What are my chances for UChicago?

Salutations,

I will be applying to the University of Chicago EA this fall and I would like some feedback on what you would think my chances would be of being admitted into the college. I appreciate your time and consideration. Let’s get started!

ACT:
Composite: 32

English: 31

Mathematics: 35

Science: 33

Reading: 32

Writing: 11 out of 12

Superscore: 33

SAT: N/A

SAT Subject Tests: Spanish–780 and I will be taking Math II and Chemistry in October

UW GPA: 3.8
W GPA: 4.21

Coursework: AP Spanish (5), AP Human Geo (5), AP Language and Composition (5), AP US History (5), AP Physics 1 (3)

Currently Enrolled in: AP Calc BC, AP Economics (Micro&Macro), AP Chemistry and Dual Enrollment at Harper College for English, but I intend on taking the AP Literature and Composition exam.

AP Scholar with Distinction

I finished AP Spanish my sophomore year and I took French for the subsequent years. I am now enrolled in Honors French III.

Extracurriculars:

-Latin American Student Organization: VP Junior Year, President Senior Year

-Math Team: Competitor and State Qualifier– 88/250 individuals at State (Junior and Senior year)

-Science Olympiad: Competitor and Regional Qualifier (Junior and Senior year)

-Liturgy Core Team: Mass Organizer and Foreman (Frosh/Soph)

-Campus Ministry Team: Service Coordinator and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity for two years (Frosh/Soph)

-Football: Player for Frosh/Soph years

-Student Council: Representative all four years

-Peer Tutor: I tutor in Chemistry, Mathematics, Spanish and French during my lunch period and after school

-National Honor Society

-National Spanish Honor Society

-UChicago Neubauer Summer Scholar: applied and accepted to Neubauer Summer Program to study Microbiology at UChicago and dorm on campus for three weeks all expenses paid.

-MIT WISE: All expenses paid trip to MIT for campus visit and sitting in on classes.

Work Experience:

-Kmart–2 Years–Customer Service Associate

-Athletico Physical Therapy–Present–Rehabilitation Aide

Background:

-State–Illinois
-School- Public
-Class Size - 597
-Gender- Male
-Income- <$75k per year
-Race/Ethnicity- Hispanic; Mexican
-Hooks- URM, First Gen

Essays: My CommonApp essay touches a bit upon my pre-professional goals and my relationship with my grandfather because I grew up without a father as he left when my mother found out she was pregnant.

My UChicago essay revolves around the idea of humble art and entails my passion for analog photography. I think that I showed a different aspect of my nature as well as my ability to write quite well.

I wrote about my three weeks spent at the University in my Why UChicago essay

I was honest and quirky in my favorite things essay.

Letters of Rec:

AP Physics teacher who will write me a glowing letter of recommendation and he is actually a UChicago Alumnus

AP Language teacher who will also write me a glowing letter of recommendation

Math Team coach will write my supplementary letter of recommendation

Additional:

I transferred schools from a Private, Catholic school to a Public school at the start of Junior year. This might account for my low GPA, but I quickly joined clubs and really made the best of my high school experience. I moved schools to ease the financial burden on my family and to pursue more AP class opportunities and I have made note of this in my application.

I plan on interviewing on campus in the near future.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this and I also appreciate any comments you might have regarding my chances. I am a bit nervous when I think of all the wonderful and well-rounded applicants that will be applying to these highly-selective schools.

Once again, thank you. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Cordially,
Gabe

You look like a strong applicant, especially with your hooks. The fact that your common app essay reflects on your hardships will further show the admissions officers how you have managed to achieve what you have achieved up to now despite all those hardships.
You seem to have genuinely put time into your essays, which is good. Hopefully, your upcoming SAT II’s will be solid which will add to your good academic stats.
Not sure how much in-state will help you but I assume they do take more in-state kids than most other states.

If there was anything I’d be picky about, it would be that your extracurriculars don’t stand out way too much. However, again with your circumstances they should be ok. Plus, they see you have had a job at k-mart. Also ideally your unweighted GPA could be higher because UChicago takes transcripts very seriously.
Anyhow, good luck and wish you the best! I also applied EA UChicago haha

@fcm951 Thank you for your feedback! I really appreciate it. I wish you all the best going forward!

I poured my heart and soul into my essays and I really hope that they appreciate my writing style. When I was there over the summer, I felt so comfortable and something just clicked. I’d love to go back and be a student there once again.

As far updates for this, I became president of my school’s National Honor Society. That may or may not help.

Anyways, thank you!

Isn’t the EA deadline for UChicago 11/1?

Yes, it is! I’ve applied already and sent in all of the Financial Aid information, as well.

I think your chances are quite good but no one here is a UChicago admissions rep. The fact that you got a scholarship to attend a summer program on campus bodes well for you. But I think that you already know this.
Did you attend the Columbus Day open house in October?

There is much more of an outreach to minorities who are middle/low income with the No Barrirers initiatives.

Are you also applying to MIT? I think that you will have some really good acceptances from selective colleges. But still have safeties on your list.

My D applied EA after visiting the campus for Columbus Day open house.

Good luck! Let us know how you fared with the process.

Does UChicago super score the SAT?

@goingnutsmom I did attend the Columbus Day Open house and I had a wonderful time. It only affirmed my love for the school.

I visited MIT and it just didn’t ‘click’ like UChicago did. Also, they do not have the major that I am really passionate about, biological chemistry.

I am also applying to UIUC early as my safety so I can get into the honors programs, but I am really crossing my fingers for UChicago.

I wish all the best to your daughter!

I do believe that they superstore the SAT.

Oh, I meant superscore the ACT. Yes, good luck to you too!

Accepted! [:

Yay!! My D was accepted also!! Good luck on the rest of your journey!