The blog post addresses questions surrounding Uchicago Acceptance Rate and provides the current acceptance rate and other helpful information to guide prospective applicants.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, the University of Chicago was a top choice for quiet and studious individuals, many of whom aimed for careers in research or academia.
The university was a haven for intellectuals, prioritizing a highly challenging education over a reputation for being extremely selective. In 1993, the acceptance rate was 77%, and even in 2005, it stood at 40%.
With new leadership, UChicago started promoting itself more aggressively and sought more applicants. By aiming for a lower acceptance rate, similar to Ivy League schools, the university aimed to gain recognition as one of the most prestigious higher education institutions in the United States.
It’s important to be aware of this history because it means that receiving persuasive mail from UChicago encouraging you to apply might not be as flattering as it seems.
For the academic year 2021-22, UChicago disclosed its first-ever Common Data Set. The acceptance rate for the Class of 2026 was just 5.4%. Out of 37,522 applicants, 2,041 were accepted, and 1,729 enrolled. Information about waitlisted students or those accepted in early rounds was not provided. Columbia University also submitted its data for the same academic year.
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University of Chicago Acceptance Rate and Admission Stats for the Class of 2025
For the class of 2026, the University of Chicago accepted only 2,041 students out of a total of 37,522 applicants, resulting in a low acceptance rate of 5.4%.
In the academic year 2021-22, the University also completed its first-ever Common Data Set. According to this data, for the Class of 2025, the university received a total of 37,974 applications and admitted 2,460 students. Among these applicants, 17,513 were men and 20,445 were women. The university accepted 1,254 men and 1,206 women.
Interestingly, the University had previously chosen not to participate in the Common Data Set, making it one of the few elite institutions to do so. Also, among the top 20 universities in the U.S. as ranked by U.S. News, only UChicago and Columbia had not completed the survey before 2022. Columbia also completed the CDS for the first time in 2022.
UChicago Overall Admissions Acceptance Rates
| Class of 2024 | Class of 2025 | Class of 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total First-Year Applicants | 34,372 | 37,974 | 37,522 |
| Admitted Applicants | 2,511 | 2,460 | 2,041 |
| Overall Admission Rate | 7.3% | 6.5% | 5.4% |
Student Profile for UChicago’s Class of 2026
About 16% of University of Chicago’s Class of 2026 is composed of international students. The largest racial/ethnic category is Asian and Hispanic with 22% each identifying as such. Approximately 14% of students identify as Black or African American.
All 50 states are represented and students participate in community service, music, sports, newspapers, religious organizations, theater and student government.
The Common Data Set for the Class of 2025 revealed that the university ranks factors like GPA, standardized test scores, class rank, first-generation status, relationship to alumni, and racial or ethnic identity as “considered.”
This breakdown of admissions criteria noticeably differs from those of peer institutions. Most of the other universities ranked in the top 20 nationally by U.S. News weight GPA, test scores, and class rank either as “important” or “very important.”
A Closer Look at University of Chicago’s Admission History
Over its history, the University of Chicago has become well-known for its unique and challenging way of teaching. At the center of this is the Core Curriculum, where all students take a set of important courses in different subjects. This special way of teaching is praised around the world as one of the toughest and most complete college programs.
The university’s strong focus on exploring ideas and aiming for high academic standards has attracted some of the smartest and most accomplished students from all over the world.
Looking at the students who applied to join the Class of 2025, we can see their academic abilities. On average, they had a really high GPA of 4.33. A big 63% of them had a perfect 4.0 GPA, and another 25% had a good GPA between 3.75 and 3.99. Almost all of them, about 98%, had SAT scores between 1400 and 1600, and ACT scores between 30 and 36. This shows that the students who want to join are really smart.
Recently, the University of Chicago has been working hard to become more diverse and inclusive. They’ve set up programs to bring in and support students from different backgrounds. These efforts show the university’s commitment to making a friendly and diverse campus where different perspectives are valued.
In simple words, the story of how students get into the University of Chicago is about aiming for high quality education, exploring ideas deeply, and following a strict and complete learning path. The university carefully selects the best and most promising students, which means that the education students get there is going to help them grow a lot.
What GPA do I need to get into University of Chicago?
To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1570 SAT or a 35 ACT. You should also have a 4.48 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score.
Is it really hard to get into UChicago?
The UChicago acceptance rate is 6.5%, making it a highly selective university. This means that of the total applicants who apply each year, just 6.5% are offered a place. The UChicago acceptance rate might help you as you build your college list, as it shows you that UChicago is a reach school.
Why is UChicago ranked so high?
The university has a strong tradition of Nobel Prize-winning faculty, boasting 97 Nobel laureates to date. This high caliber of faculty not only enhances UChicago’s reputation as an intellectual powerhouse but also contributes to its impressive rise in global university rankings.
