<p>darkrulerII</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Yes</p></li>
<li><p>No.</p></li>
<li><p>We only use that list for finalist status.</p></li>
<li><p>That's great.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>dyserenity - They can be by anyone.</p>
<p>hey libby~i've received the life of mind view book!! it's so well down and makes me know more about the university and love more about U of C~ thanks for all the efforts! cheers</p>
<p>Oh, this forum is awesome! Every college should have this thing! haha.</p>
<p>Okay, here are my questions Libby:</p>
<p>1) My main concern in my application are SAT scores. I know that UOC says they don't consider it as much as "other factors" but really now, how MUCh do they consider it. I'll just go ahead and say it - is a score around 2000 way too low. I plan to bring it up, though...</p>
<p>2) Can you numerically or explain in detail how much chances increase if a person applies EA rather than regular? Is it like the 100 point SAT increase thing?</p>
<p>3) If accepted to EA, what is the average fin. aid? I know it is a LOT LESS than if accepted regular decision.</p>
<p>4) For our 'uncommon essays,' if we are zany, wacky, humurous, or all of the above...can this come off as too extreme. I have a lot of references in my essay about the Mad Hatter's tea party (one of this year's prompts), for example...but will that make it seem superficial?</p>
<p>5) What process do you recommend for revising our essays thoroughly?</p>
<p>6) How much weightage does being interviewed give, does it add to the application if we chose to take one?</p>
<p>Wow, so many questions! Thank you very much for reading, and I eagerly await your response.</p>
<p>= )</p>
<p>Manu, I'm not Libby, but last year my d. was accepted RD after being deferred EA. Her SAT scores were below 2000 (1930 to be exact). She submitted a humorous and kind of wacky essay, on her own topic. I do think that the topic she chose was superficial -- about the only thing it conveyed about her was that she's got a great sense of humor and doesn't take herself too seriously -- but I'm sure that the ad com got a smile out of reading it, and it probably made her app stand out a little. She asked for an interview but never got one. (Libby said something in a provious post about things being messed up in our geographic area -- I guess there weren't enough local alumni interviewers to handle everyone).</p>
<p>I don't know about last year, but in the past there has been no significant statistical difference between the EA admit rate and RD admit rate -- so applying EA probably doesn't increase your chances. However, I think last year Chicago accepted about 1/3 of the EA applicants, deferred about 1/3, and rejected about 1/3. Now it is that deferred group that has a big advantage, I think -- not that their chances are better overall, but because they are going to have their application looked at a 2nd time. My d. thought maybe the wacky, humorous, superficial essay hadn't gone over that well, so after the deferral she sent in a supplemental essay that was more personal, and a copy of a graded writed sample from one of her AP classes. It must have worked -- or maybe Chicago just wanted to see her midyear grades - either way, she got in.</p>
<p>Financial aid is pretty much need based only (there is a small amount of merit aid for very top applicants, but with a 2000 SAT, you probably wouldn't be in the running for that) -- and I doubt that EA vs. RD makes a difference. Your need is what it is. It happened that my d. had a more generous offer from a different college, and chose to go there instead -- but I would have a hard time believing that the EA application had anything to do with that. </p>
<p>I actually would encourage anyone seriously interested in Chicago to apply EA, because there really is nothing to lose. You get an early answer, and if you are like my d. and get deferred, then you have a chance to think about ways to improve your application.</p>
<p>Libby,
2 non-admissions related questions:
1) How many classes do students typically take per quarter?
2) For study abroad, does UofC allow students to find their own programs, or participate in programs besides UofC's own, if UofC doesn't have a program in a certain area?
And admissions:
1) If I took a couple of accredited college courses through a summer program, do you want an official transcript sent (it's pretty expensive)? Or will a photocopy or listed grades suffice?</p>
<p>Thanks so much calmom! Your story or rather your daughter's story, was quite insightful. I'm seriously considering applying to University of Chicago early now...haha. I mean, from what you've said, if you apply early, its almost like having a 50-50 chance of getting in because:
1) There's already the 40% chance
2) If you apply early, 1/3 are accepted, 1/3 are deferred
3) If you're deferred you can fix your app and have a greater chance of getting in
So according to that, I have an INDIRECT, but existant chance if I apply early
Thank you!</p>
<p>And writonthetransom, I have the same question, what if we have summer courses/programs in several different places, how can we afford to send like ELEVEN of them everywhere...each one is like 16 dollars anyway, and I have three classes...I don't want to spend 500 dollars on sending in SUPPLEMENTAL transcripts...
any one have any idea on how to fix this?</p>
<p>Well, I do think that Chicago is likely to get a tad more selective this coming year -- the 40% admit rate is a thing of the past -- I think 36% got admitted overall for the class of 2010. So I think it's fair to look at it as a probable one-out-of-three chance -- and I do agree that the chances are slightly improved for the deferred group over what they would be if they simply applied RD, but I have no idea of the statistics. However, I don't think Chicago plays games with stringing anyone along - I think that a deferral means they seriously are interested in that student, but the student just wasn't quite strong enough to make the initial cut. I know of many cases of Chicago students who were deferred EA and then admitted in the spring. </p>
<p>The reason that Chicago will be a little more selective is just that all colleges expect even more applicants this coming year than last year, and this past year they were over-enrolled -- that is, their yield was higher than expected, which makes things tricky in terms of finding housing for all the students. I think its all supposed to peak in the year 2008, and then the numbers from the baby-boom-echo generation or whatever you guys are will start to subside. If any of you guys have very young siblings (like elementary school age), things should be a little easier for them when they're ready for college.</p>
<p>Yes, I understand what you're saying. I was just getting that 40 percent number from the US news rankings (I'm subscribed to the full premium edition too) and it says about 40 % are accepted EA and RD. Yeah, a deferral is hard to deal with though, if you were really hoping to go to that college, because it can be so demotivating...You think, "If I'm not good enough for the early round, will I be good for the regular one, where there's tons of good people?"</p>
<p>Yeah, I guess its because there's just SO MANY of us, and it has been SO COMPETITIVE! I feel sorry for the next year if they indeed have it worse than we do. My sister's 6 years old right now, so hopefully, she'll have an easier time right now. I just have to ask myself WHY WHY WHY! WHY does it have to be US that's at the peak of this trend, or whatever? Oh well, that's life I guess.</p>
<p>Manu, the 40% number is from the previous year's data -- 2005 admit stats. So it was a big drop this past year to 36%. Not that it really matters.... if you are destined to get in, you'll get in. ;) [That's really the only way to look at it and keep your sanity -- in my daughter's case, after all the financial aid awards came in, destiny clearly pointed another way]</p>
<p>Suprisingly, my daughter was actually happy when she got the deferral from Chicago - she was so happy it wasn't a rejection!</p>
<p>Oh okay, I thought it was updated, because Princeton was 1st, Harvard was second, which is supposed to be only this year for the first time. Anyway, yeah 36% is STILL really good, only 4% less, but your mind makes it feel like a lot more (its that thing about how the mind perceives number) 30 something is worse than 40...
Yeah, I suppose that's true. I'm going to go where I'm destined to go, but I kinda believe that I have to CREATE my destiny thru my own choices, thus I'm back where I started, but yeah its a good way to look at it!</p>
<p>I hope this is not a personal question, and you don't have to answer it. I have been trying to find what the average financial aid that U of Chicago gives (and other colleges), and every source shows different averages and stuff. How much, approximately, was offered in fin aid for your daughter?</p>
<p>Manu, financial aid is entirely dependent on individual financial circumstances -- so the amount of aid my daughter got depended on our FAFSA and CSS Profile info. Comparing average financial packages won't help you in any way, because you don't know where you stand financially compared to other families. </p>
<p>I will tell you that the award included more than $5000 in loans. This was higher than most schools wanted. Looking at average loan amounts for school will help you predict financial aid awards, because most colleges build the awards starting with loans - so you will get loan+work study+ grant. The higher the loan, the less the grant. The maximum subsidized Stafford loan for the first year is $2625, and several colleges my daughter got into limited the loan to that amount -- that means those schools all gave her more in grant money. </p>
<p>There are published statistics available for all colleges as to the average financial packages and average student loan amounts, both at the US News site and the IPEDs Cool site [<a href="http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool/%5D%5B/url">http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool/][/url</a>] If a college purports to meet 100% need of all students, as Chicago does, then the most significant thing you can look at to compare practices is the average loan amounts -- the big difference you will see in 100% need schools is in loan amounts. Keep in mind that whatever the loan amount in freshman year, it is likely to increase in subsequent years - so while the difference may not seem too significant for one year, it really can make a difference in overall debt after 4 years.</p>
<p>Also, keep in mind that when private colleges say they meet 100% need, they mean <em>need</em> as they define it. The Chicago award for our family was not good compared to the other full need colleges where my daughter was admitted. But I would hesitate to assume that situation would apply in all cases -- there is a lot of leeway as to how colleges treat individual family finances. </p>
<p>I honestly would encourage you to apply to some safety colleges that you know you can afford (usually an in-state public), and then apply to Chicago and several other colleges where you will need financial aid. Applying EA is not binding on you -- so even if you get admitted in December, you do not have to make a decision until May 1st after you have awards from other schools as well. You can use the calculators at <a href="http://www.finaid.org%5B/url%5D">www.finaid.org</a> to estimate your EFC; be sure to try calculating both under the "Institutional Methodology" and "Federal Methodology". If it looks like you will qualify for aid, then the only way you are going to know for sure is to go ahead and apply. In the spring you will be able to compare awards and choose among the colleges that are affordable to your family.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I have to disagree with newmassdad about the orchestra not being renowned for its quality. I played cello for 10 years before coming to the university, around the country and around the world with different orchestras, and the University Symphony was THE BEST orchestra I ever played with. I'd have to say that Barbara Schubert's personality gets mixed reactions, but her conducting absolutely does not.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>We'll have to disagree on this one. </p>
<p>First, I've never seen a more distracting conductor, speaking as an audience member.</p>
<p>Second, I've heard from multiple musicians, most of them former members, that Barbara does not even keep consistent time - tough for players to follow.</p>
<p>Yes, there are a good number of performance opportunities on campus, but Chi is not a performance institution.</p>
<p>If the U of C Symphony is the best you played in, Libby, sorry to hear that. I'm glad you had fun (maybe still do, as I understand they allow community members to play) but be aware that a lot of students have higher standards. They just don't continue in the Symphony. They do chamber or other things.</p>
<p>hey libby --</p>
<p>I have the paper application [but am doing my app online], and I'm wondering if it is necessary to send in the 2A form even if all that information is covered in the transcript itself?</p>
<p>I am applying EA. If I take my SAT I in november how do I say that in the application, and how do I go about making sure you guys get the scores in a timely manner?</p>
<p>Manu2007</p>
<p>1) My main concern in my application are SAT scores. I know that UOC says they don't consider it as much as "other factors" but really now, how MUCh do they consider it. I'll just go ahead and say it - is a score around 2000 way too low. I plan to bring it up, though...</p>
<p>I have never seen anyone's decision hinge on their SAT score, whereas I have seen it hinge on the interview, recommendation, transcript, essay, etc.</p>
<p>2) Can you numerically or explain in detail how much chances increase if a person applies EA rather than regular? Is it like the 100 point SAT increase thing?</p>
<p>There is no increase in chances.</p>
<p>3) If accepted to EA, what is the average fin. aid? I know it is a LOT LESS than if accepted regular decision.</p>
<p>Not true. Financial aid is based on your financial situation alone, not when you apply.</p>
<p>4) For our 'uncommon essays,' if we are zany, wacky, humurous, or all of the above...can this come off as too extreme. I have a lot of references in my essay about the Mad Hatter's tea party (one of this year's prompts), for example...but will that make it seem superficial?</p>
<p>I've never seen it come off as too extreme for us. Sometimes people try to funny essays that just aren't funny, but mostly we enjoy them.</p>
<p>5) What process do you recommend for revising our essays thoroughly?</p>
<p>Get together one afternoon with your friends and pass your essays around the table. Have each person mark up each essay, and then pass it along. I would not recommend emailing an essay to a friend, or putting it on a discussion board -- too easy to steal.</p>
<p>6) How much weightage does being interviewed give, does it add to the application if we chose to take one?</p>
<p>It does add to the application if you choose to have one, but it does not detract if you do not choose to have one.</p>
<p>The 2A form is required. You should give it to your counselor to fill out.</p>
<p>All testing must be completed before the deadline. If you are applying EA, test scores from November will not get to us in time. You need to send us an earlier test score.</p>
<p>writonthetransom</p>
<p>1) How many classes do students typically take per quarter?</p>
<p>3 or 4</p>
<p>2) For study abroad, does UofC allow students to find their own programs, or participate in programs besides UofC's own, if UofC doesn't have a program in a certain area?</p>
<p>Yes.</p>
<p>And admissions:
1) If I took a couple of accredited college courses through a summer program, do you want an official transcript sent (it's pretty expensive)? Or will a photocopy or listed grades suffice?</p>
<p>We do want an official transcript.</p>
<p>Wait, conductors are supposed to keep good time?</p>
<p>We'll just have to agree to disagree. I don't know how things are from the audience's perspective; I've never watched the symphony orchestra. But the quality doesn't rest on Barbara's shoulders alone; the musicians in it are the best the university has to offer. The chamber orchestra is designed for musicians who do not quite have the quality of playing that the musicians in the symphony do.</p>
<p>Thanks Libby.
If I'm ordering an official transcript from another college (UPenn specifically), what address should I have it sent to? I noticed the address on the recommendation forms is different from the one used if you decide to send an essay on paper. I'd guess the former, but I wanted to be sure.</p>
<p>Also, I just put in my request for my SAT scores to be sent. It told me that it would take 3-5 weeks, and I was pretty sure I wasn't supposed to rush them. Will they be okay for EA if it does happen to take 5 weeks?</p>