<p>SAT: 650 (M), 630 (V), 660(W) 11 Essay
ACT: 27, 90th percentile, did like 95 percentile and higher in math and English massacred in science
SAT II: 720 US History, 670 World History</p>
<p>GPA: 4.1 (W), 3.6 (UW)
Rank: Top 3 or 4%
Other Stats: Regular stuff, I guess</p>
<p>Subjective:</p>
<p>Essays: A+
Teacher Recs: A
Counselor Rec: A- Big School doesn’t really know me personally</p>
<p>Location/Person:
State or Country: Southern California
School Type: Competitive High School Suburban 2000 students, i believe
Ethnicity: South Asian
Gender: Male</p>
<p>Other Factors:
Major: Psychology and Cognitive Science
JV and V Tennis Team
Extensive research at local university for past 4 years
Been to state science fair past 3 years, all related to intended major
Volunteered at Hospital
President of clubs and school site council
Tons of local awards
Community service: around 200 hours</p>
<p>the only issue/weak area I can see is in your SAT/ACT scores… For any other school i would say that it would be more of an issue. At Uchi I dont’ think it will be that big of a deal. Try raising it- even if it is just by one point.</p>
<p>I was accepted EA, and had similar stats to you, but my essays were truly great. Chicago greatly values the essays, so write amazing ones (esp. long for the long answer).</p>
<p>Well, i didn’t mean to say long, that was a typo. I meant solid–really creative, and something that tells something honest about yourself. Creative is key in my mind though. Sorry for being misleading!</p>
<p>I think that especially in your case, Chicago wouldn’t put much stock in ACTs. It’s funny how your worst section is the one where you have an obvious talent in- I think Uchicago would be able to see right through that. They’re right not to care about scores at times.
ignore poniatowski.</p>
<p>Don’t get your hopes up in April Sam. I’m not going to say you’re going to be rejected for sure since I don’t have any knowledge of the quality of your recommendations/interview report/essays/ etc. but your scores and GPA fall well below the 25th percentile of accepted students at the University of Chicago. I know they evaluate all applications with special attention to context however so if you truly maximized your school’s curriculum offerings, live in a socioeconomically disadvantaged area, and have a strong rank, which it seems that you do, then this may compensate for your subpar standardized test record. Good luck!!:)</p>
<p>i am an IB diploma candidate, which means i took the hardest courses at my school. A 3.6 is that bad? My school is also in the worst part of town and we have fights and stuff all the time. Does that really have any effect on admission? Is there anything else i can do to appeal the school to accept me. I;m just a bad test taker, like i get really nervous and always seem to mess up. Anyway, what do you guys think?</p>
<p>According to the posters on here (many of whom are very experienced and knowledgeable about the college selection process), Chicago is a less stats oriented college than other elite schools and it’s not becuase it doesn’t have many high scorers to choose from.</p>
<p>Being a “bad test taker” isn’t going to elicit any sympathy and it’s hardly a sufficient excuse if you have extremely poor scores (which you don’t). College admissions is a holistic process; standardized scores are important, but hardly the determining component overall.</p>
<p>Well, I’m sure Chicago doesn’t get many clams as applicants, so you might have a URM advantage there.</p>
<p>…hah. Ok, all bad jokes aside… really, I think the points the other people bring up are very valid. I wouldn’t say you’re a shoo-in but you do have some things going for you, like your extracurriculars (I’m mainly looking at the science stuff you’ve done). By the looks of it, you’re probably on the bubble.</p>