Admissions
Getting in, fall 2024
U. Chicago admits about 1 in 22 applicants (4.5%). That puts it in the "Ultra selective" tier, more selective than 100% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (5.6% and 3.7%).
$75 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Yield
88% of admitted students enroll, one of the highest nationally.
Uses a wait list; numbers not published
Applying early
Offers early decision. The college doesn't publish how many apply or are admitted early.
Early decision is binding: if admitted, you commit to enroll. Recruited athletes and other applicants with an edge often apply early, so the early rate overstates the gain for a typical applicant.
Early action (not binding)
Where you stand
How U. Chicago reads a record
is very important; GPA, class rank, and tests are all considered. This college reports (average 4.54), so its GPA figures can't show how crowded unweighted GPAs are. Scores are required. 57% of first-years sent an SAT and 25% an ACT. Of the 32% whose high school reported a rank, 97% were in the top tenth.
What they look at
Considers whether an applicant's parent attended (legacy status).
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Considered | ||||
| Academic GPA | Considered | ||||
| Test scores | Considered | ||||
| Essay | Very important | ||||
| Recommendations | Very important | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Not considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Very important | ||||
| Talent or ability | Very important | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Very important | ||||
| First generation | Considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Considered | ||||
| State residency | Considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Considered | ||||
| Work experience | Considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Not considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program required; demonstration of competencies considered; English proficiency test considered
Transferring in
12% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 4.5% of first-year applicants
3,231 applied · 380 admitted
Transfers may start in the fall.
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Required
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Not required
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Decisions are sent by a set date.
- Admitted students must reply by a set date.
- The housing deposit is non-refundable.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year.
Recent change: Stopped requiring an English proficiency test (still considered) in fall 2023.
Recent change: Requires the SAT or ACT again, for students entering in fall 2027.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school GPA
Average GPA 4.54, weighted
This average gives extra points for honors and AP courses, so it runs above 4.0 and can't be compared with an unweighted GPA.
From the 62% of first-years who reported a GPA.
High schools grade differently, and colleges recalculate or weight GPAs their own way, so compare this college only with itself.
First-years by high school GPA (4.0 scale)
At colleges with a weighted average, the “4.0” band seems to hold every GPA of 4.0 or more.
- 4.057%
- 3.75–3.9927%
- 3.50–3.7410%
- 3.25–3.493%
- 3.00–3.243%
- below 3.01%
The middle half had GPAs of 3.75–4.0.
All nine bands
| GPA | All |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 56.8% |
| 3.75–3.99 | 26.9% |
| 3.50–3.74 | 9.9% |
| 3.25–3.49 | 2.8% |
| 3.00–3.24 | 2.9% |
| 2.50–2.99 | 0.7% |
| 2.0–2.49 | 0.1% |
| 1.0–1.99 | 0.0% |
| below 1.0 | 0.0% |
97% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 100% in the top quarter, of the 32% whose high school reported a rank.
Source:University of Chicago Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1530 on the SAT, 360 points above the median for colleges that report scores. It requires SAT or ACT scores again from students entering in fall 2027.
Required
Send SAT or ACT scores: they're required to be considered. For students entering in fall 2027.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
These scores are from the class that entered in fall 2025, before the change.
Score bands
Nearly all who sent an SAT (97%) scored 1400 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an ACT (98%) scored 30 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an SAT (95%) scored 700 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an SAT (95%) scored 700 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an ACT (97%) scored 30 or higher.
89% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
Shares of the 57% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Shares of the 25% of first-years who sent an ACT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
submitted ACT
At least half of students submitted a score, so the ranges are reasonably representative.
Sources:IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;University of Chicago Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;University of Chicago Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;University of Chicago Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;University of Chicago Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)