Hello everyone,
I signed up for a UChicago information session about a month ago, but today, which was the day of the meeting, a severe thunderstorm occurred. The rain was pouring down like no tomorrow and it looked like a thick fog because it was raining so hard and fast. The place for the meeting is about 30 minutes away, and I have to travel on a highway to get there. Recently one of my friends, she’s 17, got into a car crash. Minor, no injures, but definitely scared her. This was due to hydroplaning apparently. Honestly, I was a bit scared, probably an overreaction, so I didn’t want to go to the session in the rain. It didn’t let up unfortunately so I decided it may be better to not go.
That’s my excuse and I don’t like making them, but I didn’t attend even though I signed up for it.
My question: Will this negatively affect my admissions? Will it count as ‘wasting their time’?
This is probably an overreaction as well, but UChicago is one of my favorite colleges, I visited it back in my freshman year. It’s so beautiful and I love the campus. I don’t wish for anything to hurt my chances of attending.
I did post a question for the UChicago admissions topic, but the last answer was back in May, so I thought this might be more appropriate.
Thank you very much!
EmZoWe
My daughter was signed up for a MIT session and didn’t attend (Don’t remember why) but was still accepted EA, so I highly doubt that is matters at all.
Plenty of people don’t show up for the information sessions/tours. The admissions counselors don’t care if you make it or not, they’re held more for your benefit than theirs anyway.
@EmZoWe you were smart not to attend given the weather. If you remain concerned just get in touch with your admissions counselor and find out what other UChicago events will be in your general area and see if you can attend one of those.
UChicago also holds interviews and I thought some of those are local as well. THAT would be a major indication of interest - but also a great opportunity for you to ask questions that are pertinent to you (as opposed to being part of a general information session).
FWIW, interviews are optional and not doing one (for whatever reason) really isn’t held against you. The Chicago admissions people have said that repeatedly and, anecdotally, it does seem to be true. Neither of the two kids who were admitted EA from my daughter’s school interviewed (and both were unhooked). Basically, as Mamelot indicated, interviews are there to help you get info/decide whether Chicago is what you’re looking for.
As an aside, I’ll add that my kid found the roadshow info session really off-putting. In our area, at least, it was very career-oriented and downplayed the whole life of the mind thing. My take was that it was pitched to parents who were worried about whether U of C was a good investment. I can see why they might need/want to do that kind of presentation, but they probably should have taken (most of) the kids to a different room and made a different pitch to them, LOL!
EmZoWe - I’m impressed with your maturity and decision making ability. Both will probably shine through when you turn in your app. Missing the meeting will not hurt you. If you were my daughter / son I would be pleased with you.