<p>IPBear - one big reason for that is Chicago still lags a bit in its financial aid policies. Another reason is that many of the cross-admits with Brown, Penn, etc. already hail from the east coast, and there’s a good deal of east coast-centrism that compels talented students to simply stay in the region for college.</p>
<p>Another big reason is yes, Chicago still has the grinder, negative connotations of “where fun comes to die” atmosphere that turns off many potential students. The thinking goes, why struggle mightily at Chicago for a 3.2 GPA when one can have a more enjoyable time at Brown and get a 3.7 GPA? </p>
<p>The key to all these points, though, is that Chicago is CHANGING. GPA inflation has crept in at Chicago, with the avg. GPA by most accounts being around a 3.3-3.4. The core is now more flexible and, while Chicago is more rigorous, it is not as punishing as it once was. Also, the incoming students are stronger than previous cohorts, and are more equipped to deal with the challenges of a Chicago education.</p>
<p>Overall, Chicago is losing its grinder, “where fun comes to die” rep, and in the next five years, I expect that Chicago will do better in cross-admit battles. Again, it will always struggle though because a lot of the talent the top ivies covet come right from New England and the mid-atlantic, and the midwest is not seen as a particularly desirable location. (This sorta thinking stinks btw, because I think Chicago is a GREAT city, and is probably better than Phila, Providence, etc., and could even give Boston a run for its money.) </p>
<p>As the new admissions dean, nondorf comes in, expect the Chicago yield rate to change. Since Chicago is basically on equal footing with Columbia, Duke, Penn, etc., I’d imagine it could get down to the 60-40 range (meaning Chicago will take 40% of the cross-admits from a Penn or Duke). I don’t ever really see a 50/50 split because of the factors I mentioned above, but if Chicago can get to the 60-40 or 55-45 range, it’s done about as well as it can do given the east coast bias and its own location. </p>
<p>Who knows though, Nondorf worked magic at Yale and RPI, so maybe the trend will continue at Chicago…</p>