Watch out, it's an admissions counselor!

<p>I know Chicago looks at the entirety of the transcript (the quantified person if you will) but do you like Stanford circle 11-12 grade core academic classes and focus on those first, or where is the focus? Also does Chicago distinguish between plusses, minuses, and "regulars" when evaluating?</p>

<p>If we filled out at the basic information form on paper, could we still complete the rest of the application online?</p>

<p>Dear Libby,</p>

<p>I know UChicago does not place much emphasis on scores. I am not sure if this question has been asked yet, but in light of the fact that SAT scores have hit a 31-year low, will anything change in the way UChicago looks at 06-07applicant pool scores?</p>

<p>my essay is about 700 words, is that too short for U Chicago essay?</p>

<p>Another question about essays-</p>

<p>How harshly do you guys judge against "an essay of my choice"?</p>

<p>while we're on the subject of essays: are the why chicago and the favorite music/books/musicians essay ones supposed to be shorter than your main essays? I'm kind of worried about length on the why chicago and favorite music etc. one.</p>

<p>Don't worry about the length, just rip into that **** as best as you can...leave nothing unsaid you feel needs to be said.</p>

<p>Dear Libby, my friend told me that the interview for U of Chicago is available in Singapore. But on the online application, it wrote that interview request will only be available after 13 Sep. Shall the international students e-mail the admission counsellor before the date? Thank you=)</p>

<p>Your admissions counselor will not be interviewing you; you will be interviewed by an alum of the university. Interview requests will start to be taken on September 13.</p>

<p>Essays - we just want a page or two. If 700 words fits into "a page or two" then it should be fine.</p>

<p>Most of the essays we get are "essays of your choice". Mine was. Some of the best topics for the next year come out of topics someone made up when filling out their own applications.</p>

<p>Boo21 - we're not looking for you to comment extensively on every category, just to write on the one or many that move you most.</p>

<p>Scores - no idea. The demographics of our applicant pool fluctuate a little bit every year. We believe that our reading process helps us account for that, and allows us to make adjustments if we need to.</p>

<p>Libby, my son has received several of the U of Chicago postcards. I saw that you commented on these cards on another thread. If a prospective student fills out these cards, are they actually considered during the admissions process? (I know several people have asked about this, but I haven't actually seen an admissions officer address the question, just people giving their opinions.)</p>

<p>Thanks for the answer. :) That makes me very happy.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Most of the essays we get are "essays of your choice". Mine was. Some of the best topics for the next year come out of topics someone made up when filling out their own applications.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Libby, I have a question about interviews-- I am just curious.</p>

<p>My daughter applied last year and was accepted, but ultimately chose another college. She applied EA and at the time she applied indicated on line that she wanted an interview. Then she was deferred, and then admitted in the spring. But she was never contacted for an interview. (We live in the SF Bay Area). Obviously, since she was accepted, it didn't hurt her application - but I am curious as to how important the interviews are, and I figure this information might also be useful to current applicants. Are the interviews evaluative? Do the admissions counselors prioritize interview scheduling in any way? That is- when my daughter wasn't contacted, does that also mean that most candidates in our area were not interviewed, or just that it was considered less important to interview (perhaps because the ad com felt they already had enough info from her essay & recs)?</p>

<p>Libby, </p>

<p>How important really are ECs in the final admission decision?
If one's GPA, transcript, test scores, essays, etc. are on par, could a general lack of ECs (say, nothing more than a bit of community service each week) keep one from being admitted? If so, is there anything one can do at this point (senior year) to counter it?</p>

<p>Note: I ask this generally, not looking for any personal chances.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>Libby,</p>

<p>Another question, this one about additional recommendations.
My counselor and I haven't met together much, but another counselor and I have, in order to help get me enrolled into college courses. I asked him to write me a supplementary recommendation. Will that recommendation be judged like regular recommendations?</p>

<p>Also, can we submit two supplemntary recommendations?</p>

<p>Libby, a question about the recommendation requirements.</p>

<p>I know this might be a stretch, but does a foreign language teacher count under the "English/Social Studies" category for that particular rec?</p>

<p>Libby,</p>

<p>I will be applying for fall 2007. My school is really generous w/ AP credit as well as placement tests so I will essentially be a sophmore next semester. If I am accepted into Uof C how will it be determined what classes I am placed in/what credit I recieve?</p>

<p>Boo21: My essays ran long. My lengths last year were:</p>

<p>Why Chicago: 609
Favorite Stuff: 659
Long Essay: 1096
Supplemental Essay: 650</p>

<p>haha my fav stuff essay was like a 1000 words, so I have to do a redraft on it. :(</p>

<p>NJ Mom – they are not taken into account in the admissions process; they’re just for fun.</p>