<p>I understand U of C offers around 120 merit scholarships a year. Are these scholarships heavier on academics/test scores or on essays, e.c.'s, and etc? Or a combination of both?</p>
<p>Appications are nominated for scholarship consideration by admissions officers. That group of applications is passed on to a closed-door conference of professors from departments across the university. The professors make the decision. </p>
<p>My guess is that they choose students 1) who would add to the University during and after attendence, and 2) who they would like to teach. That’s only speculation, though. I would think that they look carefully at the strongest sections of a student’s application, whatever they may be.</p>
<p>Knowing the students that I know on merit scholarships, I’d have to agree with corranged. They aren’t necessarily the 2400 varsity athletes, but rather the students who belong here and are happy here. They’re the students who are going to bounce up and down and talk about what interests them.</p>
<p>Are the international students also considered for scholarships at Chicago?</p>
<p>My son received a merit scholarship for the 2011, but chose not to attend (for undergrad). I certainly think corranged has it right, but to answer your question directly, it is my guess an evaluation of academic potential based on past academic achievement (grades, test scores, challenge) is paramount. Having said that, it all happens behind closed doors so I’m only going on personal experience. If you want to look at my son’s stats, his screen name is stewie314.</p>