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While I like Yang’s basic income Freedom Dividend, and he has some good planks in his climate platform, his biggest expenditure is pretty misguided from a global warming mitigations perspective and a few of his approaches to climate change are dangerously wrong.His carbon fee is good, his renewables approach is off base and very cost inefficient but at least present, his land use budget is good and his targets and expenditures for transportation are fine.$3 trillion USD, 62% of his proposed budget, is for home solar loans, which would address perhaps 2% to 5% of US energy consumption annually (although Mark Z. Jacobson asserts it’s higher). That’s a bad investment, in my opinion. The same amount of money could pretty much decarbonize all primary energy use in the United states with utility-scale wind and solar, a much more effective use, but possibly less of a vote buyer.His focus on non-existent forms of nuclear generation — thorium and fusion — for near term utility-scale generation are just absurdly wrong. His funding and support for carbon capture and geoengineering is at least only research and under a billion in funding, but other than that is a gift to the fossil fuel industry, not a useful proposal.Let’s start out with the (mostly) good stuff.Like every Democratic candidate, he accepts that climate change is real, caused by us and serious. That’s just table stakes for the nomination though. This isn’t liberal dogma, it’s reality.Climate change is an existential threat to humanity and our way of life. It should be a top priority of the federal government to implement policies to control anthropogenic climate change while working with other governments to implement these policies throughout the world(Where I quote text, it’s from Yang’s site unless otherwise stated).And he agrees that renewable energy is a primary path to moderating global warming. Full marks there, you would think. The platform is problematic about what that means, however.$200 billion invested in Grid Modernization over 15 yearsThat’s about 4% of his proposed $4.9 trillion budget, which seems a bit light. This will include, presumably, not only eliminating barriers to utility-scale renewable energy, but also required transmission and potentially storage. He’s very light on details related to what he’ll actually do in the utility-scale space, and $200 billion isn’t that big a number, especially when it turns into only about $13–14 billion a year. You’ll also notice that wind, water and solar aren’t in his roadmap graphic, but something else is. That something else will be covered in the bad ideas section.So what exactly is he doing for renewables?$3 trillion to finance loans for household investments in renewable energy over 20 yearsHmmm… That’s just not a great idea. Decarbonizing the grid and shifting all primary energy to electricity is the primary path forward for electricity. Home generation of electricity is not the best route forward for decarbonization in my opinion (but wait for a very significant disagreement from someone much more credible than me).Only about 57% of single- and multi-family dwellings in the USA can have solar power per the NREL, but all but the tiniest number of buildings and industry in the USA get electricity from the grid. And most of the homes in the USA that can use solar can’t put enough solar on their rooftops to cover household use over a year, just diminish it. Household solar is also much higher carbon per kWh than utility-scale solar. It’s better than coal or gas generation, for sure, but the big hitter is utility-scale generation.As the NREL energy consumption charts show, under 12% of US energy consumption is by households today and that includes natural gas and oil heating. As Mark Z. Jacobson reminded me when I asked him about this, the more appropriate number to use is end energy services, but also only unrejected energy. That’s 7.72 quads of the 32.7 quads of total end energy services, or just under 24%. That’s more promising.Only 44% of residential energy consumption is from electricity today. If home energy consumption doesn’t eliminate the 56% of energy from fossil fuels, then the maximum potential is lower. And while Yang’s carbon fee will shift some consumers, it won’t shift them as quickly as more targeted programs for modern efficient heat pumps and district heating.However, the NREL also shows that only about 3.41 quads (998 TWh) can be generated by residential solar including multi-family dwellings on every dwelling which can support it. Even assuming the best case scenario, that suggests that the maximum potential for rooftop solar in terms of today’s demand is about 10% of total energy. Much of the low and median income building stock is multi-unit dwellings where there is little fiscal benefit to building owner and managers to rooftop solar as they pass utility costs directly to tenants and unit owners. The NREL is clear that their work is an assessment of maximum potential technical resource, not the viable resource. Actual uptake is much more likely to be 20% to 50%, not 100%, so the benefit of the $3 trillion is in the range of 2% to 5% of total US energy use.And there are two factors at play. The first is energy demand is increasing, slowly, as more people climate condition their living spaces more aggressively (for the most part) and also that more wealthy people are moving into urban, multi-family condos based on urban densification policies and lifestyle choices. More and more of the population is shifting to denser urban living. The percentage of detached homes will likely not increase as rapidly as the multi-unit dwellings.Yang’s single largest dollar expenditure, 62% of his $4.9 trillion budget, would only impact 2% to 5% of US energy consumption.Commercial buildings and industrial energy use amounts to 59% of total US energy services. Where, exactly, is the money for that transformation?That’s 62% of his proposed budget, about $150 billion a year, for something that’s not the best idea, in my opinion. When it comes to electrical generation, generate at scale and conserve locally is the right way around, and he has exactly zero dollars associated with household efficiency. He only has $5 billion in materials research for new buildings.What else could $3 trillion USD do? It could build most of the utility-scale generation capacity necessary to replace all of the primary energy use in the United States. I calculated what it would take if we were to solely use wind generation recently for a published article, which pointed out that it could be done consuming an area of land less than the size of Delaware.So we need enough wind generation capacity, running at a 40% capacity factor to generate 11,500 TWh over the course of a year. To get that, we need 3.3 terawatts (TW) of wind generation capacity.The way that the math works out, $3 trillion would enable the construction of about 3 TW of wind generation capacity, or about 6 TW of solar, most likely a roughly 50:50 split. With the hydro already in place, some pumped hydro in Appalachia and the Rockies and more HVDC transmission, the entire USA could be running on renewable energy.I’m not alone in pointing out the very large disparity between residential- and utility-scale generation, by the way. Other analyses suggest $19 per ton of CO2e for solar PV at utility-scale vs $320 per ton of CO2e for residential solar. Lazard’s LCOE provides ranges of $36-$44 USD per MWh for utility scale solar vs $160-$267 USD per MWh for rooftop. The range suggests that utility scale solar is 5 to 17 times more cost effective.Mark Z. Jacobson, whose work I respect greatly and typically reference, disagrees with me. His assessment for 139 countries globally suggests 14.5% of the total energy demands by 2050 would be met by residential solar. His email to me when I asked him about my assessment said:I believe about 14.5% of all end-use energy (which is now all electricity) in the U.S. can be captured with residential rooftop PV. Another 11.8% with commercial/govt rooftop PV, for a total of around 26.3%.Personally, I see less merit in massive distributed solar compared to much more cost effective utility-scale renewables and don’t think that the penetration will be nearly that high. However, Jacobson is a highly respected global authority, so feel free to err on the side of his assessment.If Yang were serious about renewables, that would be his plan, building massive wind and solar utility-scale farms, not faffing around with 2%-5% of US energy consumption with residential solar.He gets marks here, but while this certainly would be better than Republican approaches, it’s pretty flawed in terms of an actual solution. So why is 62% of his budget for home solar for such a small percentage of potential benefit? Probably because this is, once again, providing money to voters. And the voters who will be getting this money are not downtown urban elites. These are suburban and rural dwellers with detached homes, and low-rise building owners who don’t just pass electricity costs directly through to their residents. This is a massive shift of money to voters who are swing voters. Is this smart politics in terms of getting votes? Maybe. But it’s not smart policy for global warming.Then there’s putting a price on carbon. He asserts he’s against a carbon tax, but is for a carbon fee and dividend, where he points to the conservative Climate Leadership Council’s proposed approach. It’s quaint how far they are bending their brains to avoid using the word ‘tax’ for what is exactly the same policy that Canada has implemented as a federal carbon tax with a dividend, but it might be smart politically.Tax is a four-letter word among conservatives after all, and the Democratic Presidential candidate has to be not only appealing to the Democratic base, but to Independents, and disaffected Republicans who are voting against Trump. Independents are around 40% of the electorate at present, with about 31% Democratic and 29% Republican, per regular Gallup polling. Pew Research shows slightly less committed Republicans and an increase in Independents over the past few years, but with an increasing leaning toward the Democratic party. Only about 7% of voters are actually that Independent per their research.So calling it a fee instead of a tax makes sense. And Yang likes dividends, with this one mirroring his basic income Freedom Dividend.He’s also clear that he would shut down subsidies to the fossil fuel industry, which in the USA amount to $4.6, $27.4, Or $649 billion, depending on whether you agree with congressional research, the NRDC or IMF numbers.End the current tax benefits and cuts given to fossil fuel companies which give them an unwarranted competitive advantage over alternative energy sources.The latter includes negative externalities, so that won’t be the one Yang is focussing on, and his carbon fee and a proposed tax on air pollution emissions that impact health covers that more than not regardless.He’d basically turn the EPA around, reversing a bunch of the Trump administration’s attacks on it, and giving it back the mandate to regulate carbon emissions and a proactive role in global warming solutions.His policy on better land use is poorly articulated, showing up in one place but not in his primary solutions document, but there’s some serious money behind it.$285.5 billion invested in sustainable agricultural, forestry, and land methods use over 15 yearsThat’s 6% of his budget, and this is an area with high payback for low investments compared to alternatives. Full marks here. Biological sequestration of carbon is the way forward, and this is a good approach.He covers decarbonizing transportation in one document, but not in his primary solution document so like his land use references, it’s oddly addressed.2030 – Zero-emission standard for all new cars2040 – Net-zero for all transportation sectorsHe does have some big budget numbers behind it, so that’s positive. This implies, reasonably, that he’d unlock federal money as a first term priority.$250 billion invested in net-zero emission ground transportation over 15 years$80.8 billion invested in net-zero emission air transportation over 15 years$331 billion makes this about 7% of his proposed $4.9 trillion plan, so this isn’t bad. This implies that his communication is the problem, more than his priorities.His targets are very reasonable, but there’s less detail on what he would do in 2021 to 2025 to make this real, compared to some other things which he is clearly making an early priority. He gets marks for this, but not full marks.All of those are sensible solutions, even if some of them are light on detail.And then there’s the bad.Yang wants to diminish the impacts of global warming through two technologies which are deeply problematic.Invest heavily in carbon capture and geoengineering technologies designed to reverse the damage already done to the environment through a new Global Geoengineering Institute and invite international participation.Let’s start with carbon capture and sequestration.There’s a 50 year track record of mechanical carbon sequestration approaches. The results are abysmal. Almost every effort of even the most marginal scale, a million tons of CO2 or more, has been done for enhanced oil recovery, for a best case net result of the same CO2 in the atmosphere or more likely 2–3 times the end CO2. The major exception to enhanced oil recovery is being performed because extracted natural gas in the North Sea has too high a CO2 content for sale, so it’s stripped and put back underground, but the net result is 25 times the CO2 emissions as sequestration.Fossil fuel companies have spent several billion of capital dollars on this over the past 50 years, about 0.03% of a single years oil revenue globally. And they’ve spent probably just as much promoting this non-solution and on advertising about their green cred as on the actual technology.Right now air-carbon capture, aka direct air capture, is having another moment in the sun, thanks to tens of millions being invested in Carbon Engineering, based in Squamish but with Harvard professor as it’s principal thought leader. Once again, it doesn’t scale and the only market for Carbon Engineering’s solution is more enhanced oil recovery, regardless of what claims it makes to the contrary.Mechanical approaches don’t scale. Chemical processes don’t scale. Direct-air capture doesn’t scale. They are many orders of magnitude off of the scale of the problem.What can scale is biological processes, and thankfully Yang is putting real money into land use, per the earlier section.And then there’s solar geoengineering.Invest in any idea that has the potential to reverse the damage done to the environment, for example cloud-seeding technology to increase the atmosphere’s reflectivity.There’s research in this space, but solar geoengineering is a bandaid, not a solution. The global ethics and scientific community has a majority opinion that solar geoengineering would likely lead to extension of fossil fuel burning, have to persist for decades or longer, would be subject to significant problems if stopped and would likely have significant unforeseen outcomes. That’s why senior Trump administration officials are all over it in the past couple of years.Frankly, Yang’s plans on carbon capture and geoengineering are music to the fossil fuel industry’s ears, not good ideas. It’s clear that Yang has been captured by the same crowd that captured Bill Gates, and Gates needs new climate solution advisors too.Mark Z. Jacobson of Stanford continues to do the economic math on this and publish his results (as have I to a less rigorous and impactful extent), and it’s clear that diverting any significant funding from actually carbon emissions reductions to carbon capture and geoengineering approaches is strongly counter-productive.Thankfully, while he keeps talking this point up, he’s not committing a lot of money for it.$800 million invested in geoengineering research methodsThat money would be better put toward land use or utility-scale renewables, but it’s a rounding error on the $4.9 trillion USD plan.And then there’s nuclear generation. Specifically fusion and thorium. Oi.$50 billion invested in the next generation of safe, clean nuclear power over 5 yearsYeah, that’s near term money. That’s priority money. That’s $10 billion a year starting immediately.2027 – New nuclear reactors begin to come onlineAnd he thinks that this will turn into new nuclear generation in 8 years. When the most realistic timeframe for fusion in actual utility-scale generation is 2050 at the earliest (and more likely much later). When there are exactly zero thorium nuclear plants operating in the world. When the history of building nuclear that we know how to build today indicates a 10–15 year timeframe for the known technology.This is a completely bogus idea with no merit. The thorium crowd likes to point at India and China, but China has committed only about $23 million to thorium research, and India is under that.Even if the USA were to build known technology as rapidly as possible, it would be wasting money compared to putting the same amount into wind and solar generation, which are much cheaper and faster to deploy. As pointed out, $3 trillion is sufficient to build pretty much all the new renewable generation the USA needs, but he’s mostly wasting that money on home solar. This is more billions spent unintelligently.And then there is the missing piece.Global warming’s big four are electricity generation, transportation, land use and industrial emissions (a combination mostly of fossil fuels as the primary energy source and the high carbon footprint of cement).His plan covers electricity, transportation and land use. But he’s doing nothing much for the industrial sector or for commercial buildings. As pointed out, that’s 35% of the USA’s energy consumption which is a good proxy for carbon emissions. The carbon fee will prompt transformation in this space, but more could be done.Note: my personal policy is to block and mute climate change deniers. Yours should be too.Reading:It's Worse Than You Think - Lower Emissions, Higher Ground - Andrew Yang for PresidentCombat Climate Change - Andrew Yang for PresidentCarbon Fee and Dividend - Andrew Yang for PresidentAdvantages of a Carbon Dividends Plan | Climate Leadership CouncilParty Affiliation - Gallup6 facts about U.S. political independentsGOP shrinks as young and ‘NeverTrumpers’ walk away, increasing Donald Trump’s power in the partyAndrew Yang's Freedom Dividend Is Only A Step Toward Elon Musk's Basic Income VisionBest Carbon Capture Facility In World Emits 25 Times More CO2 Than SequesteredCarbon Capture's Global Investment Would Have Been Better Spent On Wind & SolarChevron's Fig Leaf Part 1: Carbon Engineering Burns Natural Gas To Capture Carbon From The AirOceans Need Geoengineering, Not The AtmosphereBill Gates Is Throwing Away Money On Ill-Advised Non-Solutions To Global WarmingUS Subsidizes Fossil Fuels To The Tune Of $4.6, $27.4, Or $649 Billion Annually, Depending On SourceThe Solar Power Potential Of Rooftops In The U.S.Use of energy in homesLLNL Flow ChartsA Wind Turbine Farm The Size Of Delaware Could Power The Entire United StatesRooftop Solar Technical Potential for Low-to-Moderate Income Households in the United StatesGrantham Institute for Climate Change Briefing paper No 11: Solar power for CO2 mitigationLevelized Cost of Energy and Levelized Cost of Storage 2018

Q. What kind of students get into the University of Chicago?A. To meet your U Chicago Admissions Requirements: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)Have the Extracurricular Advantage (Greater emphasis on character and personal qualities)Emphasis on Recommendations and EssaysHow to Get Into University of Chicago (Student-Tutor)University of Chicago: Profile Class of 2020US News Rankings and ReviewsCollegeData College ProfileQuestions | Noodle: University of Chicago StudentsPresident Barack Obama speaks to students at the University of Chicago Law School on April 7, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama addressed his U.S. Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland as he hopes members of the Republican party will give Garland a hearing and a vote in Washington. (Photo by Joshua Lott/Getty Images)How to Get Into University of Chicago: Admissions RequirementsCo-authored by Renae HintzeUChicago considers itself “One of the world’s premier academic and research institutions”.Sound too good to be true?They may be tooting their own horn, but Students and faculty from UChicago have made great strides over the years, such as developing the first cloud-based computing system to process cancer data (in 2013) – I mean, wow. I still burn my popcorn in the microwave sometimes.With an average of 27,500 students applying every year, the UChicago acceptance rate comes in at only 9%. I already know what you’re thinking… 9%?! So what does it take to be part of that??Without further ado, I bestow you these 12 Steps to increase your student’s UChicago Admissions chances! (Number 10 is pretty unique.)Step #1: Earn a 4.0 GPA or HigherCheck this out… It’s a chart of University of College Admissions statistics. See all those little blue and green dots? They represent the students that were accepted. And check out where they’re pow-wowing up around the top – it says “4.0”.While we could argue that there ARE acceptances below a 4.0, and that the blue dots at the top represent students who didn’t attend, your student should aim for a 4.0 or higher to increase their University of Chicago admissions chances.Having a 4.0 or higher is also a good indication that your student will succeed at UChicago. The average GPA for students enrolled is 4.23!Step #2: Get a 33 ACT, 2235 SAT, or HigherAs we mentioned in our article on how to get into UC Berkeley, Ivy Leagues review their applications holistically, meaning they take all things into consideration.Ok, but exactly how real is this holistic approach??On the same chart of University of Chicago admissions statistics that you just saw above, the majority of acceptances thicken significantly around a 30 ACT and 2070 SAT score. I circled it for ya here.So in order to have the BEST chances of meeting University of Chicago admissions requirements, you should aim for the middle-ground (or higher) of accepted scores: a 33 ACT or 2235 SAT score.But what about the SAT subject test you may ask?No SAT subject tests are required for your application, but we’re going to recommend your student takes them… Remember the 9% admittance rate?UChicago Admissions are super competitive, so you really want to take every opportunity there is to stand out. Have your student study hard for at least two and submit those scores.And don’t forget about Super Scoring!Super Scoring…what’s that?The University of Chicago uses what’s called “Super Scoring”, (or Score Choice) when accepting your ACT and SAT test scores. It means that if you submit multiple test scores for either the ACT or SAT, they will take the highest score you submitted!Step #3: Have the Extracurricular AdvantageWe’ve got something for this too! Remember our article on Extracurricular Activities increasing your Ivy League admissions chances?Well, UChicago is no exception to all that. Here is a pie chart that shows the actual anatomy, if you will, of the University of Chicago in terms of their Extracurricular make-up.So what can you take out from this infographic above? What seems to be to focus?YES, you got it! It seems like there are three categories that are prominent here.U of Chicago Extracurricular Prominent Categories:AthleticsMusicVolunteeringI’m not saying these are the only extracurriculars that the University of Chicago cares about. BUT the fact that the majority of current UChicago students are involved in these categories does say something for the extracurricular habits of students accepted.So maybe you’re not an athlete and don’t play an instrument… But anyone can volunteer! AND there’s quite the variety of community service options open to students these days.Here are some Volunteer tips!Make hygiene kits for the homelessVolunteer at a food bank, food pantry, or soup kitchenBring new or lightly used toys and stuffed animals to a children’s hospital.Teach computer skills to the elderlyThese are just a few specific examples I took from TeenLife’s 10 Community Service Ideas for College-Bound Teens and 50 Community Service Ideas for Teen Volunteers.Step #4: Create a UChicago AccountA UChicago Account is simply an online account where you can access all the information you’ll need as both an applicant, and a student of UChicago.With a UChicago account, you can:Check the status of your applicationUpdate informationApply for financial aidView your admission decisionGet started with your UChicago Application.Step #5: Complete the Universal and Common ApplicationsThese are two different online application sites that allow schools to view student’s applications, and teachers to give college recommendations to those students.For filling these guys out, all you need to do is go to their homepage and follow the steps they give!Start your Universal College Application here and/or start your Common Application here.Step #6: Do Well on the UChicago SupplementNow this is an important one so LISTEN UP! The UChicago Supplement is available through either your UChicago Account or Common Application.The University of Chicago Supplement requires:Extended Essay (You’ll have 5 prompts to choose from)Short essay on why you want to go to UChicagoOptional essay on art or mediaSo what do these essays look like?You can expect to see (and write about) some pretty uncommon things on your essay. Literally, the University of Chicago takes prides in having uncommon essay prompts.What do they mean by using the term “uncommon”?How about a prompt asking you about the latest trends of society?Or a prompt that just catches you completely by surprise?The following were two REAL prompts used for the UChicago extended essay.In other words, you can expect the unexpected when it comes to the University of Chicago extended essay. And here’s some specific examples of essay answers to uncommon UChicago prompts. Your student can read these and get a feel for the tone they want to capture and follow some of our tips we have provided below.University of Chicago Extended Essay “Do’s and Don’ts”:Extra Tip: You don’t have to write about yourself to answer the question. You can, but it’s totally up to you!Step #7: Have a Good Secondary School ReportThey want a secondary school report too? How about my right foot??But remember at a 9% acceptance rate, you are being considered for one of the world’s premiere universities. So yeah, they want it.The secondary school report is basically a recommendation from your student’s advisor. It will ask for the basics, like grades and test scores, but it will ask a few more unique questions too – how organized your student is and what their personality is like, for instance. So make sure to keep your advisor on your good side.Step #8: Get 2 Stellar Recommendations from TeachersSchedule a meeting well in advance to meet with your counselor/advisor and submit this recommendation via either University College Application or the Common Application (I mentioned these earlier!)In another blog I talked about creating the “Ideal Candidate” for the school that your student wants to attend.You can use some of those same categories to find the teachers for your student’s recommendations!Now that you know what kind of teacher to ask, make sure your student gives them plenty of time to write the recommendation.What’s plenty of time?Teachers are busy. A week before the deadline is probably even pushing it, so give them 2 or more. And when you do ask for a recommendation, make sure to have a brag sheet prepared.A brag sheet? You mean you want me to brag about myself?Yup. Think of it this way: Let’s say you’re in a room with 10 people. If all 10 of you applied to the University of Chicago, that means only one of you would be accepted, if any.You need to do everything you can to BE that one! So your teacher needs to know your accomplishments in order to write you a stellar recommendation letter that stands out and fits exactly what the university is looking for.Provide a sheet with the following:Volunteer WorkLeadership PositionsInvolvement in Music and the ArtsClubsCultural ExperiencesHonors and AwardsCommunity ServiceEmploymentIn other words… just follow the steps to fill out our Student Profile.Step #9: Submit a Mid-Year ReportMid-Year report? Didn’t I already submit all my grades?You did. Now they want to make sure you didn’t start slacking afterwards.Your student needs to ask their Academic Advisor to send a mid-year report with grades or transcript your first semester or first trimester.Their school may have their own form for this, or the counselor can use the UCA or CA’s form. Either will work — just make sure this gets done, and looks good!Step #10: Use Extra Opportunities to Stand OutThis means the supplemental criteria offered as an option for University of Chicago admissions.There’s a Portfolio in your student’s UChicago account where they can submit any type of artwork, writing, or anything else they are substantially proud of. This is another chance for your student to shine in the eyes of UChicago.So that portrait of Beyonce they painted in art, or that awesome mini-novel they wrote for English class… those will work.What about the UChicago Interview?Interviews for the University of Chicago admissions are conducted on and off the campus.Face-to-face is always a good way to show your interest in something. That’s why I recommend that your student does one of these.On-Campus interviews your student is interviewed by a fourth-year student in the Office of College Admissions in Rosenwald Hall. And, guess what? The University actually has a current list of the UChicago student interviewers. When your student goes for their interview, they’re bound to see one of these lovely faces there.For Off-Campus interviews: Off-campus interviews are conducted by UChicago alumni. For off-campus interviews, your student should come armed with the following:Knowledge of UChicagoA few questions for the alumnusYou can only book one or the other so your student can either schedule their on-campus interview or schedule their off-campus interview on their UChicago Account.Step #11: Meet Your DeadlinesStep #12: Qualify for a Merit ScholarshipYes, UChicago has merit-based scholarships!However, they’re not exactly the same criteria as you’ve heard from us in reference to a merit scholarship.Basically how it works is when the University of Chicago receives your student’s application, the admissions counselors will review it for possible scholarship awards in addition to them being admitted.So they aren’t automatically awarded after admission, but they’re automatically considered.And they will look at everything: GPA, test scores, personality, and what you did in High School. They might even call your twice removed cousin and see what you did at your 2nd birthday… Ok maybe not that far, but you get the idea.If your student is found eligible for a scholarship, they can receive up to $15,000 per year. (The lowest they can receive is $5,000 per year).ConclusionJust to keep things fresh, let’s review the steps we talked about.To meet your UChicago Admissions Requirements:Earn a 4.23 GPA or HigherGet a 33 on the ACT, a 2235 on the SAT, or HigherHave the Extracurricular AdvantageTo Meet your UChicago Application Requirements:Create a UChicago AccountComplete the Universal and Common ApplicationsDo Well on the UChicago SupplementHave a Good Secondary School ReportGet 2 Stellar Recommendations from TeachersSubmit a Mid-Year ReportUse Extra Opportunities to Stand OutMeet Your DeadlinesApply for Financial AidBioLatest PostsTodd VanDuzerCo-Founder & CEO at Student-TutorHOW TO GET INTO UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO / U CHICAGO ADMISSIONS / U CHICAGO EXTENDED ESSAY / U CHICAGO INTERVIEW / U CHICAGO SUPPLEMENT /UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO ADMISSIONSAdmissions & AidProfile for the Class of 2020Apply The Application U Chicago Supplement Essay Questions Class Profile Preparing for CollegeVisitingAcademicsStudent LifeHousing & DiningAfter GraduationCosts & AidContact UsApplications to University of ChicagoNumber of Applicants 31,411Number Accepted 2,498Number Enrolled 1,591Distribution by RegionInvolvement in High School ActivitiesCommunity Service 81%Editorial (newspaper, literary magazine, yearbook) 26%Music 44%Religious Organizations 12%Student Government 31%Theater 17%Varsity Athletics 53%Standardized TestingACT Middle 50% 32-35SAT Middle 50% 1460-1550ACT Score Range (Admitted Students) 20-36SAT Score Range (Admitted Students) 1020-1600DiversityAsian 19.04%Black or African American 8.61%Hispanic or Latino 12.95%Other 8.74%International 13.7%Gender DistributionUniversity of Chicago5801 S. Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637 | (773) 702-1234#3 (tie) in National UniversitiesOverviewRankingsApplyingCost & AidAcademicsStudent LifeServicesMapMore ▾2017 Quick StatsTUITION & FEES $52,491 (2016-17)ROOM AND BOARD $15,093 (2016-17)TOTAL ENROLLMENT 12,962APPLICATION DEADLINE Jan. 1More from this SchoolUndergraduateGlobalGraduateView All 7 Photos »University of Chicago is a private institution that was founded in 1890. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 5,844, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 217 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. University of Chicago's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 3. Its tuition and fees are $52,491 (2016-17).The University of Chicago, situated in Chicago’s Hyde Park community, offers a rich campus life in a big-city setting. The Chicago Maroons have more than 15 NCAA Division III teams, which compete in the University Athletic Association, and have strong basketball and wrestling programs. At Chicago, freshmen are required to live on campus, and more than 50 percent of students choose to remain on campus, while others live in off-campus apartments and houses. On-campus students are placed in "houses" within their dorm, which serve as tight-knit communities and provide academic and social support. Chicago offers more than 400 student organizations.The University of Chicago is comprised of the College and a number of graduate and professional schools. Its postgraduate offerings include the highly ranked Booth School of Business, Law School, Pritzker School of Medicine, Harris School of Public Policy Studies and Department of Geophysical Sciences, as well as a top-ranked graduate program in economics and a well-regarded Divinity School. Since 1987, the school has hosted the four-day long "University of Chicago Scavenger Hunt," now a venerable university tradition. Famous alumni include former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics recipient Milton Friedman, civil rights activist Jesse Jackson, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens and author Kurt Vonnegut Jr.General Information1890 YEAR FOUNDEDQuarter ACADEMIC CALENDAR$6,553,570,933 2015 ENDOWMENTSchool Mission and Unique QualitiesContent is provided by the school.The University of Chicago is universally recognized for its devotion to open and rigorous inquiry. The strength of our intellectual traditions, intense critical analysis, and free and lively debate draws from our engaged scholars who continually seek creative solutions to complex problems. Our College graduates have made discoveries in every field of academic study; they are ambitious thinkers who are unafraid to take on the most pressing questions of our time. Their accomplishments have established the University's legacy as one of the world's finest academic institutions. The University of Chicago is affiliated with 89 Nobel Prize winners, over 260 Guggenheim Fellows, 32 MacArthur "Genius Grant" Fellows, and 24 Pulitzer Prize winners.UChicago is also renowned for the unparalleled resources it provides its undergraduate students. Our 217-acre campus contains six libraries with over 11 million print volumes; over 150 research centers and institutes, including the new Institute for Molecular Engineering and the Institute of Politics; world-class theaters, museums, and art centers; and three of the nation's top professional schools in law, business, and medicine. Rooted in Hyde Park, a neighborhood home to both our campus (certified as a botanical garden) and over 60 percent of the private homes of our faculty, UChicago offers a true campus-based community within the context of a major American city. Our students engage the city of Chicago and its many neighborhoods through groundbreaking research and scholarship, unparalleled internship opportunities, and a commitment to community service. Just as Chicago is a global city, the University of Chicago remains a truly international university: we offer over 45 faculty-led study abroad programs in over 20 countries, including those in conjunction with our centers in Beijing, Hong Kong, Delhi, and Paris.Yo Yo Ma with Woodlawn Campus Students University of Chicago Charter SchoolUChicago maintains a student-faculty ratio of 5:1, ensuring that every classroom experience exemplifies our commitment to close interactions between students and faculty in small, discussion-style seminars. Our famous Core curriculum - courses in eight subject areas that all students, regardless of their major, are required to take - provides students with a common vocabulary and a well-balanced academic experience, while allowing them the flexibility to explore their own particular interests within those eight subject areas.The Office of Career Advancement helps students translate what they are studying in our classrooms to their future careers. Career Advancement counsels students through individual meetings and larger pre-professional programs, the UChicago Careers In programs. There are eight different UChicago Careers In programs that cover sectors ranging from business and law to health professions and journalism, arts, and media. Additionally, Career Advancement connects students with over 1700 Metcalf internship opportunities - fully funded internships across a range of industries that are only available to UChicago students. Students also enjoy a highly successful Division III sports program; a small but active Greek life community; over thirty-five student theatrical productions a year; a rich music scene; and extraordinary opportunities in politics, music, theater, commerce, and neighborhood life in the city of Chicago.The University's Financial Aid program is extraordinary thanks to the new No Barriers program. No Barriers is a comprehensive plan to increase access to college, support students as they receive an empowering education, and prepare them for lifelong professional success. Families who apply for financial aid do not have to pay a college application fee to UChicago. All of UChicago's need-based financial aid comes in the form of grants and scholarships, which do not need to be repaid. No loans are included as part of financial aid packages at the University of Chicago.University of Chicago - CollegeData College ProfileQuestions | Noodle University of Chicago Studentskatherine16, University of Chicago '16 Aug 12, 2015Everyone is so smart and so interesting. People really care about learning, about the things they're doing, and about each other. I constantly feel challenged and motivated to push myself harder. There's a crazy amount of opportunities and professors/advisers/Resident Heads want to help you every chance they can.Admitsee student at University of Chicago, University of Chicago '17 Aug 12, 2015The core curriculum, size, resources, and values are aspects of UChicago that I find most appealing. To me, the Core seems to provide a common language that unites a unique mixture of students. I enjoy interacting with students who are passionate about subjects that differ from my own interests, so surely Core disciplines would be some of my favorites. Moreover, I admire the core curriculum itself "eager to indulge in a rich foundation of knowledge." The medium sized student body also fits my ideal college experience: just large to meet new people, but small enough to see familiar faces. Additionally, Chicago is my favorite city in the United States, which is peculiar considering I live thirty minutes outside Manhattan. When I visit family in the Windy City, I relish the friendly Midwestern mentality and the deep-dish pizza. Since my perfect college experience includes a stimulating nearby city, UChicago is ideal. In terms of academic resources, I plan to major in Public Policy on the Pre-medicine track both of which the College is distinguished for. In fact, I hope to engage in undergraduate public policy research, concentrating in urban healthcare allocation. Finally, the University's values, such as involvement in surrounding community, appreciation of humor, and holistic approach to academics, resonate with my own beliefs.jasonzhao3, University of Chicago '18Aug 12, 2015The students here actually genuinely love learning, and will discuss pretty intellectual topics casually. I have heard a ridiculous amount of Marx or Durkheim themed jokes. The school has a definite sort of 'quirkiness.' The housing system is also great in that you enter college with an already existing network of supportive students. It's like having a college family with its own strange quirks and traditions. The city of Chicago is also just great and offers many unique opportunities and sights to see.DeltaXue, University of Chicago '17 Aug 12, 2015This school is so ridiculously quirky in every fashion possible. First the architecture: the quad looks like it came straight out of 18th century England or something, yet we have buildings that look like some futuristic setting (see Booth School of Business or Renee Granville-Grossman). It's a wonderful mix and I appreciate the beauty of the juxtaposition. It's also a really small campus so everything is very lively a lot of the time. Smaller college wide traditions include $1 Milkshake wednesdays (YES THE BEST), Lascivious Ball (semi-naked dance party sponsored by the college!), Kuvia ( get up at 6am every day to go do sun stances, though I already do that for crew, and earlier), and so much more. Culture is wonderful at this school, but there are those that choose to not participate in it and are locked into their work. I don't believe them, and I don't respect them because they choose to not participate in said events. They will be the people telling college students in the future to enjoy the moment because they did not themselves. Seriously, enjoy college culture.aros888, University of Chicago '17 Aug 12, 2015It's very nice to have a city school, for one. There are so many opportunities for internships, work, etc. For UChicago more specifically, I very much enjoy the common core. There are a large number of required classes (though you can pick among a set of options), generally concentrated around the "common" readings of great works, from people like Plato, Aristotle, Bacon, Descartes, Hume, Kant, Nietzsche, Durkheim, etc. It's not work that will directly apply to anything you do, but the critical thinking and writing skills you gain are useful, and the actual work is very interesting.Fifty Years of Clinical Legal Education at Chicago LawBest Law Schools#1 Yale University New Haven, CT#2 Tie Harvard University Cambridge, MA#2 Tie Stanford University Stanford, CA#4 Tie Columbia University New York, NY#4 Tie University of Chicago Chicago, IL#6 New York University New York, NY#7 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA#8 Tie University of California—​Berkeley#8 Tie University of Michigan—​Ann Arbor#8 Tie University of Virginia Charlottesville, VABest Business Schools#1 Harvard University Boston, MA#2 Tie Stanford University Stanford, CA#2 Tie University of Chicago (Booth) Chicago, IL#4 University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) Philadelphia, PA#5 Tie Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan) Cambridge, MA#5 Tie Northwestern University (Kellogg) Evanston, IL#7 University of California—​Berkeley (Haas) Berkeley, CA#8 Tie Dartmouth College (Tuck) Hanover, NH#8 Tie Yale University New Haven, CT#10 Columbia University New York, NY#1 Harvard University Boston, MA#2 Stanford University Stanford, CA#3 Tie Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD#3 Tie University of California—​San Francisco#3 Tie University of Pennsylvania (Perelman) Philadelphia, PA#6 Washington University in St. Louis St. Louis, MO#7 Columbia University New York, NY#8 Tie Duke University Durham, NC#8 Tie University of Washington Seattle, WA#8 Tie Yale University New Haven, CT#11 Tie New York University (Langone) New York, NY#11 Tie University of Chicago (Pritzker) Chicago, IL#11 Tie University of Michigan—​Ann Arbor#14 University of California—​Los Angeles (Geffen)#15 Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN#16 University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA#17 Northwestern University (Feinberg) Chicago, IL#18 Tie Cornell University (Weill) New York, NY

Q. How difficult is it to get into the university of Chicago?A. Tuan Nguyen's answer to What are the admission requirements for the University of Chicago?To maximize your chance of admission into the University of Chicago: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)Have the Extracurricular Advantage (Greater emphasis on character and personal qualities)Emphasis on Recommendations and EssaysHow to Get Into University of Chicago (Student-Tutor)University of Chicago: Profile Class of 2020US News Rankings and ReviewsCollegeData College ProfileQuestions | Noodle: University of Chicago StudentsPresident Barack Obama speaks to students at the University of Chicago Law School on April 7, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama addressed his U.S. Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland as he hopes members of the Republican party will give Garland a hearing and a vote in Washington. (Photo by Joshua Lott/Getty Images)How to Get Into University of Chicago: Admissions RequirementsCo-authored by Renae HintzeUChicago considers itself “One of the world’s premier academic and research institutions”.Sound too good to be true?They may be tooting their own horn, but Students and faculty from UChicago have made great strides over the years, such as developing the first cloud-based computing system to process cancer data (in 2013) – I mean, wow. I still burn my popcorn in the microwave sometimes.With an average of 27,500 students applying every year, the UChicago acceptance rate comes in at only 9%. I already know what you’re thinking… 9%?! So what does it take to be part of that??Without further ado, I bestow you these 12 Steps to increase your student’s UChicago Admissions chances! (Number 10 is pretty unique.)Step #1: Earn a 4.0 GPA or HigherCheck this out… It’s a chart of University of College Admissions statistics. See all those little blue and green dots? They represent the students that were accepted. And check out where they’re pow-wowing up around the top – it says “4.0”.While we could argue that there ARE acceptances below a 4.0, and that the blue dots at the top represent students who didn’t attend, your student should aim for a 4.0 or higher to increase their University of Chicago admissions chances.Having a 4.0 or higher is also a good indication that your student will succeed at UChicago. The average GPA for students enrolled is 4.23!Step #2: Get a 33 ACT, 2235 SAT, or HigherAs we mentioned in our article on how to get into UC Berkeley, Ivy Leagues review their applications holistically, meaning they take all things into consideration.Ok, but exactly how real is this holistic approach??On the same chart of University of Chicago admissions statistics that you just saw above, the majority of acceptances thicken significantly around a 30 ACT and 2070 SAT score. I circled it for ya here.So in order to have the BEST chances of meeting University of Chicago admissions requirements, you should aim for the middle-ground (or higher) of accepted scores: a 33 ACT or 2235 SAT score.But what about the SAT subject test you may ask?No SAT subject tests are required for your application, but we’re going to recommend your student takes them… Remember the 9% admittance rate?UChicago Admissions are super competitive, so you really want to take every opportunity there is to stand out. Have your student study hard for at least two and submit those scores.And don’t forget about Super Scoring!Super Scoring…what’s that?The University of Chicago uses what’s called “Super Scoring”, (or Score Choice) when accepting your ACT and SAT test scores. It means that if you submit multiple test scores for either the ACT or SAT, they will take the highest score you submitted!Step #3: Have the Extracurricular AdvantageWe’ve got something for this too! Remember our article on Extracurricular Activities increasing your Ivy League admissions chances?Well, UChicago is no exception to all that. Here is a pie chart that shows the actual anatomy, if you will, of the University of Chicago in terms of their Extracurricular make-up.So what can you take out from this infographic above? What seems to be to focus?YES, you got it! It seems like there are three categories that are prominent here.U of Chicago Extracurricular Prominent Categories:AthleticsMusicVolunteeringI’m not saying these are the only extracurriculars that the University of Chicago cares about. BUT the fact that the majority of current UChicago students are involved in these categories does say something for the extracurricular habits of students accepted.So maybe you’re not an athlete and don’t play an instrument… But anyone can volunteer! AND there’s quite the variety of community service options open to students these days.Here are some Volunteer tips!Make hygiene kits for the homelessVolunteer at a food bank, food pantry, or soup kitchenBring new or lightly used toys and stuffed animals to a children’s hospital.Teach computer skills to the elderlyThese are just a few specific examples I took from TeenLife’s 10 Community Service Ideas for College-Bound Teens and 50 Community Service Ideas for Teen Volunteers.Step #4: Create a UChicago AccountA UChicago Account is simply an online account where you can access all the information you’ll need as both an applicant, and a student of UChicago.With a UChicago account, you can:Check the status of your applicationUpdate informationApply for financial aidView your admission decisionGet started with your UChicago Application.Step #5: Complete the Universal and Common ApplicationsThese are two different online application sites that allow schools to view student’s applications, and teachers to give college recommendations to those students.For filling these guys out, all you need to do is go to their homepage and follow the steps they give!Start your Universal College Application here and/or start your Common Application here.Step #6: Do Well on the UChicago SupplementNow this is an important one so LISTEN UP! The UChicago Supplement is available through either your UChicago Account or Common Application.The University of Chicago Supplement requires:Extended Essay (You’ll have 5 prompts to choose from)Short essay on why you want to go to UChicagoOptional essay on art or mediaSo what do these essays look like?You can expect to see (and write about) some pretty uncommon things on your essay. Literally, the University of Chicago takes prides in having uncommon essay prompts.What do they mean by using the term “uncommon”?How about a prompt asking you about the latest trends of society?Or a prompt that just catches you completely by surprise?The following were two REAL prompts used for the UChicago extended essay.In other words, you can expect the unexpected when it comes to the University of Chicago extended essay. And here’s some specific examples of essay answers to uncommon UChicago prompts. Your student can read these and get a feel for the tone they want to capture and follow some of our tips we have provided below.University of Chicago Extended Essay “Do’s and Don’ts”:Extra Tip: You don’t have to write about yourself to answer the question. You can, but it’s totally up to you!Step #7: Have a Good Secondary School ReportThey want a secondary school report too? How about my right foot??But remember at a 9% acceptance rate, you are being considered for one of the world’s premiere universities. So yeah, they want it.The secondary school report is basically a recommendation from your student’s advisor. It will ask for the basics, like grades and test scores, but it will ask a few more unique questions too – how organized your student is and what their personality is like, for instance. So make sure to keep your advisor on your good side.Step #8: Get 2 Stellar Recommendations from TeachersSchedule a meeting well in advance to meet with your counselor/advisor and submit this recommendation via either University College Application or the Common Application (I mentioned these earlier!)In another blog I talked about creating the “Ideal Candidate” for the school that your student wants to attend.You can use some of those same categories to find the teachers for your student’s recommendations!Now that you know what kind of teacher to ask, make sure your student gives them plenty of time to write the recommendation.What’s plenty of time?Teachers are busy. A week before the deadline is probably even pushing it, so give them 2 or more. And when you do ask for a recommendation, make sure to have a brag sheet prepared.A brag sheet? You mean you want me to brag about myself?Yup. Think of it this way: Let’s say you’re in a room with 10 people. If all 10 of you applied to the University of Chicago, that means only one of you would be accepted, if any.You need to do everything you can to BE that one! So your teacher needs to know your accomplishments in order to write you a stellar recommendation letter that stands out and fits exactly what the university is looking for.Provide a sheet with the following:Volunteer WorkLeadership PositionsInvolvement in Music and the ArtsClubsCultural ExperiencesHonors and AwardsCommunity ServiceEmploymentIn other words… just follow the steps to fill out our Student Profile.Step #9: Submit a Mid-Year ReportMid-Year report? Didn’t I already submit all my grades?You did. Now they want to make sure you didn’t start slacking afterwards.Your student needs to ask their Academic Advisor to send a mid-year report with grades or transcript your first semester or first trimester.Their school may have their own form for this, or the counselor can use the UCA or CA’s form. Either will work — just make sure this gets done, and looks good!Step #10: Use Extra Opportunities to Stand OutThis means the supplemental criteria offered as an option for University of Chicago admissions.There’s a Portfolio in your student’s UChicago account where they can submit any type of artwork, writing, or anything else they are substantially proud of. This is another chance for your student to shine in the eyes of UChicago.So that portrait of Beyonce they painted in art, or that awesome mini-novel they wrote for English class… those will work.What about the UChicago Interview?Interviews for the University of Chicago admissions are conducted on and off the campus.Face-to-face is always a good way to show your interest in something. That’s why I recommend that your student does one of these.On-Campus interviews your student is interviewed by a fourth-year student in the Office of College Admissions in Rosenwald Hall. And, guess what? The University actually has a current list of the UChicago student interviewers. When your student goes for their interview, they’re bound to see one of these lovely faces there.For Off-Campus interviews: Off-campus interviews are conducted by UChicago alumni. For off-campus interviews, your student should come armed with the following:Knowledge of UChicagoA few questions for the alumnusYou can only book one or the other so your student can either schedule their on-campus interview or schedule their off-campus interview on their UChicago Account.Step #11: Meet Your DeadlinesStep #12: Qualify for a Merit ScholarshipYes, UChicago has merit-based scholarships!However, they’re not exactly the same criteria as you’ve heard from us in reference to a merit scholarship.Basically how it works is when the University of Chicago receives your student’s application, the admissions counselors will review it for possible scholarship awards in addition to them being admitted.So they aren’t automatically awarded after admission, but they’re automatically considered.And they will look at everything: GPA, test scores, personality, and what you did in High School. They might even call your twice removed cousin and see what you did at your 2nd birthday… Ok maybe not that far, but you get the idea.If your student is found eligible for a scholarship, they can receive up to $15,000 per year. (The lowest they can receive is $5,000 per year).ConclusionJust to keep things fresh, let’s review the steps we talked about.To meet your UChicago Admissions Requirements:Earn a 4.23 GPA or HigherGet a 33 on the ACT, a 2235 on the SAT, or HigherHave the Extracurricular AdvantageTo Meet your UChicago Application Requirements:Create a UChicago AccountComplete the Universal and Common ApplicationsDo Well on the UChicago SupplementHave a Good Secondary School ReportGet 2 Stellar Recommendations from TeachersSubmit a Mid-Year ReportUse Extra Opportunities to Stand OutMeet Your DeadlinesApply for Financial AidBioLatest PostsTodd VanDuzerCo-Founder & CEO at Student-TutorHOW TO GET INTO UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO / U CHICAGO ADMISSIONS / U CHICAGO EXTENDED ESSAY / U CHICAGO INTERVIEW / U CHICAGO SUPPLEMENT /UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO ADMISSIONSAdmissions & AidProfile for the Class of 2020Apply The Application U Chicago Supplement Essay QuestionsClass Profile Preparing for CollegeVisitingAcademicsStudent LifeHousing & DiningAfter GraduationCosts & AidContact UsApplications to University of ChicagoNumber of Applicants 31,411Number Accepted 2,498Number Enrolled 1,591Distribution by RegionInvolvement in High School ActivitiesCommunity Service 81%Editorial (newspaper, literary magazine, yearbook) 26%Music 44%Religious Organizations 12%Student Government 31%Theater 17%Varsity Athletics 53%Standardized TestingACT Middle 50% 32-35SAT Middle 50% 1460-1550ACT Score Range (Admitted Students) 20-36SAT Score Range (Admitted Students) 1020-1600DiversityAsian 19.04%Black or African American 8.61%Hispanic or Latino 12.95%Other 8.74%International 13.7%Gender DistributionUniversity of Chicago5801 S. Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637 | (773) 702-1234#3 (tie) in National UniversitiesOverviewRankingsApplyingCost & AidAcademicsStudent LifeServicesMapMore ▾2017 Quick StatsTUITION & FEES $52,491 (2016-17)ROOM AND BOARD $15,093 (2016-17)TOTAL ENROLLMENT 12,962APPLICATION DEADLINE Jan. 1More from this SchoolUndergraduateGlobalGraduateView All 7 Photos »University of Chicago is a private institution that was founded in 1890. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 5,844, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 217 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. University of Chicago's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 3. Its tuition and fees are $52,491 (2016-17).The University of Chicago, situated in Chicago’s Hyde Park community, offers a rich campus life in a big-city setting. The Chicago Maroons have more than 15 NCAA Division III teams, which compete in the University Athletic Association, and have strong basketball and wrestling programs. At Chicago, freshmen are required to live on campus, and more than 50 percent of students choose to remain on campus, while others live in off-campus apartments and houses. On-campus students are placed in "houses" within their dorm, which serve as tight-knit communities and provide academic and social support. Chicago offers more than 400 student organizations.The University of Chicago is comprised of the College and a number of graduate and professional schools. Its postgraduate offerings include the highly ranked Booth School of Business, Law School, Pritzker School of Medicine, Harris School of Public Policy Studies and Department of Geophysical Sciences, as well as a top-ranked graduate program in economics and a well-regarded Divinity School. Since 1987, the school has hosted the four-day long "University of Chicago Scavenger Hunt," now a venerable university tradition. Famous alumni include former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics recipient Milton Friedman, civil rights activist Jesse Jackson, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens and author Kurt Vonnegut Jr.General Information1890 YEAR FOUNDEDQuarter ACADEMIC CALENDAR$6,553,570,933 2015 ENDOWMENTSchool Mission and Unique QualitiesContent is provided by the school.The University of Chicago is universally recognized for its devotion to open and rigorous inquiry. The strength of our intellectual traditions, intense critical analysis, and free and lively debate draws from our engaged scholars who continually seek creative solutions to complex problems. Our College graduates have made discoveries in every field of academic study; they are ambitious thinkers who are unafraid to take on the most pressing questions of our time. Their accomplishments have established the University's legacy as one of the world's finest academic institutions. The University of Chicago is affiliated with 89 Nobel Prize winners, over 260 Guggenheim Fellows, 32 MacArthur "Genius Grant" Fellows, and 24 Pulitzer Prize winners.UChicago is also renowned for the unparalleled resources it provides its undergraduate students. Our 217-acre campus contains six libraries with over 11 million print volumes; over 150 research centers and institutes, including the new Institute for Molecular Engineering and the Institute of Politics; world-class theaters, museums, and art centers; and three of the nation's top professional schools in law, business, and medicine. Rooted in Hyde Park, a neighborhood home to both our campus (certified as a botanical garden) and over 60 percent of the private homes of our faculty, UChicago offers a true campus-based community within the context of a major American city. Our students engage the city of Chicago and its many neighborhoods through groundbreaking research and scholarship, unparalleled internship opportunities, and a commitment to community service. Just as Chicago is a global city, the University of Chicago remains a truly international university: we offer over 45 faculty-led study abroad programs in over 20 countries, including those in conjunction with our centers in Beijing, Hong Kong, Delhi, and Paris.Yo Yo Ma with Woodlawn Campus Students University of Chicago Charter SchoolUChicago maintains a student-faculty ratio of 5:1, ensuring that every classroom experience exemplifies our commitment to close interactions between students and faculty in small, discussion-style seminars. Our famous Core curriculum - courses in eight subject areas that all students, regardless of their major, are required to take - provides students with a common vocabulary and a well-balanced academic experience, while allowing them the flexibility to explore their own particular interests within those eight subject areas.The Office of Career Advancement helps students translate what they are studying in our classrooms to their future careers. Career Advancement counsels students through individual meetings and larger pre-professional programs, the UChicago Careers In programs. There are eight different UChicago Careers In programs that cover sectors ranging from business and law to health professions and journalism, arts, and media. Additionally, Career Advancement connects students with over 1700 Metcalf internship opportunities - fully funded internships across a range of industries that are only available to UChicago students. Students also enjoy a highly successful Division III sports program; a small but active Greek life community; over thirty-five student theatrical productions a year; a rich music scene; and extraordinary opportunities in politics, music, theater, commerce, and neighborhood life in the city of Chicago.The University's Financial Aid program is extraordinary thanks to the new No Barriers program. No Barriers is a comprehensive plan to increase access to college, support students as they receive an empowering education, and prepare them for lifelong professional success. Families who apply for financial aid do not have to pay a college application fee to UChicago. All of UChicago's need-based financial aid comes in the form of grants and scholarships, which do not need to be repaid. No loans are included as part of financial aid packages at the University of Chicago.University of Chicago - CollegeData College ProfileQuestions | Noodle University of Chicago Studentskatherine16, University of Chicago '16 Aug 12, 2015Everyone is so smart and so interesting. People really care about learning, about the things they're doing, and about each other. I constantly feel challenged and motivated to push myself harder. There's a crazy amount of opportunities and professors/advisers/Resident Heads want to help you every chance they can.Admitsee student at University of Chicago, University of Chicago '17 Aug 12, 2015The core curriculum, size, resources, and values are aspects of UChicago that I find most appealing. To me, the Core seems to provide a common language that unites a unique mixture of students. I enjoy interacting with students who are passionate about subjects that differ from my own interests, so surely Core disciplines would be some of my favorites. Moreover, I admire the core curriculum itself "eager to indulge in a rich foundation of knowledge." The medium sized student body also fits my ideal college experience: just large to meet new people, but small enough to see familiar faces. Additionally, Chicago is my favorite city in the United States, which is peculiar considering I live thirty minutes outside Manhattan. When I visit family in the Windy City, I relish the friendly Midwestern mentality and the deep-dish pizza. Since my perfect college experience includes a stimulating nearby city, UChicago is ideal. In terms of academic resources, I plan to major in Public Policy on the Pre-medicine track both of which the College is distinguished for. In fact, I hope to engage in undergraduate public policy research, concentrating in urban healthcare allocation. Finally, the University's values, such as involvement in surrounding community, appreciation of humor, and holistic approach to academics, resonate with my own beliefs.jasonzhao3, University of Chicago '18Aug 12, 2015The students here actually genuinely love learning, and will discuss pretty intellectual topics casually. I have heard a ridiculous amount of Marx or Durkheim themed jokes. The school has a definite sort of 'quirkiness.' The housing system is also great in that you enter college with an already existing network of supportive students. It's like having a college family with its own strange quirks and traditions. The city of Chicago is also just great and offers many unique opportunities and sights to see.DeltaXue, University of Chicago '17 Aug 12, 2015This school is so ridiculously quirky in every fashion possible. First the architecture: the quad looks like it came straight out of 18th century England or something, yet we have buildings that look like some futuristic setting (see Booth School of Business or Renee Granville-Grossman). It's a wonderful mix and I appreciate the beauty of the juxtaposition. It's also a really small campus so everything is very lively a lot of the time. Smaller college wide traditions include $1 Milkshake wednesdays (YES THE BEST), Lascivious Ball (semi-naked dance party sponsored by the college!), Kuvia ( get up at 6am every day to go do sun stances, though I already do that for crew, and earlier), and so much more. Culture is wonderful at this school, but there are those that choose to not participate in it and are locked into their work. I don't believe them, and I don't respect them because they choose to not participate in said events. They will be the people telling college students in the future to enjoy the moment because they did not themselves. Seriously, enjoy college culture.aros888, University of Chicago '17 Aug 12, 2015It's very nice to have a city school, for one. There are so many opportunities for internships, work, etc. For UChicago more specifically, I very much enjoy the common core. There are a large number of required classes (though you can pick among a set of options), generally concentrated around the "common" readings of great works, from people like Plato, Aristotle, Bacon, Descartes, Hume, Kant, Nietzsche, Durkheim, etc. It's not work that will directly apply to anything you do, but the critical thinking and writing skills you gain are useful, and the actual work is very interesting.Fifty Years of Clinical Legal Education at Chicago LawBest Law Schools#1 Yale University New Haven, CT#2 Tie Harvard University Cambridge, MA#2 Tie Stanford University Stanford, CA#4 Tie Columbia University New York, NY#4 Tie University of Chicago Chicago, IL#6 New York University New York, NY#7 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA#8 Tie University of California—​Berkeley#8 Tie University of Michigan—​Ann Arbor#8 Tie University of Virginia Charlottesville, VABest Business Schools#1 Harvard University Boston, MA#2 Tie Stanford University Stanford, CA#2 Tie University of Chicago (Booth) Chicago, IL#4 University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) Philadelphia, PA#5 Tie Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan) Cambridge, MA#5 Tie Northwestern University (Kellogg) Evanston, IL#7 University of California—​Berkeley (Haas) Berkeley, CA#8 Tie Dartmouth College (Tuck) Hanover, NH#8 Tie Yale University New Haven, CT#10 Columbia University New York, NY#1 Harvard University Boston, MA#2 Stanford University Stanford, CA#3 Tie Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD#3 Tie University of California—​San Francisco#3 Tie University of Pennsylvania (Perelman) Philadelphia, PA#6 Washington University in St. Louis St. Louis, MO#7 Columbia University New York, NY#8 Tie Duke University Durham, NC#8 Tie University of Washington Seattle, WA#8 Tie Yale University New Haven, CT#11 Tie New York University (Langone) New York, NY#11 Tie University of Chicago (Pritzker) Chicago, IL#11 Tie University of Michigan—​Ann Arbor#14 University of California—​Los Angeles (Geffen)#15 Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN#16 University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA#17 Northwestern University (Feinberg) Chicago, IL#18 Tie Cornell University (Weill) New York, NY