Could this be the reason?

Colleges & Universities University of Chicago
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<p>First of all, I understand that admissions at u chicago is as fair as it gets, (compared to other crazy schools with random decisions). Hence, I sincerely congratulate those who received admissions. You guys really deserved it. And to those who were rejected or waitlisted, trust me, there are greater things in life. </p>

<p>The point is…I got waitlisted, and i can’t help but think that part of the reason is that i never requested an interview. You see, I’m an IB student. And november and december are two months full of many many MANY crazy deadlines. I am also a bit of a procrastinator (speaking of which i am doing my business IA this very moment). Although i finished my two main essays before december, i did not complete any application until the very due dates. As a result, by the time i checked the u chicago application, the deadline to request for an interview had already passed (12/20). Most of my friends in school/my area had interviews, which means that interviewers were definitely available. </p>

<p>The reason that I am suggesting this possiblity of waistlist is because last year, i had two friends who applied to U. Penn. Both with similar stats and same race. One got in the other didn’t. When the accepted student visted U.Penn, admission officer told her that it was because the other student didn’t seem to care enough to do the optional essay. From the information that I’ve gathered so far, interviews, in general, will not make an application. However, if an applicant does not make the effort to attend one if it is available, then it hurt the chances?..does this have any validity?..thx alot…i know i write too much. =)</p>

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<p>It could definitely be a reason. I read somewhere that 4/5 of accepted students had interviews.</p>

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<p>I guess they thought I didn’t care enough and only applied to apply. The resume that I included probably made them think that I was an ivy wh*<em>e, which for the most part was true until my Art exam recently. I applied as undecided but did send in art slides. However, i sort of had a divorce with reality (not to mention my parents)and realized that i can’t live without art (corny i know). But the possiblity doing joint programs between art institute and u chicago is making my heart ache right now…</em>goes crying in a dark corner*…</p>

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<p>

So true. Never believe the option is optional when in college application. Even when the school says “this is really optional”.</p>

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<p>I didn’t have an interview.</p>

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<p>^…i guess ur the other brilliant 1/5</p>

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<p>I didn’t either and I doubt I fall under the brilliant 1/5. Though I might have requested one. I truly can’t remember.</p>

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<p>I also was not given an interview (I actually forgot to check off the box when I submitted my application…I know, stupidest thing ever). I still got in.</p>

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<p>Ok…fine…maybe my application just sucked…happy?..jkjk…congrats to u guys for getting ur first choice =)</p>

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<p>You never know, bro. waitlisted means you were good enough. don’t give up just yet.</p>

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<p>thx…but i’m not a bro…lol…
getting off u chicago’s waitlist is basically fighting in the battle of who wants it the most. And although i want it VERY MUCH, i’m generally not the type to battle and see who can be the msot annoying within the next two months by calling everyday with updates (hyperbole). I just hate calling and contacting =(((((((</p>

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<p>you are a bro because all cool people are bros.</p>

<p>it’s the slang around here–everybody under 35 is a bro, basically–including girls. it’s very easy to use. </p>

<p>i sent them a senior year update–basically a 4-5 paragraph letter detailing what I had done my senior year (won mock trial competitions, got published in local newspaper, etc) and emailed that in. you could probably do the same. i’m pretty sure that annoying wouldn’t work for the admissions officers–they’re people, after all. something neat and organized would probably do well.</p>

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<p>I don’t think that the interview decides your admissions decision at all. I had an interview with a Chicago alumni, which was okay but not brilliant, but I got wait-listed.
But then again, I’m an international student demanding financial aid and I know that I’m in a very competitive category. My friends, who had lower SATs and less “impressive” ECs, got in through EA.
Oh well, at least Chicago’s waitlist isn’t as long as Wash U’s!</p>

14

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<p>I don’t think that it’s having your interview go well as much as it is just going through with the interview. I remember last year that at MIT, 6% of students without an interview got accepted, whereas 20% of students with an interview got accepted. Big difference, obviously. They just want to see that you’re truly interested in the school.</p>

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<p>some people are obviously not reading what i wrote…w/e…i’ll just do what enderkin suggested and hope for the best. hey that sorta have a ring to it. ok. I am done being lame.</p>

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<p>phuriku took the words out of my mouth…thank you!!!</p>

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<p>I missed the deadline for the interview, too, but still made it in.</p>

<p>I don’t think it holds as much weight as you imagine it to be - definitely not as much as your test scores and essays. </p>

<p>I would try not to think too much about something you can’t change, and yes, just hope for the best. :)</p>

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<p>I would also point you toward ohio_mom’s great thread:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-chicago/478021-those-who-weren-t-accepted.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-chicago/478021-those-who-weren-t-accepted.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>And I would add that this year in Chicago admissions has been an absolutely crazy one. I skimmed through the reported results, and I was shocked to see what cool people I will not be able to go to school with. So if I do end up seeing you around campus, that’s wonderful, but if you don’t end up coming, you’ll go to another school where you’ll meet tons of great people and great profs as well. Believe me, other schools have great things going for them too!</p>

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<p>I think waitlists are going to be longer and used more extensively this year. Too many people applying to the same schools.</p>

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<p>Interviews. I requested one but no one assigned me one so I had to call and email the school and no one responded and then out of the blue an alum calls me up and drives TWO HOURS to meet me and interviews me RIGHT before the deadline. He was the coolest interviewer I had and might be the swaying factor for me to choose Chicago over a number of schools of the same caliber.</p>