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Interested in the University of Chicago? This guide tells you everything you need to know about getting into UChicago.
As you get ready to start applying to universities, you may have considered attending the University of Chicago. It is a consistently high-ranking school and has a reputation for excellence. This guide will outline everything you need to know about getting into the University of Chicago.
Read on for information on University of Chicago admission requirements, a breakdown of the application process, and some examples of UChicago essay prompts.
There is no minimum GPA or test score requirement for University of Chicago admissions. Its admission process is holistic and test-optional. UChicago realizes that standardized testing is not a fool-proof way of determining one’s potential.
However, recent admissions statistics can give you an idea of where you stand in comparison:
The recent class profile notes how the middle 50% of admitted applicants had SAT scores ranging from 1510 to 1560.
The overall score range for admitted students was 1020-1600 for the SAT.
While the college has no official ACT requirements, the middle 50% of admitted students had ACT composite scores that ranged from 34 to 35. The overall score range for admitted students was 20 to 36 for the ACT.
The GPA requirements for the University of Chicago are not specified, but UChicago’s average GPA is 4.48. So, achieving an unweighted GPA of at least 3.5 in challenging classes will give you the best chance at admission.
Applying to the University of Chicago involves preparation and planning. Here, we will discuss the steps of the application.
The University of Chicago Application consists of several materials. The process includes:
Make sure to familiarize yourself with the details and get started early! Also, Uchicago accepts the Coalition App!
Your University of Chicago application deadline will depend on which round of applications you choose:
The UChicago decision date varies. As such, UChicago lists a general timeframe rather than a specific date. The student reply due date is when you’ll have to accept or turn down the offer of admission.
The UChicago supplemental essays can show an admissions committee another side to you. The essays are the place to put forward the unique aspects of your personality. You can discuss your life experiences and the things that drive you.
To write stellar essays, pick topics that you feel passionate about. Ensure you answer all parts of the questions, avoid clichés, and use your own voice!
The essay portion of the UChicago application is unique. There are two required essays, and both are very different from the other. For the first essay, you have one prompt to answer:
“How does the University of Chicago, as you know it now, satisfy your desire for a particular kind of learning, community, and future? Please address with some specificity your own wishes and how they relate to UChicago.”
For the second essay, The University of Chicago presents prompts that are a lot more outside-of-the-box. You will have to pick one to answer in the best way that you see fit.
Here are the 2022-2023 UChicago supplemental essay prompts:
“Was it a cat I saw? Yo-no-na-ka, ho-ka-ho-ka na-no-yo (Japanese for “the world is a warm place”). Może jutro ta dama da tortu jeżom (Polish for “maybe tomorrow that lady will give a cake to the hedgehogs”). Share a palindrome in any language, and give it a backstory.”
- Inspired by Leah Beach, Class of 2026, Lib Gray SB ’12, and Agnes Mazur AB ‘09
“What advice would a wisdom tooth have?”
–Inspired by Melody Dias, Class of 2025
“You are on an expedition to found a colony on Mars, when from a nearby crater, a group of Martians suddenly emerges. They seem eager to communicate, but they're the impatient kind and demand you represent the human race in one song, image, memory, proof, or other idea. What do you share with them to show that humanity is worth their time?”
—Inspired by Alexander Hastings, Class of 2023, and Olivia Okun-Dubitsky, Class of 2026
“UChicago has been affiliated with over 90 Nobel laureates. But, why should economics, physics, and peace get all the glory? You are tasked with creating a new category for the Nobel Prize. Explain what it would be, why you chose your specific category, and the criteria necessary to achieve this accomplishment.”
—Inspired by Isabel Alvarez, Class of 2026
“Genghis Khan with an F1 race car. George Washington with a SuperSoaker. Emperor Nero with a toaster. Leonardo da Vinci with a Furby. If you could give any historical figure any piece of technology, who and what would it be, and why do you think they’d work so well together?”
-Inspired by Braden Hajer, Class of 2025
“And, as always… the classic choose your own adventure option! In the spirit of adventurous inquiry, choose one of our past prompts (or create a question of your own). Be original, creative, thought provoking. Draw on your best qualities as a writer, thinker, visionary, social critic, sage, citizen of the world, or future citizen of the University of Chicago; take a little risk, and have fun!”
Please note that these essays should be written in addition to the Common Application essays. Alternatively, if you apply to UChicago via the Coalition Application, you’ll have to respond to several different prompts.
Still curious about how to get into the University of Chicago? Here are some common questions answered.
The University of Chicago's acceptance rate is only 5%, which means that around 95% of applicants will not get accepted. However, despite this extremely low acceptance rate, with good grades, strong essays, and solid recommendations, you can give yourself a good chance of getting in.
The University of Chicago places a heavy interest in inquiry, debate, and critical thought, and then using these values to make impactful changes to the world. If you align with these goals and values, you will stand out to the UChicago admissions committee.
The University of Chicago admission requirements are holistic. There are no UChicago GPA requirements or minimum test scores.
The University of Chicago does accept transfer credit for specific courses depending on the subject, and the grade received.
The University of Chicago does not place the most emphasis on applicant GPAs. If you can portray your best qualities through your essays or make excellent test scores, you will be able to make up for what might feel like a low GPA. There is no minimum GPA for admission.
You should start preparing your application early. The University of Chicago admissions process can take a lot of time. You can have a more streamlined, relaxed application process by starting your application well in advance. Make sure to keep the UChicago application deadlines in mind.
If you get rejected from the University of Chicago, it does not reflect your intelligence or abilities. You can try again in the next admissions cycle as a first-year student or spend a year at a different school and then apply as a transfer candidate.
The University of Chicago is a diverse, prestigious school known to produce successful alumni. To give yourself the best chance of getting in, make sure to start your application early. Pay attention to the details, and don’t miss the deadlines!
Overall, the University of Chicago is a challenging school to get into. However, with the right amount of time, energy, and preparation, you can increase your chances of attending this prestigious school.
If you still think you need help getting into the University of Chicago, consider our UChicago admissions counseling services to increase your chances of admissions success.
Interested in the University of Chicago? This guide tells you everything you need to know about getting into UChicago.
As you get ready to start applying to universities, you may have considered attending the University of Chicago. It is a consistently high-ranking school and has a reputation for excellence. This guide will outline everything you need to know about getting into the University of Chicago.
Read on for information on University of Chicago admission requirements, a breakdown of the application process, and some examples of UChicago essay prompts.
There is no minimum GPA or test score requirement for University of Chicago admissions. Its admission process is holistic and test-optional. UChicago realizes that standardized testing is not a fool-proof way of determining one’s potential.
However, recent admissions statistics can give you an idea of where you stand in comparison:
The recent class profile notes how the middle 50% of admitted applicants had SAT scores ranging from 1510 to 1560.
The overall score range for admitted students was 1020-1600 for the SAT.
While the college has no official ACT requirements, the middle 50% of admitted students had ACT composite scores that ranged from 34 to 35. The overall score range for admitted students was 20 to 36 for the ACT.
The GPA requirements for the University of Chicago are not specified, but UChicago’s average GPA is 4.48. So, achieving an unweighted GPA of at least 3.5 in challenging classes will give you the best chance at admission.
Applying to the University of Chicago involves preparation and planning. Here, we will discuss the steps of the application.
The University of Chicago Application consists of several materials. The process includes:
Make sure to familiarize yourself with the details and get started early! Also, Uchicago accepts the Coalition App!
Your University of Chicago application deadline will depend on which round of applications you choose:
The UChicago decision date varies. As such, UChicago lists a general timeframe rather than a specific date. The student reply due date is when you’ll have to accept or turn down the offer of admission.
The UChicago supplemental essays can show an admissions committee another side to you. The essays are the place to put forward the unique aspects of your personality. You can discuss your life experiences and the things that drive you.
To write stellar essays, pick topics that you feel passionate about. Ensure you answer all parts of the questions, avoid clichés, and use your own voice!
The essay portion of the UChicago application is unique. There are two required essays, and both are very different from the other. For the first essay, you have one prompt to answer:
“How does the University of Chicago, as you know it now, satisfy your desire for a particular kind of learning, community, and future? Please address with some specificity your own wishes and how they relate to UChicago.”
For the second essay, The University of Chicago presents prompts that are a lot more outside-of-the-box. You will have to pick one to answer in the best way that you see fit.
Here are the 2022-2023 UChicago supplemental essay prompts:
“Was it a cat I saw? Yo-no-na-ka, ho-ka-ho-ka na-no-yo (Japanese for “the world is a warm place”). Może jutro ta dama da tortu jeżom (Polish for “maybe tomorrow that lady will give a cake to the hedgehogs”). Share a palindrome in any language, and give it a backstory.”
- Inspired by Leah Beach, Class of 2026, Lib Gray SB ’12, and Agnes Mazur AB ‘09
“What advice would a wisdom tooth have?”
–Inspired by Melody Dias, Class of 2025
“You are on an expedition to found a colony on Mars, when from a nearby crater, a group of Martians suddenly emerges. They seem eager to communicate, but they're the impatient kind and demand you represent the human race in one song, image, memory, proof, or other idea. What do you share with them to show that humanity is worth their time?”
—Inspired by Alexander Hastings, Class of 2023, and Olivia Okun-Dubitsky, Class of 2026
“UChicago has been affiliated with over 90 Nobel laureates. But, why should economics, physics, and peace get all the glory? You are tasked with creating a new category for the Nobel Prize. Explain what it would be, why you chose your specific category, and the criteria necessary to achieve this accomplishment.”
—Inspired by Isabel Alvarez, Class of 2026
“Genghis Khan with an F1 race car. George Washington with a SuperSoaker. Emperor Nero with a toaster. Leonardo da Vinci with a Furby. If you could give any historical figure any piece of technology, who and what would it be, and why do you think they’d work so well together?”
-Inspired by Braden Hajer, Class of 2025
“And, as always… the classic choose your own adventure option! In the spirit of adventurous inquiry, choose one of our past prompts (or create a question of your own). Be original, creative, thought provoking. Draw on your best qualities as a writer, thinker, visionary, social critic, sage, citizen of the world, or future citizen of the University of Chicago; take a little risk, and have fun!”
Please note that these essays should be written in addition to the Common Application essays. Alternatively, if you apply to UChicago via the Coalition Application, you’ll have to respond to several different prompts.
Still curious about how to get into the University of Chicago? Here are some common questions answered.
The University of Chicago's acceptance rate is only 5%, which means that around 95% of applicants will not get accepted. However, despite this extremely low acceptance rate, with good grades, strong essays, and solid recommendations, you can give yourself a good chance of getting in.
The University of Chicago places a heavy interest in inquiry, debate, and critical thought, and then using these values to make impactful changes to the world. If you align with these goals and values, you will stand out to the UChicago admissions committee.
The University of Chicago admission requirements are holistic. There are no UChicago GPA requirements or minimum test scores.
The University of Chicago does accept transfer credit for specific courses depending on the subject, and the grade received.
The University of Chicago does not place the most emphasis on applicant GPAs. If you can portray your best qualities through your essays or make excellent test scores, you will be able to make up for what might feel like a low GPA. There is no minimum GPA for admission.
You should start preparing your application early. The University of Chicago admissions process can take a lot of time. You can have a more streamlined, relaxed application process by starting your application well in advance. Make sure to keep the UChicago application deadlines in mind.
If you get rejected from the University of Chicago, it does not reflect your intelligence or abilities. You can try again in the next admissions cycle as a first-year student or spend a year at a different school and then apply as a transfer candidate.
The University of Chicago is a diverse, prestigious school known to produce successful alumni. To give yourself the best chance of getting in, make sure to start your application early. Pay attention to the details, and don’t miss the deadlines!
Overall, the University of Chicago is a challenging school to get into. However, with the right amount of time, energy, and preparation, you can increase your chances of attending this prestigious school.
If you still think you need help getting into the University of Chicago, consider our UChicago admissions counseling services to increase your chances of admissions success.
