Overview of the University of Chicago

The University of Chicago is a private research institution with an acceptance rate of 7%. The institution has a large selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to select from. Students are backed by a 5 to 1 student/faculty ratio, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations. The University of Chicago Maroons play in the NCAA Division III, within the University Athletic Association (UAA).

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 14,347 (6,552 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 51 percent male/49 percent female
• 100 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $59,298
• Books: $1,800
• Room and Board: $17,004
• Other Expenses: $2,175
• Total Cost: $80,277

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 61 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 55 percent
  • Loans: 10 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $38,615
  • Loans: $6,001

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Social Sciences; Mathematics and Statistics; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Physical Sciences; and Public Administration and Social Service Professions

Retention and Graduation

•  First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 99 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 89 percent
•  6-Year Graduation Rate: 94 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Wrestling
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball

Overview of the University of Chicago Admissions

The University of Chicago has a highly competitive admissions pool with a low acceptance rate and high mean SAT/ACT scores. The institution is test-optional, meaning that students can choose whether or not to submit scores from the SAT or ACT. It has a robust admissions process that involves a multitude of academic measures. Applicants must complete an online application. A persuasive essay and glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the application process’s next steps. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data                        

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, The University of Chicago had an acceptance rate of 7%. For every 100 students who submitted applications, 7 students gained admission, making UChicago’s admissions procedure highly competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

This admissions data reveals that of those students who provided scores, most of UChicago’s students fall within the upper 7% nationally on the SAT. The middle 50% of admitted students to UChicago scored between 720 and 770 on the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% scored under 720, and 25% scored over 770. 50% of students scored between 750 and 800 on the math part, 25% scored under 750, and 25% scored a perfect 800. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1570 or higher will have a competitive advantage at The University of Chicago.

ACT Requirements and Scores

This admissions data reveals that of those students who provided scores, most of UChicago’s students fall within the top 2% on the ACT. The media 50% of admitted students to UChicago received a cumulative ACT score between 33 and 35, while 25% scored over 35, and 25% scored under 33.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for the University of Chicago, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If the University of Chicago is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

University of Michigan, Boston University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for the University of Chicago, you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College, Cornell University, Tufts University, Northeastern University, New York University

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than the University of Chicago. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

Yale University, Carnegie Mellon University, Columbia University

Applying to the University of Chicago

Application Deadline: January 2

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://grad.uchicago.edu/admissions/

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://grad.uchicago.edu/admissions/apply/