Chance me for UChicago (math major ) + recommend good target colleges for math pls! [international]

Chance Me / Match Me
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University of Sydney

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Ah, ok. I know another international who is taking up an offer at Sydney rather than the US due to concern about visa issues, fyi. For his particular major (not STEM) the US school (a specialist school) would have been seen as more prestigious.

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Thanks a lot for the encouraging words :slight_smile: . Yup I have kept my options open about trying various Universities and not only American ones.

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I see, thanks for the info !

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Reed College in Oregon ?

It’s very well thought of and quite prestigious. Its LAC rank is low in U.S. News because they don’t participate by providing data so U.S. News has to find stuff on its own. It’s acceptance rate of under 25% and statistics shows you that it’s very competitive, moreso than many schools ranked above it. It’s one school where you need to look away from the ranking.

They showed 2/3 (66%) of the most recent class graduated in 4 years. If you look at past years, it will be in the 70s for 5 and 6 years.

There are several things at play. One, Reed is known to be intense and perhaps some leave due to that or simply can’t make it. Two, with any high cost school, some simply are unable to pay so they are forced to leave.

It may or may not be the right school for you but it’s very well regarded and kids are graduating but yes not to a level of other schools when looking at top schools.

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You were accepted to Reed College in Portland, OR last year? Reed is an excellent school for math. Reed is a fit school (IMO) because there are many quirky students there, but that doesn’t change the fact that the school provides an excellent and rigorous education. It is best to visit if at all possible before attending.

Did you apply anywhere else in the US last year?

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Yup the Oregon one

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For the 2025 academic year I was accepted but I didn’t accept my offer

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I applied to mostly ivies but I didn’t get into any of them ofc.

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Well, that tells us that at least some US colleges are comfortable with the academic history you applied with. I would encourage you to submit some US apps, and look at other schools in the UK and EU. You might also reconsider Reed, assuming affordability and fit.

Did you ‘graduate’ HS last year? What are you doing this year (school year 2025-26)? I would not reapply to any Ivies (or any other schools that denied you last year) this go round, unless there is some substantial change to the strength of your application.

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Yup, I am not applying to the ivies this year. I am keeping my options open regarding where to apply :slight_smile:

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That’s quite impressive - not an easy in - so you will find opportunity here but maybe need to lower your sights. If you want smaller schools, look at Reed again, St Olaf, and some others like Colby, Lafayette, Union and Wesleyan.

For Ivy subs, try Rochester, Pitt, Tufts, Emory, William & Mary, RPI.

If large is ok, try UMD, UMN, UGA, Penn State, and if supports help U of Arizona -I posted about the SALT Center above.

You did really well getting into Reed. Not easy. Congrats.

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Thanks a lot ! I looked a bit into St Olaf some time back and liked it. I will also look at the other unis you suggested.

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Reed is a great school, although as noted above, definitely “quirky” and not for everyone.

You may want to contact them to see if they would still accept you, either for spring semester this year or fall semester next year. I’ve heard of other students being able to attend a school they originally turned down, so it may work for you. But it would be good to visit first if at all possible.

I would also think next fall would be better than this spring because many students will have already formed friendships and social groups so the social aspect would be a lot easier in the fall.

Quick question—if you applied last year, what year is high school are you considered to be this year?

if Reed accepted you, does that mean that you do have a more well-rounded high school background than it seems from your posts? Do you have courses in English and social studies/history and a foreign language?

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I did have English in my IGCSEs and got an A grade. I also did economics in first semester of 9th.

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Students seem to love St Olaf, especially for math!

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Does that mean 4 years of English and 1/2 a year of social studies? Any other social studies or a foreign language?

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2 years of English.

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That’s nice! :slightly_smiling_face: Thankss

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Does that mean that you are intending to attend University of Sydney?