UChicago is Tops at Top Prep Schools

Data10
Sat, 02 Jan 2021 10:04:54 +0000

JBStillFlying:

UChicago’s standardized test scores - prior to TO - were actually higher than both Harvard’s and Stanford’s.

I don’t like the idea of defining “academic superstar” based on SAT/ACT score. The test has little meaning for highly selective colleges. The math section is primarily a measure of being able to race through simple multiple choice questions without making any careless errors, rather than anything relating to math students would see at either college or being an “academic superstar.” The EBRW also has little relevance to anything I’d associate with being an “academic superstar.” This relates to why such colleges tend to emphasize things like ECs, awards, LORs, and similar, which can provide more meaningful distinctions that small test score differences. I’d be far more impressed with an applicant who has an amazing academic achievement outside of the classroom than one who scores slightly higher on the SAT.

That said, I believe 2018-19 was the last year before test optional. A comparison of 2018-19 25/75 scores, as listed in federal reporting is below. For all practical purposes, the scores for Harvard and Chicago were the same. However, if you want to be really precise, Harvard had a slight edge in SAT, with slightly higher 75th percentile scores on both sections. Other less tech focused colleges with the same 33 to 35 ACT range include Columbia, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, Rice, Vanderbilt, and Yale.

Harvard: 33 to 35 ACT, 720/780 EBRW, 740/800 Math
Chicago: 33 to 35 ACT, 720/770 EBRW, 750/780 Math

I think the more interesting breakdown is comparing scores of special subgroups, like athletes. A comparison of scores as self-reported in the previously referenced freshman surveys as below. Harvard had higher non-athlete scores, but lower athlete scores. Chicago scores had less gap between athletes and non-athletes. This fits with the athletics being a larger hook at a Div I school, like Harvard.

Harvard Non-Athlete – 2254
Chicago Non-Athlete – 2224
Chicago Recruited Athlete – 2149
Harvard Recruited Athlete – 2115

They didn’t ask about legacies in this survey, but in others years, Harvard legacies have averaged ~60 points higher SAT than non-legacies, as self-reported on the freshman survey.