<p>Hi guys, so I applied to transfer to U of C and was just put on the waitlist. This idea didn’t strike me while I was writing my application, but it has developed since, and I was wondering if it would help or hurt my chances at getting off the waitlist (because I’m afraid it might hurt, I’m going to avoid any identifying information).</p>
<p>My major (for which I’m hoping to go to grad school) involves a lot of looking at original Latin documents, from antiquity, though the middle ages, and into the early modern period. I studied Latin in high school and in college, and am very good at translating it into English, which is all the modern Latin curriculum asks Latin students to do. However, I found an institution abroad which forces every student to speak Latin to each other, both inside and outside class.</p>
<p>An idea kicking around in my mind is that I could attend this place for the 2012-2013 school year, which would not count as time at Chicago, and then return to Chicago to wrap up my remaining years. I don’t care if this is or is not for credit; it’s Chicago’s call. I just want to develop a more internal sense of Latin. If I couldn’t do this the 2012-2013 year, I wouldn’t interrupt my time at Chicago.</p>
<p>If I email the admissions team with this proposal, would it help me get off the waitlist? Or would it look like I’m asking for an accommodation, and thus hurt me?</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone really knows what’s up with the enrollment capacity at the U. of C. It seems the admissions office messed up their frosh admissions by (1) over-overadmitting by 200 or more and (2) underestimating the strength of the frosh applicant pool, because some of those that got the wait list “gap year” offers were possibly better qualified than those already admitted. So, it is hard to say whether the admissions office will try to correct some of their mistake by restricting transfers. </p>
<p>Maybe you should post the gap year for a transfer idea here:</p>
<p>Some times those “Student-at-large” programs will lead to actual enrollment, if you perform really well. But that is college specific and I cannot tell what success rate at UofC. I think at these most selective colleges, you will find difficulties to gain admission status even you did well with the Student at large programs. Otherwise, MIT or Harvard will be flooded with students attempting admission using this method and its not fair to those waitlisted candidates, Chicago will be in the same catagory.</p>
<p><a href=“2”>quote=rhg3rd</a> underestimating the strength of the frosh applicant pool, because some of those that got the wait list “gap year” offers were possibly better qualified than those already admitted.
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<p>Sorry to hijack this thread, but where is this coming from? Can you back this up with a source?</p>
<p>Further, if you go back several weeks you will see people with UChicago vs XU admit questions who have no clue as to why they want to be at the U. of C. or anywhere.</p>
<p>rhg, the link has info on PMCM’s 12th grade, post admission grades and his fears that they will get him revoked; maybe you meant to link to some earlier “chance me” post with stats. In any event, everyone knows that stats alone can’t be compared at U Chicago or at most selective schools, or at most private schools for that matter. That whole “holistic” thing, you know. As for those who are unsure where to attend or if they even want to attend U Chicago, I’m assuming they were able to fake it for their U Chicago app. I doubt anyone who couldn’t write a compelling “Why U Chicago” essay would get in. A good writer can convince the admissions folks even if they themselves are not convinced the school is right for them. No school admits a class of kids for whom the school was their first choice.</p>
<p>It’s tough to be denied anywhere, but to torture oneself with the “why?” of it in this day and age is just a waste of time…</p>