I wanted to quickly ask what is probably the most important part of the application for UChicago. Besides grades, what does UChicago really like seeing, is it a resume, good major picks, or the essays? Or are your grades truly the most important thing? Responses greatly appreciated!
The essays make or break your application. Good grades do not make up for mediocre essays but outstanding essays can make up for average grades.
Statistically, probably the high school you went to. An obscene number of students (think 50% of domestic admits) come from top 100 public high schools and prep schools. Going to one makes it much, much easier to get in.
Also based on what pheonix1616 said, a big reason for this is because teacher and counselor recs are probably just below essays in terms of importance. Essays, recs, grades/riggor – I just want to point out all that I am saying is highly speculative of past years, so this is what i believe is important.
Believe me or not, not only you have to attend higher ranking public high schools but also how many applicants are applying in your HS class makes a difference. Normally, They only admit one per school and they will start with a higher ranked applicant.
I am talking about normal public HS. Private and feeder schools may be different.