Panicked Chances thread

Colleges & Universities University of Chicago
1

<p>I just visited UChicago, and I loved it there. It was absolutely amazing. I got along very well with many students, sat in on some classes, and talked with a few professors. I really think I could be happy and thrive there, but I just got this semester’s grades back and I’m a little worried. I received three C’s, all from the same teacher. I’ve never gotten anything below an A on any other report card, including this one, so my gpa is still high, and I could explain the personal conflict with this teacher if necessary. I’m working to improve my grades and I write essays well.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.86 unweighted, 4.3 weighted using my school’s screwy weight system. No APs available at my school, but I’m taking the most rigorous courses available, even when that includes making up my own courses in independent study.
Class rank: I have no clue. When I checked before this semester I was 2/70, but I’m sure I dropped a little.
ACT: 33
SAT: CR: 780, M:680, W:670 (kinda funny considering I got a perfect on the psat writing, will probably retake in October)
I could possibly qualify for National Merit Finalist, not sure yet.</p>

<p>ECs: Drama (4 years), German Club (4), Scholar Bowl(3), Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering(3, qualified for state), Creative Writing(4), Bowling (2, lettered), Science Club (4, lettered), NHS(3)</p>

<p>Outside of school: Figure Skater for 9 years, Ballroom dance for 3</p>

<p>I volunteer at several different organizations, including a local museum which I’m reorganizing, and I have a job at the local ice rink. All of my teachers and counselors except the one I clashed with love me and would be willing to write excellent recs. My school is middling-we’ve sent students to top universities, but not every year.</p>

2

<p>I think you should be fine regarding that one class. As long as the rest of your transcript is relatively strong, I think Chicago will look past it. Your SAT’s are good but a retake is a great idea especially if you can raise the math score. Also, do you have any leadership positions in your ec’s? You definitely seem to have put a lot of time into them. All in all, seems like you have as good a chance as any, and good luck next year.</p>

3

<p>What three courses did you get the C’s in? A C in a side course like Phys.Ed. is not so big a deal, for example.</p>

4

<p>My stats were very similar to yours, including two C’s (though they were in phys. ed), and I got into Chicago as a transfer. So, if you improve your grades and write a great essay (and esp. if you can get a really good rec!) you probably have a very good chance.</p>

5

<p>Interesting case, I’ll give the good and the bad news:</p>

<p>The good news is, your test scores will keep you in contention anywhere you go. Furthermore, since you say that you’re a good essay writer, then you should have the tools to craft a wonderful essay, although you still need to spice it up with some sort of creativity. It’s also great that you’re taking the most challenging courseload. But, you probably know all that. </p>

<p>The bad:</p>

<p>The bad news is, UChicago really doesn’t care about test scores- as long as they’re decent, you should be good. Thus, you won’t be receiving much of a boost from that 33.<br>
I hate to sound pessimistic, but three C’s during high school really isn’t a good sign, regardless of where you go to school. Your explanation may help, but a C is a C, and that can’t be changed, no matter how much you and your teacher hate each other. </p>

<p>If I were you, I’d focus on having a knockout first semester. I wouldn’t apply EA, because I think that next year’s EA will be ridiculously competitive, due to the switch to common app and an upward rise in applications over the last few years (plus I believe that U of C will rise in the US news rankings). I think that you should maintain at least one semester of straight A’s in order to eliminate any doubt in an adcom’s mind that you are not a diligent student, and I wouldn’t risk the possibility of being rejected over what essentially is a minor blemish on an otherwise competitive application.</p>

<p>Best of luck</p>

6

<p>I think explaining whatever you need to explain about you and that teacher (major awareness of language here) might be a good thing. Talk to your guidance counselor and see if other kids have similarly clashed with your teacher.</p>

<p>CNI, I’m going to disagree with you a bit about the C. I’ve had mostly good teachers and a few complete idiots, who would mark me off on ridiculous things. (Like the time I was asked to provide a definition of a concept, and I provided a definition that was nearly verbatim to the one our textbook gave, but my teacher gave me no credit because it wasn’t the definition she gave us… her definition happened to be a mistaken oversimplification…)</p>

<p>Or maybe it’s best to ignore the C’s, and it’s clear that the general pattern came through.</p>

<p>I’m super-happy you had a chance to visit the school. PLEASE write thank-you notes to the profs you talked to! Your visit should make your “Why Chicago?” essay a breeze… while most applications will be patching together vague statements about how we are ranked highly in various fields and they think attending a prestigious school might be a good thing, you’ll have actual things to say.</p>

<p>Your EC’s also look pretty cool.</p>

<p>And I like your username.</p>