University of Chicago ED rejection?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dispute that it's 'common knowledge' that Chicago doesn't accept anyone EA. Maybe our school counselor should have clued us in, but she didn't.

DC, who is top of the class/ high stats, didn't want to visit any of the top schools until he got a decision. Didn't want to fall in love with someplace only to get rejected. I think that's reasonable, and didn't push expensive/ inconvenient visits to any school that doesn't track demonstrated interest.

Chicago claims not to track demonstrated interest (though DC did attend local Chicago presentations and click on MANY emails). He really likes the option, but applying sight unseen ED seems too risky. I thought ED would signal that HYPS were not the top choice so would be preferable to RD. I was wrong -- DC was deferred. I regret I didn't do more research, and resent that Chicago seems to misrepresent its admissions processes. (Which is not to say I am sure DC would have been admitted had the processes been more transparent, just that I feel DC was hoodwinked)

How was your DC hoodwinked?

He applied ED and deferred. For T10 schools, it happens.

DC applied EA, on the assumption that the acceptance rate was about 5%. Turns out EA acceptance rate is at best 2%, and may be far below that. So . . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dispute that it's 'common knowledge' that Chicago doesn't accept anyone EA. Maybe our school counselor should have clued us in, but she didn't.

DC, who is top of the class/ high stats, didn't want to visit any of the top schools until he got a decision. Didn't want to fall in love with someplace only to get rejected. I think that's reasonable, and didn't push expensive/ inconvenient visits to any school that doesn't track demonstrated interest.

Chicago claims not to track demonstrated interest (though DC did attend local Chicago presentations and click on MANY emails). He really likes the option, but applying sight unseen ED seems too risky. I thought ED would signal that HYPS were not the top choice so would be preferable to RD. I was wrong -- DC was deferred. I regret I didn't do more research, and resent that Chicago seems to misrepresent its admissions processes. (Which is not to say I am sure DC would have been admitted had the processes been more transparent, just that I feel DC was hoodwinked)

How was your DC hoodwinked?

He applied ED and deferred. For T10 schools, it happens.

DC applied EA, on the assumption that the acceptance rate was about 5%. Turns out EA acceptance rate is at best 2%, and may be far below that. So . . . .

Seriously? Whether it’s 2% or 5%, both percentages speak to me as “not likely to be accepted”

My kid was accepted to schools with a 4%-5% acceptance rate but rejected from Boston University with a 10% acceptance rate. Should my kid feel hoodwinked by BU too?

There a lot of entitlement here…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dispute that it's 'common knowledge' that Chicago doesn't accept anyone EA. Maybe our school counselor should have clued us in, but she didn't.

DC, who is top of the class/ high stats, didn't want to visit any of the top schools until he got a decision. Didn't want to fall in love with someplace only to get rejected. I think that's reasonable, and didn't push expensive/ inconvenient visits to any school that doesn't track demonstrated interest.

Chicago claims not to track demonstrated interest (though DC did attend local Chicago presentations and click on MANY emails). He really likes the option, but applying sight unseen ED seems too risky. I thought ED would signal that HYPS were not the top choice so would be preferable to RD. I was wrong -- DC was deferred. I regret I didn't do more research, and resent that Chicago seems to misrepresent its admissions processes. (Which is not to say I am sure DC would have been admitted had the processes been more transparent, just that I feel DC was hoodwinked)

How was your DC hoodwinked?

He applied ED and deferred. For T10 schools, it happens.

DC applied EA, on the assumption that the acceptance rate was about 5%. Turns out EA acceptance rate is at best 2%, and may be far below that. So . . . .

Seriously? Whether it’s 2% or 5%, both percentages speak to me as “not likely to be accepted”

My kid was accepted to schools with a 4%-5% acceptance rate but rejected from Boston University with a 10% acceptance rate. Should my kid feel hoodwinked by BU too?

There a lot of entitlement here…

Nah, I don't think the kid was entitled to be accepted. I think he was entitled to clear information about the process. Failing to release the data and giving only round numbers that aggregate ED and EA is fundamentally dishonest. He wouldn't have applied early if he knew. . . he may have applied RD (and still been rejected).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dispute that it's 'common knowledge' that Chicago doesn't accept anyone EA. Maybe our school counselor should have clued us in, but she didn't.

DC, who is top of the class/ high stats, didn't want to visit any of the top schools until he got a decision. Didn't want to fall in love with someplace only to get rejected. I think that's reasonable, and didn't push expensive/ inconvenient visits to any school that doesn't track demonstrated interest.

Chicago claims not to track demonstrated interest (though DC did attend local Chicago presentations and click on MANY emails). He really likes the option, but applying sight unseen ED seems too risky. I thought ED would signal that HYPS were not the top choice so would be preferable to RD. I was wrong -- DC was deferred. I regret I didn't do more research, and resent that Chicago seems to misrepresent its admissions processes. (Which is not to say I am sure DC would have been admitted had the processes been more transparent, just that I feel DC was hoodwinked)

How was your DC hoodwinked?

He applied ED and deferred. For T10 schools, it happens.

DC applied EA, on the assumption that the acceptance rate was about 5%. Turns out EA acceptance rate is at best 2%, and may be far below that. So . . . .

Seriously? Whether it’s 2% or 5%, both percentages speak to me as “not likely to be accepted”

My kid was accepted to schools with a 4%-5% acceptance rate but rejected from Boston University with a 10% acceptance rate. Should my kid feel hoodwinked by BU too?

There a lot of entitlement here…

+1

Guess people don't understand stand what =/< 10% acceptance rates mean. Heck, < 20% is a crapshoot.

Unfortunately, ED (1 or 2) probably gives the best chance at those types of schools, but not everyone can afford not to compare financial aid packages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dispute that it's 'common knowledge' that Chicago doesn't accept anyone EA. Maybe our school counselor should have clued us in, but she didn't.

DC, who is top of the class/ high stats, didn't want to visit any of the top schools until he got a decision. Didn't want to fall in love with someplace only to get rejected. I think that's reasonable, and didn't push expensive/ inconvenient visits to any school that doesn't track demonstrated interest.

Chicago claims not to track demonstrated interest (though DC did attend local Chicago presentations and click on MANY emails). He really likes the option, but applying sight unseen ED seems too risky. I thought ED would signal that HYPS were not the top choice so would be preferable to RD. I was wrong -- DC was deferred. I regret I didn't do more research, and resent that Chicago seems to misrepresent its admissions processes. (Which is not to say I am sure DC would have been admitted had the processes been more transparent, just that I feel DC was hoodwinked)

How was your DC hoodwinked?

He applied ED and deferred. For T10 schools, it happens.

DC applied EA, on the assumption that the acceptance rate was about 5%. Turns out EA acceptance rate is at best 2%, and may be far below that. So . . . .

Seriously? Whether it’s 2% or 5%, both percentages speak to me as “not likely to be accepted”

My kid was accepted to schools with a 4%-5% acceptance rate but rejected from Boston University with a 10% acceptance rate. Should my kid feel hoodwinked by BU too?

There a lot of entitlement here…

+1

Guess people don't understand stand what =/< 10% acceptance rates mean. Heck, < 20% is a crapshoot.

Unfortunately, ED (1 or 2) probably gives the best chance at those types of schools, but not everyone can afford not to compare financial aid packages.

DC applied EA elsewhere and was also deferred. I don't resent that school. They were transparent with their data. He took a fair shot and missed. Chicago, in retrospect, does not feel like a fair shot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dispute that it's 'common knowledge' that Chicago doesn't accept anyone EA. Maybe our school counselor should have clued us in, but she didn't.

DC, who is top of the class/ high stats, didn't want to visit any of the top schools until he got a decision. Didn't want to fall in love with someplace only to get rejected. I think that's reasonable, and didn't push expensive/ inconvenient visits to any school that doesn't track demonstrated interest.

Chicago claims not to track demonstrated interest (though DC did attend local Chicago presentations and click on MANY emails). He really likes the option, but applying sight unseen ED seems too risky. I thought ED would signal that HYPS were not the top choice so would be preferable to RD. I was wrong -- DC was deferred. I regret I didn't do more research, and resent that Chicago seems to misrepresent its admissions processes. (Which is not to say I am sure DC would have been admitted had the processes been more transparent, just that I feel DC was hoodwinked)

How was your DC hoodwinked?

He applied ED and deferred. For T10 schools, it happens.

DC applied EA, on the assumption that the acceptance rate was about 5%. Turns out EA acceptance rate is at best 2%, and may be far below that. So . . . .

Seriously? Whether it’s 2% or 5%, both percentages speak to me as “not likely to be accepted”

My kid was accepted to schools with a 4%-5% acceptance rate but rejected from Boston University with a 10% acceptance rate. Should my kid feel hoodwinked by BU too?

There a lot of entitlement here…

Nah, I don't think the kid was entitled to be accepted. I think he was entitled to clear information about the process. Failing to release the data and giving only round numbers that aggregate ED and EA is fundamentally dishonest. He wouldn't have applied early if he knew. . . he may have applied RD (and still been rejected).

Calling an admissions office "fundamentally dishonest" kind reads like entitlement. So, so few students are admitted each year. We all know that and hope for the best

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dispute that it's 'common knowledge' that Chicago doesn't accept anyone EA. Maybe our school counselor should have clued us in, but she didn't.

DC, who is top of the class/ high stats, didn't want to visit any of the top schools until he got a decision. Didn't want to fall in love with someplace only to get rejected. I think that's reasonable, and didn't push expensive/ inconvenient visits to any school that doesn't track demonstrated interest.

Chicago claims not to track demonstrated interest (though DC did attend local Chicago presentations and click on MANY emails). He really likes the option, but applying sight unseen ED seems too risky. I thought ED would signal that HYPS were not the top choice so would be preferable to RD. I was wrong -- DC was deferred. I regret I didn't do more research, and resent that Chicago seems to misrepresent its admissions processes. (Which is not to say I am sure DC would have been admitted had the processes been more transparent, just that I feel DC was hoodwinked)

How was your DC hoodwinked?

He applied ED and deferred. For T10 schools, it happens.

DC applied EA, on the assumption that the acceptance rate was about 5%. Turns out EA acceptance rate is at best 2%, and may be far below that. So . . . .

Seriously? Whether it’s 2% or 5%, both percentages speak to me as “not likely to be accepted”

My kid was accepted to schools with a 4%-5% acceptance rate but rejected from Boston University with a 10% acceptance rate. Should my kid feel hoodwinked by BU too?

There a lot of entitlement here…

Nah, I don't think the kid was entitled to be accepted. I think he was entitled to clear information about the process. Failing to release the data and giving only round numbers that aggregate ED and EA is fundamentally dishonest. He wouldn't have applied early if he knew. . . he may have applied RD (and still been rejected).

I think the process is apply, expect to be rejected, try your best anyway.
What college holds your hand and tells you exactly what your kid's chances are? Even with published acceptance rates, I know that my top of his class kid will have less of a chance at any of these colleges than the #15 kid at Andover. I am still failing to see how much clearer the info should be when the chance of acceptance is really a snowball's chance in hell?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dispute that it's 'common knowledge' that Chicago doesn't accept anyone EA. Maybe our school counselor should have clued us in, but she didn't.

DC, who is top of the class/ high stats, didn't want to visit any of the top schools until he got a decision. Didn't want to fall in love with someplace only to get rejected. I think that's reasonable, and didn't push expensive/ inconvenient visits to any school that doesn't track demonstrated interest.

Chicago claims not to track demonstrated interest (though DC did attend local Chicago presentations and click on MANY emails). He really likes the option, but applying sight unseen ED seems too risky. I thought ED would signal that HYPS were not the top choice so would be preferable to RD. I was wrong -- DC was deferred. I regret I didn't do more research, and resent that Chicago seems to misrepresent its admissions processes. (Which is not to say I am sure DC would have been admitted had the processes been more transparent, just that I feel DC was hoodwinked)

EA isn't binding. What difference does it make whether he applied EA or RD? It's reasonable to complain about a school filling 80%+ of its class with ED, but I don't really see the outrage over a "wasted" non-binding EA application if your child would have done RD anyway. He got it out of the way early.
How was your DC hoodwinked?

He applied ED and deferred. For T10 schools, it happens.

DC applied EA, on the assumption that the acceptance rate was about 5%. Turns out EA acceptance rate is at best 2%, and may be far below that. So . . . .

Seriously? Whether it’s 2% or 5%, both percentages speak to me as “not likely to be accepted”

My kid was accepted to schools with a 4%-5% acceptance rate but rejected from Boston University with a 10% acceptance rate. Should my kid feel hoodwinked by BU too?

There a lot of entitlement here…

Nah, I don't think the kid was entitled to be accepted. I think he was entitled to clear information about the process. Failing to release the data and giving only round numbers that aggregate ED and EA is fundamentally dishonest. He wouldn't have applied early if he knew. . . he may have applied RD (and still been rejected).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dispute that it's 'common knowledge' that Chicago doesn't accept anyone EA. Maybe our school counselor should have clued us in, but she didn't.

DC, who is top of the class/ high stats, didn't want to visit any of the top schools until he got a decision. Didn't want to fall in love with someplace only to get rejected. I think that's reasonable, and didn't push expensive/ inconvenient visits to any school that doesn't track demonstrated interest.

Chicago claims not to track demonstrated interest (though DC did attend local Chicago presentations and click on MANY emails). He really likes the option, but applying sight unseen ED seems too risky. I thought ED would signal that HYPS were not the top choice so would be preferable to RD. I was wrong -- DC was deferred. I regret I didn't do more research, and resent that Chicago seems to misrepresent its admissions processes. (Which is not to say I am sure DC would have been admitted had the processes been more transparent, just that I feel DC was hoodwinked)

What's the outrage over a "wasted" EA application, if he would have applied RD anyway? He just got it out of the way early.
EA isn't binding. What difference does it make whether he applied EA or RD? It's reasonable to complain about a school filling 80%+ of its class with ED, but I don't really see the outrage over a "wasted" non-binding EA application if your child would have done RD anyway. He got it out of the way early.
How was your DC hoodwinked?

He applied ED and deferred. For T10 schools, it happens.

DC applied EA, on the assumption that the acceptance rate was about 5%. Turns out EA acceptance rate is at best 2%, and may be far below that. So . . . .

Seriously? Whether it’s 2% or 5%, both percentages speak to me as “not likely to be accepted”

My kid was accepted to schools with a 4%-5% acceptance rate but rejected from Boston University with a 10% acceptance rate. Should my kid feel hoodwinked by BU too?

There a lot of entitlement here…

Nah, I don't think the kid was entitled to be accepted. I think he was entitled to clear information about the process. Failing to release the data and giving only round numbers that aggregate ED and EA is fundamentally dishonest. He wouldn't have applied early if he knew. . . he may have applied RD (and still been rejected).

[Anonymous]

Few years ago my son got in EA, got rejected from Yale.
He got to Cornell on RD and picked U Chicago, and fit most part he is been very happy at the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Few years ago my son got in EA, got rejected from Yale.
He got to Cornell on RD and picked U Chicago, and fit most part he is been very happy at the school.

Real talk: How does he/you feel about the safety of the campus? I really like the liberal arts core for my DS, but what I've googled about safety feels very concerning.

What else does he not like?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Few years ago my son got in EA, got rejected from Yale.
He got to Cornell on RD and picked U Chicago, and fit most part he is been very happy at the school.

Real talk: How does he/you feel about the safety of the campus? I really like the liberal arts core for my DS, but what I've googled about safety feels very concerning.

What else does he not like?

DP but I have a kid there too. Mine feels safe on campus. Although the mom in me wonders if they are truly street aware.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Few years ago my son got in EA, got rejected from Yale.
He got to Cornell on RD and picked U Chicago, and fit most part he is been very happy at the school.

Real talk: How does he/you feel about the safety of the campus? I really like the liberal arts core for my DS, but what I've googled about safety feels very concerning.

What else does he not like?

Hyde park? It’s very safe. It’s not like you’re accidentally stumbling into O block and no criminal walks in the direction of campus with 100 police officers. Chicago is nice and the crime is overstated/a reflection of pockets of poverty. Hyde park is not an impoverished area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Few years ago my son got in EA, got rejected from Yale.
He got to Cornell on RD and picked U Chicago, and fit most part he is been very happy at the school.

Real talk: How does he/you feel about the safety of the campus? I really like the liberal arts core for my DS, but what I've googled about safety feels very concerning.

What else does he not like?

Hyde park? It’s very safe. It’s not like you’re accidentally stumbling into O block and no criminal walks in the direction of campus with 100 police officers. Chicago is nice and the crime is overstated/a reflection of pockets of poverty. Hyde park is not an impoverished area.

What about the recent-ish shootings? I keep reading things like "everyone gets mugged." My kid is fairly street smart being from NYC, but that also makes me hyper aware of potential risks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Few years ago my son got in EA, got rejected from Yale.
He got to Cornell on RD and picked U Chicago, and fit most part he is been very happy at the school.

Real talk: How does he/you feel about the safety of the campus? I really like the liberal arts core for my DS, but what I've googled about safety feels very concerning.

What else does he not like?

Hyde park? It’s very safe. It’s not like you’re accidentally stumbling into O block and no criminal walks in the direction of campus with 100 police officers. Chicago is nice and the crime is overstated/a reflection of pockets of poverty. Hyde park is not an impoverished area.

What about the recent-ish shootings? I keep reading things like "everyone gets mugged." My kid is fairly street smart being from NYC, but that also makes me hyper aware of potential risks.

Adding cards on the table: We are debating ED2.