How University of Chicago weighs each factor in first-time, first-year admission decisions. Source: Section C7 of the official Common Data Set, verified by MyAdmitFit.
The following factors are rated Very Important — the highest possible rating in the CDS: Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores, Application essay, Recommendation(s), Extracurricular activities, Talent/ability, Character/personal qualities. Focus your application strategy here first.
| Factor | Importance |
|---|---|
| Rigor of secondary school record | Very Important |
| Class rank | Considered |
| Academic GPA | Considered |
| Standardized test scores | Very Important |
| Application essay | Very Important |
| Recommendation(s) | Very Important |
| Factor | Importance |
|---|---|
| Interview | Not Considered |
| Extracurricular activities | Very Important |
| Talent/ability | Very Important |
| Character/personal qualities | Very Important |
| First generation | Considered |
| Alumni/ae relation | Considered |
| Geographical residence | Considered |
| State residency | Considered |
| Religious affiliation/commitment | Considered |
| Volunteer work | Considered |
| Work experience | Considered |
| Level of applicant's interest | Not Considered |
Data sourced from University of Chicago’s official Common Data Set. Ratings reflect the most current available CDS filing (2024–2025 academic year). CDS is published annually by each institution. MyAdmitFit verifies all entries directly from the institution’s published document. — Visit University of Chicago Admissions Office →
Answer 10 questions and get a personalized Reach, Target, and Safety list matched against University of Chicago’s published admissions priorities.
Build My College List — $39One-time · No account · Instant results
We build personalized Reach, Target & Safety college lists using verified CDS data — matched to your GPA, major, and budget. $39 one-time, no account required, results in 3 minutes.