<p>So.. the essay's are out... what do you guys think of the new essays? Have u started your application and which essay do u think you'll do?</p>
<p>I've started it. Outlined everything. I'm almost sure I'm doing the superstring essay, though I'd like to attempt the answer that destroys a question one and if I can think of anything interesting - number three. It's the one I dislike the most but for some reason that makes me want to attack it more.</p>
<p>Question: for the first two short(er) answer questions (the one about how does UChicago satisfy your need & tell about favorite books/music, etc.) I know it says write 1-2 paragraphs but...</p>
<p>I wrote on the first prompt and I got out what I wanted to say, but for it to really flow logically it had to be 3 paragraphs (a total of 400 words), and now the 2nd is turning out to be 3 paragraphs as well. Do you think that's appropriate (given UChicago's prior history of not necessarily following conventions re: essays) or should I stick to two?</p>
<p>THANKS</p>
<p>M17 I'd like to know that as well - if I REALLY explain why I want to go to the school, it ends up about 1000 words and 3 paragraphs. This is far too long, but that's a hard one to cut down!!!</p>
<p>Plus I hate trying to stick to two paragraphs because then I have so many ideas in one paragraph and ugh... terrible.</p>
<p>EXACTLY - for the favorite media one, I tried putting it into two paragraphs.... and I broke just about every literary/writing style I've ever learned in my life.</p>
<p>I'd like to think it's okay because UChicago really does stress creativity and a "do what you want" attitude in terms of essays.</p>
<p>Any admitted students break all the rules when applying...?</p>
<p>Agreed about breaking every writing rule trying to fit into two paragraphs, though. I write very journalistically - I like short paragraphs! But these are meaty paragraphs; I don't like them, it's not really my writing style. =</p>
<p>I think I might write my own prompt about the three Rs of recycle, me getting in is a long shot anyways, I might as well be bold.</p>
<p>Do you think it's alright for me to write my media essay about a comic strip?</p>
<p>It's Chicago. As long as you have a good reason, write whatever you want. And sometimes you don't really need a reason.</p>
<p>That's my take on it, anyway. =P My media essay is about two poems. Or it might be about a poem and a magazine. Or just the magazine. Or a book somewhere in there. I don't really know.</p>
<p>Can someone give me an example of an answer that destroys its question? What does that mean? Does "destroy" mean make it look silly? Does it mean make the question irrelevant? Does it mean to provide a mind-blowing answer? Break a paradigm? What?</p>
<p>sran, I'd like very much to give you an example, but if I could think of a good example I'd probably use it. =)</p>
<p>The answer to your questions, though: yes. Destroy it. Make it look silly, irrelevant, or give a mind-blowing answer. It can be any or all. Make the question either useless or just answer it in such a way to make it look like though it should've never been asked.</p>
<p>One time, I was at a Q&A session about engineering with a couple hundred other people. Most people were asking general questions, and the info guy asked random questions about what people are interested in. One guy immediately raised his hand, got up, and said: "Well, I'd like to challenge myself with the fine opportunities that [this school] brings by furthering my studies in quantum mechanics and nanotechnology." Every head in the room turned to stare at him. What a stud.</p>
<p>i am probably being silly by giving this, but oh well, i'm not writing it anyway:</p>
<p>Q. When describing infant mortality rate (per 1000 births) in America, how high is high and how low is low?
A. Whatever figure doesn't matter at all, because the question here should be, "WHY SHOULD BABIES DIE AT ALL?" In a technologically advanced country, there shouldn't be any reason babies should even be dying! Whether 1 per 1000 or 2 per 1000, babies shouldn't die at birth. Medical advances should be preventing this.</p>
<p>Question destroyed. But please don't take me literally, because maybe there's a good reason babies die at birth. Just a rough opinion to answer sran's Q. :D</p>
<p>with the chicago prompts, do they want to see the essay in relation to self and the traits the writer has, or do they want an essay that is creative and portrays the creative writer (and not actually saying, "this relates to me..." kind of stuff)???</p>
<p>Everyone says chicago essays are really out there, maybe its me but i don't think these essays are out there. i've had some pretty weird english teachers assign equally challenging essays, so maybe i'm used to pulling my hair out. anyways maybe i should do more research before asking this question, but what's the difference between chicago's essays and other schools'?</p>
<p>After thinking about it, I've decided to go with the first question that asks to tell a story about your life. That, to me anyway, seems the easiest to tackle....although.. I mean.. its my life, i don't really know where to begin or how to tell a story about myself without sounding pretentious or anything</p>
<p>I'm probably going to do the Zen essay. Given my background (I'm an amateur scholar of Eastern religious thought) I should be able to respond effectively.</p>
<p>"i've had some pretty weird english teachers assign equally challenging essays, so maybe i'm used to pulling my hair out. "</p>
<p>I don't think they're challenging at all, to be honest. Well, to me atleast challenging doesn't equal weird essays. They're just not your normal college essay. </p>
<p>And I also would like to know whether the essays should be more in relation to the writer or if they're more for creative thought...</p>
<p>"do they want to see the essay in relation to self and the traits the writer has, or do they want an essay that is creative and portrays the creative writer???"</p>
<p>Anyone? Anyone?</p>
<p>good question.. i want to know too.</p>