University of Chicago ED rejection?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone is always quick to comment on the high stats, but I don't hear a lot about the essays. Chicago has a lot of supplemental essays and I do think they put more weight in these responses than other schools because they really do want a particular type of kid.

DD got a handwritten letter from the admissions officer commenting on how much he enjoyed reading her essays. When we met that officer at the admitted student's event several months later, he referenced something she'd said in the essay. Yes, she had great stats, recommendations, rigor, etc, but I do think those essays played a big role in her acceptance.

What a stupid admission standard.

I disagree with you 1,000%. Original thinking beats the heck out of contrived "passions" and fake non-profits, in my book. YMMV.

Original thinking in the age of AI, private writing tutors, and test optional is all BS. We replaced talent with well manicured fakers ever since Covid started.

Oh! I think the Chicago “uncommon essay” prompts aren’t something AI or a writing tutor can respond to well. They are very quirky, and the best essays show that the kids are intellectually playful. Go read some of the prompts and you’ll see.

The uncommon essay is what sold my DC on Chicago. They really got into a vortex of the silliest and nerdiest kind. Came put living the school that would ask those questions.

You can use ChatGPT to answer all of those questions well. Students know how to ask for the right kind of questions and avenues towards creative responses from gpt. A lot of professors ask super surface level questions or just copy-paste prompts and conclude it’s a poor essay writing tool, but it’s actually excellent at idea generation and helping you execute difficult writing prompts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
HYPMS over UChicago - I get that. But is Brown over UChicago obvious?

Yes, no question. Two very different schools, though. Hard to imagine that being the option for someone, not to mention the fact that Chicago only accepts people through binding early applications.
I can’t imagine someone making this choice if you’re interested in Physics, Math, Econ, or the social sciences, or classics. I get it for engineering and prelaw.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone is always quick to comment on the high stats, but I don't hear a lot about the essays. Chicago has a lot of supplemental essays and I do think they put more weight in these responses than other schools because they really do want a particular type of kid.

DD got a handwritten letter from the admissions officer commenting on how much he enjoyed reading her essays. When we met that officer at the admitted student's event several months later, he referenced something she'd said in the essay. Yes, she had great stats, recommendations, rigor, etc, but I do think those essays played a big role in her acceptance.

What a stupid admission standard.

I disagree with you 1,000%. Original thinking beats the heck out of contrived "passions" and fake non-profits, in my book. YMMV.

Original thinking in the age of AI, private writing tutors, and test optional is all BS. We replaced talent with well manicured fakers ever since Covid started.

Oh! I think the Chicago “uncommon essay” prompts aren’t something AI or a writing tutor can respond to well. They are very quirky, and the best essays show that the kids are intellectually playful. Go read some of the prompts and you’ll see.

The uncommon essay is what sold my DC on Chicago. They really got into a vortex of the silliest and nerdiest kind. Came put living the school that would ask those questions.

You can use ChatGPT to answer all of those questions well. Students know how to ask for the right kind of questions and avenues towards creative responses from gpt. A lot of professors ask super surface level questions or just copy-paste prompts and conclude it’s a poor essay writing tool, but it’s actually excellent at idea generation and helping you execute difficult writing prompts.

The uncommon essays were the leading indicator for DC that UChicago might be a good fit. As someone who writes a lot for a living, I am deeply skeptical that chatGPT could generate an excellent essay in response to the types of questions on the UChi list. At best, you'd get an idea or two, but then you'd still have to actually write the essay. I've read a lot of AI produced writing, and I've yet to be impressed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
HYPMS over UChicago - I get that. But is Brown over UChicago obvious?

Yes, no question. Two very different schools, though. Hard to imagine that being the option for someone, not to mention the fact that Chicago only accepts people through binding early applications.

I can’t imagine someone making this choice if you’re interested in Physics, Math, Econ, or the social sciences, or classics. I get it for engineering and prelaw.

Huh? You really are totally clueless about UChicago. The fact you mention engineering as a major is a dead giveaway. And what the heck is prelaw?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
HYPMS over UChicago - I get that. But is Brown over UChicago obvious?

Yes, no question. Two very different schools, though. Hard to imagine that being the option for someone, not to mention the fact that Chicago only accepts people through binding early applications.

I can’t imagine someone making this choice if you’re interested in Physics, Math, Econ, or the social sciences, or classics. I get it for engineering and prelaw.

Huh? You really are totally clueless about UChicago. The fact you mention engineering as a major is a dead giveaway. And what the heck is prelaw?
You’re actually mentally handicapped. Brown has engineering, dumbo, so yes, if you wanna be an engineer go there over Chicago. And prelaw as in the gpa and pre you need before law school. Uchicago has grade deflation, brown is hyper inflated. Maybe learn things before yapping incessantly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone is always quick to comment on the high stats, but I don't hear a lot about the essays. Chicago has a lot of supplemental essays and I do think they put more weight in these responses than other schools because they really do want a particular type of kid.

DD got a handwritten letter from the admissions officer commenting on how much he enjoyed reading her essays. When we met that officer at the admitted student's event several months later, he referenced something she'd said in the essay. Yes, she had great stats, recommendations, rigor, etc, but I do think those essays played a big role in her acceptance.

What a stupid admission standard.

I disagree with you 1,000%. Original thinking beats the heck out of contrived "passions" and fake non-profits, in my book. YMMV.

Original thinking in the age of AI, private writing tutors, and test optional is all BS. We replaced talent with well manicured fakers ever since Covid started.

Oh! I think the Chicago “uncommon essay” prompts aren’t something AI or a writing tutor can respond to well. They are very quirky, and the best essays show that the kids are intellectually playful. Go read some of the prompts and you’ll see.

The uncommon essay is what sold my DC on Chicago. They really got into a vortex of the silliest and nerdiest kind. Came put living the school that would ask those questions.

You can use ChatGPT to answer all of those questions well. Students know how to ask for the right kind of questions and avenues towards creative responses from gpt. A lot of professors ask super surface level questions or just copy-paste prompts and conclude it’s a poor essay writing tool, but it’s actually excellent at idea generation and helping you execute difficult writing prompts.

The uncommon essays were the leading indicator for DC that UChicago might be a good fit. As someone who writes a lot for a living, I am deeply skeptical that chatGPT could generate an excellent essay in response to the types of questions on the UChi list. At best, you'd get an idea or two, but then you'd still have to actually write the essay. I've read a lot of AI produced writing, and I've yet to be impressed.

Yet various writing jobs have been taken by ai. But sure, keep living in the complete dark.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A friend's kid was rejected. He was extremely high stats and wildly nice and accomplished. And a man. I guess the admission guy replied after a "WTF" query and said this year they had more applicants than last year, which was the most ever. The hating on UChicago on this board is legendary, and I guess it's because it's a school for actual smart kids, or something, but it is really, really hard to get in.

I said this before on another thread and I think it's because most people consider UChicago as a backup to "insert more exclusive school here" and get flabbergasted when their kids get denied admission. It's like thinking you are settling for the more unattractive potential partner and then get rejected.

"You weren't that good anyway" seems like the default cope.

They defer first and not reject. They defer ask kids to do ED2. They don’t have to do that or worry about their yield if they are really as good as they think they are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone is always quick to comment on the high stats, but I don't hear a lot about the essays. Chicago has a lot of supplemental essays and I do think they put more weight in these responses than other schools because they really do want a particular type of kid.

DD got a handwritten letter from the admissions officer commenting on how much he enjoyed reading her essays. When we met that officer at the admitted student's event several months later, he referenced something she'd said in the essay. Yes, she had great stats, recommendations, rigor, etc, but I do think those essays played a big role in her acceptance.

What a stupid admission standard.

I disagree with you 1,000%. Original thinking beats the heck out of contrived "passions" and fake non-profits, in my book. YMMV.

Original thinking in the age of AI, private writing tutors, and test optional is all BS. We replaced talent with well manicured fakers ever since Covid started.

Oh! I think the Chicago “uncommon essay” prompts aren’t something AI or a writing tutor can respond to well. They are very quirky, and the best essays show that the kids are intellectually playful. Go read some of the prompts and you’ll see.

The uncommon essay is what sold my DC on Chicago. They really got into a vortex of the silliest and nerdiest kind. Came put living the school that would ask those questions.

You can use ChatGPT to answer all of those questions well. Students know how to ask for the right kind of questions and avenues towards creative responses from gpt. A lot of professors ask super surface level questions or just copy-paste prompts and conclude it’s a poor essay writing tool, but it’s actually excellent at idea generation and helping you execute difficult writing prompts.

The uncommon essays were the leading indicator for DC that UChicago might be a good fit. As someone who writes a lot for a living, I am deeply skeptical that chatGPT could generate an excellent essay in response to the types of questions on the UChi list. At best, you'd get an idea or two, but then you'd still have to actually write the essay. I've read a lot of AI produced writing, and I've yet to be impressed.

Yet various writing jobs have been taken by ai. But sure, keep living in the complete dark.

I'm a writer. The only writing work "taken" by AI is the dullest, most generic kind. Company press releases. Earnings reports. Summaries. AI is great for that stuff - it's cut out some of my most repetitive boring work. But it can't replace me.(not saying it won't happen someday, but it's a ways off)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone is always quick to comment on the high stats, but I don't hear a lot about the essays. Chicago has a lot of supplemental essays and I do think they put more weight in these responses than other schools because they really do want a particular type of kid.

DD got a handwritten letter from the admissions officer commenting on how much he enjoyed reading her essays. When we met that officer at the admitted student's event several months later, he referenced something she'd said in the essay. Yes, she had great stats, recommendations, rigor, etc, but I do think those essays played a big role in her acceptance.

What a stupid admission standard.

I disagree with you 1,000%. Original thinking beats the heck out of contrived "passions" and fake non-profits, in my book. YMMV.

Original thinking in the age of AI, private writing tutors, and test optional is all BS. We replaced talent with well manicured fakers ever since Covid started.

Oh! I think the Chicago “uncommon essay” prompts aren’t something AI or a writing tutor can respond to well. They are very quirky, and the best essays show that the kids are intellectually playful. Go read some of the prompts and you’ll see.

The uncommon essay is what sold my DC on Chicago. They really got into a vortex of the silliest and nerdiest kind. Came put living the school that would ask those questions.

You can use ChatGPT to answer all of those questions well. Students know how to ask for the right kind of questions and avenues towards creative responses from gpt. A lot of professors ask super surface level questions or just copy-paste prompts and conclude it’s a poor essay writing tool, but it’s actually excellent at idea generation and helping you execute difficult writing prompts.

The uncommon essays were the leading indicator for DC that UChicago might be a good fit. As someone who writes a lot for a living, I am deeply skeptical that chatGPT could generate an excellent essay in response to the types of questions on the UChi list. At best, you'd get an idea or two, but then you'd still have to actually write the essay. I've read a lot of AI produced writing, and I've yet to be impressed.

Yet various writing jobs have been taken by ai. But sure, keep living in the complete dark.

I'm a writer. The only writing work "taken" by AI is the dullest, most generic kind. Company press releases. Earnings reports. Summaries. AI is great for that stuff - it's cut out some of my most repetitive boring work. But it can't replace me.(not saying it won't happen someday, but it's a ways off)

You’re extremely out of touch wirh industry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone is always quick to comment on the high stats, but I don't hear a lot about the essays. Chicago has a lot of supplemental essays and I do think they put more weight in these responses than other schools because they really do want a particular type of kid.

DD got a handwritten letter from the admissions officer commenting on how much he enjoyed reading her essays. When we met that officer at the admitted student's event several months later, he referenced something she'd said in the essay. Yes, she had great stats, recommendations, rigor, etc, but I do think those essays played a big role in her acceptance.

What a stupid admission standard.

I disagree with you 1,000%. Original thinking beats the heck out of contrived "passions" and fake non-profits, in my book. YMMV.

Original thinking in the age of AI, private writing tutors, and test optional is all BS. We replaced talent with well manicured fakers ever since Covid started.

Oh! I think the Chicago “uncommon essay” prompts aren’t something AI or a writing tutor can respond to well. They are very quirky, and the best essays show that the kids are intellectually playful. Go read some of the prompts and you’ll see.

The uncommon essay is what sold my DC on Chicago. They really got into a vortex of the silliest and nerdiest kind. Came put living the school that would ask those questions.

You can use ChatGPT to answer all of those questions well. Students know how to ask for the right kind of questions and avenues towards creative responses from gpt. A lot of professors ask super surface level questions or just copy-paste prompts and conclude it’s a poor essay writing tool, but it’s actually excellent at idea generation and helping you execute difficult writing prompts.

The uncommon essays were the leading indicator for DC that UChicago might be a good fit. As someone who writes a lot for a living, I am deeply skeptical that chatGPT could generate an excellent essay in response to the types of questions on the UChi list. At best, you'd get an idea or two, but then you'd still have to actually write the essay. I've read a lot of AI produced writing, and I've yet to be impressed.

Yet various writing jobs have been taken by ai. But sure, keep living in the complete dark.

I'm a writer. The only writing work "taken" by AI is the dullest, most generic kind. Company press releases. Earnings reports. Summaries. AI is great for that stuff - it's cut out some of my most repetitive boring work. But it can't replace me.(not saying it won't happen someday, but it's a ways off)

You’re extremely out of touch wirh industry.

LOL, tell yourself that. I'll be over here with my generous paycheck :-)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A friend's kid was rejected. He was extremely high stats and wildly nice and accomplished. And a man. I guess the admission guy replied after a "WTF" query and said this year they had more applicants than last year, which was the most ever. The hating on UChicago on this board is legendary, and I guess it's because it's a school for actual smart kids, or something, but it is really, really hard to get in.

I said this before on another thread and I think it's because most people consider UChicago as a backup to "insert more exclusive school here" and get flabbergasted when their kids get denied admission. It's like thinking you are settling for the more unattractive potential partner and then get rejected.

"You weren't that good anyway" seems like the default cope.

They defer first and not reject. They defer ask kids to do ED2. They don’t have to do that or worry about their yield if they are really as good as they think they are.

Are you AI mom by any chance - you have a big chip on your shoulder about Chicago!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A friend's kid was rejected. He was extremely high stats and wildly nice and accomplished. And a man. I guess the admission guy replied after a "WTF" query and said this year they had more applicants than last year, which was the most ever. The hating on UChicago on this board is legendary, and I guess it's because it's a school for actual smart kids, or something, but it is really, really hard to get in.

I said this before on another thread and I think it's because most people consider UChicago as a backup to "insert more exclusive school here" and get flabbergasted when their kids get denied admission. It's like thinking you are settling for the more unattractive potential partner and then get rejected.

"You weren't that good anyway" seems like the default cope.

They defer first and not reject. They defer ask kids to do ED2. They don’t have to do that or worry about their yield if they are really as good as they think they are.

Are you AI mom by any chance - you have a big chip on your shoulder about Chicago!

Inly about its admission practices.

Looks like you are a UChicago mom and want to defend it. Your kid is already there so no need to convince yourself by defending it. I am not saying that it’s a bad school. I am just saying that it is sneaky about its admission process. Take a chill pill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A friend's kid was rejected. He was extremely high stats and wildly nice and accomplished. And a man. I guess the admission guy replied after a "WTF" query and said this year they had more applicants than last year, which was the most ever. The hating on UChicago on this board is legendary, and I guess it's because it's a school for actual smart kids, or something, but it is really, really hard to get in.

I said this before on another thread and I think it's because most people consider UChicago as a backup to "insert more exclusive school here" and get flabbergasted when their kids get denied admission. It's like thinking you are settling for the more unattractive potential partner and then get rejected.

"You weren't that good anyway" seems like the default cope.

They defer first and not reject. They defer ask kids to do ED2. They don’t have to do that or worry about their yield if they are really as good as they think they are.

Are you AI mom by any chance - you have a big chip on your shoulder about Chicago!

Dubious distinction of #1 most hated school on DCUM

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the arguments about their actual ED acceptance rate rely on hypothetical info, since they don't release actual stats. So here's a question: Do you actually know anyone who was REJECTED by Chicago in the early decision round? (not EA - binding ED).
At our school 4/5 known ED applicants were accepted (and the 5th was deferred). This suggests a possibly insanely high ED accept rate - like 80%.
I think due to Chicago's reputation and location there is a certain amount of self-selection, but still.

Your school or the applicants must have met the criteria. Chicago is ranked very high and very competitively.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the arguments about their actual ED acceptance rate rely on hypothetical info, since they don't release actual stats. So here's a question: Do you actually know anyone who was REJECTED by Chicago in the early decision round? (not EA - binding ED).
At our school 4/5 known ED applicants were accepted (and the 5th was deferred). This suggests a possibly insanely high ED accept rate - like 80%.
I think due to Chicago's reputation and location there is a certain amount of self-selection, but still.

Your school or the applicants must have met the criteria. Chicago is ranked very high and very competitively.

I know a kid who was rejected the year before last for ED, was valedictorian and had a very high SAT (1570-1590 seem to recall). A head scratcher. Not sure if it was their essays or ECs that caused the rejection, but they do reject ED.