<p>Im an exchange student in iowa (junior). Next year i will attend at a high school in chicago as a senior.
Im very intersted in uchicago. Its like I HAVE to go there after i read all about this school.
Now the problem is the admissions. I know its really hard to get in. Myself i think my chances are not that great but still…so where shoyld i start.
GPA: this junior year I have 4.0 but i took easy classes because i didnt plan to go college in the US. I’ve changed my mind after visiting chicago. In germany I was a freshman so i literatelly skip a class. In germany i wasnt that good, because hs there was way harder than here. Im going to take Ap and honors classes next in my senior year.</p>
<li><p>ACT/ TOEFL what should i take? What is a good score for toefl? I know i have to take the tests already this year but can i take it later?</p></li>
<li><p>Extracurriculars: in germany theres no sport ect. at school. So i have like nothing. But i did karate and swimming afters school. I also play piano since 7 years and make music. But thats all for myself and not for school band. I love photography and painting but again all for myself…</p></li>
<li><p>I have no experiences with volunteering but i going to looking for it during summer.</p></li>
<li><p>I dont have any work experiences either. Teenagers in germany just dont work. But im looking for it in the summer.</p></li>
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<p>Ok i know it looks like im a boring person and totally not intelectually interested in anything. But its not the case. Its just just im not prepared for going to college in the US. It was a spontanuous decission. But im serious about it. After searching for college I think uchicago is the best fit for me. I need help. Theres no other school that im interested in.
Also about the essay. What do they expect for an international student? I know the essay is the most important application. After reading some essays of you im a little bit hopeless. Oh god i cannot write that good, especially in english! I know about some topics that i could write but the language. I mean my vocabulary …
Please help!
Thanks</p>
<p>And please dont say " oh you dont have a chance at all" i wont give up!</p>
<p>Ask your counselor whether it’s too late for you to get the “most rigorous possible” check mark on your application form, and how you can achieve this.</p>
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<p>You must take either the ACT or the SAT Reasoning in order to be considered for admission. If you do well on the SAT Reasoning, you should not waste your time on TOEFL. A good score for TOEFL would be 110+/120. I did well on my TOEFL, so if you have any questions feel free to message me. Chicago does not consider SAT IIs. In addition, Chicago does not consider the writing portion of the SAT Reasoning.</p>
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<p>These activities are very important. You are not expected to be the president of the universe at your age. Convey your passion for one of the activities in your essay. The most important part of your application is the extended essay section on Chicago’s supplement. I have some tips for this section. Feel free to message me. I knew exactly what Chicago was looking for because I am in I.B. :D</p>
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<p>I got accepted with minimal work experience (about three hours per week). It is really not necessary.</p>
<p>The most important part will come down to whether you are applying for aid. Chicago does not have a generous financial aid policy for internationals. If you choose to apply for aid, your chance of receiving aid will be dramatically reduced. Do not expect to be accepted if you apply for aid. All of my friends who applied for aid got rejected instantly (one got in Yale).</p>
<p>One last note, the acceptance rate for internationals was about 15~17% last year.</p>
<p>This year Chicago has 26.8% acceptance rate overall. It is rather low for internationals. However, it will come down to whether you are applying for aid. If you are not, you have a way higher chance of getting accepted. This year’s acceptance rate for internationals should be around 13~15%.</p>
<p>No. It’s for the 2013 Class. Top universities in the U.S. all saw rise in applicants this year with the exception of Williams College, which saw a 20% decrease this year.</p>
<p>I’m an international student as well, so I hope I can help. </p>
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<li>GPA: I took IB and my overall grade was not perfect either, 41/45, but my friend who applied with a 45/45 got waitlisted while I was accepted, however I did take the more challenging courses, try take the hard AP classes or at least just study them yourself and take the tests in May, generally AP Biology and other things are sort of similar in terms of content so as long as you study hard it may compensate your easier classes. </li>
<li><p>ACT/ TOEFL what should i take? What is a good score for toefl? I took the Internet one, the IBT, I think it is out of 120, and I got a 114 without much studying, it isn’t that hard as long you can concentrate and think quickly. Your English does not sound bad at all from what you have typed here. Take it soon, I took it early on my senior year, which was fine. But leave room to retake it if you aren’t sure how well you will score.</p></li>
<li><p>Extracurriculars: in germany theres no sport ect. at school.
I DID 0 VARSITY SPORTS & I did Tae Kwon Do, you can still list those in your Common App so as long as you took it for years it’ll still mean something.
Same applies for your piano, try join some piano recitals or competition.
Join the photography/art clubs in highschool, be leaders in it, it will do you well. UChicago love student leaders. </p></li>
<li><p>I have no experiences with volunteering but i going to looking for it during summer.
This you must do, try join things in your highschool, volunteer at your local shelters, it doesn’t have to be grand but you must do it consistently and not only during summer. Again, try to lead a project of some sort. </p></li>
<li><p>I dont have any work experiences either. Teenagers in germany just dont work. But im looking for it in the summer.
Don’t worry, teenagers in Indonesia don’t work either, I didn’t work either. I had no work experience and was fine. Try get internships instead, non-paying ones but good ones. Perhaps work at your embassy? </p></li>
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<p>The essay is insanely important, you may not need the most complex vocabulary in the world but the content does absolutely matter. Be creative, take chances, what is most important is that you show that you are a budding intellectual! That the ‘life of the mind’ is something dear and important to you.
Start working on it when the essay questions first come out. Work on your Common App essay from now, your common app essay may be about practically anything about yourself. </p>
