<p>Hey, everybody.</p>
<p>When I apply to UChicago, I feel like my application will be very strong humanities-wise (all As since 2nd semester freshman year, good ECs and recs), but relatively weak math\science-wise, because I didn’t work hard my first two yearsr of high school (as in mostly Bs and one C). Of course, this year I’ve worked to rectify that (I’ve got one of the highest grades in my AP Biology class, and an A- in my Precalculus class), but I’m wondering what I can do and how much I can do to show UChicago that I’m really capable of doing the math\science work in the core. (and that I’ll actually do it; what can I say, I was a lazy freshman) </p>
<p>btw, if it helps, my unweighted GPA counting only core classes is about a 3.58.</p>
<p>Are you a Junior or a Senior?</p>
<p>Junior. Why do you ask?</p>
<p>Because then you have a whole year to take more science/math electives (perhaps stats, AP calc, etc) so it shows up on your transcript when you apply that you took to effort to “balance.” Also, don’t forget UC asks for mid-year reports from everyone so they’ll also see what types of grades you’re getting first semester senior year.</p>
<p>So then, the best idea is to take as many math\science electives as I can and do well in them, even if they’re during senior year, because Chicago will see them anyway. I can do that.</p>
<p>And then if I do, would that probably be sufficient to let the admissions council know that I’m at least capable of math\science work, without me having to seriously pursue a bunch of ECs I’m less-than-passionate about?</p>
<p>you should only do things if you enjoy them a lot and are passionate about them, not just to boost your transcript. they can tell, especially if its right before you have to apply.</p>
<p>Well, I do want to avoid wasting my time on something that I’m never going to learn from, but at the same time, I want to make sure I speak the adcoms’ language; since they can’t reach into my head and read that I’m smart, I’ve got to put things on my app that reflect the student I’ll be when I get to their school. And I’m willing to do some things that I’m not as passionate about as my major ECs for the sake of accurately representing myself. I just need to know what those things are and how much of them I have to do to represent myself well. </p>
<p>That being said, I’ll also avoid cramming in twelve clubs in senior year! (not that I could really find twelve clubs to join at my school… <em>insert eyeroll smiley</em>)</p>
<p>just because you have many extracurriculars doesn’t portray that youre “smart”. i’m surprised that you haven’t been hearing from other people not to do that too. having a couple of extracurriculars that youre proud of and passionate about. 2-4 ec’s that you spend a lot of time on are okay. in fact, if they see all of a sudden during junior/senior year that you have all these ec’s listed, they’ll be like “ooooh last minuter” and you MIGHT even bring down the weight of your application.</p>
<p>“Well, I do want to avoid wasting my time on something that I’m never going to learn from”</p>
<p>math/science classes aren’t a waste of time! Definitely don’t stockpile them all on if you’re not interested but make the effort to take 1 or 2 AP/GT classes or even just some science electives.</p>
<p>I personally chose to take on a very hard course load Senior year because I wanted to be kept busy and not waste my time in bs classes.</p>
<p>Sorry, I didn’t mean to imply that I didn’t think I was going to learn from the math\science courses! I was really just agreeing with GoodaySunshine’s point about not adding ECs that aren’t going to have any benefits outside of (maybe) looking good on your transcript. But I do feel like I’d learn from doing extra math\science stuff; I just might not enjoy it as much as, say, spending random hours writing music, which I could do with the same amount of time. </p>
<p>Gooday Sunshine, I have heard that point, and I don’t want to cram stuff in at the last minute. But I was thinking it would have a positive effect to make sure that my junior\senior years show who I am now, especially if I feel like I’m poorly represented by the other two, and I thought I’d do that by adding some electives or activities I might not necessarily take for fun, but I’m glad to take for the sake of learning\demonstrating my capabilities, especially for a school like UChicago that seems to really value those capabilities. </p>
<p>But then again, I could be wrong. I might be trying to do things last minute that are better left undone. I’m not completely sure either way. But I appreciate hearing a variety of perspectives. </p>
<p>(btw, I hope I’m not too off-topic for the Chicago board!)</p>