University of Chicago
University of Chicago publishes an acceptance rate of 4.5% and is test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle.
Testing
Test-Optional for 2026-27
- Policy
UChicago's 'No Harm' test-optional policy: submitted SAT/ACT scores are only used in review if they would positively affect an applicant's chances; scores that could hurt a candidate are disregarded entirely. Applies to domestic, international, and transfer applicants alike.
- SAT middle 50%
- 1130–1350sum of section 25th–75th percentiles
- ACT middle 50%
- 25–31
- Average HS GPA
- Not published by the school
Applying
Deadlines, essays and AI policy
- Early deadlines
- Nov 2, 2026 (ED1); Nov 2, 2026 (EA); Jan 4, 2027 (ED2)
- Regular decision
- Jan 4, 2027Source
- Supplemental essays
- 2 required
Two required 'Uncommon Application' essays beyond the Common App/Coalition personal essay: a required 'Why UChicago' response, plus one essay chosen from a rotating set of distinctive/creative extended-essay prompts (each roughly 1-2 pages).
- AI use in essays
No Official Policy
We reviewed UChicago's required-materials and essay-instruction pages in a live browser (the site resists automated readers) — no published guidance on applicant AI use.
Full cycle calendar: Application Deadlines.
At a glance
Size and cost
- Undergraduate enrollment
- 22,170
- Tuition (out-of-state)
- $29,884
- Category
- Elite Private
- Admissions site
- www.uic.edu
Dewey Smart
Dewey students who got into University of Chicago
Mentors who got into University of Chicago
Our mentors who go to University of Chicago, or just graduated from it.
What should this school mean for your list?
A published rate is one input. Working out what it means alongside the rest of your list is the part that actually changes an application. Free 25-minute call, no commitment.
Sources
- University of Chicago test policy (2026-27)
- University of Chicago deadlines
- University of Chicago admissions pages
- University of Chicago admissions pages
- Acceptance rate, test-score percentiles, enrollment and tuition: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, pulled 2026-08-19.
Test policy and deadlines last verified 2026-08-17.
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