RealSucc Wow that’s amazing! Congrats on your acceptance and thanks for sharing!
so i haven’t gotten anything in the mail yet. Is anyone else still waiting on paper acceptances/rejections/waitlists? I’m not sure if it got lost in the mail or if my parents just didn’t give it to me or if it just hasn’t reached me yet? very confused.
@futuretonya are you on the admitted class groupme? And where are you from, that may affect it.
It is quite enlightening to read these back and forth posts. I wish we had such information before applying.
Does anyone know how helpful a music supplement is? My son is an advanced percussionist and is preparing his for next year. Just curious if anyone knows how highly regarded music is there. We are doing test optional too. There is no way he will get into the 1500s on his SAT. He is an excellent student but I know he will not score that high no matter what we do to prep. Thanks!
@goteam2 I don’t know for sure whether a music supplement makes a difference, but it certainly can’t hurt. My daughter included a short paragraph in the “extra info” section of the Common App (can’t remember what that section is called exactly). She talked about how music and performance were important to her/had a big impact on her life, and she included a YouTube link. She also uploaded the video as a supplement on her UChicago account. She was accepted and is currently playing in the UChicago Symphony Orchestra!
ok thanks!
@goteam2 IMO, a music supplement can’t hurt. I would probably do what @browniesundae daughter did and upload a video supplement showcasing his talent. My daughter, a first year, did similar steps when she applied. Her common app essay involved a narrative merging music and science, and her supplemental video included her playing along with some other things.
I don’t know what your son’s future plans are - if he wants to major/minor in music or play in college - Just an FYI (and this is my daughter’s perspective as a first year) - she says that there are loads of talented musicians on campus and many of them are first rate players, but because it is UChicago and academics are so highly regarded, she says that these top musicians often don’t choose to major or minor in music, and some choose not to play at all. My daughter plays in the UChicago Chamber Orchestra (1 step down from the Symphony Orchestra) and she commented that several of the players in the Chamber Orchestra should probably be in the Symphony, but they chose not to do so due to their class schedules, majors, etc., and not having the time to devote to the Symphony. My daughter struggles to find time to practice herself.
From what I understand, the UChicago music department is slowly taking steps to boost their presence on campus. The new Logan Center was built just a couple of years ago, and they seem to be bringing in more visiting musicians and groups.
Also, keep in mind that students do not audition for any ensemble until after school starts - this can be stressful to a student who has their heart set on playing in college. There is always the chance that they don’t make the ensemble they wanted. Players do need to re-audition every year too.
Good luck to your son!
@goteam2, Just a word of advice: you should read what UChicago has published about their decision to go Test Optional as part of the Empower Initiative. You should also read some of the prior discussions on CC. It’s not clear how much weight is given to the test score these days, and TO is open to all applicants, not just those who are economically or otherwise disadvantaged. But it might be misguided thinking to withhold a score merely because it’s below the average of 1500+. If everyone did that, UChicago would get very few SAT’s and they’d all be 1530 or higher 
To your other question about a music supplement, a few things to consider:
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Unlike some other schools, UChicago Admissions does not pass on the supplement to the dept. of music for separate feedback. So keep mind that it’s the AO’s or perhaps the adcom who will be reviewing the supplement. We looked into this when my son was considering whether to send along a supplement or not (he’s Class of '23 and playing in one of the ensembles on campus).
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Anything that strengthens your DS’s application, regardless of whether he applies TO, is going to help his admissions chances. The instructions from the admissions page definitely encourage students to send along examples of their best work.
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Just my opinion, but guessing they don’t get a ton of supplements from advanced percussionists, so just from a “standout” perspective, it’s probably worth a submission. My son’s (elite) youth symphony concert last year featured a marimba-player (marimbist?) for their concerto performance and he was fantastic! So were the violinists and pianists and so forth, but I especially remember the marimba.
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My son personally knew one or two musical prodigies who applied with high 1500’s to UChicago in RD and were turned down. So while the supplement and music resume help, they aren’t the whole story; fit is key and, by implication, so is ED. (EDIT TO ADD: obviously some will be admitted non-binding and choose to attend, so this is general as opposed to specific advice).
@lilchaz I honestly don’t think my D ever practices, lol! She is a pretty good sight reader so that probably saves her.
^ My son recently shared that he doesn’t practice either these days. This will come back to bite him when he auditions in the fall :neutral: But he’s not a music major. Totally agree with the prior post(s) - there are many top musicians on campus!
Thank you for the very insightful responses. Really appreciate it. You have given us a lot to think about!