Hello, I’m a senior from West Virginia applying to the University of Chicago, and was wondering if anyone had some ideas on what my chances may be? I’m in the top 20% of my class with a GPA of 4.05, and have an ACT of 29 (34 in English and 33 in Reading). I’m the President/Leader of several organizations, often engage in community service projects (one of which impacted over 10 thousand people), and am also an award-winning writer and orator. I’m hoping to get my bachelors in psychology, and then get my JD/Ph.D (Law and psychology). Thanks for any information anybody can offer
Top 20% class rank and 29 ACT will hurt you.
Chicago really emphasizes the essays so make sure to do well on those.
Your chances are low unless you improve your ACT scores, or are hooked. For writing are you an award winning as in NYT bestseller, a national award, or a local award? Is your GPA weighted or unweighted, and what is the scale? Try to improve your ACT to 34 - sounds like you need to work on math and science.
My unweighted GPA is 4.0 out of 4.0
If your unweighted GPA is 4.0 and your weighted is 4.05 and class rank is top 20%, that tells me that you did not take a very rigorous courseload, which is a problem for schools like UChicago.
Is that the case?
Being a strong writer certainly helps, as UChicago loves good essays.
You should apply, but UChicago is a reach school.
I’ve taken 7 AP classes and almost all honors for core classes. I had a very rough sophomore year and ended with almost all B’s but have had more A’s than not, overall. Unfortunately, my dedication to the visual arts and music have also been a GPA hindrance since those classes are neither weighted nor offered as honors. For a student at my school, or even in my state, my studies have been quite rigorous as compared to most, but I know it’s much harder to compete with students across the nation
How do you have a 4.0 GPA with almost all B’s sophomore year?
How do you have a 4.0 UW GPA with B’s? That isn’t possible. Also, a 29 ACT puts admission at near impossible unless you are recruited or are URM/legacy.
@emilywrennh Are you applying to UChicago EA? If not, you could try to get your ACT score up; a 29 is not going to look too good.
However, UChicago places its biggest emphasis on the essays. Even if you have lower than average stats, a touching and powerful essay could get you accepted. If you don’t plan on raising your ACT, you should still apply, but pour your heart out into your essay.
@jarrett211 I made a mistake but can’t edit the post. My unweighted is around 3.85, which I know lowers my chances significantly
@azwu331- I’m hoping a set of well-written essays and some of my involvement with community and leadership programs might give me a fighting chance. Writing, fortunately, is one of my greatest strengths
Your GPA is 4.0 uw and you’re top 20%? How many advanced classes have you taken?
Your uw/w comparison matters more, I believe. 3.85 is not bad if your schedule is loaded with APs (or honors/IB equivalents). Get the ACT up and make your application very good, creative, etc. My brother had a 2100 SAT and got their STAMP scholarship.
My daughter is a junior who attends University of Chicago. She is in the Law, Letters and Society Program. It’s difficult to say what your chances will be given your description. Theoretically, I believe you could be accepted.
However, you’re not the only award winning student or the only one with an over 4.0 GPA or high test scores. University looks at applications holistically. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of a strong essay - I mean a ‘killer’ unique essay. University of Chicago does not like “cookie cutter” students. They are not likely to necessarily be impressed with all of your extracurriculars. And, I am in no way trying to put you down. I am trying to be honest with you. You have impressive credentials.
The fact that you are interested in law and have a public speaking background is favorable to your application. University of Chicago seems to have a preference for debate and those who exhibit a strong aptittude for critical thinking.
My advice (if you have not already applied): Don’t show off. Don’t use phrases like: “impacted 1000 people” - Harvard and Stanford might like that, University of Chicago will not. I know this based on other high school students who have been rejected to University of Chicago but were accepted to other Ivy Leagues. My feeling is that University goes for uniqueness, nerdiness, eccentric, brillant and nonconforming. Be yourself. Be authentic. And if you are not that kind of person, then don’t apply there. If you write an essay to impress them, you will not be accepted. Others might argue I am wrong. This is my impression, though. Do not underestimate the importance of a strong essay. Do not let your mother or father look at it or edit it either. My daughter’s friend was just as bright as my daughter and she was rejected. But her mother is a helicopter parent and an English professor. She went over the essay with a fine toothed comb. We have a feeling that’s why she wasn’t accepted.
I wish you luck. Don’t take anything I say seriously. I offer only one perspective. I do not know you. Only you know your chances based on how well you know yourself.
It’s certainly a great place for a person to be if they are interested in law or politics. Chicago is a great city too. 
grade inflation seems prevalent
Sorry to say this. however, if you have Bs, I very much doubt you will be accepted. My daughter also had perfect SAT scores. It’s not enough to have relatively high scores. They are looking for near perfect scores. There are always exceptions though. If your heart is set on University of Chicago, then by all means, apply. But look at other schools too. Georgetown has a great political science/law program. Not as highly ranked as University of Chicago, but a very strong program.
I agree.