<p>I heard UChicago has a noticeably higher EA than RD acceptance rate. Is it worth it to not submit subject tests (they don’t even require them, strange) and do EA? Although I’m guessing most of those accepted by EA won’t be attending, right?</p>
<p>I’ve seen a lot of discussion on the merits of applying early vs. not. There are three reasons I can think of for not applying early:</p>
<p>1) your application and essays could be improved by a bit more work
2) you are applying ED to another school that forbids early apps to private schools (there used so be only one or two of these - and the rules may have changed in the last 5 years)
3) You’re not sure you want to attend
4) Your grades aren’t that strong, and you feel that your prospects would be improved by submitting subject tests and senior grades.</p>
<p>That crystallizes the issues. But still I cannot come to a decision.</p>
<p>-I really want to attend, I’d actually go if they took me. I understand that people apply RD if they aren’t sure, but I’m really sure I want to go and I don’t want to give the wrong message by doing RD.</p>
<p>-Subject tests could definitely supplement my puny GPA of 3.6, but on the other hand, I already have 5s on AP tests for the subjects I’m taking. To score high on the subject tests after the AP test is but a triviality. To put it shortly: I don’t know the worth of subject tests–could someone tell me?</p>
<p>^number 3 by ohio_mom would only apply to ED, but not EA for chicago. but yea otherwise that’s some good advice.</p>
<p>I can’t answer your question about the SAT subject tests, but I think you should probably apply EA since UChicago is your top choice. The only reasons I would say not to are if you think you could raise your GPA significantly, or you have financial concerns.</p>
<p>The admissions committeee will never see your subject test scores (or SAT Writing). They record all the scores they want to see on a separate card and that’s what goes with your file to the app readers, etc. We had an issue with an October SAT-II score not being sent last fall and this is what we were told by S’s regional rep.</p>
<p>If you apply EA and are deferred to regular round, that gives you time to submit another rec, essay or better grades, etc. Hearing news in December takes away a lot of stress and gives one a sense of where one stands in applicant pools, which may prompt a change in strategy (or schools) for RD apps.</p>
<p>This may have changed, but a couple of years ago, the admissions office blocked only the writing score. They did not require the subject tests but they did look at them.</p>
<p>I’m not sure where Namurt heard that the EA admit rate was significantly higher–I’ve read the same thing on this board, but the admissions office says otherwise.</p>
<p>One advantage I can think of to applying early would be that it opens the “dialog” with the school. If you’re deferred, you have the opportunity to submit additional information–your additional test scores, perhaps another recommendation, etc. Good luck to you, Namurt.</p>
<p>This may have changed since I applied a few years ago but I was told that Chicago doesn’t let applying early hurt you. Now obviously if you feel your transcript could be significantly improved in the next semester you might want to hold off but I don’t think Chicago holds early against you. If they’re not sure about you they will defer you. However, I would e-mail your admissions counselor and ask. They are much more qualified to help you decide.</p>
<p>I notice that I said almost the exact same thing as CountingDown. Doubly good advice, I guess.</p>
<p>If you really want to go to U of Chicago as your first choice, then definitely apply early. Chicago really cares about your level of interest in the school. As mentioned earlier, applying EA opens the dialogue and gives you time to let the school know you. My child, who is now a third year, also had a 3.6 cum when she applied EA. She was deferred, but by then she had already interviewed and had gotten to know from the school what they wanted for her to be accepted. She retook the SATs and brought them up to 1400, (writing was not counted) and was accepted regular admission. I do not believe that she would have been admitted regular admission without having applied early first. Just my opinion.</p>