Economics

UChicago does not require a portfolio for first-year College admission, including for prospective Economics students. Applicants may submit optional art, creative, research, or other supplements, and the admissions office also notes that students can use alternative academic work to demonstrate intellectual ability when testing is not submitted.

Bar to clear: No required portfolio; only optional art/creative/research or alternative academic supplements

Writing is a major part of the application. UChicago requires both a short 'Why UChicago?' essay and an extended essay, and explicitly frames them as a way to show your tastes, ambitions, voice, and fit for the University's kind of learning.

Bar to clear: Two required essays: one 'Why UChicago?' response and one extended essay

Academic performance is central. UChicago requires the Secondary School Report and transcript, reviews the transcript in the context of the applicant's school and country, and states there is no minimum GPA because the committee evaluates the entire application contextually. For Economics, strong classroom preparation matters because admission is to a highly academic liberal-arts college, not to a less selective separate major track.

Bar to clear: No minimum GPA; strong transcript in the context of your school

SAT/ACT scores are optional for all applicants under UChicago's no-harm policy and are considered only if they help. There is also no minimum SAT/ACT score. For international applicants, English proficiency scores may be submitted, but UChicago says they are not required if English mastery is already evident in the rest of the application.

Bar to clear: No minimum SAT/ACT; English proficiency scores optional if English ability is already clear