University of Chicago ED rejection?

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Yes, a friend's child was rejected ED. He goes to a private school, I don't know his stats.

[Anonymous]

I know a rejection as well. He/she is a decent student at a very challenging high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know a rejection as well. He/she is a decent student at a very challenging high school.

Actually, on second thought I know 2. Different high schools.
I think the ED rate is high but acceptance/deferral among accomplished kids didn't seem to be a given this year.

[Anonymous]

Yes, know of an ED1 rejected last year from private.

[Anonymous]

I know an ED rejection last year who was then admitted to Brown and Cornell. Bizarre! Maybe the kid had terrible essays.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I know of 1 rejection last year and 2 this year. All very strong students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I know of 1 rejection last year and 2 this year. All very strong students.

Just to add that there were 2 acceptances this year too. Both kids in the top 10 percent of the class. Lower ranked kids (not top 10) were accepted to Dartmouth, Cornell, Columbia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I know of 1 rejection last year and 2 this year. All very strong students.

Just to add that there were 2 acceptances this year too. Both kids in the top 10 percent of the class. Lower ranked kids (not top 10) were accepted to Dartmouth, Cornell, Columbia.

That just tells you that those 2 kids could have aimed higher. instead they settled for a school with a 40% ED accept rate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I know of 1 rejection last year and 2 this year. All very strong students.

Just to add that there were 2 acceptances this year too. Both kids in the top 10 percent of the class. Lower ranked kids (not top 10) were accepted to Dartmouth, Cornell, Columbia.

That just tells you that those 2 kids could have aimed higher. instead they settled for a school with a 40% ED accept rate.

For the love of Pete--perhaps they wanted to attend Chicago. 99% of the world outside of DCUM does not make their college decision on rank.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I know of 1 rejection last year and 2 this year. All very strong students.

Just to add that there were 2 acceptances this year too. Both kids in the top 10 percent of the class. Lower ranked kids (not top 10) were accepted to Dartmouth, Cornell, Columbia.

That just tells you that those 2 kids could have aimed higher. instead they settled for a school with a 40% ED accept rate.

For the love of Pete--perhaps they wanted to attend Chicago. 99% of the world outside of DCUM does not make their college decision on rank.

Maybe, but let's be for real. No one choose Chicago over an Ivy. Which is why Chicago has to play all these crazy games with admissions. It really is to their detriment and they should stop ASAP. But it sounds like they are absolutely desperate for $$.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I know of 1 rejection last year and 2 this year. All very strong students.

Just to add that there were 2 acceptances this year too. Both kids in the top 10 percent of the class. Lower ranked kids (not top 10) were accepted to Dartmouth, Cornell, Columbia.

That just tells you that those 2 kids could have aimed higher. instead they settled for a school with a 40% ED accept rate.

For the love of Pete--perhaps they wanted to attend Chicago. 99% of the world outside of DCUM does not make their college decision on rank.

Maybe, but let's be for real. No one choose Chicago over an Ivy. Which is why Chicago has to play all these crazy games with admissions. It really is to their detriment and they should stop ASAP. But it sounds like they are absolutely desperate for $$.

Right? It's such a joyless place. The only reason people go there is because they don't have the confidence they'd get into Brown, but want the elite name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I know of 1 rejection last year and 2 this year. All very strong students.

Just to add that there were 2 acceptances this year too. Both kids in the top 10 percent of the class. Lower ranked kids (not top 10) were accepted to Dartmouth, Cornell, Columbia.

That just tells you that those 2 kids could have aimed higher. instead they settled for a school with a 40% ED accept rate.

For the love of Pete--perhaps they wanted to attend Chicago. 99% of the world outside of DCUM does not make their college decision on rank.

Maybe, but let's be for real. No one choose Chicago over an Ivy. Which is why Chicago has to play all these crazy games with admissions. It really is to their detriment and they should stop ASAP. But it sounds like they are absolutely desperate for $$.

There are many nerdy kids who choose Chicago. One of the kids that was accepted ED Chicago was encouraged to apply to HYP but chose Chicago. My own kid would also choose Chicago over Dartmouth, Cornell, Penn, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I know of 1 rejection last year and 2 this year. All very strong students.

Just to add that there were 2 acceptances this year too. Both kids in the top 10 percent of the class. Lower ranked kids (not top 10) were accepted to Dartmouth, Cornell, Columbia.

That just tells you that those 2 kids could have aimed higher. instead they settled for a school with a 40% ED accept rate.

For the love of Pete--perhaps they wanted to attend Chicago. 99% of the world outside of DCUM does not make their college decision on rank.

Maybe, but let's be for real. No one choose Chicago over an Ivy. Which is why Chicago has to play all these crazy games with admissions. It really is to their detriment and they should stop ASAP. But it sounds like they are absolutely desperate for $$.

Well considering the financial situation UChicago is in, it's no surprise they are so focused o filling their classes via full-pay boarding school kids applying ED1:

https://chicagomaroon.com/40872/news/expect-growing-pains-university-presentation-reveals-severe-financial-pressures/

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/education/fitch-lowers-uchicagos-financial-outlook-negative

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/opinion/university-chicago-has-debt-problem-opinion

https://www.chronicle.com/article/the-u-of-chicago-is-feeling-a-financial-squeeze

https://chicagomaroon.com/41402/news/weathering-the-storm-university-presents-plans-to-close-budget-deficit-by-2028/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I know of 1 rejection last year and 2 this year. All very strong students.

Just to add that there were 2 acceptances this year too. Both kids in the top 10 percent of the class. Lower ranked kids (not top 10) were accepted to Dartmouth, Cornell, Columbia.

That just tells you that those 2 kids could have aimed higher. instead they settled for a school with a 40% ED accept rate.

For the love of Pete--perhaps they wanted to attend Chicago. 99% of the world outside of DCUM does not make their college decision on rank.

Maybe, but let's be for real. No one choose Chicago over an Ivy. Which is why Chicago has to play all these crazy games with admissions. It really is to their detriment and they should stop ASAP. But it sounds like they are absolutely desperate for $$.

There are many nerdy kids who choose Chicago. One of the kids that was accepted ED Chicago was encouraged to apply to HYP but chose Chicago. My own kid would also choose Chicago over Dartmouth, Cornell, Penn, etc.

My kid is going to Chicago next year and you would never call him a nerd. He is highly academic and had no interest in "party schools," but he is sporty, social, and a lot of fun.
Would he have chose Penn over Chicago? Probably, but he wouldn't have gotten in.