<p>Cue, I am REALLY familiar with what the “recent” Chicago is like. S[ NMF, 2340 SAT, national AP Scholar, the student who everyone thought was the “U of C” kid in HS] was accepted to Chicago, both as a freshman and again as a sophomore transfer student.[he had no interest in applying to HYP because he considered them elitist] He was first accepted in 2006 when Chicago accepted 40% of applicants, before they started to use the Common app. The use of the common app is a big reason why the acceptance rate has fallen. Does that mean there are now more capable students applying to Chicago than in 2006? Not necessarily. Perhaps there are just more students applying now because it is easier to apply. [Why do you think C decided to finally accept the common app? To get more applications. Its’ called enrollment management] The top 30 university he decided to attend initially [in large part because he received a full tuition scholarship] and returned to after a disappointing, miserable experience as a transfer student at Chicago, also has experienced a plunge in their acceptance rate in the past 4 years[ from 45% to 22%], and an increase in the % of accepted students in the top decile. They have also finished an incredible sports complex recently . Does that mean it is comparable to Chicago? Not necessarily.</p>