<p>Thank you Libby for all the answers you've provided!</p>
<p>I've been interested in U of C for a while now and your friendliness/answers have made me consider it so much more. </p>
<p>I'm going to be setting up an interview as soon as I find out my working hours! =] Thank you for proving to me that U of C isn't a hallucinogenic dream!</p>
<p>We normally don't interview while on the road. To schedule an on-campus interview, you must call 773-702-8650. To schedule an alumni interview, wait until September and click the alumni interview request button when it becomes available on the online application.</p>
<p>mom616</p>
<p>Austin no longer works at our office. You should call the main number if you want to speak with an admissions representative. He has probably already replied to you, telling you this.</p>
<p>Does University of Chicago look at the ACT essay? I have taken the ACT w/ writing ( 36 in English but a LOW essay grade) but I just dont think the essay grade reflects my writing abilities.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>LIbby, I've asked before about this. My child's admission's counselor is Mr. Bean. We have tried emailing and calling. We've left messages for a call back. All to no avail. Who should/could we talk to there? Frankly, I'm soured on Chicago because of this. When we visited, we reallly thought admissions had there act together. Why wouldn't an admission's counselor respond? We started trying to reach him last spring. This is ridiculous.</p>
<p>I noticed (in another thread) that Austin Bean has left the admissions office and is in the process of being replaced by another regional counselor. That might account for some of the lack of connection.</p>
<p>Also, try the main phone number...?</p>
<p>Call us: 773-702-8650</p>
<p>mom616 - see my answer two messages above your last.</p>
<p>Libby, could you give us some statistics or information regarding acceptance rates for UChicago students into grad programs? I want to go to law school, but it seems that UChicago doesn't hand out many solid A's and that a 3.25 gpa means you've done pretty well at UChicago. Has grade deflation hurt UChicago students in terms of acceptance into graduate programs, especially to law school?</p>
<p>The Odyssey money will go toward need-based aid, which is great. But . . . does do you think an indirect effect of this will be that a bit more money will become available for merit-based aid?</p>
<p>Libby, can I request a fee waiver if I am an international? If yes, what is the procedure?</p>
<p>Libby,
In comparison to other years, how does the University weigh the GPA of Freshmen year?
In regards to GPA, does UChicago value an upward trend leading to a 4.0 the same as a steady 4.0?</p>
<p>Libby, I've written previously re advice on getting a response from the admissions counselor for our area, Mr. Bean. The responses to my post all suggested calling and indicated that we should not have a problem. Well...NOT. We had a good visit at Chicago last fall, and were so impressed with the admissions counselor who led the info session. (Can't remember her name, dark hair, 40's, law school grad). We never expected this non response. I'm encouraging him to heed the early signals and drop Chicago. He hasn't yet decided. Any final advice - BEYOND calling Mr. Bean.</p>
<p>mom616: It sounds like you are still trying to reach Austin Bean. Like Libby already said, he no longer works there. Other counselors have replaced his region, so find the counselor for your region and call them. </p>
<p>Thank you. Bean is gone - got the message, finally. Sorry I didn't look back at posts sooner. What's odd is that my child still got Bean's voicemail just a couple of weeks ago. Now I just need to move beyond the negative feelings I've developed about Chicago. Between this issue and so much of the seemingly mean-spirited banter between Chicago students on this board, I'm turned off. Our kid is really bright, kind and tons of fun. He loves to compete in athletics, but in intellectual or musical pursuits, he is fuelded by collaborative efforts. There are plenty of really kind, fun, smart people. I'm sure many are at Chicago, they just don't seem to dominate or define that communiity.</p>
<p>Uh . . . this is Libby Pearson's space, but "mean-spirited banter between Chicago students on this board"? What could you possibly be referring to, mom616? The Chicago students who post here regularly are -- at least in cyberspace -- some of the sweetest, smartest, most honest, fairest, and most generous of spirit student posters I've noticed. Seriously. I would put them up as a group against anyone. They are a strong, strong argument for going to Chicago. </p>
<p>I know that on a deep, emotional level: Last spring, when my child and his parents were debating whether he should choose Chicago or a not-less-prestigious college that was offering him a significant merit scholarship, one of the things I kept coming back to was that those were the types of kids I hoped he would meet in college.</p>
<p>I want to second JHS's opinion. mom616-- If you look back to comments beginning June 1, we have been gently responding to your problem over and over again. Libby included.</p>
<p>Rest assured that Chicago is one of many wonderful schools with amazing students. So, you are "turned off" and judge the community by your interpretation of an online forum. I'm sure your child will excel no matter where you choose to have him apply.</p>
<p>Wow. It's hard to tell moods from email messages. But I'd have to say that we've all been trying to help your son out. I guess my best advice at this point would be for you to bow out and let your son take the reins. Does he like Chicago? Yes? Great. No? There are lots of other places. Is his mom bent out of joint, partially because she ignores well-meaning advice on an anonymous board? How could that possibly be important?</p>
<p>My apologies if I offended those who responded on my "missing Bean" requests for help. You were indeed helpful. But when I read through other threads about Chicago, the students generally sound mean-spirited. There are a few repeat offenders. I also look at postings related to other colleges that my child is considering. In comparision, the tone between Chicago students seems negative. That certainly isn't enough too make or break a decision, but between that and the admissions communication, or rather, lack there of, it just sets a temporary mood. </p>
<p>Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>mom616:</p>
<p>I think in looking at these forums one has to pay attention to who is an actual Chicago student and who is a high-school troll trying to provoke people by making outrageous statements. For some reason, Chicago seems to attract a number of those (MIT, too). </p>
<p>Follow the posts by unalove, corranged, and jack<a href="as%20well%20as%20others%20whose%20screen%20names%20I%20don't%20recall%20right%20now">a bunch of numbers</a>. They are simply a great group of students and a real credit to the university.</p>
<p>I apologize for butting in, but I just couldn't believe there was a parent out there who actually disliked them.</p>
<p>mom616,
I'm also chiming in to say students[ and parents of students] at Chicago are very, very nice and helpful. I've been reading these forums for 3 years now and have NEVER seen bad or mean spirited comments from those actually associated with Chicago. I suggest you step back and start over re: your feelings about Chicago, because I think they have been colored by your being new to the Chicago forums and not knowing which posts are the ones to pay attention to.</p>