<p>with harvard in your username, why are you even posting here? ;)</p>
<p>You have the good base for an acceptee, but i’d work on essay topics. In the current admissions game, you need to have a hook… chem could definitely be that. Have you considered intel/science fair/siemens? Get a hook, and you’ll be really well off. Without a hook, who knows? So many amazing people get rejected. And, Chicago is looking for people that fit the Chicago mold (as in, the people who don’t fit a mold). Also try to work on translating yourself onto paper. I think it was my common app main essay that pushed me over the edge. It was like my brain but on paper. Try to capture your uniqueness. That will help you more than GPA or test scores (or honor societies- I’m not in NHS or any kind of honor roll and I got in… with a downward trend in grades as well Yay for Chicago weighting the essays!).</p>
<p>Good luck. I’m sure you have it in you.</p>