The University of Chicago: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

The University of Chicago

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The University of Chicago is a private research university with an acceptance rate of 6.2%. Located in Hyde Park seven miles from downtown Chicago, UChicago is one of the top-ranking and most selective universities in the U.S. The university has a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa and is a member of the Association of American Universities. First-year students at The University of Chicago reside in one of 38 "houses" which serve as the center of student life. Academics are backed up by an impressive 5-to-1 student/faculty ratio. On the athletic front, The University of Chicago Maroons compete in the NCAA Division III, within the University Athletic Association (UAA). Popular sports include football, soccer, swimming, tennis, and track and field.

To apply, students can use the Common Application, or the Coalition Application. UChicago has two Early Decision plans and one Early Action plan that can improve admission chances for students who are sure the university is their top choice school. Considering applying to this highly selective school? Here are the UChicago admissions statistics you should know.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, The University of Chicago had an acceptance rate of 6.2%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 6 students were admitted, making UChicago's admissions process highly competitive.

Admissions Statistics (2018-19)
Number of Applicants 34,648
Percent Admitted 6.2%
Percent Admitted Who Enrolled (Yield) 81%

SAT Scores and Requirements

The University of Chicago has a test-optional standardized testing policy. Applicants to UChicago may submit SAT or ACT scores to the school, but they are not required. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 53% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

SAT Range (Admitted Students)
Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile
ERW 720 770
Math 750 800
ERW=Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

This admissions data tells us that of those students who submitted scores, most of UChicago's admitted students fall within the top 7% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, the middle 50% of students admitted to UChicago scored between 720 and 770, while 25% scored below 720 and 25% scored above 770. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 750 and 800, 25% scored below 750, and 25% scored a perfect 800. While the SAT is not required, this data tells us that a composite SAT score of 1560 or higher is competitive for The University of Chicago.

Requirements

UChicago does not require SAT scores for admission. For students who choose to submit scores, note that The University of Chicago participates in the scorechoice program, meaning that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates. UChicago does not require the optional essay portion of the SAT.

ACT Scores and Requirements

The University of Chicago has a test-optional standardized testing policy. Applicants to UChicago may submit SAT or ACT scores to the school, but they are not required. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 58% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

ACT Range (Admitted Students)
Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile
English 34 36
Math 30 35
Composite 33 35

This admissions data tells us that of those students who submitted scores, most of UChicago's admitted students fall within the top 2% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to UChicago received a composite ACT score between 33 and 35, while 25% scored above 35 and 25% scored below 33.

Requirements

The University of Chicago does not require ACT scores for admission. For students who choose to submit scores, note that The University of Chicago participates in the scorechoice program, meaning that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all ACT test dates. UChicago does not require the optional writing portion of the ACT.

GPA

The University of Chicago does not provide data about admitted students' high school GPAs.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The University of Chicago Applicants' Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph.
The University of Chicago Applicants' Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph. Data courtesy of Cappex.

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to The University of Chicago. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

The University of Chicago has a highly competitive admissions pool with a low acceptance rate and high average SAT/ACT scores. However, UChicago is also test-optional and the university has a holistic admissions process involving other factors beyond your grades and test scores. Strong application essays and glowing letters of recommendation can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their test scores are outside UChicago's average range.

In the graph above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students. As you can see, students who are admitted to UChicago tend to have an A- or higher GPA, SAT scores of 1250 or higher (ERW+M), and an ACT composite score of 25 or higher. Note that UChicago is test-optional, so grades and other elements of the application are more important than test scores in the admissions process.

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and The University of Chicago Undergraduate Admissions Office.

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Grove, Allen. "The University of Chicago: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics." ThoughtCo, Aug. 29, 2020, thoughtco.com/university-of-chicago-admissions-787232. Grove, Allen. (2020, August 29). The University of Chicago: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/university-of-chicago-admissions-787232 Grove, Allen. "The University of Chicago: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/university-of-chicago-admissions-787232 (accessed March 28, 2024).