<p>I had a real bad Freshman Year. My cumulative average for that year was about an 84. However, I improved in Sophomore Year. My school has three GPAs (don’t ask why), one with just general studies subjects, one with general studies subjects and mandatory religious classes (I go to a private school, we have different types of religious classes: ex. culture, theology etc.) with each class having equal weight, and one GPA where the religious classes are combined as one class with general studies grades, latter being calculated as separate classes.</p>
<p>OK. So here is the breakdown of my GPAs. (I am a Junior right now, and I think I am going to get well over a 90 average this year, so it is conceivable that the first and third GPAs will be over a 90 by year’s end)</p>
<p>GPA with just general studies-- 89.68
GPA with general studies and religious studies as individual grades–87.7
GPA with general studies as individual grades and religious studies as only one grade–89.4</p>
<p>I have not taken the ACT or the SAT Subject Tests yet. However, I am only asking if I should even bother having hope. Again, I bombed my Freshman Year and really improved (as a total average at least.). Please note that my gpa x-4.0 may be low since I got a couple of 70s. But I am not sure if my school uses this or just an average (all in religious courses and my bombed foreign language in Freshman year. Though I improved it in sophomore year, and continue to do so now)</p>
<p>I also heard Chicago places a lot of emphasis on the essay and letters of rec. is this true?</p>
<p>It’s impossible to chance without scores, but it’s very likely that your GPA will keep you out. However, low GPAs can occasionally be salvaged by (very) strong upward trends. If your SATs are high (look at the EA results thread for a good idea of where they need to be), I would certainly apply.</p>
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<p>They do emphasize the essay, yes. However, even supremely strong essays can’t salvage a very low GPAs or scores; Chicago is first and foremost an academic institution and thus must consider your academic qualifications most heavily.</p>
<p>Don’t even bother with the “Chance me” threads until next year, dude, or at least until you take the ACT/SAT. Regardless, if your essays, letters of rec, EC’s, and test scores are all great, then the holistic grading process will probably forgive your GPA if you are, like the above poster said, on an upward trend.</p>
<p>Your chances stand at 0% because you lack the confidence, critical thinking, and maturity that UChicago seeks. This is indicated to me because you asked your chances on an online forum. </p>
<p>Just kidding. That’s Harvard. </p>
<p>In all seriousness, apply if you want, depending on your SATs you’ll need kick-ass essays and you should probably interview to explain your GPA well, if you have a legitimate excuse for it being low 9th grade. If you were lazy then, that’s your fault. </p>