@kaukauna Thank you very much!
Hi everyone! As @kaukauna noted, Grace is off to graduate school, so Jack and I (Alex) are here to answer any questions you have!
@longone You are correct! Checking the box on your application that says you will be applying for need-based aid will automatically waive the application fee.
Hi Jack and Alex
So I am an international transfer student who is looking forward to transfer to UChicago. However I have something to ask regarding some of your, how should I put it, admissions problem.
First of all, even though the “Setting up your account” page on my UChicago has three options: early decision, regular decision, or transfer, I only have two options for early decision and regular decision once i press “Start new application”. So is it a computer glitch, or is transfer decision not opened yet ?
Secondly, I heard from some friends that transfer applicant cannot apply for early decision, I did not see your FAQ or transfer student page say so. There are only info for first year applicant on early decision and not much is said for Transfer applicant’s early decision. So I just want to make sure that is there early decision for transfer applicants ? And will it make me more or less competitive ?
And finally, even though interview is not compulsory, I would love to have an interview with an alumni or student interviewers. I really want to know more about the school and people. However, as I look through the interview page, there are not much information regarding transfer students’ interview. As I am in California, I have to book an appointment with an alumni but I don’t see such options on the interview page. So is there any chance I can book an interview with an alumni ?
Really sorry for asking through your email and on CC, but I have no other choices. Many of my emails went unnoticed by other schools even though I did do follow up, and I got a feeling that there is something wrong with my email. Anyway, really thank you for any information you can give me.
Hi @Duyho1996 I just e-mailed our director of transfer applications in regard to your first question and will let you know shortly. We only have one deadline for transfer applications – March 1st. Interviews for transfer applicants only occur on our campus, and they are available after March 1st. However, please remember that interviews are completely optional.
Thank you very much for your quick reply. Looking forward to hearing from you
Thank you very much for your quick reply. Looking forward to hearing from you
Hello there,
I am very interested in applying for UChi and I believe that I am in good standing for the school, however I am attending a community college out of state and was part-time in my first year. I was part-time due to personal issues but was still able to maintain a 4.0 GPA. I am wondering if my application will be negatively viewed upon due to the fact that I was part time in my first year. I took about 8 credits both semesters, plus 9 in the summer semester, adding to 25 credits my first year.
The personal issues are resolved and I am now able to be full-time and maintain my GPA. I also trust that I will have great letters of recs and EC’s. However, I do know that UChi tends to favor those who have a ‘tough’ curriculum, although I would honestly say that with my personal issues, last year was the most ‘tough’ year of my life, and I was still able to achieve what I had. I am very proud of that accomplishment. In spite of this, I am still being told by people that I should not even consider applying to UChi since people from Cornell and Columbia with 4.0’s and high school 4.0’s are applying.
I would appreciate your feedback, since you are from the University, unlike the individuals who are telling me this. I hope my personal issues would be taken into account, as they were very serious. Thank you so much.
@Duyho1996 Our tech team just fixed the error, so the 2016 TR option is now available through the UChicago Account!
Hi @physicslovr
Every year, we accept transfer applicants, and many are from community colleges. We read applications holistically which means that every single part of your application is important. Grades/academics are one of many parts that we consider when reviewing applications. We also do consider any additional information you provide that may have impacted your academics, and overcoming obstacles to succeed in your classes is looked at positively on an application.
@UChicago Got it. thank you very much
Hi. I’m really interested in applying to UChicago and have a question about financial aid/ admissions. On the UChicago website it says you practice need blind admissions for Canadian citizens. If I am a Canadian citizen, but currently live in Pakistan, and apply for financial aid, will my admission process be need blind or need aware?
Hi Grace, I just had a question about class rank. Is it a very significant part of the admissions process? My school is a very competitive school with a total of 100 students per class. The difference in GPA percentage between the valedictorian(98.5%) and 50th/100 (95.0) is 3.5% in my year. I was just wondering whether being in the bottom 50% of such a class setting (I have a 94.5%) would significantly impact admissions. Thank you so much in advance! 
Hi @themarksweleave, we will read your application need-blind because you are a Canadian citizen.
Hi @grandprime, Grace is in grad school, but Alex and Jack are here to answer your questions! We read applications holistically, which means that every single part of your application is important. Aside from academics, the required items we review include test scores, outside involvement, letters of recommendation, and essays. We also receive a profile and secondary school report from every school which will contextualize the school for us. They will let us know about class offerings, how grades are calculated, etc. Therefore, we will understand your transcript from the context of those forms.
My D is very interested in UChicago and she has a question but no account here do I’ll ask for her. Her public high school did not offer very many AP’s until this year when the curriculum changed. She thinks that the school profile page will now reflect this and put her at a disadvantage ( not having taken many AP’s). She doesn’t think that the school profile will include the info that it was a recent change. Should she mention this new development on her CA or not? Thank you!
Hi,
I had a question about how to submit the ‘uncommon essay.’ Since this year, we can select essays from past years, is there a specific way we let you know which essay prompt we have chosen? Would I just put the essay prompt at the top of the essay or is there a better way to do it?
Thanks.
@UChicago Thank you Alex and Jack for your response. I also had another question regarding recommendations. I am an athletic recruit, and I was wondering if it is recommended I also get a recommendation from my school swimming coach. Thank you!
I’m wondering what SAT subject test scores would be good enough to enhance the application. Since the subject scores are not required, I would only want her to send in scores that would help, otherwise she wouldn’t send them in. She got a 35 on the ACT, so that might be good enough to stand on its own. She did get an 800, but does it raise questions if only one subject test score is sent? Her other scores are 760 and 740. Which, if any, should she send?
@goingnutsmom The school profile should reflect what you just mentioned, but you can feel free to mention this on the Common App!
@genius231 Feel free to write the prompt on the top of the essay!
@grandprime You’re welcome! It’s really all up to you. We allow you to submit one letter of recommendation from anyone you would like (aside from the two required teacher letters). However, it will not at all negatively impact your application if your swimming coach does not submit a letter of recommendation.
@momlin We do not have any specific SAT Subject Test cutoffs. In fact, they are all completely optional, so it is really all up to the applicant!
@UChicago
Is it okay to write over 500 words on the “favorites” prompt? Also, how long is “too long” for the extended essay?
@UChicago if the interview goes extremely well or extremely poorly, how much will make a difference when the application is being reviewed? If we feel that our application is on the weaker side, would you recommend scheduling an interview to supplement?