<p>SBmom: Who is sharing the bed with you?</p>
<p>Lol.............</p>
<p>Igav, where are you going?</p>
<p>Igav, congratulations on winning the contest -- and I think it's a great prompt. I agree that the the preamble to the question is appropriate to provide context. </p>
<p>
I disagree - any extremely creative, outside-the-box thinker who doesn't like the first 4 questions is naturally going to write on the 5th. All one has to do with the 5th prompt is write on whatever they feel like, then after all is written... invent a question to go with it. It doesn't have to be in the "style" of question #2 or #4, despite the instructions -- my daughter's topic 5 certainly didn't fit that mold. (Creative, outside-the-box thinkers - rarely read or follow instructions in any case). Though I do think a COBT might have fun coming up with some sort of unorthodox question that somehow transforms the already-composed response into a surprise answer. </p>
<p>I hardly see why our hypothetical COBT would somehow feel more comfortable choosing one of the more mundane common app questions, which haven't changed in years and are used by thousands of students to apply to hundreds of different colleges...what's creative about that?</p>
<p>Igav, I must say.. your prompt is my personal favorite this year, and I'm not just saying that because you are here. It simply allows me to highlight my attributes in the best way possible. I'm sure people have other personal favorites depending on how they want to showcase themselves.</p>
<p>I'm attending Notre Dame. And I have to say, all this sudden praise (particularly after 6 pages of pure criticism) is great on the ego... keep it coming.</p>
<p>^^^---^^^</p>
<p>Lol</p>
<p>Ok. igav. I'll send some praise your way...Congrats on your choice of ND!</p>
<p>Here's the ND website info about what they are looking for in the applicant personal statement:</p>
<p>"The Personal Statement portion of the application gives our Admission Committee the opportunity to get to know you. Whether 475 words, 537 words, or 500 words on the dot, we find your Personal Statements to be the most enjoyable part of the application reading process. Why? Because in your personal statements we learn about important decisions you've made, adventures you've survived, lessons you've learned, family traditions you've experienced, challenges you've faced, embarrassing moments you've overcome. We do not offer an interview as part of the admissions process, so it is through your Personal Statement that we are able hear your voice, learn your sense of humor, empathize with your struggles. We get to know YOU, beyond lists of courses, numbers, and activities. Reflect. Have fun. Share yourself with us."</p>
<p>That perfectly conveys that a cookie-cutter, boring essay/brag sheet is NOT what they seek. It's not dripping with pretention. I don't read it and feel like retching.</p>
<p>Creativity in introspection does not need to be artificially prompted. In my opinion, the true genius does not hide behind forced whimsicality, but prefers the profundity and depth of subtility. </p>
<p>Could it be that the first choice among the 2007 prompts, "Don't play what's there, play what's not there." openly questions the need for having to rely upon directed prompts altogether?</p>
<p>It sounds like these prompts really have you thinking. Your approach and central thesis for #1 sounds like it would make an excellent essay.</p>
<p>Also, don't forget, Chicago requires "3" essays. These two are typically shorter:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>How does the University of Chicago, as you know it now, satisfy your desire for a particular kind of learning, community, and future? Please address with some particularity your own wishes and how they relate to Chicago. </p></li>
<li><p>Tell us about a few of your favorite books, poems, authors, films, plays, pieces of music, musicians, performers, paintings, artists, magazines, or newspapers. Feel free to touch on one, some, or all of the categories listed or add a category of your own. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Haven't seen this years instructions to students, but they are probably the same or similar to these for class of 2009, I think this pretty well sums up the approach:</p>
<p>Respond to Questions 1 and 2 [the short essays above, idad] by writing a paragraph or two for each question. Then choose one of the five essay options and respond to it in a page or two. Be sure to write your name on each of the sheets and attach them to the application form. This is your chance to speak to us and our chance to listen as you tell us about yourself, your tastes, and your ambitions. Each topic can be addressed with utter seriousness, complete fancy, or something in between—it’s your choice. Play, analyze (don’t agonize), create, compose—let us hear the result of your thinking about something that interests you, in a voice that is your own.</p>
<p>I agree with those who like the essay topics. They're strange, yes, and many don't like them - but that's why they're so good! As many people already said, they help self-selection occur. Maybe that's why Chicago's admission rates are high compared to many schools on a similar level - fewer people are willing to challenge themselves with these essays unless they really want to go to UofC, like me (eventually).</p>
<p>Besides, I tend to get impatient with people who think that unusual things are silly. I'd love to live and learn in an environment with people who like to "think outside the box."</p>
<p>Chicago's essay questions are what prompted my interest in the school, turning from pure admiration to being accepted as a transfer.</p>
<p>Where fun comes to die ----.</p>
<p>They are trying to be different but I guess still fail to attract kids who are superstars. </p>
<p>still a very good college but backup for IVY kids.</p>
<p>Not entirely true about being a backup for Ivy kids. It's easy to prefer Chicago to Cornell or Dartmouth, both on academic grounds and because it's in Chicago. Penn and Brown, too, although it's not quite as easy. (And in all cases it depends on the kid and what he or she wants.) There probably aren't many kids who turned down HYPS to go there, but I know a few, and a fair number who never applied to those schools on geographic grounds. A lot of impressive kids there from a circle that includes Minnesota, Missouri, Kentucky, Michigan go there as a first choice because they want to be within a day's drive of their homes.</p>
<p>
[quote]
And, I am not the only one at our house. My sister was looking forward to Chicago's application material. The verdict: ten bucks of glossy material are already in the GLAD bag and a remark that the school would be the last she'd apply if she had to live with people who do well on those essays! I agree as I would have done the same!
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You obviously don't understand what Chicago is looking for. The response doesn't need to be an "answer" to the prompt. You don't need to write a five-paragraph intro-body-conclusion type essay. Your sister could easily write a killer essay about why these prompts bore her and Chicago would love it.</p>
<p>Frankly, it seems like the prompts did their job: they elicited a very strong reaction from both you and your sister. What more should they do?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Where fun comes to die ----.</p>
<p>They are trying to be different but I guess still fail to attract kids who are superstars. </p>
<p>still a very good college but backup for IVY kids.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Bua ha ha. That's an awful troll. :P</p>
<p>"You obviously don't understand what Chicago is looking for."</p>
<p>Nah. You obviously don't understand what I wrote in my posts.</p>
<p>"The essays must work since Chicago has, according to a recent admissions statement, the third highest verbal SAT scores in the country, and does not use test scores much in admission decisions."</p>
<p>IDAD, I very much enjoy and respect your posts, and am a big fan of UC, but...</p>
<p>That statement is so counter intuitive. The empirical evidence would indicate that they do place great importance on the SAT CR. Why are we to believe their statement and disregard the evidence to the contrary?</p>
<p>Five words: Post hoc, ergo propter hoc.</p>
<p>There is probably a high correllation between SAT scores and other factors which Chicago does explicitly measure, such as essay strength and class schedule.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Nah. You obviously don't understand what I wrote in my posts.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Right, because nobody ever takes issue with Chicago's essays. Just browse over to the Chicago forum here and count the number of posts wherein people say, "Admissions should do X, Y, and Z with the application." As if it's the job of the admissions department to make an application you like.</p>
<p>Me, I think Admissions knows exactly what they're doing.</p>
<p>Now, care to address the substantive part of my post?</p>