What does U Chicago want?

[Anonymous]

Full pay is king almost everywhere.

No one really knows why/how their kid got in, obviously. If I had to guess for mine, I think it was a combination of the essay (an excellent and long response to a very creative prompt) and the ability to include a portfolio of strong work in a specific academic area. Student felt like UChicago really provided the opportunity to showcase intellectual interests and achievements…and genuinely enjoyed writing the essays. Didn’t submit the optional video. Had mid 1500 SATs and a slightly less impressive GPA at an exceptionally rigorous school. Good luck to the OP’s kid!

[Anonymous]

DS read me their essay prompts today and I have to give them credit… they are certainly unique.

[Anonymous]

They want a high ranking and your $$$$$$$$$$.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They want a high ranking and your $$$$$$$$$$.

Don’t they all…Although DCUM puts emphasis on full pay, kid got combination of aid, grants, and merit. So if u have the GPA, test score, EC’s and essays, go for it and see what happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They want a high ranking and your $$$$$$$$$$.

Don’t they all…Although DCUM puts emphasis on full pay, kid got combination of aid, grants, and merit. So if u have the GPA, test score, EC’s and essays, go for it and see what happens.

I find that DCUM likes to default to the answer of full pay when they are bitter about a school. Kid didn't get in? They didn't get in? Doesn't matter what school. If they want to be snarky about a particular university, they provide the very unhelpful answer of "full pay"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son wants to go to UChicago and, with ED, he's on the brink. The 3.8 private school kid you read about a lot here.

He has two summers to impress. He has his plans (incl a job), but he's wondering if anyone has any intel in what UChicago likes or doesn't care about.

I think they like their essays, for example, and aren't as concerned with volunteer work as some others -- but I'm guessing! Anyone have any intel?

Your schools counselor has likely seen many students accepted and rejected and will have a better idea than almost anyone here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They want a high ranking and your $$$$$$$$$$.

Don’t they all…Although DCUM puts emphasis on full pay, kid got combination of aid, grants, and merit. So if u have the GPA, test score, EC’s and essays, go for it and see what happens.

I find that DCUM likes to default to the answer of full pay when they are bitter about a school. Kid didn't get in? They didn't get in? Doesn't matter what school. If they want to be snarky about a particular university, they provide the very unhelpful answer of "full pay"

Or it's that UChicago is particularly egregious about their prep school adoration. I would be too if I was in their shoes and attempting to make a grueling, rigorous four years for my undergrad students, but it doesn't mean people are wrong when they say the school is looking for students with $. They very heavily lean on early processes for their barbell distribution: they take heavily from questbridge to get their low income students and then reel it in with a "high" ED acceptance rate to bring in prep school money. It is ridiculously difficult to get in ED2, EA, or RD. You know, the processes (other than ED2, they must be butthurt about the idea of being a second choice) where you have to compare financial aid packages and offers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They want a high ranking and your $$$$$$$$$$.

Don’t they all…Although DCUM puts emphasis on full pay, kid got combination of aid, grants, and merit. So if u have the GPA, test score, EC’s and essays, go for it and see what happens.

I find that DCUM likes to default to the answer of full pay when they are bitter about a school. Kid didn't get in? They didn't get in? Doesn't matter what school. If they want to be snarky about a particular university, they provide the very unhelpful answer of "full pay"

Or it's that UChicago is particularly egregious about their prep school adoration. I would be too if I was in their shoes and attempting to make a grueling, rigorous four years for my undergrad students, but it doesn't mean people are wrong when they say the school is looking for students with $. They very heavily lean on early processes for their barbell distribution: they take heavily from questbridge to get their low income students and then reel it in with a "high" ED acceptance rate to bring in prep school money. It is ridiculously difficult to get in ED2, EA, or RD. You know, the processes (other than ED2, they must be butthurt about the idea of being a second choice) where you have to compare financial aid packages and offers.

As you point out, there is a range of financial abilities—Questbridge, prep school full pay, and like my student prep school with merit. Going back to OP’s question—what does Chicago want. If you have a competitive GPA and SAT’s and the student is very interested, apply. I wouldn’t let your economic situation rule you in or out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They want a high ranking and your $$$$$$$$$$.

Don’t they all…Although DCUM puts emphasis on full pay, kid got combination of aid, grants, and merit. So if u have the GPA, test score, EC’s and essays, go for it and see what happens.

I find that DCUM likes to default to the answer of full pay when they are bitter about a school. Kid didn't get in? They didn't get in? Doesn't matter what school. If they want to be snarky about a particular university, they provide the very unhelpful answer of "full pay"

Or it's that UChicago is particularly egregious about their prep school adoration. I would be too if I was in their shoes and attempting to make a grueling, rigorous four years for my undergrad students, but it doesn't mean people are wrong when they say the school is looking for students with $. They very heavily lean on early processes for their barbell distribution: they take heavily from questbridge to get their low income students and then reel it in with a "high" ED acceptance rate to bring in prep school money. It is ridiculously difficult to get in ED2, EA, or RD. You know, the processes (other than ED2, they must be butthurt about the idea of being a second choice) where you have to compare financial aid packages and offers.

As you point out, there is a range of financial abilities—Questbridge, prep school full pay, and like my student prep school with merit. Going back to OP’s question—what does Chicago want. If you have a competitive GPA and SAT’s and the student is very interested, apply. I wouldn’t let your economic situation rule you in or out.

I also like to miss the point sometimes. They don't take a range, but rather take two strata. It's a pretty problematic admissions practice for a majority of families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They want a high ranking and your $$$$$$$$$$.

Don’t they all…Although DCUM puts emphasis on full pay, kid got combination of aid, grants, and merit. So if u have the GPA, test score, EC’s and essays, go for it and see what happens.

I find that DCUM likes to default to the answer of full pay when they are bitter about a school. Kid didn't get in? They didn't get in? Doesn't matter what school. If they want to be snarky about a particular university, they provide the very unhelpful answer of "full pay"

Or it's that UChicago is particularly egregious about their prep school adoration. I would be too if I was in their shoes and attempting to make a grueling, rigorous four years for my undergrad students, but it doesn't mean people are wrong when they say the school is looking for students with $. They very heavily lean on early processes for their barbell distribution: they take heavily from questbridge to get their low income students and then reel it in with a "high" ED acceptance rate to bring in prep school money. It is ridiculously difficult to get in ED2, EA, or RD. You know, the processes (other than ED2, they must be butthurt about the idea of being a second choice) where you have to compare financial aid packages and offers.

As you point out, there is a range of financial abilities—Questbridge, prep school full pay, and like my student prep school with merit. Going back to OP’s question—what does Chicago want. If you have a competitive GPA and SAT’s and the student is very interested, apply. I wouldn’t let your economic situation rule you in or out.

I also like to miss the point sometimes. They don't take a range, but rather take two strata. It's a pretty problematic admissions practice for a majority of families.

I’m a PP several posts back. Kid applied ED (because it was 1st choice) with 3.9 GPA, 1500+ SAT and got in. We needed the aid, grants, merit etc to make it work. And that’s what Chicago offered. We are a typical middle class family-not Questbridge and not upper class. I agree with other poster, that I wouldn’t perseverate on your financial status. Run the NPC and see if they meet ur need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS read me their essay prompts today and I have to give them credit… they are certainly unique.

And it's for a reason. People really underestimate how important essays are for selective schools. Absolutely everyone applying to schools like Chicago has high stats. The essays are the one place you can truly convince an admissions reader to bring the app to the table for further consideration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS read me their essay prompts today and I have to give them credit… they are certainly unique.

And it's for a reason. People really underestimate how important essays are for selective schools. Absolutely everyone applying to schools like Chicago has high stats. The essays are the one place you can truly convince an admissions reader to bring the app to the table for further consideration.

This is very true. We attended a webinar by UChicago last year that discussed the importance of the essays in demonstrating creativity and intellectual thinking. They also emphasized that the “Why Chicago” essay should be very specific to the school rather than a generic essay that could be sent to any school. In other wordds: why is Chicago the right for for u.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They want a high ranking and your $$$$$$$$$$.

Don’t they all…Although DCUM puts emphasis on full pay, kid got combination of aid, grants, and merit. So if u have the GPA, test score, EC’s and essays, go for it and see what happens.

I find that DCUM likes to default to the answer of full pay when they are bitter about a school. Kid didn't get in? They didn't get in? Doesn't matter what school. If they want to be snarky about a particular university, they provide the very unhelpful answer of "full pay"

Or it's that UChicago is particularly egregious about their prep school adoration. I would be too if I was in their shoes and attempting to make a grueling, rigorous four years for my undergrad students, but it doesn't mean people are wrong when they say the school is looking for students with $. They very heavily lean on early processes for their barbell distribution: they take heavily from questbridge to get their low income students and then reel it in with a "high" ED acceptance rate to bring in prep school money. It is ridiculously difficult to get in ED2, EA, or RD. You know, the processes (other than ED2, they must be butthurt about the idea of being a second choice) where you have to compare financial aid packages and offers.

As you point out, there is a range of financial abilities—Questbridge, prep school full pay, and like my student prep school with merit. Going back to OP’s question—what does Chicago want. If you have a competitive GPA and SAT’s and the student is very interested, apply. I wouldn’t let your economic situation rule you in or out.

I also like to miss the point sometimes. They don't take a range, but rather take two strata. It's a pretty problematic admissions practice for a majority of families.

Public School, Not Quest Bridge, not full pay, not low income (some aid, some out of pocket, not Pell), applied EA here - Accepted
OP, your kid has about as good a chance as mine did with acceptance. Work on essays. Be genuine and keep grades up. Enjoy their senior year.

[Anonymous]

Did you not see the video about the girl who fought back against the guy trying to steal her phone? She was walking back to her dorm from class in broad daylight (I think it was around 3 p.m.) and a male student just watched and did nothing. Like many here, I thought UChicago would be perfect for my child when I visited, but I cannot fathom wanting my child to be there as a freshman on campus after that incident. When I went to college, I walked home from the library past 10 p.m. every night, so the one thing I want for paying $80k a year is for a peace of mind that my DC will be safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did you not see the video about the girl who fought back against the guy trying to steal her phone? She was walking back to her dorm from class in broad daylight (I think it was around 3 p.m.) and a male student just watched and did nothing. Like many here, I thought UChicago would be perfect for my child when I visited, but I cannot fathom wanting my child to be there as a freshman on campus after that incident. When I went to college, I walked home from the library past 10 p.m. every night, so the one thing I want for paying $80k a year is for a peace of mind that my DC will be safe.

OP is asking about what UChicago is looking for. If you child is not applying, no need to be concerned about the topic of what the school is seeking.