UChicago doesn’t want just “A+ students.”
They want intellectual adventurers, bold thinkers, and students who treat learning like a personal obsession.
This article breaks down what it really takes to get in — from grades to essays to that infamous quirky supplement— whether you’re applying early or regular decision.
Undergraduate Admissions Overview
Application Platforms:
- Common App or Coalition App
- UChicago Supplement (required)
- Optional video profile
Deadlines:
| Round | Deadline |
| Early Action | Nov 1 |
| Early Decision I (binding) | Nov 1 |
| Early Decision II | Jan 2 |
| Regular Decision | Jan 2 |
Acceptance Rate:
- Overall: ~5%
- ED: Slightly higher (~7–9%)
What You’ll Need (Undergrad)
1. Academic Performance
| Requirement | Competitive Range |
| GPA | Top 5% of class or 3.9+ unweighted |
| SAT/ACT | Test-optional (but 1500+ SAT / 34+ ACT helps) |
| Coursework | Rigorous: AP/IB/Honors, esp. in humanities or math |
UChicago genuinely means it when they say “test-optional.” Many accepted students don’t submit scores, but if you do, make sure they’re exceptional.
2. Extracurriculars — Show Your Spark
They don’t care if you’ve done “everything.”
They care what lights you up.
Great ECs could include:
- Starting a book review blog
- Launching a student philosophy podcast
- Winning a math competition or debate tournament
- Organizing an inter-school literature festival
- Translating Latin poetry… for fun
🧠 They’re not looking for résumé padding — they’re looking for intellectual passion.
3. Essays — The UChicago Secret Sauce
A. Personal Statement (Common App)
Be authentic. Reflective. Show your inner world.
Avoid:
- Generic leadership clichés
- Over-polished sob stories
- Vague “I love learning” essays
B. UChicago Supplement (THE Essay)
This is where UChicago separates the thinkers from the applicants.
Each year, they release 6–8 quirky, creative, mind-bending prompts. You choose one.
Sample prompts:
- “What can actually be divided by zero?”
- “Where’s Waldo, really?”
- “Describe your favorite joke and what it says about you.”
- “Write an essay inspired by: ‘This is what you were born to do.’”
Tips:
- Think like a philosopher or a stand-up comic
- Be weird — but smart-weird
- Tie it back to who you are as a thinker
- Don’t answer the question. Play with it. Twist it. Expand it.
✍️ The best essays feel like mini TED Talks — from your brain to theirs.
4. Letters of Recommendation
UChicago requires:
- 2 academic teacher recommendations
- 1 counselor letter
Tips:
- Choose teachers who’ve seen your voice and thought process
- Give them your essay drafts + brag sheet
- Encourage storytelling over stats
5. Optional Video Introduction
- 2 minutes max
- Casual, authentic — filmed on your phone is fine
- Talk about what excites you, not your résumé
- Be thoughtful, playful, real
🎥 Bonus tip: Answer your supplement prompt aloud. It creates natural energy.
Timeline Breakdown (Suggested)
| Month | Action |
| May–June | Shortlist colleges, explore UChicago culture |
| July | Draft Common App personal statement |
| August | Brainstorm UChicago supplement responses |
| September | Finalize LOR requests, video intro idea |
| Oct–Nov | Early Action or ED I application |
| Jan 2 | Regular / ED II application deadline |
| Feb–Mar | Interview (if offered), upload updates |
| Late March | Decision release |
What UChicago Really Looks For
They don’t publish a rubric, but insider reports suggest they focus on:
| Trait | What They Want to See |
| Intellectual Curiosity | Reading, thinking, building ideas |
| Authentic Voice | Quirky, unfiltered essays with real reflection |
| Academic Rigor | Coursework + willingness to struggle and grow |
| Independent Thinking | Not just a joiner — but a creator |
| Risk & Creativity | Someone who plays with knowledge, not recites it |
Final Checklist
| Requirement | Ideal Status |
| GPA | 3.9+ or Top 5% |
| Test Scores (Optional) | 1500+ SAT or 34+ ACT (if submitted) |
| Common App Essay | Reflective, grounded, real |
| UChicago Supplement | Smart, playful, and uniquely you |
| LORs | Detailed, story-based, and insightful |
| Video Profile | Fun, low-stakes way to show your energy |
| Application Tone | Less “Look how great I am,” more “Here’s how I think” |
Graduate Admissions Snapshot
UChicago has world-renowned graduate programs in:
- Economics (Booth School)
- Law
- Sociology, Anthropology, Philosophy
- Divinity
- Public Policy (Harris School)
Grad admissions vary by department, but generally require:
- Academic transcript (GPA 3.7+)
- SOP with serious research interest
- 2–3 rec letters
- GRE/LSAT/GMAT depending on program
- Writing sample for humanities/social sciences
- Resume and sometimes an interview
💡 The more specific your fit with the faculty, the stronger your app.
Glossary / Sources
- UChicago Admissions
https://college.uchicago.edu/admissions - Essay Prompts Archive
https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/uchicago-supplemental-essay-questions - Optional Video Profile Tips
https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/videos - UChicago Grad Programs
https://graduateadmissions.uchicago.edu
