What Does it Take to Get Into the University of Chicago?

In Recent Years, The University Of Chicago Has Become A Safe Haven For Fearless And Forward-Thinking Students…

Located in the heart of one of the most iconic cities in the U.S., the University of Chicago continues to challenge conventional ideas and celebrate the ones that take their place.

If you have a passion for bringing new thoughts to the table, regardless of how unconventional they are, you should consider applying to the University of Chicago. Here, you’ll find a welcoming community of other scholars who simply want the rest of the world to realize its potential.

In this college guide, we’ll walk you through the University of Chicago’s application process. While it’s impossible to predict the outcome of the college admissions process, there are numerous ways you can increase your chances of being accepted to this iconic university!

WHAT YOU’LL FIND IN THIS COLLEGE GUIDE

• The University of Chicago’s Ideal Student
• What You Need to Get Accepted Into The University of Chicago
• The University of Chicago’s Campus Life
• From Application to Career: What You’ll Experience at The University of Chicago
• Your Future at The University of Chicago

The University Of Chicago's Ideal Student

The University of Chicago strives to create an atmosphere of diversity and inclusion that encourages students to challenge conventional ideas in their classes and community. This means the admissions office is looking for certain qualities in its students that will foster this diverse atmosphere.

Among the traits they see as necessary for admission is academic achievement. While maintaining a progressive mindset is one of their top priorities, the University of Chicago is one of the top research universities in the world, and it’s imperative that their students excel academically.

The average GPA and SAT scores of incoming freshmen are:

• GPA: 4.29 (unweighted)
• SAT: 1530
• ACT: 34

Note: Unlike most colleges, the University of Chicago admissions offers a superscoring option for your SAT and ACT scores. Superscoring means that the admissions office will consider your highest score from your standardized tests if you take them more than once. If you receive a lower score than you expected, it is strongly recommended that you retake your exams; you may increase your chances of admission significantly.

As you can see from their average test scores, the University of Chicago’s requirements make them an extremely competitive school. Their students are in the top percentile of their graduating classes, and pursued an extremely ambitious curriculum during high school.

While a rigorous class schedule will prepare you for the University of Chicago, it will also help you develop certain traits that make up their ideal student.

INITIATIVE & INTELLECT

The University of Chicago is known for their core academic curriculum, in which they encourage their students to step into the unknown, whether that be through research, presenting an unpopular opinion, or bringing to light an overlooked problem.

Since this is the “norm” in their classrooms, they’re looking for students who have taken initiative in the past:

• When did you take the first step among your peers to fix a problem?
• Have you ever led a project, or developed a strategy for a group project?
• Have you ever raised an unpopular opinion or differing stance on an issue in order to spur a classroom discussion?

In addition to initiative, you need the knowledge to carry it out. University of Chicago students present ideas, but also have the research and data to back it up. The ideal University of Chicago student takes initiative and follows through with their ideas.

CURIOSITY & CHALLENGE

Another major aspect of the University of Chicago’s core curriculum is approaching new topics of study with curiosity and the desire to challenge oneself. Students at this school are constantly looking for new ways to grow, and the University of Chicago’s curriculum fuels and fosters this growth.

• Have you ever spent extra time on a project because you were curious about the topic?
• Did that curiosity ever lead you to go above and beyond in a paper, project, or classroom discussion, even if that work wasn’t required?

If you’ve ever felt a tug to go the extra mile simply due to your own personal drive, then you’ll fit in well with the University of Chicago’s ideal students.

RESPECT & INCLUSIVENESS

When challenging conventional ideals, you need to maintain a careful awareness of other people’s beliefs and backgrounds. The University of Chicago has a deep appreciation for their students and the different places they come from.

• Do you have any friends that are from a different country, or come from a different background or religion?
• Have you ever worked with an international student and learned about their home?
• Have you ever been a part of a project that focused on another people group?

Students at the University of Chicago are taught to have a profound awareness and respect for other people’s beliefs, including political stance, religion, and gender identity. However, respect simply isn’t enough unless it’s put into action. In this case, respect that is put into action is inclusiveness.

Everyone, regardless of background, is welcome at the University of Chicago, so they work very hard to maintain an environment where their students feel at home.

DEDICATION TO COMMUNITY

81% of last year’s accepted applicants demonstrated a high involvement in community service efforts on their application. If that isn’t enough, the University of Chicago has its own Community Service Center, in which students are given countless opportunities to serve the Chicago community.

• Have you ever participated in or led a community service project?
• In what ways did you find time to serve your surrounding community everyday?
• How does community service play into your future goals?

A community-minded student is the ideal University of Chicago student, so any way that you can draw attention to your dedication to your community will serve you well.

WHAT YOU CAN ACHIEVE: THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO’S PROGRAMS

The University of Chicago backs up their vision for an inclusive society with nationally-ranked programs to educate their students on how to put vision into action:

• Public Policy (#3 in the U.S.)
• Psychology (#4 in the U.S.)
• Economics (#4 in the U.S.)

While their top academic programs clearly mirror their core values, the University of Chicago offers nearly every area of study you can think of, whether it be Divinity, the Performing Arts, Law, or Medicine. Regardless of what you want to study, you’ll find your niche in no time.

IN SUMMARY: THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO’S IDEAL STUDENT

The University of Chicago seeks students who take initiative and allow their own curiosity to drive them deeper into research and discussion. They prize respect and inclusiveness of every student, regardless of their background, and they aim towards impacting the Chicago community in positive ways.

As is clear from their core curriculum, the University of Chicago simply wants students who care about the future of our society. At their core, all of these qualities have one common trait: empathy.

Empathy for the state of our society now and all the people in it gives birth to a sense of drive and passion for the future we can create together. Students with this kind of drive are ideal for the University of Chicago, and if that’s you, there are some specific ways you can craft an application designed to bring those qualities to light.

What You Need To Get Accepted Into The University Of Chicago

In 2019, University of Chicago’s acceptance rate was the lowest it’s ever been, resting at 5.9 percent. Out of 35,000 applications, only 2,065 were granted admission.

Unfortunately, the admissions process is becoming more and more selective every year, not just at the University of Chicago, but at colleges all over the U.S. Standardized testing scores and GPA scores keep rising, which is great, but it also makes the admissions pool significantly more competitive.

Here are some specific ways in which you can tailor your application to increase your chances of being accepted at the University of Chicago:

THE APPLICATION AND ACCOUNT CREATION

The University of Chicago accepts one of two application methods:

• The Common Application
• The Coalition Application

Included with this part of the application is basic information, an academic profile, and extracurricular activities. In these sections, you should list every relevant club or student organization that you were a part of during high school.

In addition to official clubs, you should include sports, hobbies, awards or honors from competitions, and any part-time jobs. Admissions encourages it’s applicants to exhaust every amount of space the application gives you. Obviously, don’t fabricate any information, but utilize as much space as you can to show them your high school achievements.

Before you begin filling out your application, admissions recommends that you create a University of Chicago student account. This account will help you keep track of your progress and the application’s status once it has been submitted.

YOUR ESSAYS

Regardless of the method you use, the application will automatically include a section for a personal statement and the University of Chicago supplement.

The personal statement functions as a general essay. This essay shouldn’t be directly focused at one particular school; if you’re planning on using these application platforms to apply to multiple schools, all of them will read your personal statement. Keep this essay general and suitable to be read by any school.

The University of Chicago Supplement is a chance for you to write two additional essays that are directed at the University of Chicago. This supplement is actually famous in the academic community, and their questions are known for being somewhat off-kilter. The questions are inspired by student’s submissions and suggestions from previous years, and they can be taken literally or figuratively; it’s up to the writer.

Fortunately, this is where you can really shine, and you’ll want to direct these essays at the University of Chicago in order to make their content even more personal and unique than your personal statement. The university’s admissions officers want you to have fun with these essays, so present essays that are creative, thought-provoking, and completely original. After all, they want to read something from you!

SCHOOL REPORTS AND TRANSCRIPTS

You’ll need to contact your counselor and ask them to submit a secondary school report for you. Your high school keeps your data on file in order to be sent to colleges during your senior year, and this data should include your grades, any reports given by teachers regarding your classroom performance, and general record of your school involvement.

While the secondary school report is due along with the whole application, your counselor will also have to submit a mid-year school report after your application is submitted. This can be completed through your chosen application platform.

Next, you’ll need to order your high school transcripts to be sent to the University of Chicago’s admission office. This can be done through your school counselor as well.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

The University of Chicago’s requirements include two teacher evaluations. Your best option would be to obtain letters from teachers who taught your favorite classes, or the subject you plan on studying at the University of Chicago.

Only two letters are required, but you may submit a third one from a teacher or mentor if you think it’s necessary.

STANDARDIZED TESTING

Along with your application, you’ll need to submit your scores from either the SAT or ACT. The University of Chicago accepts both standardized test scores, and doesn’t have a preference for one over the other.

Note: The University of Chicago admissions follows a test-optional process. If you feel that your SAT or ACT scores poorly reflect your true academic record, you may submit your application without those scores attached. If you plan on leaving your scores out of your application, be sure that your school reports and extracurricular activities accurately reflect your performance as a student.

OPTIONAL SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS

If you feel the required materials don’t give the University of Chicago admissions office an accurate depiction of who you are, you are encouraged to submit a few supplementary materials if you deem them necessary.

You may submit a two-minute video of you telling the admissions office a little bit about yourself or materials showcase your talents. These materials could be a project you received an excellent grade for, or even an award. Some examples of common supplementary materials include a visual art project, a musical or dramatic performance video, a capstone project, or AP exam results.

THE APPLICATION FEE

The application fee for the University of Chicago is $75, however, they will waive the application fee for students who are applying for need-based financial aid. If you have already started or submitted a financial aid application, an automatic fee waiver will be applied at this portion of the application.

DEADLINES

• Early Action: November 1st
• Regular Decision: January 2nd

For early action, you should expect to receive a response in mid-December. For regular decision, you can expect a response by late March.

CAN I GET INTO THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO?

The University of Chicago is one of the most influential public universities in the U.S., and is known for its extremely selective student profile. However, don’t let this scare you. The beauty of the University’s core values is that they look forward to all the applications they receive, regardless of where they come from.

If you simply focus on the commonalities between yourself and the University of Chicago’s core values, you can show them why you belong there.

The University Of Chicago's Campus Life

While the University of Chicago is focused on training students who aren’t afraid to challenge societal norms, they also understand that you can’t have a true college experience without having some fun too!

Thankfully, the University of Chicago is located in one of the most iconic American cities: The Windy City. Chicago is rich historically and culturally, and provide students with an environment that not only fosters their growth, but inspires it as well.

LIFE IN CHICAGO

The University of Chicago is located in Hyde Park, an area of Chicago known for its picturesque beauty and history. Going to school here is a colliding of two worlds: the warmth of a classic college town combined with the excitement of a big city.

The 217-acre campus was designed as somewhat of a botanical garden, giving students great views and plenty of reason to spend time outside whenever they’re not in class.

Hyde Park offers its residents a deeply cultural experience, complete with museums, art festivals, live music, and theater. There’s plenty to do off-campus, and some of it is associated with the University’ stellar extracurricular program.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

The University of Chicago’s campus culture is unmatched, and students can find over 400 student organizations to join. These groups focus on a wide range of interests, whether it be the arts, politics, or volunteering for the community. Most groups also have a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, giving international students a place that feels as much like home as possible.

One of the ways that the University of Chicago puts its core value of initiative into action is through their Center for Leadership program. By using this resource, students can create and register their own unique organization. This means that, regardless of what your interests are, you’ll find an activity to get involved in both on and off campus.

SPORTS

The University of Chicago is a proud member of the Division III University of Athletic Association. However, the athletics program has a long history of creating scholars first, and athletes second.

Still, there are numerous opportunities for students to get involved with athletics on campus, whether that be through their twenty competitive sports teams, 500 intramural teams, or 40 clubs.

HOUSING & FOOD

The housing and dining program at the University of Chicago coincide with each other. Each residential house has a unique University of Chicago component: a House Table. At each of the three main dining commons, there are tables specifically allocated for certain residential houses. Students can use these tables to eat with their housemates, work on group projects, or plan outings.

The University’s dining program caters to every dietary restriction, and offers continuous dining every day. In addition to the meal plan, students are given “Maroon Dollars”, with which they can spend at any on-campus retail dining location.

There are seven residence halls on campus, and each of these halls contain 39 Houses. Upon acceptance to the University, you’ll be placed in the House that will be your home for the next four years. Instead of moving to a new dorm annually, you have the option to live in the same house every year. Each House is complete with Resident Directors and Assistants who plan fun events and outings to supplement your and your housemates’ workloads.

A WORLD RECORD THAT’S TOUGH TO BEAT

The University of Chicago is home to a lot of “firsts” and famous alumni, and has been used in numerous feature films. However, one fun fact truly encapsulates the spirit of the school.

The University of Chicago hosts one of one of the largest annual scavenger hunts in the world, although they only held the Guinness World Record from 2011-2014. Every year, students who wish to participate receive a list of about 300 items. These items can range from the smallest to the largest objects, and even some that have yet to be built.

Students have four days to find or create as many items on the list as they can. In its history, the listed items are incredibly creative and some are borderline absurd. However, it’s a fun and exciting event that gives students a creative and slightly competitive outlet.

From Application To Career: What You'll Experience At The University Of Chicago

By now, you should have more than enough reasons to see why the University of Chicago would be the ideal college for so many students. Due to its welcoming atmosphere, fun and quirky environment, and exciting academic curriculum, students from all different backgrounds can find something to enjoy here.

If you’re ready to dive into life at the University of Chicago, here’s what you can expect from every step on your journey.

YOUR APPLICATION

The University of Chicago’s ideal student takes their grades seriously, and isn’t afraid to question concepts and ideas that are presented both in and outside of the classroom.

On your application, you’ll want to focus on how you lead your peers. Highlights any areas where you took initiative, led a complicated group project, and incorporated your appreciation for diversity into your high school career.

You’ll also want to highlight community service efforts and your vision, not just for yourself, but for the rest of society. How can we improve as a country and a world, and where do you fit in that picture?

YOUR ESSAY

The University of Chicago is famous for its essay prompts: they’re fun, quirky, unique, and give you the opportunity to show that special side of yourself.

While writing about fun topics is refreshing, it can also leave room for grammatical errors. Be sure that while you’re writing your essays, you focus on creating great work in addition to presenting original ideas.

In addition to writing solid essays, pay close attention to the University of Chicago’s requirements, as some of them are slightly different from the average college application process.

YOUR COLLEGE YEARS

While attending the University of Chicago, make sure that you take advantage of the work they’ve already done for you. On the very first day, they provide everything you need in order to thrive on campus: a Residential House, community groups, solid meal plans, and plenty of outlets for you to be creative.

Get comfortable in your Residential House, and get to know your housemates. Learn about other people and where they come from. These small connections will grow into the best University of Chicago experience you could ask for: an environment where you feel free to be yourself, ask difficult questions, and make long lasting memories with people who have become your lifelong friends. This is the ultimate mission of the University, so take advantage of every opportunity they provide for you.

YOUR CAREER

The University of Chicago is home to so many influential alumni. Notably, some of them include writer Kurt Vonnegut, filmmaker Mike Nichols, politicians including Bernie Sanders and Joe Walsh, and economist Milton Friedman.

Due to its deep roots, the University provides its students with invaluable connections that help them launch their careers after graduation. Their career center functions as a database for all students, providing them with interview advice and the opportunity to apply for a variety of jobs and internships.

Every single member of the class of 2017 had a personal career adviser that helped them secure jobs at graduation:

• 33 percent had a job secured in a Finance-related field at graduation
• 97 percent of Public Policy students had a job secured at graduation
• 84 percent of graduates reported having a starting salary anywhere between $55K and $75K

Your Future At The University Of Chicago

The University of Chicago’s campus culture combined with its rigorous academics and forward-thinking atmosphere provides students with the best possible environment for growth. By applying to the University of Chicago, you’ll be joining thousands of other students who want to make it their home and one day call it their alma mater.

Of course, if you’re feeling intimidated by the University of Chicago’s high expectations, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of WeAdmit's counselors.

We’d love to help you craft a stellar application, and make sure that you’re representing yourself well on paper through your grades, interests, and vision for yourself and your surrounding community. If you’re the University of Chicago’s ideal student, we can help you show it.

Let’s Get Started On Your University Of Chicago Application!