Hey everyone! I'm applying to UChicago soon, and I know they have some unique essay prompts. Can anyone share what kinds of essay questions they have seen or written previously for UChicago applications? I'm curious about the level of creativity they're looking for. Thanks!
Hello! UChicago certainly has a reputation for unique and quirky essay prompts that encourage creativity and outside-the-box thinking. While the specific prompts vary from year to year, I can give you an idea of the types of questions they've asked in the past to help you understand the level of creativity they're looking for. Keep in mind that you should always check the current year's prompts when working on your application.
Here are a few examples of past UChicago essay prompts:
1. "Find x." — This open-ended question allows you to take the concept of 'x' in any direction you choose, whether it's mathematical, philosophical, or metaphorical.
2. "If you could choose to be raised by robots, dinosaurs, or aliens, who would you pick? Why?" — This playful prompt encourages you to think about your upbringing and values while considering unconventional "parents."
3. "What is square one, and can you truly go back?" — This philosophical question pushes students to think about the concept of starting over and whether it's possible.
4. "A hot dog might be a sandwich, and cereal might be a soup, but is a a ?" — Fill in the blanks and argue your case.
5. "Alice falls down the rabbit hole. Milo drives through the tollbooth. Dorothy is swept up in the tornado. Neo takes the red pill. Don't tell us about another world you've imagined, heard about, or created. Rather, tell us about its portal. Sure, some people think of the University of Chicago as a portal to their future, but please choose another portal to write about."
These prompts encourage you to think creatively, and there's no "correct" answer or approach. What UChicago is looking for is how well you can develop your thoughts and express them in writing. It's the perfect opportunity to showcase your personality, interests, and writing skills. Don't be afraid to think outside the box, and most importantly, have fun with it!
For some in-depth advice on tackling the UChicago prompts, check out this CollegeVine article: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-uchicago-essays-2023-2024
Good luck with your UChicago application!
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