<p>(I'm aware there's another thread like this already posted, but this has a different purpose than the other.)</p>
<p>I'm not normally one to post neurotic "omg omg omg" threads, but yesterday I found out that I've been waitlisted at UChicago. I foolishly thought that I was a shoe-in there, so now I'm kind of rethinking my whole college life thing. (I also applied to Harvard, Brown, Columbia, and NYU, but I'm not expecting to get into any of those except perhaps NYU).</p>
<p>Here's the situation:
- I'm pretty sure that my numbers are more impressive than my ECs; I have some decent ones, like being the editor of my school newspaper, an executive position at my school's radio station in charge of finances, intern at a presidential political campaign, member of city council committee, and some lead roles in drama productions, but nothing that's really WOW.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>My numbers are solid (not extraordinary in terms of these schools, I know, and they could be better) - 35 ACT, 4.1 GPA, 760 on SAT English Lit, National Merit Commended Scholar (that's not a number!)</p></li>
<li><p>I've also got what I'd like to think are a few aces up my sleeve: one of my letters of recommendation was written by a Northwestern alum. However, I don't know for sure if she signed her maiden name or if she indicated that she was a Northwestern alum in her final draft of her letter. Either way, it was still a fantastic letter of rec.</p></li>
<li><p>Also, I kind of have legacy. My uncle went to Northwestern in the 50s. He's my uncle by marriage, but I hope that it still counts for something.</p></li>
<li><p>Finally, my Northwestern essay was by far the best and most inspired essay that I wrote. </p></li>
</ul>
<p>Give it to me straight. Should I be expecting disappointment or do I have a reason to be somewhat hopeful?</p>
<p>My school is on a 4.33 scale, where an A+ counts for more than an A. My counselor told me that my GPA translates into a 4.0 on a 4.0 scale (not sure if he’s correct). I’ve never gotten below an A- in a class. We don’t weigh AP classes either, though I’ve taken many of them.</p>
<p>You should not bother expecting anything with admissions these days. After a certain point, it is as much luck as anything else.</p>
<p>Your GPA and ACT are both good enough, based on your stated scale. I got in with like a 3.7 unweighted, and a 34 ACT. You would need to go into detail about EC’s. For instance, as a baseline, here were mine back in HS:</p>
<p>Team Captain of Academic Decathlon (ranked 3rd in state)
Varsity member of Quizbowl (ranked 2nd in state)
Varsity Tennis
We The People (went to state-level contest)
Science Olympiad
Mission Trips over the summer to 3rd world countries or poor rural US areas.</p>
<p>You can judge where you fall in comparison. Note that it is now a bit harder to get in, even compared to 4 years ago when I did. It also matters what major you list when you apply, or at least which program (WCAS vs. Engineering vs. Journalism)</p>
<p>But I would not worry too much. Being waitlisted, although the outcome is usually the same as rejection, means something else. It means that they think you are qualified, but just don’t have room. It is not uncommon for even the best applicants to get waitlisted or even rejected from some top schools, that is simply where the dice land. I hate to say it is chance, but it really is. </p>
<p>That being said, a lot of people at NU did not get admitted to UoC. Similarly, a good number who get into UoC don’t get into NU. They have different admission standards. Just relax, and don’t worry about it until you open the letters.</p>
<p>What an odd scale? Well if you’ve never receive less than an A [plus/minus/neutral/whatever] you have a 4.0 and therefore a GREAT chance at NU. Good luck!</p>
<p>If you’re not a shoo-in at most of the Ivies you aren’t a shoo-in at UChicago.</p>
<p>That said, Northwestern cares a lot more about extracurricular involvement and less about academics and essays than UChicago. (That’s not to say both schools don’t have extremely high standards for both.) So if you are pretty active in your community you probably have a better chance at Northwestern.</p>
<p>Northwestern is a little more consistent in being stats-driven; at U. of C. the essays weigh heavily and you may not have expressed a “U. of C. personality fit” well enough. Given that your NW essay shows more passion, it could well make the difference. I think you should be optimistic.</p>
<p>I don’t know the real answer, but I think the last two opinions you’ve gotten (listed above) contradict each other. </p>
<p>Given that the reported admissions stats for the two schools are virtually identical, it looks like it all depends on your fit for a specific program and the quality and number of other aps each school got this year.</p>
<p>It seems to me that NU focuses more on stats/ECs while UChicago focuses on whether or not you’re their “type” – this comes through in the essays. I was deferred and then rejected from UChicago but accepted to Northwestern. Your ACT score is very good (mine was a 34), as is your GPA. It’ll probably come down to your activities and how you have demonstrated interest in your intended major and/or Northwestern as a whole. Good luck to you, and don’t count yourself out because of your waitlist at UChicago.</p>