Chicago University Acceptance Rate, SAT, GPA, and ACT Scores!

The University of Chicago, located in Chicago, Illinois, is renowned for its intellectual excellence and academic challenge. Founded in 1890, it is a highly respected university with demanding liberal arts, science, and business programs. With nearly 5% acceptance rate, UChicago is one of the most selective universities in the United States. For a student to apply to such a prestigious university is indeed a big thing. A commendable GPA accompanied by competitive SAT scores falling typically between 1510 and 1560 and comparable ACT scores from 34 to 35 are some of the ends that would serve to give a covered application the strength that UChicago would so chestnut. Strong extracurricular activities and impressive personal essays are also critical to securing admission. UChicago provides students with a stimulating and rewarding learning environment in the midst of a vibrant city.

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Did You Know Facts About Chicago University?

🎓 Founded in 1890: Established by John D. Rockefeller.

⚛️ First Nuclear Reaction: Enrico Fermi led the first controlled nuclear chain reaction in 1942.

📚 Rigorous Core Curriculum: Known for its challenging academic programs.

🏆 Nobel Prize Legacy: Over 100 Nobel laureates have been affiliated with UChicago.

👨‍💼 Famous Alumni: Barack Obama (faculty), Milton Friedman, Saul Bellow, and more!

🔍 Epic Scavenger Hunt: Hosts one of the biggest annual scavenger hunts.

🏰 Gothic Architecture: Inspired by Oxford and Cambridge.

Also, get to know what a good SAT score is for Ivy League schools!

Elements	Details
College Name	University of Chicago
College Location	Chicago, Illinois
College Short Form	UChicago
Acceptance Rate	5%
Graduation Rate	96%
FAFSA Deadline	December 1
Early Action	November 1
Regular Decision	January 6
Common Application Accepted	Yes
SAT Score	1510-1560
ACT Score	34-35

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University of Chicago Admissions Requirements

The University of Chicago admissions process is highly selective. UChicago looks for students who are academically talented and have leadership potential and depth of character. Strong SAT scores, high GPAs, and enthusiasm for their activities are a must. A successful application integrates academics, extracurricular activities, leadership, and personal essays. Knowing the admission requirements at Chicago University can give a realistic setting toward more academic goals and preparedness for several applicants.

Get to Know the Recent Changes Made in the SAT Exam!

Requirement	Status
High School GPA	The required GPA is 4.3 or higher; preference for strong academic performance
High School Rank	Considered but not required
SAT Scores	1510-1560
ACT Scores	34-35
Letters of Recommendation	Required: two to three letters recommended
Personal Statement	Required: opportunity to present personal strengths
Application Fee	$75 (subject to change)

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University of Chicago SAT Score Requirements

Chicago University still considers SAT scores to be an essential part of the admission process. While the SAT is optional, high scores show that a student is ready for the academic intensity at UChicago. The University of Chicago's SAT scores range between 1510 and 1560, which is competitive in comparison to other top U.S. universities like Columbia University, which typically admits students with SAT scores between 1500 and 1600, or Harvard University, with a range of 1460-1600.

University of Chicago SAT Scores Distribution

The alum institution, Chicago University, has very competitive admissions; SAT scores will play a large part in selecting applicants. The middle 50% of accepted students score between 1500 and 1580 on the SAT, underlining a sound academic foundation. For instance, based on evidence-based reading and writing scores, it falls between 740 and 780, and math scores fall within 760 to 800. Although the SAT is optional for many students due to the test-optional policy implemented in Chicago, scoring well would have a significant advantage for the applicants in preparation, as they would be placed in the academic intensity of the university.

Subject	Average	25th Percentile	75th Percentile
Evidence-Based Reading & Writing	760	740	780
Math	785	770	800
Composite	1545	1510	1560

Average Chicago University SAT Score for Accepted Students

The middle 50% of accepted students at UChicago score between 1510 and 1560 on the SAT. For example, the evidence-based reading and writing scores fall between 740 and 780, while the math scores range from 770 to 800. While the SAT is optional at the University of Chicago, students submitting high scores will have an edge over those applying to other universities where standardized testing plays a heavier role in the admissions process.

Chicago University Colleges That Accept SAT Scores

The following are Chicago colleges whose SAT scores will assist your chances of gaining entry into the University of Chicago admissions process:

College of Arts and Sciences
Harris School of Public Policy
Booth School of Business
Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies
Division of the Social Sciences
Division of the Humanities
Division of the Biological Sciences
Physical Sciences Division

Read about the SAT Eligibility: Age Limit, Education Prerequisites & Fee Waiver!

University of Chicago ACT Scores Requirements

The UChicago ACT scores are also highly competitive. The average ACT composite score for admitted students ranges from 34 to 35 (out of 36). This places UChicago in line with other elite universities such as Yale University, which has an ACT range of 33-35, and Princeton University, which also seeks students with ACT scores around 34-35.

The higher your score, the stronger your application will be, but a solid application overall, including essays and extracurriculars, is also crucial.

Also Read – What's The Highest Possible SAT Score?

University of Chicago ACT Scores Distribution

This indicates that the University of Chicago is very selective, but students with high scores in the 30s are competitive candidates. Those with scores below 30 can still be considered if they possess other parts of their application that are outstanding, including leadership, special talents, or academic diversity. For students who opt to report their ACT scores, the pattern is usually as follows, as per the University of Chicago admissions:

Category	Details
Middle 50% ACT Scores	34–35

Chicago University GPA Requirements

In addition to SAT and ACT scores, the University of Chicago GPA requirements are a critical factor. Being a highly selective institution, UChicago generally expects applicants to have a GPA of at least 3.8, with students in the 75th percentile often boasting a GPA of 4.0. It is very similar to other highly selective schools like Harvard, where students who get in usually have an unweighted GPA of around 3.9-4.0. Therefore, having a good GPA, especially in challenging courses like AP or IB, becomes very important in getting an offer.

Average GPA of Students

The process is inordinately competitive, and students who cut are those who have an excellent academic record, especially those who have completed AP or IB courses. The average GPA of students admitted to the University of Chicago runs in the 3.9 range on a 4.0 scale. Like other elite universities, the University of Chicago is quite stringent in terms of admission and GPA. Although there is no minimum GPA, candidates with GPAs ranging from 3.7 to 4.0 have been admitted.

GPA Percentile	GPA Range
25th Percentile	3.8
75th Percentile	4.0+

Of course, it's common for a student to fall into this category of GPA. However, by all means, the student with a low GPA can still get into the university if they also have great qualifications on the SAT and were an excellent participant in the school's extracurricular activities.

University of Chicago Acceptance Rate

The University of Chicago acceptance rate is relatively low, at around 5%, which is on par with the most selective institutions in the U.S. The admissions rate for UChicago reflects its academic rigor, which is similar to other top universities like Princeton and Harvard, both of which have similarly stringent acceptance rates. As such, prospective students must ensure they meet the university's high standards for both academic performance and extracurricular engagement.

Particulars	Details
Total Applicants	43,612
Admitted Students	1,955
Enrolled	1,726
Acceptance Rate	5%

University of Chicago Scholarships

The University of Chicago awards all kinds of scholarships, including those based on merit and those based on needs. For instance, while the Odyssey Scholarship Program provides full tuition to students who are low-income, the Chicago Commitment Scholarship extends its assistance to students with outstanding performance from Chicago Public Schools. These scholarships help relieve some of the burden of cost to the students and allow them better access to an education at the University of Chicago.

The University of Chicago Scholarships: These are merit-based scholarships that provide generous financial aid on the basis of the economic status of the family.
The Odyssey Scholarship Program: It is available to low-income students and grants them full tuition, along with other monetary advantages.
The Chicago Commitment Scholarship: This is a merit scholarship for high-achieving students from Chicago Public Schools.
External Scholarships: Students can apply for outside scholarships, and the university suggests that recipients utilize these towards tuition.

Conclusion

Admission to the University of Chicago remains highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 5%. Similar to other top U.S. universities such as Harvard, Princeton, and Yale, prospective students must excel academically, show leadership potential, and submit outstanding application materials to stand a chance. If you're aiming for UChicago admissions, focus on strengthening your academic record, extracurricular activities, and personal essays to improve your chances of acceptance.

Acceptance Rate of Top U.S. Universities

Top US Universities
UCLA Acceptance Rate	Harvard Acceptance Rate
NYU Acceptance Rate	Penn State Acceptance Rate
SDSU Acceptance Rate	USC Acceptance Rate
Purdue Acceptance Rate	Notre Dame Acceptance Rate
Rutgers Acceptance Rate	UMich Acceptance Rate
UCF Acceptance Rate	University Of Southern California Acceptance Rate

Colleges That Use SAT Scores

Category	Colleges/Universities
Ivy League Schools	Harvard University
	Yale University
	Princeton University
	Columbia University
	University of Pennsylvania
	Dartmouth College
	Brown University
	Cornell University
Public Research Universities	University of California System (some campuses)
	University of Michigan
	University of Virginia
	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
	University of Florida
National Universities	University of Chicago
	Northwestern University
	Johns Hopkins University
	University of Southern California
Liberal Arts Colleges	Williams College
	Amherst College
	Swarthmore College
	Middlebury College

Check Colleges Accepting Low ACT Scores

College Name	ACT Score	SAT Score
Texas Southern University	15–19*	840–990*
Tennessee State University	16–21*	890–1080*
Clark Atlanta University	16–20*	880–1120*
Keiser University	15–21*	Not available*
Barry University	16–20*	860–1080*

Colleges That Accept a 1200 Score on the SAT

University	ACT Score	SAT Score
Wayne State University Admissions	21–28*	1040–1260*
Kean University Admissions	16–25*	935–1120*
Eastern Michigan University Admissions	18–26*	910–1170*
Lamar University Admissions	18–24*	910–1130*
Radford University Admissions	19–26*	950–1170*
Grand Valley State University Admissions	21–28*	950–1180*
Central Connecticut State University Admissions	16–27*	925–1140*
University Of Memphis Admissions	17–24*	930–1175*
Sam Houston State University Admissions	19–25*	950–1130*
Oakland University Admissions	20–27*	900–1150*
University Of North Florida Admissions	20–26*	1010–1200*

Chicago University Acceptance Rate FAQs

What is the acceptance rate for the University of Chicago?

The University of Chicago's acceptance rate is highly competitive at 5%, making it one of the most selective universities in the U.S.

What SAT score is required for University of Chicago admissions?

The University of Chicago's SAT score range for admitted students is typically between 1510 and 1560, reflecting the university's rigorous academic standards.

What is the ACT score range for the University of Chicago?

The average ACT score for accepted students at the University of Chicago is between 34 and 35, demonstrating the university's selective nature.

What GPA do you need to get into the University of Chicago?

To be competitive for University of Chicago admissions, applicants typically need a GPA of at least 3.8, with a strong preference for those with a 4.0.

Is the SAT/ACT optional at the University of Chicago?

The University of Chicago has a test-optional policy, meaning students can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores, though high scores are beneficial.

How does the University of Chicago compare to other top U.S. universities?

With an acceptance rate of just 5%, the University of Chicago ranks among the most selective schools, similar to Harvard and Princeton, which have similarly low acceptance rates.

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