The University of Chicago is one of the leading private research universities in the world and ranked #14 in the Forbes America’s Top Colleges list of 2025. Considered an intellectual destination, the university is committed to producing graduates who can bring forth ideas that can change the world.
The university has a vibrant international community of faculty, students, and alumni who are working in other countries through collaboration with scholars around the world. They boast of hundreds of programs, partnerships, and initiatives in more than 48 nations in every field and on every continent. Thus, UChicago truly has transformed into a global university.
https://www.uchicago.edu/education-and-research/global-campuses-and-centers.
Students of UChicago have the opportunity to choose from 50 majors and 50 minors that complement the compulsory Core Curriculum, a hallmark of the university. The University is one of the 50 most competitive schools for undergraduate admissions globally. The acceptance rate of this university has consistently seen a decline in the past few years.
Changing Trends
The Class of 2028 received 43,612 applications, and while 1955 were accepted, the number of students enrolled was 1726. https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/class-2028-profile.
As per the Common Data Set, the acceptance rates of the university are consistently decreasing each year. Compared to the admission rate in 2014, when it was 8.4%, for 2023 it is a drop of 50% to a mere 4.8%.
Although the undergrad population has increased from 5,608 in 2014 to 7,489 in 2023, since the number of applications increased even more in the same period, the admit rate has decreased. The university has four admission cycles, namely ED1, ED II, Early Action, and Regular Decision.
While we do not have the exact figures of the ED Cycles, it can be safely assumed that if a student is committed to attending this university, it is important to show that by applying in the ED rounds. The acceptance rate is definitely higher in these rounds as compared to the RD.
Geographical Diversity
U Chicago for their class of 2028 welcomed students from over 100 countries as well as students from all parts of America.
Standardized Testing
In 2018, U Chicago announced they were becoming a test-optional college to provide equal opportunity to students from underrepresented communities. Accordingly, continuing its commitment, in the application year 2024-25 the university has decided to remain test-optional. But this comes with a caveat where they have the “No Harm Testing Policy.” This means that it is the personal choice of an applicant to either send or not send their test scores.
Even though the test scores are not required, to increase their chances of getting in, most students with a high SAT/ACT score send their scores to be considered. As per the website, the ACT and SAT ranges of admitted students are 20-36 and 1020-1600, respectively. Consequently, U Chicago will not disadvantage any student who is unable to take the test for some reason. https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/first-year-applicants
A Diverse Student Body
The full-time UChicago undergraduate population is made up of 48% women and 52% men. The nonresident Hispanic/Latino Black (15%), African American (10%) Hispanic, or Latino (25%), Asian (25%), and International (14%) are a part of the class of 2028. This is an example of how the U of Chicago embraces a diverse community of students.
Competitiveness
U Chicago seeks students with high academic credentials and an application that tells a story. The academic transcripts and your extracurricular credentials with depths are reviewed by the admissions committee with astuteness. Importantly, high school students admitted to U Chicago often demonstrate their extracurricular prowess in areas such as community service, literary pursuits, music, student governments, theatre, and varsity sports.
The supplemental essays of U Chicago are a unique piece of the application puzzle. Students with clarity of thought and expression and an acute sense of humor write their essays that make the admission officers smile and remember and have a high chance of acceptance. Undeniably, the number of applicants illustrates the fierce competitiveness of the admission chances at the U of Chicago.
Working with study abroad consultants, overseas education consultants, or, as more commonly known, college counselors, can help you plan and make those high school years count. We can help you with your college application process. Ivy Central offers exceptional focus to help you prepare for college admissions throughout the high school years. Start today!
