here we go...chance a junior

rence · January 31, 2007, 8:27pm

Unweighted GPA as of end of sophomore year: 3.623
-have not yet added most recent gpa of 3.901 from first semester of this year

ACT: have not yet taken
Rank (so far): 71 of 286 (24 borderline 25%)

Pre-High School Science Academy: 3.330 GPA (is not factored into Cum. GPA)
Physics Lv. 1 - B+
Earth/Space Lv 1 - B+

9th grade - Semester 1: 3.571 GPA
Speech: B-
English: A
French: A
Algebra: A
Chemistry: B
US History: A
Art Foundations: B+

9th grade - Semester 2: 3.476 GPA
English: A
French: A
Algebra: A
Biology: C+
US History: A-
Art Foundations: B
Phy Ed: B+

10th grade - Sem. 1: 3.810 GPA
English: A
Journalism: A-
French: A
Geometry: A
AP Biology: B+
Global Studies: A
Behind the Scenes theatre: A-

10th grade - Sem. 2: 3.708 GPA
English: A
French: A
Geometry: A
AP Bio: B+ – scored a 2 on the AP exam
Global Studies: A
Illustration: B+
Health: B+
Zero Hr. Gym: A-

11th Grade - 1st Sem: 3.901 GPA
Adv. English 11: A
French: A
American Pub. Policy: A
Adv. Algebra: A-
Design: A
Photography: A
AP Psyche: A-

Planned APs senior year: AP Lang, AP Art Portfolio, AP Amer. Gov’t, AP US History, Challenge Seminar which is required in order to graduate with honors at my school, and taking (self study) AP Lit and maybe AP Econ

ECs:

National honor society
French honor society
Amnesty International - President in senior year
Key Club
Forensics: 9th, 10th, will continue in 12th
Newspaper - Editor
Yearbook
Writing Center
Quill and Scroll - Honor Society for HS Journalists
Parnassus in Print - writing club

And will soon be joining Mu Alpha Theta, Student Council, and Bowling soon.

I hope I’m not just coming off as packing on as many ECs.

I’d like to get some input as to what I can do to increase my chances of getting into U of Chicago when I apply next year. Is it alright that I don’t have a 4th year of science? I’m striving for 4.0s for the rest of high school. Haha also, I’m asian and male, if that makes a huge difference.

None · January 31, 2007, 8:55pm

I advise you to take more sciences, AP Chem or Physics. Rigor of classes is the most important factor (above GPA and even essays). Everyone needs to take physical science, and the lack of any Chem or Physics in High School (other than Pre-High might make adcoms feel you cannot handle the physical sciences in college.

Keep grades up, do well on ACT, get to know the teachers who will write recommendations, and, most importantly, write good essays.

rence · January 31, 2007, 9:30pm

I should take AP Chem or AP physics even at the expense of my GPA? I honestly think I’d be able to handle the load of APs in my senior year, but science has never been my forte so I was hoping I’d be able to get by with AP Bio as my only college level science course.

idad · January 31, 2007, 9:53pm

S had no AP science courses in HS (did have honors calculus based physics and regular chemistry, as well as honors marine biology, and regular biology).

rence · January 31, 2007, 10:23pm

So I might be fine with AP Bio alone. But I might want to take Adv. Chem or Adv. Physics then.

I don’t know, I think I might forego any more sciences. Any more input?

TheLorax · January 31, 2007, 10:26pm

I was accepted EA and I definitely did not take a 4th year of science. My Freshman year I took Molecular Bio, Sophomore yr I took General Chem and Jr year I took AP Bio. Don’t take physics if you can help it.

rence · January 31, 2007, 10:38pm

I don’t think I’ll pursue another science course then. But can someone tell me if I would benefit from applying early action? Should I wait until I get my mid-year scores?

gracello · January 31, 2007, 10:57pm

It might be to your advantage to have your GPA bumped up slightly by the addition of midyear grades, assuming that they’ll improve your GPA (probably will). Don’t feel that your grades will be the total focus, though- while they are important, really make sure that your essays are unique and memorable and well-written, as they are a MAJOR part of the application and are taken very seriously by the admissions counselors. I’d also advise you to get out to campus for an interview if at all possible- a good interview can be very helpful.
And, on the science subject… if you’re not a science person, don’t feel pressured to take more science! A C in an AP Physics class that you don’t enjoy is both detrimental to your GPA and two semesters of your life. If you’re more interested in the humanities or history, take AP Gov or Econ or something. You’ll be happier with yourself, more interested in the class, and learning something that will be useful to you, not just taking a class to get it on your transcript (in my opinion, the worst reason to do anything).

rence · January 31, 2007, 11:09pm

The most relieving response I’ve heard all night, gracello. :)

I probably will just apply by the regular deadline next year. And I’ll make sure to improve my grades, even in the midst of all the APs I’m taking. I don’t think I’ll have a problem with the essays. I hear a lot of people on these forums talking about how they wrote mediocre second essays or something similar. I don’t see why you wouldn’t just take the time to write excellent essays altogether.

Also, I live in Milwaukee, WI. So if an interview would be helpful, I might just schedule one next year.

I couldn’t agree with you more on the science. I don’t see how getting a bad grade in a full year of science that I’ll absolutely dread will supplement my application at all. I’m most likely going to be a Economics major with a minor in Poli Sci so all my APs for next year are oriented that way.

Phew.

Smirkus · January 31, 2007, 11:23pm

ok, fine, drop taking science classes–however, not just U of C, but many colleges seem to respect this simple rule of thumb: We don’t like seeing students drop more than 1 subject entirely. For me, I wanted to load up on math and science and drop language. Although I really like history I couldn’t fit it in my schedule, so to avoid dropping two subjects, I am doing a history independent study… basically, make sure you keep in with all your other subjects

rence · January 31, 2007, 11:49pm

Well, I don’t think I’m really dropping any subjects. At least I have one AP science and for senior year I’m devoting myself to subjects that interest me and pertain to my major, I’m keeping with all my core subjects with French 6, AP Lang, AP US and Gov, and I’m not allowed to take AP Calc (Which is the only AP math my school offers) because I was not on the accelerated track when I entered high school. Yet, I’m still taking Pre-Calc, which is the best option afforded to me.

I really think I’m doing what’s best for me. Thanks for your advice though

samk2289 · February 1, 2007, 3:21pm

<ol>
<li>I really don’t think you can go wrong applying early. It seems like you really want to go to U(c), so why wouldn’t you? Yes your GPA may go up slightly, but .1 on the GPA won’t make or break your app. Also – if you apply early you’ll know in December. As a junior you probably can’t imagine how much of a relief it is to know (either way) in December rather than March/April.</li>
<li>My advice:
– get an interview as early as you can
– write your essays before senior year starts
– most importantly: DON’T WORRY (overly much). I spent a few hours on my essays, but some people apparently wrote and re-wrote them, got other people to edit them, etc etc. I got in, and my stats aren’t amazing, and I think my essays were average to good. so don’t worry. it’s not worth the health risk.</li>
</ol>

rence · February 1, 2007, 6:14pm

Yeah, I’ve talked to a lot of people and I’m pretty sure I’m applying early action. I’ll be sure to schedule an on-campus interview and I’ll try not to worry haha :)

rence · February 1, 2007, 8:22pm

Any more input on the benefits/disadvantages of applying Early Action?

gracello · February 1, 2007, 11:48pm

Well, with Early Admission you get three options instead of two- admitted, deferred, and denied. Admitted is nice, deferred is okay but probably nerve-wracking, and of course nobody who applies anywhere really wants to get denied. And of course with regular decision you’ll hear in good old April.
So, if you like to wait and like clarity of options, go regular. If you think the stretch between November and December is gruelling enough and can stand the possibility of being deferred (it’s a possibility for pretty much everyone), go early.
Don’t be blinded by statistics in the early vs. regular acceptance rate. While it might seem like a higher percentage of people get in early vs regular (well, okay, since numerically this seems like it might be so) early applicants tend to self-select and be the people REALLY interested in getting in and attending and therefore a higher percentage actually do make it.
And I will refute the “don’t worry about your essays” thing.
Okay, don’t get an ulcer over them, nor a hernia, nor any other physical ailments. But, no matter whether or not you do early admission or regular, HAVE SOMEONE LOOK AT YOUR ESSAYS, AT LEAST FOR GRAMMAR, AND DO NOT DO THEM IN AN HOUR. This deserves capital letters. No matter how good you think they are, someone else will find something you didn’t notice.
That was an admissions rant, hope it helps, though.

rence · February 2, 2007, 12:15am

Yeah, I’m just worried about my GPA hindering me. I know its not necessarily the most important aspect of my application, but it bothers me.

I’ll def. take your advice about the essay and I’m still pretty sure I’ll be applying Early Action, but I’m unsure about forgoing the chance to send in an application with a potentially higher GPA (assuming I ace all my APs, honors, and foreign language class).

here we go...chance a junior

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