Your GPA is important. Schools use it to gauge your academic performance and determine who they admit. The lower your GPA, the more likely it is that the school will not consider your application. However, there are ways to increase your chances of getting in, even if you have a low GPA.
You may be unaware of this but most schools require at least a GPA of 3.0. A lower GPA is generally less than a school’s 75th percentile or 80th percentile. You can also check the average GPA of accepted students at the school you are interested in. If your GPA is less than or equal to the school average, you can assume the school won’t consider it high.
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University Of Chicago Requirements Ib Overview
- Earn a 4.23 GPA or Higher (Greater emphasis on rigors of secondary school record, than GPA or class rank)
- Get a 33 on the ACT, a 2235 on the SAT, or Higher (Greater emphasis on standardized tests)
The school has a 6% acceptance rate ranking it #1 in Illinois for lowest rate of acceptance. Last year, 2,137 out of 34,641 applicants were admitted making UChicago an extremely competitive school to get into with a very low chance of acceptance – even for applicants with the highest scores and grades. Academically, it has exceptionally high requirements for admission test scores, generally admitting students who score in the top 2 percent. University of Chicago typically accepts and attracts “A” average high school students. Of those applicants who were admitted, 81% chose to enroll. This indicates that admission to the school is highly desirable and it may be a primary choice for many students. Most incoming freshmen graduated in the top quarter of their high school class.
University of Chicago typically requires applicants to be in the top 1 percent of SAT test takers. The school consistently takes SAT composite scores down to 1500 on a 1600 scale, below which admission should be considered a reach. We estimate some students could be accepted with SAT’s as low as 1460. The estimated average SAT composite for admitted freshman is 1540 out of 1600. The school ranks #1 in Illinois for highest average SAT composite score. 53 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.
Admission data indicates that UChicago regularly accepts students with ACT’s of 33 and above. Successful applicants typically send ACT scores in the top 2 percent nationally. We estimate the school accepting minimum ACT composite scores around 32 in some instances. Prospective students submitting an ACT composite of 34 or higher should be in the upper half of applicants – and students with a 35 and above have very competitive chances. The school ranks #1 in Illinois for highest average ACT composite score. 58 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of Chicago.
University Of Chicago Requirements Ib
University of Chicago GPA Requirements
Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.
The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school’s average GPA for its current students.
Average GPA: 4.48
The average GPA at University of Chicago is 4.48.
(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.
With a GPA of 4.48, University of Chicago requires you to be at the top of your class. You’ll need nearly straight A’s in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes – AP or IB courses – to show that college-level academics is a breeze.
If you’re currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 4.48, you’ll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate. This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.
SAT and ACT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Most schools require the SAT or ACT, and many also require SAT subject tests.
You must take either the SAT or ACT to submit an application to University of Chicago. More importantly, you need to do well to have a strong application.
University of Chicago SAT Requirements
Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school’s average score.
Average SAT: 1520
The average SAT score composite at University of Chicago is a 1520 on the 1600 SAT scale.
This score makes University of Chicago Extremely Competitive for SAT test scores.
University of Chicago SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)
The 25th percentile New SAT score is 1470, and the 75th percentile New SAT score is 1570. In other words, a 1470 on the New SAT places you below average, while a 1570 will move you up to above average.
Here’s the breakdown of new SAT scores by section:
Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
Math | 775 | 750 | 800 |
Reading + Writing | 745 | 720 | 770 |
Composite | 1520 | 1470 | 1570 |
SAT Score Choice Policy
The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.
University of Chicago has the Score Choice policy of “Highest Section.”
This is also known as “superscoring.” This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit.
Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.How does superscoring change your test strategy?(Click to Learn)
For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:
Section | R+W | Math | Composite |
Test 1 | 700 | 300 | 1000 |
Test 2 | 300 | 700 | 1000 |
Test 3 | 300 | 300 | 600 |
Superscore | 700 | 700 | 1400 |
Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, University of Chicago will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.
This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and University of Chicago forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.
Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1570, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it. You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.
Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.
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University of Chicago ACT Requirements
Just like for the SAT, University of Chicago likely doesn’t have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.
Average ACT: 34
The average ACT score at University of Chicago is 34. This score makes University of Chicago Extremely Competitive for ACT scores.
The 25th percentile ACT score is 33, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 35.
Even though University of Chicago likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 33 or below, you’ll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 34 and above that a 33 will look academically weak.
ACT Score Sending Policy
If you’re taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.
Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.
This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school’s ACT requirement of 35 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you’re happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.
ACT Superscore Policy
By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.
However, in our research, we found that University of Chicago does in fact offer an ACT superscore policy. To quote their Admissions Office:
UChicago requires an ACT or SAT Reasoning score, and we use your best results if you send multiple test scores to us.
Superscoring is powerful to your testing strategy, and you need to make sure you plan your testing accordingly. Of all the scores that University of Chicago receives, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all ACT test dates you submit.
Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.How does superscoring change your test strategy?(Click to Learn)
For example, say you submit the following 4 test scores:
English | Math | Reading | Science | Composite | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Test 1 | 32 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 |
Test 2 | 16 | 32 | 16 | 16 | 20 |
Test 3 | 16 | 16 | 32 | 16 | 20 |
Test 4 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 32 | 20 |
Superscore | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
Even though the highest ACT composite you scored on any one test date was 20, University of Chicago will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 20 to 32 in this example.
This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and University of Chicago forms your Superscore, you can take the ACT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.
Therefore, if your ACT score is currently below a 35, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the ACT and retaking it. You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.
Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the ACT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.
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SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements
Both the SAT and ACT have an optional essay section.
University of Chicago considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don’t need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you’re applying to may require it.
SAT Subject Test Requirements
Schools vary in their SAT subject test requirements. Typically, selective schools tend to require them, while most schools in the country do not.
We did not find information that University of Chicago requires SAT subject tests, and so most likely it does not. At least 6 months before applying, you should still doublecheck just to make sure, so you have enough time to take the test.
Final Admissions Verdict
Because this school is extremely selective, getting a high SAT/ACT score and GPA is vital to having a chance at getting in. If you don’t pass their SAT/ACT and GPA requirements, they’ll likely reject you without much consideration.
To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1570 SAT or a 35 ACT. You should also have a 4.48 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score.
For a school as selective as University of Chicago, you’ll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We’ll cover those details next.
But if you apply with a score below a 1570 SAT or a 35 ACT, you unfortunately start out with the odds against you and have a tiny chance of getting in. There are just too many students with high SAT/ACT scores and strong applications, and you need to compete against them.
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Admissions Calculator
What are your chances of admission at University of Chicago?Chances of admission with these scores:7.68%
Here’s our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are.
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Note: Your admission decision relies not only on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but also on your coursework difficulty, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. This tool provides only a simplistic estimate of your chances of admission. Instead of treating this tool as a crystal ball, we recommend you consider the big picture of what your chance means:
- 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
- 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
- 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
- 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
- 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in
We recommend you apply to schools across a range of chances. Applying to some safety schools will guarantee you have a college to go to, while applying to some reach schools will give you a shot at getting into the school at the top of your range.
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