University of Chicago -- What do you think?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Alright-y folks, here’s me (purely numerical, etc)

I’m a current high school junior, Caucasian, female
Current GPA - 5.0 unweighted 5.64 unweighted
Rank - school got rid of rank, but counselor tells me I’m in top 10%, most likely top 5% (estimates)

Classes I’ve taken and plan to take:

Freshman Year: Honors Global Issues, Honors English 9, Honors Geometry, Honors Integrated Chemistry-Biology I, Journalistic Writing, French I, Web Page Design

Sophomore Year: AP European History, Honors English 10, Honors Algebra II, Honors Integrated Chemistry-Biology II, Marketing & Advertising, 2D Media I, French II

Junior Year: AP US History, AP Lang, Honors Pre-Calculus, AP Biology, Forensics, French III, Sociology, PE Student Leaders, Writing Center Consultant

Projected Senior Year: AP Government, Honors British Literature, AP Statistics, AP Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology I + II, AP Macroeconomics, 2D Media II+III, PE Student Leaders

AP Scores:
The only one I’ve taken so far is AP European History and I got a 5

I have yet to take the ACT or SAT but am preparing for it, will probably take the ACT in December and in the Spring

I plan to take the following SAT subject tests:

  • Biology
  • World History (I haven’t taken the class, but I’ve scored really well on all of the pre-tests so I’m gonna try it out anyways)

If I’m missing any information let me know, thank you in advance for your input!

  • Kirsty
2

ALSO…

I volunteer monthly at my local museum teaching small children about science at Science Night and do various restoration projects
Every summer I am a camp counselor for Camp Invention, a summer camp for elementary schoolers centered around STEM and engineering

I am in several clubs…

  • Art Club
  • Model UN (I go every year to the conference, MUNUC, hosted by UC every year if that helps)
  • Newspaper
  • Science National Honors Society
  • Social Studies National Honors Society

I play badminton and have been playing since freshman year

I plan to get a job this summer as a Swim Instructor at my local pool

3

UChicago is a reach for anybody. But, definitely get those tests taken, and remember you can’t take the SAT and the Subject tests on the same test date, so you will need two SAT dates for those. Take the subject tests ASAP, in case you need/want to take your ACT/SATs more than once.

4

Can’t tell a thing without test scores, which are pretty important at UChicago.

5

My first practice ACT was a 28 without any studying. I’m confident I can at least get a 32-34 after rigorous studying. I’m registered for the real test in Februrary and will take it at least one more time with my school

6

Need to know your tests scores. They look for students who think “outside the box”. Are you one of those? Your essay can make or break it too. There are no guarantees with University of Chicago. Make sure you apply to many schools. Don’t get your heart set on this one. (My daughter is a junior at University of Chicago. She did not do too many extracurriculars - just debate, no sports. Perfect SAT Scores. Above 4.0 Nerdy. Ecclectic.)

My advice to any and all that apply: unique essay. be brave. be unique. be yourself.

7

The 25-75% range for ACTs is 32-35. I’d shoot for at least a 34 to be above the 50% mark.