What are the UChicago supplemental essay requirements?

Yo! I'm applying to UChicago and I'm curious about the supplemental essays. Could anyone fill me in on the requirements or expectations for these essays? Any advice or resources would be super helpful!

Hey there! UChicago is known for their unique and thought-provoking supplemental essay prompts. They generally require you to submit two essays: one is a "Why UChicago?" essay, and the other is a response to one of their unconventional prompts.

1. Why UChicago? (250-300 words): This prompt is pretty consistent year-to-year. In this essay, you should demonstrate why you're a good fit for the University of Chicago specifically. Focus on UChicago's academic programs, research opportunities, student life, and how they align with your own interests. When writing this essay, do your research on UChicago's core curriculum, majors, and any special programs that interest you.

2. Unconventional prompts (650 words max): UChicago typically provides around six prompts for you to choose from. The topics can range from philosophical thought experiments to quirky and imaginative scenarios. Your chosen prompt should showcase your intellectual curiosity and creativity. It's important to have fun with it and let your personality shine. You can find their current prompts on the UChicago Admissions website or on the Common Application.

In terms of advice and resources, first and foremost, be genuine and original with your responses. Use your own voice and don't be afraid to take risks. Reviewing successful UChicago essays can be helpful, just remember to avoid plagiarizing or imitating existing essays. Additionally, you can use resources like the UChicago Admissions website and CollegeVine to help guide you through the essay writing process. Specifically, my students have found this post from CollegeVine to be extremely useful: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-uchicago-essays-2023-2024

Good luck with your UChicago application!