I am a black, male senior attending a poorly rated high school in Mississippi. The high school I attended has an average ACT score of roughly 15, but I scored a 31 (35E, 34R, 29M, 25S). If admitted, I would be a first-generation student. I also am very low income. My unweighted GPA is a 3.5 (my school doesn’t do weighted), BUT an evident shift occurred after 9th grade. For example, I am in twelfth grade right now and I take three AP courses and an honors class, with all As this ye I have superb relationships with my teachers; I have four amazing letters of recommendation. As for extracurriculars, I am a competing member of my school’s forensics team, participating in Lincoln Douglass style debates. I wrote my Common App essay on how LD debate made me a better academic and better at persevering after doing not-so-great at my first state competition. Also, I was a paid intern at a local political committee, and I have worked in food service ~30 hours a week in the past year outside of school (I know this is unrelated but is intended to show that I had little time for more ECs due to my family’s finances). Do you think I have a shot? Thanks.
You have a shot, but I imagine your fate is sealed at this point since your app has already been sent in.
UChicago RD admission is probably the toughest admit of any round at any 4-year liberal arts university or college in the US: last year the RD admit rate was something like 2%. And the class is as academically qualified as any. Average ACT is probably about 34-35, SAT above 1500, and GPA is mighty high as well.
So a 3.5/31 stats combo is not competitive on its face.
That said, you have two powerful hooks to compensate for the low stats (relative to UChicago averages): URM and first-gen student.
Only the adcoms at UChicago know exactly how powerful those are, but they will almost certainly help.
But even if your chances were to skyrocket to 10% on account of them, or the strength of the rest of your app (essays, ECs, recs, etc.), UChicago would still be a reach… as it is for basically everyone in RD.
Have you applied to at least one safety and a few match schools?
Yes, if you consider Emory or Tulane “safety and match” schools. 
Also Fordham.
@malikwoullard just an opinion here but you’ve got a decent chance! The part-time work IS relevant and is something they don’t see too often. Intelligent, hard-working applicants from under-represented groups tend to be an adcom’s dream come true. In fact, you might even have a shot at Odyssey: https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/costs/odyssey
The big question, which actually applies to all applicants, will be whether you are ready for the tough academics of this university. If they are satisfied about that, then your application is probably distinctive enough to give you a good shot. Sure, the RD round is very competitive but it’s also designed to admit more unusual and merit-able applicants than you see in ED or EDII.
Here’s hoping for admission and an Odyssey scholarship! Let us know what happens!
@malikwoullard
To be honest with you, it seems that you think being black does miracles in college admissions. Your hooks are nice and all but you have a 3.5 UW with not many AP classes. UChicago is a Reach for you (and everyone else applying) along with Emory and Tulane( a low reach).
I’m assuming you applied RD for these schools which make UChicago truly a lottery.
Why didn’t you apply ED/EDII?
Good Luck @malikwoullard you seem like a great young man. I hope you get into UChicago, but reading your story, I think you’ll be a very successful wherever you end up. I think your chances are long at 2% during RD, but your story grabbed me more than many do, so perhaps an admissions counselor will also be moved.
act score wasn’t ready in time due to test date rescheduling.
Average (50%) ACT is 32-35, so your 31 is not too far off. Assuming your essays tug at the proverbial heartstrings AND show that you can handle the workload AND that the school is your top choice, your chance is as good as any.
I see missed opportunities with you though in that I wonder why you did not apply ED2 instead of RD? You’re the (other) perfect ED applicant in that you can easily prove to anyone if your FA is not enough. QuestBridge would have been great for you too (poor, minority, working, smart)
That’s all over and done though… maybe one last effort by getting an interview to get your story across?
Re: 3&4
Well, Emory could be a high match, Tulane a high match or a match, and Fordham a match or even potentially a low match.
EDI may not open the door to Odyseey - unless they are giving that scholarship out as part of FA?
Are you getting any input from a guidance counselor? I’m wondering if you are not confident of that advice.
Sure, you focused on top-heavy schools but given your profile I really think you have a good shot of getting into at least some of them. We know young AA males with similar stats who are NOT low income/1st gen. who have gotten into 8/8 Ivies. Not saying this will happen to you - your essays will matter a ton - but your ACT, your profile, your work ethic etc. will look great to an admissions counselor who is trying to reach out to and cull talent from all backgrounds.
My initial question is motivated by the thought that somewhere you got the idea to focus on top schools and your instincts or, if you are following a GC’s advice, seem about spot on. Mind you, I’m just a parent. But I ran your stats and story by a college prof and he thinks this is a no brainer. Let’s hope that person is right!
Good luck to you and definitely post your results!
I think you should also apply to the University of Mississippi at least. But good luck to you and it’s okay to reach. Tell a compelling story in your apps and see what happens.
Fordham- High Safety
UChicago- Reach
Tulane- Match/ High Match
Harvard- Reach
NYU- High Match
Northwestern- Reach
Columbia- Reach
I agree with the above poster, apply to Ole Miss to better garuntee that you will be attending school next fall. Good luck.
Although, because of your background, you could certainly get into one of your reaches if you really write an excellent essay. Congratulations already on your outstanding success!!
I am a black, male senior attending a poorly rated high school in Mississippi. The high school I attended has an average ACT score of roughly 15, but I scored a 31 (35E, 34R, 29M, 25S). If admitted, I would be a first-generation student. I also am very low income. My unweighted GPA is a 3.5 (my school doesn’t do weighted), BUT an evident shift occurred after 9th grade. For example, I am in twelfth grade right now and I take three AP courses and an honors class, with all As this ye I have superb relationships with my teachers; I have four amazing letters of recommendation. As for extracurriculars, I am a competing member of my school’s forensics team, participating in Lincoln Douglass style debates. I wrote my Common App essay on how LD debate made me a better academic and better at persevering after doing not-so-great at my first state competition. Also, I was a paid intern at a local political committee, and I have worked in food service ~30 hours a week in the past year outside of school (I know this is unrelated but is intended to show that I had little time for more ECs due to my family’s finances). Do you think I have a shot? Thanks.
The University of Chicago
Emory
Tulane
Harvard (I know, I know )
NYU
Fordham
Northwestern
Columbia (I know, I know )
I probably should’ve applied to more safeties, huh?
I loved reading your story-surely an admissions officer will too! You work hard and will be successful at UChicago or another school. I’m rooting for you!
@SuperGymnast_04 @ManOfGod @CU123 @prezbucky @JBStillFlying @VANDEMORY1342 @BrianBoiler @FStratford @kaukauna I GOT WAITLISTED AT UCHICAGO!