My chances?

Colleges & Universities University of Chicago
1

<p>Please chance me for admission at UChicago under the Early Action plan</p>

<p>I’m a male, graduating this year, attending a small, rigorous, college preparatory school.</p>

<p>ACT: 27 (retaking in September, and perhaps October, aiming for a 30)
GPA: 3.4
Rank: school does not rank
Race: caucasian</p>

<p>Class list:</p>

<p>9th grade
Geometry
Computer Science
Forms in Literature
Spanish II
Biology
World History</p>

<p>10th grade
Advanced Algebra
Visual Arts I
Literature and Writing
Spanish III
Physics
European History</p>

<p>11th grade
Functions, Statistics, and Trigonometry
Visual Art II
American Literature
Spanish IV
Chemistry
U.S. History</p>

<p>12th grade
Precalculus
Advanced Visual Arts
AP Literature
AP Spanish
Journalism
Creative Writing 1st sem, Philosophy 2nd sem
Masterwork</p>

<p>ECs and other activities:
9th grade
president of class
worked on student life website of school
student recruitment committee
summer: Summer of Art program in downtown Tucson; work was later displayed in art show</p>

<p>10th grade
Became member of National Art Honor Society
Helped set up spring art show at school and displayed work.
student recruitment committee
Indepent study of Japanese language
summer: Summer of Art program in downtown Tucson; work was later displayed in art show</p>

<p>11th grade
National Art Honor Society
Helped set up spring art show at school and displayed work
Further independent study of Japanese language
student recruitment committee
summer: Study abroad program in Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan. Stayed at an international university campus, taking Japanese language classes and art/calligraphy classes</p>

<p>12th grade
National Art Honor Society–>Running and will most likely become Vice Pres.
Plans to set up spring art show–>will have larger exhibit for own work
Taking Japanese language course at college level at the community college
Art work will be displayed in Tubach art show (a artsy town in AZ)
Writing for school newspaper
student recruitment committee
MASTERWORK-An optional program for seniors in which they create a project of sorts by integrating a passion of theirs with academic interests. I plan to create a graphic novel, about approx 100 pages in length. It will be an integration of my interests in graphic novels/comic books and my academic interests in writing, philosophy, and art. I will perhaps address themes such as global warming in the novel. It’s still being created, but I’m excited to present it at the end of the year ^_^</p>

<p>Ok, yeah, long list…Um, my GPA is pretty low, I know. I excel in history, english, language, and art, while math and science bring me down…I plan to major in international relations or linguistics if accepted to Chicago.</p>

<p>I will have excellent recs from english and math (required recs) and spanish and art teachers. </p>

<p>I will write my essay on “What do Pictures Want?” I’m in the process of reading the book written by UChicago professor WJT Mitchell, and will present photographs from Japan and art work and discuss an image from them in my essay. I thought this would work well as I could show the admissions staff my art while providing a reference point from my essay.</p>

<p>Do you think I will be accepted EA? I may be able to send in my quarter grades (which will be very good) with my application…</p>

2

<p>MMMM. that GPA and course rigor are slightly suspect. You still have a shot</p>

3

<p>Ah, I forgot to talk about my course rigor.</p>

<p>My school offers about…6 AP courses. AP Literature, AP Spanish, AP French
AP Biology, AP US History, AP Calculus. </p>

<p>I don’t particularly like AP Bio and AP Calc, and I would take AP US History, but it would have conflicted with my AP Spanish course, and I really like my spanish classes…</p>

<p>I think if my school had more interesting AP courses, such as AP Psych and the like (heh heh, rhyme!) I would take them. But as it is, AP offerings at my school are slim. Chicago would likely look at my transcript in relation to my what is available. Lastly, most student at my school who have gone on to top institutions (Princeton, Vassar, Colgate, Cornell, to name a few) have taken only 1-3 AP courses given the rigor of my school.</p>

<p>Last year, a 3.0 gpa student was accepted to Cornell! He was a pretty interesting guy though.</p>

<p>Anyway, my excessive response is done.</p>

<p>Any further thoughts?</p>

4

<p>Also, I will not be in need of fin aid</p>

5

<p>I think you’ve pretty much estimated your own chances-- your course rigor puts you in line for admission, and while your GPA could be higher, I wouldn’t spend too much time worrying about it. Your essay sounds thoughtful and academic, and your extracurriculars are interesting.</p>

<p>Since elite college admissions is such a crapshoot, I really can’t say with any certainty whatsoever your chances of admission are. What I can say, though, is that you haven’t eliminated yourself from the running, and that you will continue to be the person you are whether or not you end up attending Chicago.</p>

6

<p>

You’re going to have to take a lot more than that with the Chicago core, I hope you realize.</p>

7

<p>Yes, I’m aware that the Chicago core and undergrad program provides an academic education in all areas if study, unlike that of other undergrad liberal arts programs.</p>

<p>Thank you for all your thoughts.</p>

8

<p>Oh, I’m not too sure if it makes a difference, but I’m from AZ.</p>

9

<p>According to the College Board’s writeup for Chicago (which we all know must be accurate), geographic location is not considered.</p>