Would you give it a chance?

TheRisenLilith
Fri, 15 Jun 2007 21:58:18 +0000

Okay. So I’ve pretty much concluded that U-Chicago is a huge, macho reach for me, and that I absolutely loathe these “chance me” threads.
The mere fact that I am ignoring both of these notions/sentiments should express how much I want to go to this school, and how nervous I am about getting rejected from it.

So, proceeding with the thread:

I am a rising senior from a Texas high school. Our school is extremely competitive, although it is relatively new.
I wasn’t always the most academically focused person throughout my high school years, but that changed after my junior year (kind of late, I know). I spent a lot of time writing (about…everything, really) and thinking, and reading fiction books. And yes, these things usually came before homework. I’m smart though, even if I hadn’t always believed it, and I really want to go to a school that will really challenge me.
Everything I’ve heard and learned about U-Chicago has convinced me that it is the perfect place for me to start over, to tap into my potential and love for learning - things I had not known about during my HS years.

If you would chance me (honestly), that would be great.

STATS:
SAT I: 740 (CR) 680 (M) 720 (W) <– I’m redoing this baby next October.
SAT II: 700 - US History, ??? - Literature
GPA: ~3.4 UW
RANK: ~25%

Okay, the depressing part is over…

EXTRACURRICULARS:
Academic Decathlon - 4th Place Scholastic - Regionasl (11), 8th Place Music - State Meet (11)
Future Business Leaders of America - Vice President of Socials (11, 12), 5th Place Intro. to Business (10)
UIL Journalism Team - 2nd Place Feature Writing - Regionals (11), State Qualifier
Spanish Club - Secretary (10, 11), President? (12)
Choir - Secretary (11), Region Honor Choir (10)
Volunteer Club - > 150 Hours
Student of the Week Award
NHS, NSHS

WORK EXPERIENCE:
Kumon Learning Center, tutor (10, 11, 12)
DemiDec Resources, internship/writer - 11
(This is a significant experience for me - the company makes Academic Decathlon study materials, which was a huge deal seeing how AD convinced me to love learning. I was given tasks that were usually reserved for adults/coaches/peoplewithenglishdegrees, so this might express the level of my writing skills, maybe?)

TEACHER RECS:
MY AD coach will be writing my rec - I’m sure it will have a lot to do with potential, etc…
I will be getting my AP Biology teacher to write my other one. I haven’t met her yet, but I’m sure it will be good.

ESSAYS:
Well, it’s U-Chicago, can I really predict anything?
I would work in the topic of my little brother into my essay though. I have a younger brother who has had a profound impact on my life. He has autism, and this has affected how I look at people, and how I’m learning not to judge so easily because I know that sometimes people look at my little brother and the way he (mis)behaves, and they judge him as well…

Okay, this entire profile is still rather depressing, but hopefully U-Chicago will take a chance on me.