan to contact my admissions counselor, which I should have done sooner, and let her know exactly why UChicago is my number 1.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted: Loyola, Illinois Tech, U of Detroit Mercy, Xavier, Butler, Alma College
General Comments :
**Decision: Deferred EA **
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 35 Superscore (34 otherwise)
SAT II: 720 in Chem, 760 in Math II
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.95
Weighted GPA: 4.60
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): Gov’t (5), US History (4), Chemistry (4), Spanish Language (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Physics 1, AP Environmental Science, Honors English 12, AP Calculus AB, Honors Modern World, two chorus classes
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): N/A
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Basically a culture club (president), GSA, Co-ed acapella, male acapella, School tour guide, four years of drama department performance and tech
Job/Work Experience: Synagogue Receptionist 11-12 grade, Religious school aide 10th grade, barista summer before senior year
Volunteer/Community service: ~100 hours
Summer Activities: Barista last summer, counselor the summer before along with a trip to perform in Scotland
Teacher Rec #1: AP Chem teacher
Teacher Rec #2: Honors English 11 teacher
Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes, but only the FAFSA and didn’t do the rest yet
Intended Major: Chemistry
State (if domestic applicant): Maryland
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Top 10% I guess
This was the first decision I’ve gotten back, but Michigan early action results come this week and Delaware and Toronto are rolling and should come soon, and Maryland comes next month. I’m applying to Columbia, NYU, Tufts, Carnegie Mellon, and Northwestern for regular decision.
I’m not that surprised, to be honest. I’d definitely like to go there, but it’s not my first choice.
Decision: Deferred EA
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1430©; 670(M); 760®; 21(W)
ACT (breakdown): Didn’t Send
SAT II: n/a
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.96
Weighted GPA: 5.137 (out of 5)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 8/522
AP (place score in parenthesis): Human Geography (5); Lang & Comp (5); Psychology (5); APUSH (4); World History (4); Biology (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis): school does not offer
Senior Year Course Load: AP Gov; AP English Lit; AP Physics; AP Econ; Health Science Practicum; Band Wind Ensemble
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar & AP Scholar w/ Distinction; Quest Bridge Prep Scholar & National College Match Finalist
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Band for 8 years, 1st chair 2 years, lieutenant and section leader 1 year; NHS corresponding secretary; HOSA member; UIL Lit Crit Team Captain; participate in other UIL events; Key Club; Biology Rep in Science Club; Rep in Student Council 3 years.
Job/Work Experience: n/a
Volunteer/Community service: Hospice Care Volunteer; NHS activities
Summer Activities: Hospice Volunteer & Summer Band
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 8’s all around. Although they might’ve gone over the word count.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
1: Had her for 3 years. Bio, A&P, and AP Bio teacher: 7/10
2: Had her 2 years. AP Psych & AP World Hist teacher: 9/10
3: Had her this year. AP Lit teacher: 8/10
Counselor Rec: Didn’t know me well, but was still very flattering/ well written. Overall 7/10
Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Pre Med/ Political Science
State (if domestic applicant): TX
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: 40k + 5 dependents
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Low Income and Quest Bridge Finalist
Reflection
Strengths: My essays, Recs, and GPa
Weaknesses: My test scores (especially the math section). Also my essays might’ve been too wordy.
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I think I am a good candidate, but so are all of the other students who applied EA, I had to stand out and I don’t know if I had the scores for it.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted to UT; Waiting on Georgetown, Hopkins, Emory, Wellesley, Oberlin, Wesleyan, and Tufts
General Comments : Not surprised I was deferred after reading some of you guys’ credentials. Chicago was my top choice and I am disappointed, but I know I will be fine.
Never would have imagined that I would be filling out one of these someday. But I just got my acceptance today so I’m overjoyed right now.
Decision: Accepted
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 760 CR 780 M 740 W
ACT (breakdown): N/A
SAT II: 800 Math 2 800 Physics
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): unsure since IB doesnt directly convert, but my counselor told me I’m around a weighted 4.36
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): no rank, but top 5% of a competitive private school
AP (place score in parenthesis): N/A
IB (place score in parenthesis): predicted 44/45
Senior Year Course Load:
IB English A HL
IB Physics HL
IB Chinese B HL
IB Economics HL
IB Math SL
IB Chemistry SL
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): 4th place in national history bowl, 4th place in secondary school business case competition, bronze award in NZ bio olympiad, distinction in linguistics olympiad, and some other national awards.
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
leader of World Vision, started my own charity, a lot of community service in the form of teaching, piano with a lot of awards,leader of school dance club, and some other stuff like Duke of Edinburgh
Job/Work Experience: none
Volunteer/Community service: see above
Summer Activities:
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
common app 9/10. A lot of my friends read it and they said it was pretty good. I liked it myself - i had an unusual topic (which probably helped me) and I felt that it really fit UChicago’s focus (talked a lot about intellectual curiosity)
extended essay: 8/10 answered the one about vestegial structures. I answered the prompt in a pretty straightforward manner, but I related vestegial structures to futuristic concepts and ideas instead so it might have been an unusual take? i dont know lol
Why UChicago: 7/10 I did this pretty last minute (was still editting the day apps were due) but my friends read it afterwards and they said it was pretty good.
Favorites: talked about my favorite book, which is a translated book from Nigerian. The book was interesting and i think i wrote the essay well, so probs 8/10
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): We sign a waiver so I did not see any of them.
Teacher Rec #1: One was written by my economics teacher, I was his student for nearly 3 years and he really likes me. I also did a research project with him being my superviser, so i imagine it was good.
Teacher Rec #2: Maths teacher wrote this one. To be honest, I dont know how it went. She doesnt seem to particularly like me, but then again she isnt an affectionate person and doesnt like anyone lol. However, i did get top in subject for math so i cant imagine she wrote anything terrible about me.
Counselor Rec: Our counselor doesnt know any of the students very well, i didnt even know whether he wrote one lol
Additional Rec: Mentor teacher also wrote one. She’s ok with me
Interview: Had an alumni. He was a nice guy, i think it went ok
Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: no
Intended Major:economics
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant): New Zealand
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: asian
Gender: Female
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
Reflection
Strengths: Essays, and probably the fact I applied ED without financial aid. UChicago has accepted at least one student from my school in the early round over the past few years, and I got lucky since i was the only one who applied to UChicago from my school this year
Weaknesses: SAT scores, Ethnicity, and I dont have any spikes, just the well rounded asian kid lol
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Maybe my essays? I really cant judge them myself haha
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
General Comments : So so so excited! UChicago was the only school I applied to in the early round, and now I can have a relaxed Christmas break 
I love the school, so I’m just dying to go already lol. Cant wait to meet all the other accepted students next fall!
Choose One
[aB][asize=4][acolor=#008000]Decision: Accepted ED[/color][/size]**
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown):
ACT (breakdown): 34
SAT II: 800 world history, 760 Math 2, 740 Bio E (as a freshman)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.77
Weighted GPA: 4.3
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): n/a
AP (place score in parenthesis): World History (5), APUSH (5), Chem (4), Lit (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis):n/a
Senior Year Course Load: AP latin, AP Calc BC, AP Physics 1, AP Lang, AP Spanish, econ, civil war
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Hispanic Recognition Program, Merit scholar semi-finalist
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Latin club (consul and officer for 3 years), Tutoring - a LOT, school plays and musicals. cross country, track
Job/Work Experience: Teacher’s Assistant at a film school, nature center trail marker
Volunteer/Community service: Tutoring, Latin club
Summer Activities: Working as TA at film school/camp
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 8, I’m really proud of my personal essay, my why Chicago was entertaining and not dull, my fun supplement was funny enough
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): no idea; waived FERPAPA
Teacher Rec #1: Latin teacher for 2 years
Teacher Rec #2: AP chem teacher, a real sweetie
Counselor Rec: eh I wrote it all for her lol
Additional Rec: my boss over the summer at the nature center
Interview: yep, I thought it went very poorly but I guess interviews really don’t matter haha
Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yeah but not on time 
Intended Major: Physics (RIP)
State (if domestic applicant): NY
Country (if international applicant): US
School Type: Public (Small, 140 in my class)
Ethnicity: white, Hispanic
Gender: male
Income Bracket: Need blind bish
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM…kinda
Reflection
Strengths: Essays, transcript (I took as many classes as possible every year; never had a single free period/lunch until senior year)
Weaknesses: Test scores
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Essays
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted SUNY Binghamton, Accepted Northeastern Honors College
General Comments : I really think if you have grades that are “good enough” or past a certain threshold, then your decision is determined mostly by your essays. Above everything, make sure they show your voice (or, truthfully, a voice the college wants to hear). They can be stupid, ignorant, sad–it doesn’t matter what you say, it’s how you say it. My Why Chicago didn’t really mention specifics about programs or professors or majors; I talked about the community and presented myself deliberately as someone who fits in that community.
**Decision: Accepted ED **
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): didn’t take
ACT (breakdown): 33
SAT II: n/a
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): school doesn’t give unweighted GPA- I would guess around 3.89/3.9
Weighted GPA: 4.23
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): school does not rank
AP (place score in parenthesis): Human Geography (3- was sick the day of the test!), World History (5), US History (5), European History (4), Language and Composition (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a
Senior Year Course Load: AP Literature and Composition, AP Biology, AP French, AP US Government, AP Macroeconomics, AP Art History, Calculus, School’s required theology classes
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): currently earning Girl Scout Gold Award (mentioned on app), two Scholastic Writing Gold Keys (Flash Fiction, Short Story), one Scholastic Writing Silver Key (Humor), various local speech (oratory) awards, quarter-finalist at Texas State speech tournament, received best speaker award at debate camp hosted by Oxford Union, some leadership awards at a prestigious summer leadership camp I attend, bronze medalist in 2016 National French Competition, AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit Commended
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Girl Scouts since 1st grade, have earned bronze, silver, and currently working on gold ~ founded literacy club at school junior year and am currently president ~ competitor in speech since sophomore year, went to state and nationals ~ National Honor Society ~ National French Honor Society ~ Rho Kappa Honor Society
Job/Work Experience: n/a
Volunteer/Community service: Volunteered roughly 550 hours at city’s science museum, have served on their volunteer board for four years, was promoted a mentor of new volunteers and have led customer service training sessions, helped them establish the President’s Volunteer Service Award, was nominated for volunteer of the year in 2013
Summer Activities: Travel in Oxford and London (UK), Shakespeare/English Literature program at the University of Oxford, nine years at leadership camp in Colorado (will spend this coming summer in the advanced leadership program there), 400+ miles of hiking and backpacking in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 9’s to my Uncommon essay and Why Chicago supplement- I really poured my heart into them and emphasized my interest in history as well as my love for free speech and intellectual diversity; 6-7 for the common app- it was well written, but it was basically just about my love of opera; the optional essay was basically just a tiny blurb about why I love to read historical fiction- not sure it really deserves a rating.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: AP Euro teacher- love her
Teacher Rec #2: pre-cal teacher- she’s sweet
*I don’t feel like I can rate them because I saw neither
Counselor Rec: probably quite good; my college counselor is a Northwestern alum; she’s very knowledgeable and I know she likes me
Additional Rec: n/a
Interview: my interviewer was a Dallas CFO who went to Chicago’s business school. She was so nice and easy to talk to, and I felt like we really connected. I thought it was splendid.
Applied for Financial Aid?: yup
Intended Major: History/English (I want to go to law school)
State (if domestic applicant): TX
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: 200 students per grade, all-girls, Catholic
Ethnicity: white
Gender: female
Income Bracket: would rather not say
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): nope
Reflection: Chicago is my dream school. I’ve had a UChicago poster hanging in my room since sophomore year. When I visited last spring break, I just felt like it was truly where I was meant to be. I’m still in shock from the acceptance, but I’m elated.
Strengths: essays, EC’s (?), grades/class rigor
Weaknesses: ACT, I live in a city with a lot of competitive private schools that pretty much breed kids for the Ivy League
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: no idea
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I haven’t submitted any other applications- I wanted to see what my Chicago decision was before I shelled out all of the other application fees (thank goodness I did!!). Completed applications for Southern Methodist University, NYU, Dartmouth, and Middlebury
General Comments : to those who were rejected- don’t let this get you down! You are going to go on and do incredible things!! To those accepted- I can’t wait to meet you all! I still can’t believe I’m saying this, but GO MAROONS!!
[aB][asize=4][acolor=#FFA500]Decision: Deferred [/color][/size]**
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1410 (720 Math and 690 Reading) 21/24 on writing
ACT (breakdown): 33-C (35-W, 33-S, 29-M, 34-R)
SAT II: no send
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): school doesn’t do
Weighted GPA: 3.95
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): Biology (3), Lang and Comp (4), MacroEcon (4), Physics (2)–DID NOT REPORT, Psych (5), US History (5), World History (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Gov 1S/Off 2S, PE, Medical Microbiology, Academic Decathlon, AP Calculus AB, AP European History, AP Lit
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar with Distinction, various USAD awards
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Academic Decathlon (Captain), TED Ed Club (President), Family Babysitting every day, Model UN (Secretary), Foreign Ambassador to China/Exchange Student, Young Democrats (Treasurer), Editor on Literary Magazine, NHS
Job/Work Experience: Cashier at local movie theatre (Sophomore and Junior Year), Summer Camp counselor at Camp Longhorn
Volunteer/Community service: Volunteered at a fetal health care center in the summers
Summer Activities: AcDec, Counseling at camp, organized weekly open mics at different locations in community, volunteered, Took undergrad courses at UChicago (Earned A+ and B in the two courses)
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common App- 7/10, wasn’t awful, but I didn’t really like it, but people told me it was good; Uncommon 10/10 I chose they odd numbers prompt and wrote about gun control, Why UChicago 8/10 my writing was really good and I explained what I liked about the school, but I could’ve elaborated more about why I would fit in; Favorites 6.5/10, I initially had an idea to write about music, but I thought it was going to be too long, so I wrote about my favorite place…wasn’t awful but just wasn’t my favorite.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: 10/10 AP English Lang teacher, very much adored me and had a rec limit this year so she could personalize//actually write the recs
Teacher Rec #2: 9/10 AP Biology teacher, have had her for three years, I didn’t necessarily excel in her classes, but my dedication to learning and passion for the sciences she saw and wrote about that (or at least what she said, didn’t read any of them)
Counselor Rec: prob an 8/10, she had my older brother, liked me a lot, and probably wrote an amazing rec (especially considering we had so much information to give her in order for her to fill it out), however my school is pretty large, and I’m not sure how much of it was necessarily personalized.
Additional Rec: Had a professor from UChicago that I had in summer session write me a rec (he ended up hand delivering it to the admissions office since we couldn’t figure out how to manipulate naviance)…not sure if that seemed cheesy or not
Interview: I had an interview…prob a 7/10. He seemed to like me and we had a shared connection about a nerdy obsession with psychology. He was a little hard to read, though, so I can’t be sure it was amazing, but he was very, very friendly and we talked for an hour.
Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: lol yup
Intended Major: Neuroscience
State (if domestic applicant): TX
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: 100k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
Reflection
Strengths: Most Essays, Recs, ECs, Course Load
Weaknesses: Test Scores, GPA
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Prob GPA honestly…other than that because the acceptance rate is honestly negligible, lol.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted to IUB, Waiting on Carnegie Mellon, Skidmore, Swarthmore, University of St Andrews, and University of Washington
General Comments : While a deferrence wasn’t what I wanted, I am not completely distraught about it, and I have already started my reaffirment of interest of UChicago and I will be sending in my request to change my application to ED II tomorrow!
[asize=4][acolor=#008000]Decision: Accepted [/color][/size]
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown):
ACT (breakdown):35
SAT II: physics 770, math 2 770
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):3.93
Weighted GPA:4.58
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
AP (place score in parenthesis):
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: Stats, Physics C, BC, Lit, art
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Gladiator title in World of Warcraft (did not report)
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): FRC, intern, sports
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service:volunteer with first robotics fll
Summer Activities:
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Can’t rate objectively. Obviously I think they were good, but doesn’t everyone?
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): Have never seen them so I can’t say. Probably not bad.
Teacher Rec #1:
Teacher Rec #2:
Counselor Rec:
Additional Rec:
Interview:
Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: no
Intended Major: Physics or CS
State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Meme tier public school
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: a lot
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None
Reflection
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: good essays
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
General Comments : I just found out about this site and I’m not sure if I should be amazed or disgusted.
DEFERRED BUT HONESTLY I AM OVER THE MOON!! I WAS HIGHLY EXPECTING A REJECTION!!!
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1320 (680 Math / 640 CR) – ( i sent in my 1270 SAT score tho)
ACT (breakdown): N/A
SAT II: Bio 670, M1 610, Chem 610
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):
Weighted GPA: N/A: 4.03 at the time, it’s higher now.
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/80
AP (place score in parenthesis): Bio (3) Lang (3)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Lit, AP Psych, AP Micro (the only APs my school offers…)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): A few regional/local/school awards, nothing international.
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): MUN SG, President of Drives, President of Book Club, President of Poetry Club, Co-head of Debate, Founder of Tutoring Program
Job/Work Experience: Summer camp work in 2016, cashier in 2014
Volunteer/Community service: Several visits to refugee camps
Summer Activities: Nothing special
Essays (rating 1-10, details): a pretty nice personal statement, warms your heart and it talked about my identity and how i am living in a strict home even though im really out there as a muslim girl. All my supplemetns really showed my voice and I loved them all… they were fun to write!
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: (10/10) From Micro and psychology teacher, it was really really really good
Teacher Rec #2: (8/10) Didnt see it but she likes me alot
Other rec: really good, highlighted my love for service work, didnt see it.
I sent in a peer rec
Counselor Rec: (10/10) Probably the best one shes ever written
Additional Rec: N/A
Interview: It went amazing!! She really liked me and we were so comfortbale. She was such a doll bless her soul.
Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes, but Im going to retract my application for FA
Intended Major: Political Science
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant): Jordan
School Type: Small Private
Ethnicity: Middle Eastern
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: 102k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM…nothing else lol
Reflection
Strengths: EC’s big time, Recommendations, Essays!! Essays werer the only reason i didnt get rejected.
Weaknesses: Standardized test scores…dude I HATE COLLEGE BOARD.
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: my EC’s and recommendations.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: deferred from Georgetown and Boston College no biggie though! Accepted to Northeastern!
General comments: Good luck to all!!! The best is coming for all of us.
ACCEPTED;
Early Action Applicant
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 35 (36E, 35M, 33R, 35S)
SAT II: 800 Math II, 800 Math I, 770 Chemistry
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.85
Weighted GPA: 4.40
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): Statistics (4), Calculus BC (5), Psychology (5), US History (4), English Language (5), Chemistry (5), Physics C (4: E&M, 5: M)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Literature, AP European History, AP Economics (both), AP Biology, AP Computer Science A, Spanish Conversation
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Science Olympiad State Medalist (5th Place - Chemistry), National Merit Commended Student, National AP Scholar, IJAS Science Fair Gold Award, Honor Roll (include the minor ones).
Subjective: Not going to include because I feel like students in the future will deem them as a standard or a necessity. Don’t do what others did, do what you love (or what pays a lot). Honestly, I did do some in-school clubs and got leadership roles in 3 of them, but I also pursued a lot of internships outside of school. Don’t volunteer 3 billion hours a your food pantry… be creative and do something you actually like; don’t be free labor for four years.
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Job/Work Experience: –
Volunteer/Community service: –
Summer Activities: –
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common App (8/10), Why Chicago (10/10), and Chicago Creative Essay (10/10)
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
My AP Chemistry Teacher and my AP English Language teacher. Did well in their classes and had a pretty close relationship with both – that’s the key. It’s impossible to rate these. I expect my chemistry teacher’s was slightly better as he writes few recs each year. My English teacher writes a gazillion and, knowing her, probably makes them all pretty darn good still.
Counselor Rec: No idea
Additional Rec: UChicago lab research PI
Interview: On-campus, went well. My first college interview, decently nervous
Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Mathematics, Chemistry, and Psychology
State (if domestic applicant): IL
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian – Indian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 75,000-100,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Legacy
Reflection
Strengths: High rigor in classes taken (Calc BC + Stats as a sophomore; Physics C + Chemistry + Calc III as a junior), test scores, essays, and-- quite frankly-- personality. All things essential for UChicago!
Weaknesses: GPA (although qualified by rigor – Chicago wants kids in rigorous classes, who don’t get the highest grades).
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Regional preference, legacy, good academics (particularly in areas I plan to study), great extracurriculars.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: UPenn ED reject
General Comments : Don’t look at the percentages, look at schools that fit your profile. If you’re a 4.0, 36, 800, 800, 800 student, look at Caltech and MIT. If you have a high GPA and eh test scores, probably look at ivys. Chicago, on the other hand, wants rigor coupled with high test scores. Again, that’s what I’ve seen and can’t be taken as concrete. It’s all about fit in the end with these “elite” schools. Don’t get deterred by early rejections and deferrals as the process is very inconsistent.
**Decision: Accepted **
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): -
ACT (breakdown): 33 superscore
SAT II: -
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.7
Weighted GPA: 4.7
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): -
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Government (4), AP Lang (3)
IB (place score in parenthesis): -
Senior Year Course Load: AP Psychology, Weight Training, AP Human Geo, H. Creative Writing, AP Stats. H. World Lit, H. Organismal Bio
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): UChicago-Neubauer Scholar, YLI Scholar (HSF), Illinois State Scholar
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Belly Dance, Hypnotik (Hip Hop group), Latino Club, Stage Crew, Youth Leader @ my church, Cutural/Political club
Job/Work Experience: Working as an intern at my Uncle’s business
Volunteer/Community service: Helping around my elementary school; helping low-income minorities research high schools and helping them put in applications (the Chicago HS system is weird lol)
Summer Activities: Acting Camp, Neubauer session
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Weird Prompt: 8/10; Could’ve been better, but still pretty good
Why UChicago: 9/10; I’ve been on campus multiple times and already knew what I wanted to say
Favorite things: 10/10; literally the best thing I’ve made in my entire life (Made it in the shape of the CTA)
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: AP Government - 10/10 - I’ve had him for 2 years; the reason I wanted to go into PoliSci; a lovely man who I wish would adopt me; we know everything about each other
Teacher Rec #2: AP Lang - 8.5/10 - Did will in his class, but didn’t have an instant connection; we joked around a lot though so he liked me
Counselor Rec: ¯_(ツ)_/¯ - He seemed to like me, but who knows what he actually wrote on that page
Additional Rec: -
Interview: None
Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: PoliSci
State (if domestic applicant): IL
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: 100K
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM, First gen
Reflection
Strengths: Neubauer lol, Essays, Recs, ACT
Weaknesses: Literally… everything else
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: dude who actually knows i’m just happy to be here
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted at UIUC and North Central
General Comments :
i’m still shook
ED
**Decision: Accepted **
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2140 (don’t remember breakdown and didn’t send)
ACT (breakdown): 34 (32 English, 34 Math, 36 Reading, 34 Science, 34 Writing)
SAT II: 800 Math 2, 800 Chem
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): N/A
Weighted GPA: N/A
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 10%
AP (place score in parenthesis): N/A
IB (place score in parenthesis): all 7s for spring junior year
Senior Year Course Load: IB HL Math, HL Chemistry, HL Economics, HL French B, SL English Lit, SL Chinese Lit
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): N/A
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Environmental club (president), Chinese debate (captain), improv, ballet for many years
Job/Work Experience: N/A
Volunteer/Community service: Volunteered at a charity 4+ years and organised a school trip to the Philippines with the charity; nothing else long-term that’s really worth mentioning
Summer Activities: Homestay program in France, YYGS
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common app 9/10 - wrote about how improv made me re-think perfectionism; honest with a touch of humour
Uncommon 8/10 - did the past prompt on two types of people in the world and wrote about how ballet changed my idea of feminism and gender stereotypes
Why UChicago 7/10 - everyone who read it said it was really cute?? wrote about how the core’s encouragement of interdisciplinary thinking will be beneficial to me as an envisci major
Optional 5/10 - eh.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: 9/10, Math teacher for three years, probably really great
Teacher Rec #2: 9/10, Econ teacher who actually tolerates/appreciates my questions in class
Counselor Rec: 6/10, barely know him so it was probably generic
Additional Rec: N/A
Interview: 9/10, interviewer was alumni of my high school
Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Environmental Science
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant): HK
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: High enough to not qualify for aid…
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): N/A
Reflection
Strengths: grades, teacher recs, common and uncommon essays
Weaknesses: not particularly impressive extra-curriculars, no awards
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I think my energy and enthusiasm really showed in the essays and the teacher recommendations
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: N/A
General Comments: You don’t have to cure cancer Going into the college process, I was under the impression that you had to be amazingly great at one single thing, but turns out it’s okay if you have multiple interests and you haven’t won awards in any of them! Also, quick comment about the essays— I know there are lots of really creative essays floating around, but if you’re like me and don’t mix well with creative writing, it’s okay! My essays were all pretty straightforward and I guess they worked?
**Decision: Deferred EA **
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): none
ACT (breakdown): 36
SAT II: Math II:800; World History: 800
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4
Weighted GPA: 4.95
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 5/800
**AP (place score in parenthesis): **
-Computer Science A (5)
-World History (5)
-Physic C Mechanics (4)
-Physics C E&M (3)—>didn’t report
-Calculus BC (5)
-Environmental Science (5)
-Spanish Language (5)—>perfect score
-US History (5)
-English Language (5)
**IB (place score in parenthesis): **
-Art (6)
-Environmental Science (5)—>didn’t report
Senior Year Course Load: 6 full year classes (all AP/IB), 1 online semester course, one fake class for my EE that I didn’t bother reporting
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit, National AP Scholar, National Spanish Exam Gold Medalist (4 times)
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
-(Chapter Treasurer) for my BBYO (Jewish leadership org) chapter
-(Chapter VP of Membership) for my BBYO chapter
-(Regional VP of Recruitment) for South Texas BBYO
-(Chapter Treasurer) for Junior Statesmen of America (debate-lite)
-Gold Cup Piano Soloist
-Art (see IB above)
-Black belt in Tae Kwon Do
-some Krav Maga experience
**Job/Work Experience: **
-Lifeguard at local pool
-Intern at Baylor Genetics Lab to help with integrating new Knowledge Management System (like an internal Google)
Volunteer/Community service:
-Red Cross volunteer
-Friendship Circle volunteer (kids w/ disabilities)
**Summer Activities: **
-International Leadership Training Camp in Pennsylvania
-Travel
-Internship mentioned above
Essays (rating 1-10, details): I thought my first essay was really strong, maybe an 8, but I’m obviously biased. I chose the “Where’s Waldo” prompt from a few years ago and essentially worked in my resume, with all my extracurriculars spun as ways I’m attempting to catch the elusive Waldo. My “Why Uchicago” Essay was OK; it probably could have been much better. The list essay was nothing special. I talked about Django Unchained and Inception, and why these two movies are not only some of Leo’s best work, but also relatable to me (minus the whole plantation part). That was definitely my weakest essay.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: Math teacher I’ve had for 4 years; he’s very… honest, but I think he wrote me a good rec letter
Teacher Rec #2: Spanish 4 teacher; she really liked me, especially because I’m not a native speaker and I got a really good score on the AP
Counselor Rec: My counselor has met me about 3 times in my entire 4 years of high school. It;s really not her fault, I go to a school of about 3600 kids, and she has a few hundred of those to look at.
Additional Rec: none
Interview: I thought it went well. We met in my interviewer’s 20th floor office in downtown Houston (which was intimidating), but she seemed really down to earth. I also found out that she likes Game Of Thrones too, so that was a nice surprise.
Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Computer Science
State (if domestic applicant): TX
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Large public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 300+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): not really, parents both have grad degrees
Reflection
Strengths: Strong grades and test scores, strong first essay
Weaknesses: No real hooks, lack of volunteer service and sports, possibly weaker 2nd and 3rd essays
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: My “Why UChicago” and my list essays must have been worse than I thought. Also, lack of volunteer service and high-level sports
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Auto-admitted into the University of Texas
General Comments: Congratulations to all of you who made it in, and I hope that I can join you when they release decisions in March.
EA
Decision: Accepted
- Provost Scholar: $37500 over four years
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1590 new version
Reading&Writing 790
Math 800
ACT (breakdown): didn’t take
SAT II:
Math II 800
US History 800
Physics 800
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: N/A
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/36
AP (place score in parenthesis):
A total of 17 over last two years, all five except for Computer Science
Calculus BC 5, Physics C Mechanics 5, Physics C Electricity and Magnetism 5, US History 5, World History 5, European History 5, Chemistry 5, Biology 5, English Language and Composition 5, English Literature and Composition 5, Statistics 5, Macroeconomics 5, Microeconomics 5, Environmental Science 5, Human Geography 5, Psychology 5, Computer Science 4
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Toefl: 116/120, Reading 30, Listening 30, Speaking 27, Writing 29
Senior Year Course Load:
AP Biology+ Human Geography+ Environmental Science (have nothing to take, so gliding through them)
Chinese
German
English
US Government
Chinese History
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
AP international Scholar (2 out of about 110000 test takers, the first junior winner since 2006)
A couple of not-too-impressive physics awards: 20th in Physics Bowl, Gold Medal& Top Scorer on Princeton University Physics Competition; Chinese National Physics Olympiad semifinalists*2 (should be higher but got very sick); expecting to get a Gold on the BPHO Chinese chapter (taken in Nov.).
RSC3 Chemistry National Finalist (really tame actually)
AIME qualifier (even tamer)
Other miscellaneous awards in science, debate, etc.
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service:
Summer Activities:
The previous four: I don’t want to type too many useless and tiring things since my EC are probably not above average among Chinese applicants to top US schools.
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common essay: 9/10. Others who have read my essay actually have much higher confidence than I do. About my interest in maps and how it relates to my physics& history study. Probably pretty good overall, but not impressively clear in some details.
Supplement: 9.5/10. The portal one, about how I got interested in listening to speeches and how it influenced my perspective in history; not very concise, about 800 words, written essentially in the last three days.
Why Chicago: 8/10. Above-average in focus (how I got to know Uchi& free speech from the perspective of a Chinese student), but still not a too impressive one, also runs too long.
List: 8.5/10. Pretty good focus, could’ve been better in retrospect
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
assume pretty good
Teacher Rec #1:
Teacher Rec #2:
Counselor Rec:
Additional Rec: no
Interview: requested, didn’t got one
Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: No (should qualify, but Uchi almost never gave it to Chinese)
Intended Major: Physics and History
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant): China
School Type: Private Boarding
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: should qualify for FA, didn’t apply for it
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): N/A
Reflection
Strengths: GPA, ranking, SAT
AP (15 of 17 self-studied), somewhat focused and good-sounding awards,
the main supplement essay, a coherent profile
gender (probably because Uchi seems to be the only top school that prefers male Chinese applicants)
Two people from my city were accepted last year, and only I applied this year.
Weaknesses: EC& nationality
EA status (lack of commitment)
Not from Beijing
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
Because my strengths outweighs my weaknesses?
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
Nothing else yet. Applying for Harvard Princeton Yale Stanford Columbia and a few other liberal arts colleges in RD (hoping for the FA)
General Comments : It is really a shock to know that only 2-3 out of about 40 Chicago admits apllied through EA and that Uchi last gives a Provost Scholar to a Chinese student in 2014; didn’t though could ever get in had I known this information before yesterday. Essentially, very suprising and lucky. Hoping for good RD results. Good Luck everyone
**Decision: Waitlisted **
Objective:
ACT (breakdown): 33 ( 33 E, 34 R, 35 M, 31 S)
SAT II: 800 Bio M 760 Math II
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.95
Weighted GPA: 4.16
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 7/222
AP (place score in parenthesis): World (3-did not sent), Bio (5), Lang (5), APUSH
Senior Year Course Load: AP Psych, AP Calc BC, AP Lit, AP Chem, AP Gov, physics
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): nothing major
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
- Debate 4 years (captain 3 years) This is where a majority of my time and awards go
- Track 3 years
- One Act Play 3 years
- SADD 4 years (Student Board 3 years)
- NHS 2 years
- Student Council 2 years
- TEAM+S 2 years
- Math Team 1 year
Job/Work Experience: - spent 40 hours a week working in a biological research lab this summer. Studied a new drug for Alzheimer’s
Volunteer/Community service: 150ish hours
Summer Activities: - Research
- Debate Camps
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
-Supplement: Over the second topic, my teacher thought it was creative. - Why Chicago: I thought it was good. I was very specific with things from my visit
- Favorites: All over Robert Frost’s “A Road Not Taken.” The topic is cliche but it’s important to me because of a few unique reasons and I think that came through
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Didn’t read either but they know me well and I loved their classes
Teacher Rec #1: AP Bio teacher
Teacher Rec #2: Honors English 10 teacher
Counselor Rec: She knows me sorta. More than others for sure.
Interview: None but I think I’ll try one because I got deferred
Other
Applied for Financial Aid?:
Intended Major: Biology or neuroscience
State (if domestic applicant): Nebraska
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: $180,000ish idk
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): nada
Reflection:
I don’t think I have anything that really stands out except research experience which at this point even isn’t even huge. One of my best friends also applied EA who had a 35, all 5’s, National merit semifinalist, and basically all the same extracurricular but without debate or as much leadership and more music who also didn’t get in. I was surprised because I thought one of use would get in. Still hoping though.
**Decision: Accepted EA **
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 35C: 36R, 36W, 35S, 34M
SAT II: N/A
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.3
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): School doesn’t report
AP (place score in parenthesis): APHG: 4, World: 5, APUSH: 5, Psych: 5, Macro: 5, Lang: 5
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Lit, AP Calc AB, Advanced Latin, Advanced Humanities, AP Enviro, AP Micro, AP US GoPo, AP Comparative GoPo
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Lots of debate awards, Sewanee Book Award, Transylvania University Diplomacy Scholarship, AP Scholar with distinction, Wilson Wyatt Debate Scholarship
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Debate (head captain), Model UN, Youth in Government, Beta Club, NHS, Student Senate
Job/Work Experience: Worked on two political campaigns
Volunteer/Community service: Established a debate program at this local title 1 middle school. I go over there for around 3 hours a week to teach them debate. Also lots of volunteering at local elementary schools, with their reading and math programs.
Summer Activities: Senior year: Henry Clay Student Congress at Transylvania University
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common App: 10/10. Wrote about overcoming a fear of public speaking and how it changed my vies of myself.
Why UChicago: 9/10. Wrote about superficiality as an often important factor of something’s appeal, and explained how my superficial attraction for law led me to my passion. Tied this back to UC by saying I was first attracted by UC’s “superficial” aspects–houses, scav, general quirkiness–before falling in love with the school and its culture.
Uncommon: 10/10. Used the “combine historical figures” prompt from last year. Wrote about Ayn Rand Paul, a combination of Ayn Rand and Senator Rand Paul, living in a world where the USSR invaded the US in the 70s.
Favorites: 9/10. Fairly run of the mill. Most unique part was writing about my favorite contraction (y’all) and how it represents a contraction between words, but also between north and south, and my past and future.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: 10/10. English teacher from last year. She recommended me to a summer program last year and loves me.
Teacher Rec #2: 8/10. Math teacher from last year. Doesn’t know me quite as well but said he enjoyed me in class.
Counselor Rec: 9/10. I assume it was good. Barely knew my counselor lol
Additional Rec: 10/10. From my debate coach. She wrote about my abilities as a leader and a teacher.
Interview: Applied for one but never got one
Other:
I showed a TON of demonstrated interest, beginning my sophomore year. Campus visits, attending info sessions, getting to know my admissions counselor, etc
Applied for Financial Aid?: yes
Intended Major: political science/econ/global studies/history (some combination of 2)
State (if domestic applicant): Kentucky
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: public (magnet)
Ethnicity: white
Gender: male
Income Bracket: ~120k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): not really anything super interesting tbh. Made my high school career SUPER focused around law, govt, and politics
Reflection
Strengths: Essays, test scores, debate, grades
Weaknesses: Didn’t have a ton of ECs like some applicants, applied EA instead of ED
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Probably my essays
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: haven’t heard back yer. Waiting on vandy, washU, centre, and UK
General Comments : I still can’t believe it. This is my dream school
**Decision: Accepted ED **
Objective
SAT I (breakdown): 2090: 720 M, 740 R, 720 W
ACT (breakdown): 31: 36 E, 29 M, 34 R, 24 S (lol RIP)
SAT II: 800 Spanish w/o Listening, 760 Literature
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.93
Weighted GPA: 4.2
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): n/a
AP (place score in parenthesis): 5 Euro, 4 Spanish Lang, 4 English Lang, 5 Spanish Lit
IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a
Senior Year Course Load:
AP Art History
AP French
AP English Literature
Physics Honors
AP US History
Calculus
Advanced Journalism
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
Well, I don’t know what a ‘major’ award is, but: National Hispanic Scholar, International Academic Competition Divisional Award in Essay Writing, TeenInk Editor’s Choice Award, National Novel Writing Month Winner
Subjective
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Self-taught fluency in French, Journalism (section editor), Diversity Club (public relations chair), Student Council (class rep),Creative Writing Club (president), also studied abroad in Spain my junior year
Job/Work Experience: Staff writer for a company
Volunteer/Community service: 200ish hours
Summer Activities: Iowa Young Writer’s Studio, Summer@Brown Essay Program
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 9 (I am really, really proud of it, but I’d never give my own writing a 10)
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details)
Teacher Rec #1: 9 - English teacher, he told me I was one of his favorites.
Teacher Rec #2: 10 - Art History teacher, he really, really likes me, and we talk a lot after class is over, so he knows quite a bit about me
Counselor Rec: 8 - She likes me and, I think, really advocated for my behalf
Additional Rec: n/a
Interview: 6-7 - Sort of average? But not bad at all
Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: no
Intended Major: Philosophy, Romance Literatures, Art History
State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: private
Ethnicity: white hispanic
Gender: female
Income Bracket: unknown
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM
Reflection
Strengths: having studied abroad during 11th grade, ESSAYS.
Weaknesses: test scores (!!!)
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: a MIRACLE, but maybe my writing?
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted at Bard College Berlin
General Comments : I can’t believe it’s real!!!