I recently was deferred EA, and am looking to spice up my application. I have requested an interview through emailling my admissions counselor, and requested to change to ED 2, and am considering creating a Portfolio. What else can I do to make my application more interesting and competitive? Also, if I create a portfolio, what sorts of things can I include, and what do admissions like/not like to see. I love to draw, but I’m not necessarily amazing, and do not wish to pursue it in my career. Additionally, I made a mini documentary that I am proud of, but again, it is not professional. Are these things I should leave out of my portfolio?
Hi @goonersfan17, The option to request an alumni interview will be available a couple weeks after the January 1st Regular Decision deadline.
Hi @ljnsdkflx, The percentage of deferred applicants varies every year because it is determined by the number of early applicants that accept their offers of admission.
Hi @ambiguouspronoun, We will be reading applications for ED-II and Regular Decision the same way. If you are looking to compare financial aid packages, then RD might be the better option. That said, UChicago guarantees to meet 100% of fully demonstrated need, and you can learn more about financial aid at http://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/costs/affording-education. Early Decision II applicants will be notified of their decisions in February. Regular Decision applicants will be notified in March.
Hi @ccyen328, Regardless of application plan, we are looking for the most qualified applicants. This is the first year with Early Decision and Early Decision II options; there is no plan to take more applicants in one round over another.
Hi @EllieRosie, There isn’t anything else you need to do. The Portfolio is completely optional and is meant for you to submit any materials that add a new perspective on who you are that are not in the rest of the application. We do not have set guidelines for Portfolio materials.
Hi @UChicago . I am a high school student who lives about 45 minutes from UChicago. I attended a visit at my high school from an admissions officer, but I’ve never toured the campus even though I live very close by. I did visit a friend there once. Could not formally taking a tour in any form harm me in the admissions process?
I noticed you guys don’t ask about tours on the application, but I’m a local candidate who lives VERY close by, so I was wondering if this could harm me.
Hi @UChicago, I submitted my UChicago RD application a few weeks ago, and I still have not received a confirmation e-mail saying that UChicago received my application’s supplemental materials. Is this normal? If not, what should I do? Thank you!
Hi @UChicago ! You mentioned earlier that an appropriate essay length is around 500 words. Does this apply to the extended essay? I wrote mine based on what you guys wrote in the Common App which says 1-2 pages so mine is around 1000 words (was having fun and might have gotten a little carried away). Do I need to cut down a lot? Thanks!
Hi @UChicago I was wondering that although an interview is optional, if it hurts our application not to request one or helps to request one. Also, do legacies get a boost in interview selectivity, as on the page it says “For internal tracking purposes, please check this box if your parents, step-parents, grandparents or step-grandparents received a degree from the University of Chicago.”
Thank you!
D was admitted without an interview. However her strong interest was very clear in her “Why UChicago” essay.
Hi @robjones , UChicago does not track demonstrated interest, so your ability to visit campus will not impact your admissions decision.
Hi @kimjiwonjenny , Yes! Please don’t worry. Within a couple weeks, we will send you an e-mail letting you know that credential checking has opened, and the materials checklist will be available through your UChicago Account. If we are missing any materials, you will be able to resubmit them without any penalty.
Hi @CactusUsername , We do not have any strict word limits, so you do not need to cut down your extended essay.
Hi @coolcheesebagel , Interviews are completely optional, so your application will not be negatively impacted if you do not request one. Legacy status is something that we can consider, but in a holistic admissions process, it is one of many factors that will be a part of our decision-making process– and would not be something that could overcome an otherwise lackluster application. It all depends on how the information fits in in the greater context of your application.
Trying to save time/money to choose what ap tests an admitted student should take and I thought it would be better to confirm here (majoring in social sciences)
Would a 4 in ap chemistry be sufficient to validate the physical science core requirement? Do I need to take the physics c mechanics exam or would it not be needed?
Hi, I have an admitted student for the class of 2021 and I wonder when merit scholarships will be determined? He would really like to attend we just need to know if there is any scholarship money to help. We do not qualify for any need based. Thank you.
@UChicago Hi! I was recently admitted EA, and I recently committed to U Chicago. However, I’m a little concerned about my GPA this semester. I’ve had a 4.0 throughout high school, and it looks like I’m going to get a B in one of my more difficult online classes (ahh…it was rough). My GPA could land anywhere between 3.8 and 3.9 depending on how I do on finals next week. Would this be a cause for admissions officers to reconsider my admission? Normally I wouldn’t be extremely concerned, but I know that a downward trend, especially in senior year, is noted. Thanks so much for your help!!
The option to request an interview does not appear under the forms section on my UChicago portal. I have heard from some people that the option was removed about a week ago. However, I really want to participate in an alumni interview. Is there any way I can still request an interview?
@UChicago Hi, I’m an international applying for financial aid. How am to fill out the ISFAA? Do I print it and then submit it through my UChicago account?
For a student who is already accepted is it necessary to fill out the FAFSA to receive merit scholarship? Thank you.
@UChicago For an ED II Applicant, are Mid Year reports factored in admission decisions or are they looked at after?
Hi @Conman58, You can find out about how exact AP credits transfer at http://collegecatalog.uchicago.edu/thecollege/examinationcreditandtransfercredit/#advancedplacementcredit.
Hi @Warrenless, Merit scholarships are rolling through April. Please feel free to check in with your student’s regional admissions counselor for any updates.
Hi @futuremaroon0998, Unless there is a significant dip in grades, we will not revoke an offer of admission.
Hi @CuriousBobby, We are at capacity for alumni interviews, which is why the request is no longer available. Please feel free to reach out to your regional admissions counselor to reiterate your interest in an alumni interview, and if space become available, they will let you know.
Hi @kirihito98, There should be an ISFAA on your UChicago Account. If you do not see it, please contact internationaladmissions@uchicago.edu to have it added.
Hi @NewYorker404, An application for admission is also the application for merit scholarships. We do not determine merit scholarships off of need-based financial aid applications.
Hi @TheShortSon, We ask that you submit the midyear report as soon as it is available, and it will be considered for admission, including for ED-II applicants.
@UChicago what if the mid year report is sent like a week or 5 days before Feb 15 (which I assume is when decisions come out)? Will it still be looked at or will UChicago look at it after decisions come out?
I got an email saying “Your UChicago application file is complete.Admission decisions will be available in mid-March.
We will publicize a more specific date when it becomes available…”
I have not sent mid-term reports yet. It seems I don’t need to. Please advice!
Hi @TheShortSon and @pristinechris, While we do ask for midyear reports to be submitted, oftentimes they are not available until after mid-February. Therefore, if you applied through ED2, and the midyear report is not available, it will not negatively impact your admissions decision. Please have it sent once it becomes available.
@UChicago do you know what date the ED2 decisions will be coming out? Thank you!