Admissions Profile – The University of Chicago
Interested in the University of Chicago? Here’s some stuff you should know before you apply!
The University of Chicago (UChicago) attracts intellectually driven students who thrive in its rigorous academic atmosphere, where the “Life of the Mind” is taken very seriously. With a long-standing reputation for academic excellence, UChicago promotes learning for learning’s sake while preparing graduates for successful careers in a variety of fields. UChicago’s blend of rigorous academics, diverse opportunities, and a rich campus life make it a distinctive and appealing choice for intellectually curious students.
Campus
Located in Hyde Park on Chicago’s South Side, the 217-acre campus is nestled along the Midway and features main quads built in collegiate Gothic style alongside modern buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Eero Saarinen, and Mies van der Rohe. At the heart of the campus is the Regenstein Library ('“the Reg”), built on the site of the former football stadium, Stagg Field, symbolizing UChicago’s enduring commitment to academics.
History and Academics
Founded in 1890 as a coeducational institution, UChicago has earned acclaim for its undergraduate and graduate programs. Widely regarded as one of the “Ivy Plus” schools alongside the likes of Stanford and MIT, UChicago emphasizes a liberal arts education through its extensive Core Curriculum, requiring courses in the sciences, humanities, and social sciences. UChicago uses the quarter system, which offers a fast-paced, immersive learning experience, as well as opportunities to take a more diverse slate of courses each year.
Notable Programs
Economics Department (14 Nobel laureates; bastion of free market economics)
Popular majors: Economics, Biological Sciences, Mathematics, Public Policy Studies, English
Interdisciplinary majors: Environmental and Urban Studies, Global Studies
Area studies: East Asia, South Asia, Near East, Latin America and Caribbean
Research and Internships
Students benefit from abundant research opportunities and internships through the Metcalf Internship Program, Argonne National Laboratory, and study abroad centers in Hong Kong, Beijing, Delhi, and Paris.
Student Life
Undergraduate enrollment is 7,653, with a student faculty ratio of 5:1. The student body is diverse, with 69% out-of-state and 16% international students. Approximately 24% of students are Asian or Asian American, 19% are Hispanic/Latino, and 8% are Black or African American. UChicago is known for its intellectual and politically active community. The campus is home to numerous traditions, including O-Week, Kuvia, and the world-famous Scavenger Hunt. More than 20 Greek life organizations currently operate on campus.
Housing
On-campus housing is guaranteed for four years, with 59% of undergrads living in dorms.
Extracurriculars
UChicago offers a variety of extracurriculars, including improv groups like Off-Off Campus and the longest running student film society in America, Doc Films. Other offerings include Model UN, the Chicago Shady Dealer satirical newspaper, and Eckhart Consulting, a student-run strategy consulting firm. The Chicago Maroons compete in Division III sports, and numerous intramural and club sports are also available to students.
Financial Aid
Admissions are need-blind, and the university meets 100% of demonstrated need. The estimated total cost of attendance is $89,490 per year, with 34% of undergraduates receiving financial aid. The average financial aid package is $65,590. The average debt per undergraduate is $28,068. Through the UChicago Empower initiative, students from families with incomes under $125k per year will have free tuition, while those from families with incomes under $60k will have tuition, fees, and room and board covered by financial aid. Programs like the Odyssey Scholarship provide support for first-generation and lower-income students.
Admissions Overview
UChicago is among the most selective colleges in the country, with a recent acceptance rate of 4.77% (Class of 2027).
Early Action: November 1st
Early Decision I: November 1st
Early Decision II: January 6th
Regular Decision: January 6th
Ideally, an applicant should maintain a high weighted GPA of at least 4.0, and have a minimum SAT score of 1510 and ACT score of 33. If an applicant falls short of UChicago’s academic standards, it will be difficult to get in.
GPA Distribution:
3.00–3.24: 1%
3.25–3.49: 2%
3.50–3.74: 11%
3.75+: 86%
Average weighted GPA: 4.39
UChicago is test-optional, with a “No Harm” policy meaning that submitted test scores are only considered in the review process if they positively impact the chance of admission.
Test Scores (25th–75th Percentiles):
SAT Critical Reading: 740–780
SAT Math: 760–800
* 52% of first-years submitted SAT scoresACT Composite: 34–35
ACT English: 34–36
ACT Math: 31–35
* 32% of first-years submitted ACT scores
UChicago considers an applicant’s extracurricular activities, talent or ability, and recommendations to be very important, as well as, of course, the rigor of an applicant’s school record. To increase their chances of being accepted, an applicant should consider taking AP, IB, or Honors courses in high school if offered.
Application
The UChicago Application consists of several elements:
Application for admission (Common Application or Apply Coalition, Powered by Scoir)
Application essays and supplemental essays
Secondary school report and transcripts
Two letters of recommendation from teachers
Optional SAT/ACT scores
Midyear report (first-year applicants only)
College reports and transcripts (transfer applicants only)
English language proficiency test scores (international applicants only)
Application fee or fee waiver
Optional video profile (recommended)
Optional supplemental material (e.g., creative projects, capstone or research projects, business plans, AP/IB/A-Level scores)
The most crucial elements of the application are the application and supplemental essays, which should highlight the applicant’s character, personal qualities, and passion for learning.
UChicago has long prided itself on its supplemental essay questions, once the centerpiece of their “Uncommon Application”. For the 2024–2025 admissions season, students must submit two supplemental essays:
First Essay Prompt (Required)
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.
Second Essay Prompts (Choose One)
We’re all familiar with green-eyed envy or feeling blue, but what about being “caught purple-handed”? Or “tickled orange”? Give an old color-infused expression a new hue and tell us what it represents.
– Inspired by Ramsey Bottorff, Class of 2026“Ah, but I was so much older then / I'm younger than that now” – Bob Dylan. In what ways do we become younger as we get older?
– Inspired by Joshua Harris, Class of 2016Pluto, the demoted planet. Ophiuchus, the thirteenth Zodiac. Andy Murray, the fourth to tennis's Big Three. Every grouping has something that doesn’t quite fit in. Tell us about a group and its unofficial member, why (or why not) should it be excluded?
– Inspired by Veronica Chang, Class of 2022“Daddy-o”, “Far Out”, “Gnarly”: the list of slang terms goes on and on. Sadly, most of these aren’t so “fly” anymore – “as if!” Name an outdated slang from any decade or language that you'd bring back and explain why you totally “dig it.”
– Inspired by Napat Sakdibhornssup, Class of 2028How many piano tuners are there in Chicago? What is the total length of chalk used by UChicago professors in a year? How many pages of books are in the Regenstein Library? These questions are among a class of estimation problems named after University of Chicago physicist Enrico Fermi. Create your own Fermi estimation problem, give it your best answer, and show us how you got there.
– Inspired by Malhar Manek, Class of 2028And, 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!
What is UChicago looking for?
Critical Thinking: UChicago prides itself on being a venue for open debate, critical thought, and intellectual rigor. To stand out, illustrate times when you have engaged in thoughtful analysis or problem-solving. Discuss instances where you challenged assumptions, engaged in intellectual discussions, or approached complex issues from multiple perspectives. Highlight any experiences where you applied critical thinking skills, whether in academic settings, during extracurricular activities, or in personal projects. Demonstrate your ability to think deeply and critically about various subjects, showcasing your intellectual curiosity and readiness to contribute to UChicago's dynamic academic environment. By emphasizing your commitment to critical thought and intellectual rigor, you can effectively convey your fit with UChicago's values and academic culture.
Commitment to Making a Positive Contribution to Society: UChicago encourages students to contribute positively to society. In your application essays, provide specific examples of actions you have taken to improve the world around you. No matter how small the effort, demonstrate that you possess the drive to make a difference and have already taken the initiative to help others. Additionally, convey your commitment to continuing these efforts in the future. Whether you aim to develop groundbreaking medications or launch your own company, ensure the admissions committee understands that you are dedicated to making a lasting impact and improving the world for everyone.
Uniqueness: UChicago values the diverse experiences and backgrounds of all its students, so don’t hesitate to showcase the unique aspects of your life. Consider highlighting unconventional experiences that set you apart. Did you spend part of your life abroad? Have you volunteered in unique settings, worked on a family farm, or faced and overcome significant challenges? Reflect on what these experiences taught you and how they have shaped your aspirations and achievements. Your distinctive story will help your application stand out among the rest.
