UChicago Admission Requirements

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UChicago Admission Overview

UChicago admission requirements are extremely competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in the nation. Last year UChicago admitted 4.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1510-1580 / ACT 34-35. UChicago is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UChicago is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/application/required-materials/#no-harm-testing

UChicago Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

4.5%

Admission Standards

Elite

Applicant Competition

Extreme

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The UChicago acceptance rate is 4.5%. Last year, only 1,955 of 43,612 applicants were admitted. That is the lowest acceptance rate in Illinois and the 4th lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UChicago and can you get accepted?

UChicago is an extremely competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in ten applicants. You have a very low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. Of those admitted, 88% enrolled. That suggests UChicago is the top choice for most students who are offered a place.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UChicago GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.95*

Typical High School Grades

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.95*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

UChicago has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.95 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. An estimated 3.95 GPA does not by itself determine admission. UChicago is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.

*3.95 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

UChicago Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

The University of Chicago is test-optional for first-year applicants. Submitting SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission. Under UChicago's No Harm testing policy, submitted scores are used in review only if they positively affect your chance of admission. Applicants may self-report SAT or ACT scores; official reports are required only if you are admitted and enroll. Send scores exactly as you receive them. Students may also elect to submit AP exam results or predicted IB or A-Level scores on an optional, self-reported basis.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/application/required-materials/#no-harm-testing

UChicago SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1510-1580

Freshmen who sent SAT

49%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 740
Math 770
Composite 1510

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 780
Math 800
Composite 1580

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at UChicago typically score around a 1550 SAT (middle 50% 1510–1580) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. UChicago ranks #1 in the state of Illinois and #3 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1510 to 1580

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1510–1580 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

UChicago is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1550 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at University of Chicago
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1580+	Above 75th	>7%
1550 to 1580	Avg +	4%-7%
1510 to 1550	Avg -	2%-4%
Below 1510	Below mid-50	<2%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UChicago ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

34-35

Freshmen reporting ACT

27%

25th Percentile Scores

English 34
Math 33
Composite 34

75th Percentile Scores

English 36
Math 35
Composite 35

Average ACT

Incoming testers at UChicago typically have around a 34 ACT (mid-50 34–35) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 99th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. UChicago places #1 among colleges in Illinois and #11 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 34 to 35

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 34–35 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

You may apply to UChicago without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 34.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at University of Chicago
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
35+	Above 75th	>13%
34 to 35	Avg +	4%-13%
34 to 34	Avg -	4%-4%
Below 34	Below mid-50	<4%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

99% of University of Chicago freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Chicago students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	99%
Top 25% of class	100%
Top 50% of class	100%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the UChicago chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

University of Chicago admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	23,636	19,195	43,612
Accepted	885	1,070	1,955
Acceptance Rate	4%	6%	4%
Enrolled	771	955	1,726
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	87%	89%	88%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Chicago and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Chicago application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Chicago is $75.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of Chicago
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	No
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

UChicago is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 4.5% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1510-1580); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025