<p>I really want to go to school in Chicago, but I am unsure of my chances. I checked out Northwestern but didn't really like it that much. I was hoping a few of you out there could give me some input on what you think my chances (if any) are at getting into the University of Chicago. Depending on which school I actually end up going to, I would like to major in either Accounting, Finance, French, or History. I already sent my app into Loyola of Chicago and I have no doubt that I'll get in. However, I am unsure of my shot at U of C.
Here are all of my Stats:</p>
<p>Academics:
Weighted GPA: 3.8 (unsure of my unweighted)
SAT: 1850/ 670 Math, 620 CR, 560 W
I am taking a full load this year with 4 AP classes and 2 Honors
I am in Calc AP...last year in PreCalc I received my first and only (knock on wood) C for 2nd Sem (B for 1st)</p>
<p>Awards/Achievements:
Eagle Scout
French II and French III H Student of the Year
Senior Leader for Xavier House (my high school just introduced the House System)
Communications Director for Amnesty International: 12th
NHS: 11th-12th</p>
<p>Work Experince:
Computer Assistant for the last 4 summers
eBay seller(<-- does that count?)
Small-time stock trader at Scottrade(<-- does that count too?)</p>
<p>Your GPA and SAT scores are weak. Unless you go to a not very competitive school, I doubt your GPA would even put you in the top of your class. Over 80% of UChicago acceptances are in the top 10%. Not to mention, the mid 50% of their SAT scores is 1350-1500. Only 14% of the accepted students had SATs under 1300. And you can bet they had either A) Amazing ECs, great essays, and amazing recs, or B) connections/money.</p>
<p>Basically, you have great ECs. But what people need to realize is that colleges still primarily judge applicants on GPA/class rank and SAT scores. ECs, essays, and recs are secondary, and imo, are only really taken into account at colleges that have such a strong applicant pool that they need to take factors other than academics into perspective. They also look at them for borderline students.</p>
<p>For you, Chicago would be a very big reach. I mean, you could still get in, but it would be highly unlikely. They are especially not going to like poor SAT scores and GPA(In respet to their applicant pool. Your grades and SATs are not bad) at a college that emphasizes academics.</p>
<p>Luckily for you, Chicago doesn't look at the writing section, so instead of a 1850 you have a 1290. That's still in the very bottom of the applicant pool. </p>
<p>Your ECs are alright, but I wouldn't call them great. </p>
<p>Chicago doesn't look at the SAT scores that highly, so while yours are low, I don't think they are low enough to cut you out. If you have some genuine reasons for why you want to go there (which you express well in the supplemental essay) and write a damn good essay, you have a shot. It's really all about the essay.</p>
<p>At Chicago, essays and course load are more important than class rank, ECs, and numerical GPA, and especially more than SATs. However, it's a unique sort of place that attracts mostly those with high SATs and high grades. Make sure you research the school and have reasons beyond "It's in Chicago" for why you want to attend. It's not for everybody.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your thoughts. I realized that it was a reach with my GPA and SATs but I thought that Eagle Scout would help quite a bit. I think I will most likely retake the SATs and work on my essays. </p>
<p>My class rank is barely in the top 20% (40/208). </p>
<p>If I did apply to Northwestern, do you guys think that that it would be not too big of a reach? Also, I am always worried colleges are going to see that C I got in PreCalc, do you think that since I only have one C it's not a huge deal.</p>
<p>For Chicago, essays and transcript (difficulty of courseload) are definitely weighted more heavy [heavier?] than are test scores or extracurriculars. Thus, if everything else about your application is packaged brilliantly, I doubt that one "C" will ruin your chances. Also, "ebay seller" would hardly count as work experience, IMHO. =) Not sure about the stock-trading thing, though.</p>
<p>Does Chicago offer Finance as a major? The courses/program book that it sent me does not list it as such.</p>
<p>Essentially, the real question is: How much of your blood runs Maroon? As someone has posted, do not apply if you would not be a good fit there, or if you do not love the school. Chicago and Northwestern are, after all, vastly different institutions.</p>
<p>Chicago and Northwestern are definitely reaches. The reason Chicago examines essays so closely is that most of their applicant pool is qualified academically due to a high amount of self-selection. Your SAT score, while not bad, is 100 points below the middle 50% range. Although they're not the most important thing in the application, that score will hurt you. A weighted GPA of 3.8 isn't going to be particularly helpful either, unfortunately. </p>
<p>Definitely apply- but be sure to have at least one safety that you really like.</p>