Is University of Chicago a Safety School?

Hi all, I'm putting together my list of potential colleges and I'm curious, could anyone consider UChicago as a safety school? Wondering about their acceptance rates and the competitiveness of their programs. Cheers!

The University of Chicago (UChicago) is widely recognized as one of the top universities in the world, boasting rigorous academic programs and a highly competitive admissions process. It's generally not categorized as a safety school for any student, regardless of their academic record or achievements.

For the 2024 application cycle, the university's acceptance rate was only about 5%, making it a reach school for even the most high-achieving students. Remember that academic performance alone is not the sole determinant of admission. UChicago, like many other highly selective schools, adopts a holistic review process, meaning they assess all aspects of your application - including essays, extracurricular engagements, recommendation letters, and demonstrated interest, among other factors.

Therefore, even if you have stellar grades and test scores, you shouldn't consider UChicago (or any other very selective institution) as a safety school. It's important to have a balanced college list that includes reach, match, and safety schools. Essentially, safety schools should be colleges where your academic credentials are above the school's range for the average first-year student, and where you feel confident you'd be content to attend.