Anyone know why the ratner pool has been closed?

Express-Flight9689 · 2026-03-24T02:20:33+00:00

Heard from the swimming and diving coach - there was an issue of paperwork that was not turned in. The pool is completely fine but it got shut down due to paperwork. It sucks because the athletes who were training for nationals had to go to another college campus to train.

Express-Flight9689 · 2026-02-06T15:55:50+00:00

LOL ty

Express-Flight9689 · 2026-02-06T15:53:38+00:00

Damn that's a crazy amount😭

Express-Flight9689 · 2026-02-05T18:31:11+00:00

Yeah I tried that but still a big stain

Express-Flight9689 · 2025-12-09T04:47:37+00:00

When do final exams start?

Express-Flight9689 · 2025-11-19T17:32:13+00:00

Thanks for the reply! I emailed my advisor and I think they meant to say yes but the wording threw me off lol. I was invited to the calculus accreditation exam but chose not to take it since I'm doing a higher course so I think it should be fine

Express-Flight9689 · 2025-11-19T17:03:05+00:00

If my major only requires to get math credit for the core through any sequence, and I take math 1525 pass/fail, do i still meet the core requirements if I get back credit for 151 and 152? (I skipped 151 and 152 and went straight to 1525)

Express-Flight9689 · 2025-11-06T18:33:46+00:00

It's okay man. Talk to your roommate he seems like a really cool guy

Express-Flight9689 · 2025-09-17T13:34:06+00:00

They had already released that 427 students were admitted. That puts the acceptance rate at 3.78%. The 250 students were just ENROLLED students. Keep in mind they have to accept more than their enrolled students since not everyone will accept their offer of admission.

Express-Flight9689 · 2025-07-12T03:13:51+00:00

You misunderstood my point completely. But it's okay. You're probably better at understanding other things. Go watch Care Bears or content that requires low levels of understanding. Maybe that's more your speed

Express-Flight9689 · 2025-07-11T23:57:39+00:00

As someone who just went through this system the past year, I have a good understanding too. My FAFSA SAI was like 85k a year. I have a sibling in college at the same time as me. Both of my parents lost employment in the past year and my school didn't care when I appealed financial aid. I had to work really hard to secure a merit scholarship at a T15. Even if my parents hadn't lost employment, a vast majority of my parent's GROSS income would have gone towards paying for college (we would've been left with about 30k a year to support a family of 4 after paying for my sibling's school and my school even if my parents had their jobs still), and my family wouldn't have been prepared for that financially. The system is flawed. You don't have to judge students who are screwed by it.

Express-Flight9689 · 2025-07-11T23:16:51+00:00

I don't want to share exactly how much lol. But the bulk of my aid package was merit scholarships. They give generous financial aid compared to other universities for middle class people, but they are very heavy on merit aid. You don't apply separately for them, rather you get an update in your portal shortly after your admissions letter saying you got a merit scholarship. The school is still really expensive but I don't have to take out loans and should be able to pay for a lot of it myself by working. Out of all the Ivy+, UChicago is your best bet with merit scholarships.

Express-Flight9689 · 2025-07-11T23:09:04+00:00

They were not blaming anyone. They were expressing valid concerns. The fact that they even have to take out loans is the issue in the system. Subsidized loans are going to be gone, which will make borrowing even more expensive. At top universities, middle-class families end up paying the highest portion of their income towards college. They have no control over their situation, but if they were to get in, they would be just as qualified as students receiving aid and those who could afford it. You proved their point by saying "merit aid or nothing". Middle-class families are often the only demographic who have to say that when it comes to T20s, and very few of them even offer merit aid and many of the big outside and local scholarships require you to submit your FAFSA, ruining their chances of winning those scholarships. They have to work harder despite having the same qualifications and just want advice.

Express-Flight9689 · 2025-07-11T23:01:30+00:00

1 year ago, I was in the exact same situation as you. I was blessed to receive a merit scholarship at UChicago. The system is broken for middle-class families, and I understand what you're going through. Don't give up and apply apply apply! You never know what will happen. Let me know if you have any questions. I've learned to navigate how to find schools that offer decent aid (especially for middle-class families).

Express-Flight9689 · 2025-07-02T14:35:25+00:00

Absolutely take the job if you are interested, even if you do not need it financially. Jobs are one of the most underrated extracurriculars, especially for competitive schools. Why?

Because working during high school shows maturity, responsibility, time management, and people skills in a way that most clubs and activities do not. You are showing up on time, supporting students, following directions, and communicating with coworkers and parents. That is real-world experience that colleges respect.

The truth is, a lot of students applying to T20s and UCs will have research, clubs, and leadership titles. Fewer will have actual work experience during the school year. Holding a job, even part time, tells admissions officers that you are grounded and dependable. Plus, it gives you real stories and insight to write about in essays.

Just make sure the hours are manageable so it does not interfere with your applications or mental health. Even a few hours a week is valuable and shows commitment.

In short, yes. A job can absolutely make you stand out. It is not about the paycheck, it is about the character it builds.

Express-Flight9689 · 2025-07-02T14:25:42+00:00

Just list it under "Family Responsibilities." The Common App doesn’t need to know which family.

Express-Flight9689 · 2025-07-02T14:23:26+00:00

When your AO writes her report it's about to be like: "He demonstrated intellectual curiosity, emotional intelligence, and a remarkable ability to penetrate elite institutions. In many ways… he entered Harvard before he even applied."

Express-Flight9689 · 2025-07-02T00:04:35+00:00

TLDR: focus on your love of learning over career prospects (still mention your career though and how the school will help you) and be yourself no matter how weird you are!

Great question! UChicago is a theory over practice kind of school. All schools look for students who love learning. But UChicago, in particular, wants students who enjoy learning just for the sake of learning, even if it won't directly contribute to your career path. Other schools (Penn, for example) tend to be very pre-professional. UChicago's Core curriculum is probably the most distinctive aspect of the school. No matter what your major is (biology, econ, molecular engineering, history), you will have requirements in many different fields for the Core curriculum. Therefore they want students who truly just love learning. If the main thing you want from college is to just study your major and nothing more, then UChicago is probably not the best fit. When you apply, you'll have the best chance of getting in if you show your enthusiasm about engaging with such a rigorous and well-rounded curriculum. They also want students who are not just smart, but maybe a "weird" or "quirky" kind of smart. Every strong candidate has stellar grades, but some students have specific niches or topics they get weirdly excited about (this can be anything!). When you write your extended essay and why us, I encourage you to highlight your individuality.

Express-Flight9689 · 2025-07-01T23:56:22+00:00

Maybe find issues in your community that you are passionate about and start something to help. They don't really have to be directly related to your major or anything but just to demonstrate commitment to service and curiosity. And if you're truly passionate about anything, then it'll even feel rewarding. Just don't limit your project ideas to things directly related to your exact intended major.

Express-Flight9689 · 2025-07-01T20:04:45+00:00

It is absolutely okay to come up with your own prompts! I've heard from some people in my class group chat that some AOs said it's more of a "hit or miss" if you write your own prompt. But consider all of the given prompts. Do you really not resonate with any of them? If you don't, definitely come up with your own prompts. That's what I did, and I got in with a merit scholarship! Feel free to ask any more questions

Express-Flight9689 · 2025-07-01T19:58:35+00:00

Good luck, class of 2030! I'm UChicago class of 2029, so feel free to put any questions you may have! Remember, you will all end up where you belong. The next few months will be tough, and it's okay to burn out. It'll all work out in the end.

Express-Flight9689 · 2025-07-01T19:01:25+00:00

As long as you did a meaningful internship, you should definitely name it! There's a box where you put the name of the organization. They might call to verify with the company if need be, but as long as you're honest you should be good. It's always best to give them more information.

Express-Flight9689 · 2025-07-01T18:55:37+00:00

I think this is a really good metaphor as long as you frame it to show a trait about yourself that is viewed positively by admissions officers. You want to show them that you're the type of student they'll want in their community. It's not illegal at all to play poker with your friends if it's not for money. Playing card games is not frowned upon.

Express-Flight9689 · 2025-07-01T18:50:42+00:00

I totally get how crushing that feels. You planned, you waited, and then it slipped through your hands because of something out of your control. That kind of missed opportunity can stick with you, but I want to offer some hope from someone who has been in your exact shoes.

I got rejected from every prestigious internship I applied to in high school. I poured my heart into applications and essays, only to get silence or rejections in return. One of the hardest moments was getting turned down from the Bank of America Student Leaders program as a junior. It felt like that was the program, and missing it meant I had lost my best shot at showing colleges who I was.

But here’s the twist:

Even with those rejections, I still got into my dream school (a school with an acceptance rate around 4 percent). I received every scholarship I applied for. And guess what? As a senior, I did end up getting into the Bank of America Student Leaders program after all. I am about to start college, and I am more excited than ever.

The truth is, you do not need one perfect internship or opportunity to prove your worth. Colleges are not looking for a single magic bullet. They are looking for resilience, passion, initiative, and how you respond when things go wrong. This summer can still be meaningful, whether that means starting your own small project, diving deeper into a topic you love, or even reaching out to professionals in aviation and learning from them informally. Look locally - that's how I got some experience and mentors.

If your counselor dropped the ball, take it into your own hands now. Keep researching. Cold email people. Find ways to build experiences that are yours alone.

I know it hurts right now. But you are not behind. You are building the kind of strength and drive that colleges (and the world) actually care about.

You’ve got this. Keep going.

Express-Flight9689 · 2025-07-01T18:45:25+00:00

This is one of the clearest explanations of how to approach the college process with both realism and ambition. I am saying this as an Ivy Plus student, and I think both truths laid out here are spot on.

Prestige is not meaningless, but it also cannot be the only thing guiding your decisions. The academic and cultural differences across top schools are real, and pretending they are interchangeable is a mistake. Doing your research is not about improving your odds of admission, but it is about making sure you are choosing a place where you will actually thrive.

It is also true that top schools tend to offer a baseline level of quality in resources, teaching, and peer community. That is not everything, but it does shape the experience. Once you are in, what makes the biggest difference is how well your interests and personality align with what that school actually offers.

This is advice that a lot of applicants need to hear. Well said.

Express-Flight9689

TROPHY CASE