What are my chances of getting into U of C? (Low GPA)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
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<p>Unlike many paranoid applicants with near perfect scores, I do not have flawless stats to get me into the University of Chicago, which is quite competitive. </p>

<p>I applied EA, hopefully at least slightly boosting my chances. Although it is too far for me to visit, I did attend an info session that I mentioned in one of my supplemental essays.</p>

<p>Speaking of the essays, I answered the prompt "Why are you here and not somewhere else" and think I did a very good job on it. I write well, and I know that they focus a lot on the quality of the supplemental essays. I also did a solid job on the essay asking why you want to go to the school.</p>

<p>Here are my stats:</p>

<p>GPA: 3.7 Weighted.
My school is psychotic and will not let me see my unweighted GPA. My guidance counselor retired at the end of my junior year and the replacement is a completely nutty and inexperienced algebra teacher.</p>

<p>The reason my GPA is so low is because of sophomore year. My dad became fatally ill and as a result, my grades suffered and I received two C's.</p>

<p>ACT Plus Writing: 31 (Superscored - I got a 30 both times I took the test) I plan on taking the test again in December and actually plan on studying/preparing for it this time, so hopefully I can really bump up my score</p>

<p>Courses:
Freshman Year - All honors
Sophomore Year - All honors except Spanish
Junior Year - AP English, rest honors except Spanish
Senior Year - AP Psychology, rest honors except Basic Finance</p>

<p>ECs:
National Honor Society (Officer)
Student Council
Drama Club
Community Theater Organization
Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots Club
Key Club
Interact Club
Yearbook Staff
Women's Empowerment Club (Founder)</p>

<p>Volunteer:
18 hours volunteering for the Hallmark Health VNA & Hospice
20 hours tutoring underclassmen in Humanities
~100 hours volunteering for the local cat shelter, my community theater company, and school events</p>

<p>My LORs were very impressive. I have one from my US History teacher from last year who's class I got an A+ in (it was not an easy A, I had to work my ass off) and he wrote a really glowing letter, although he did misspell my last name. The other is from a AP English teacher, a movie actor/Harvard graduate, and I don't think that he could possibly have anything negative to say about me.</p>

<p>Any other factors that I'm missing? I know this is a reach school and I'm not expecting to get admitted easily, I'm just curious. Are my chances of getting accepted to Emory or Tufts much better? Thanks so much, I'll chance back!</p>

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<p>Also forgot to add that I rowed varsity on the crew team for one year.</p>

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<p>Although it is obviously a reach (but UC is basically a reach for everyone), it is definitely not impossible or even highly illogical. Are you a URM? Uchicago values essay deeply so i think you may have a real shot since you say your essay is very good. It is also good that you are able to explain your lower GPA. Wow i’m intrigued that you did the “why are you here?” one . I also chose that prompt and your the only other person I know who chose this one so i think it was a pretty unpopular choice (which can be a good thing for us haha–less pple to compare with.) Would you be interested in exchanging essays? I’m just curious to see how else one could respond to such a vague and wierd question! Good luck! </p>

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<p>I chose that prompt too! I’m so curious about the other people who did it haha. And @crazypencilg, it’s good you can explain your dip in grades, and you have solid EC’s so I think it’s a possibility you’ll get in. I know UC values the essays a lot, and the first thing you see on their admissions page is that an SAT score (and probably ACT score) does not define you. </p>