<p>What I don’t understand is the need for them to do this so close to the RD deadline. To make applicants feel insecure and tear up their own essays? To make people with very similar essays to Rohan’s get worried suddenly of being accused of plagiarism out of the blue? (I’m in that position right now). To show off?</p>
<p>It’s stupid, IMO.</p>
<p>A witty essay, imho, but certainly not one that should be made public.</p>
<p>“What I don’t understand is the need for them to do this so close to the RD deadline. To make applicants feel insecure and tear up their own essays? To make people with very similar essays to Rohan’s get worried suddenly of being accused of plagiarism out of the blue? (I’m in that position right now). To show off?”</p>
<p>What the dean did will attract the kind of students that Chicago is interested in admitting and will discourage students that Chicago doesn’t want. </p>
<p>Certainly, Chicago wouldn’t want a student whose reaction to this creative essay would be to be discouraged about applying or who would want to punch the writer in the face. Chicago would want students who are excited, inspired, energized and reassured when they read the essay. Chicago is a school for which fit is very important. It appeals to a relatively small segment of students. It’s not interested in students who are attracted only because because Chicago is one of the best schools in the country. </p>
<p>Chicago wants students who want to go there because the students are attracted to the intellectualism, individuality and quirkiness that makes U Chicago unique.</p>
<p>I understand that, but what I don’t understand is releasing it at a time when RD applicants are already stressed, so close to the deadline, and not in a position to change their essays in any case, or change their decision to apply to UoC. Why not after the RD decisions are out? Or before next year’s admissions begin? </p>
<p>I have an essay that is almost exactly like Rohan’s (different style, same concept/idea). Now, 3 days before I send the application, I have to change it completely, because I don’t want them to think I have plagiarized it off their stupid letter. I don’t have the time or energy to write another creative essay, after all the energy and spirit I put into the first one. Forgive me for feeling animosity towards the dean because of the position he has put me in right now.</p>
<p>meghansrider
You don’t have to change your essay unless you want to add something humorous at the top saying that you’d written it before you heard about Rohan’s letter.</p>
<p>You can choose to stress about this situation or you can use it to your advantage. One thing to keep in mind the similarity between your thinking and Rohan’s indicates that you probably would fit well into Chicago.</p>
<p>Again: If your response is to only feel stressed and angry, then probably Chicago isn’t a place that you’d feel happy if you were attending it.</p>
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<p>Not appreciating why U of C sent it out is somewhat akin to not appreciating U of C’s postcards with the groan-worthy puns. They did so to release the tension by sharing something humorous. If you don’t get why U of C would do that, and you’re all up in arms over “it just makes me more nervous,” then you’re not getting the U of C’s humor.</p>
<p>Students who are applying to Chicago need NOT feel nervous that their essay will be “compared” to Rohan’s. The dean of admission’s wanted to give an “example”, not a “template” ,of the kind of well written, humorous, unexpected “out of the box” type of essay that is a hallmark of Chicago students. Chicago is NOT the right college for the “typical” college student, no matter how intelligent, if they are looking for a more “typical” college experience. If you don’t “get” or like the humor of Rohan’s essay, then you don’t probably won’t like the typical Chicago student, and Chicago is not the place for you.
this quote from NSM says it all:
“Chicago wants students who want to go there because the students are attracted to the intellectualism, individuality and quirkiness that makes U Chicago unique.”</p>
<p>I think you guys shouldn’t be so quick to judge how much of a fit someone is or isn’t to UoC by their response to a Dean’s letter. College application time is a stress filled one, and many people, including me, aren’t exactly their happy, cheery self when they feel like their entire future is on the line. I love UoC’s groan-worthy puns, I think Rohan’s essay is excellent: but right now, I have an essay I loved for UoC that is VERY similar to Rohan’s and I might have to change it completely because of this. So forgive me if I’m a bit nervous.</p>
<p>Kids, especially nervous seniors, can feel insecure, or unworthy, or have temporary low self esteem. That doesn’t make them a bad fit at Chicago.</p>
<p>“meghnasridhar”</p>
<p>Don’t change your essay… I’m sure there are also many applicants writing about “Arts at Chicago,” “Athletics,” “Community Safety,” “Diversity Initiatives”… so nothing wrong with your essay if it is well written and in your own words. I will assume that the question is the same for all applicants: “How does the University of Chicago, as you know it now, satisfy your desire for a particular kind of learning, community and future?”</p>
<p>I hope so, Greenery! My only concern is that it also involves ‘marrying’ UChicago, like Rohan’s.</p>
<p>“…then you’re not getting UofC’s sense of humor.”
How does an entire institution of higher education have the same sense of humor? What are these people, clones? Is the UofC a cult?</p>
<p>“meghnasridhar”
Well, this world has all kind of marriages; applicants that will write about their passion for the Arts; science fans; applicants that will write about health, biology math, law…I’m sure they will get many essays similar to a particular subject but different structure and thoughts explained in different ways!</p>
<p>Love your essay! Best wishes!</p>
<p>Thank you! :)</p>
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<p>People who like poorly written parody? (I’m sorry–that was mean. I’m just not “feeling” this essay. Concept? Maybe. Writing? No.)</p>
<p>And I agree, this puts applicants like meghnasridhar in a sucky position by making what was creative look like copycatting.</p>
<p>Haven’t read the whole thread, so apologies if this is a duplication, but I think the essay is creative, and is perhaps shared by U of C as an example of how <em>else</em> one could respond to the prompt question. Those poor adcomms must get tired of reading variations on the same themes over and over adn OVER, of how the applicant loves a particular major, or felt so at home in a particular building or res college or <<<fill in=“” the=“” blank=“” with=“” something=“” about=“” school=“”>>>> This essay was a refreshing, creative change, IMO.</fill></p>
<p>Boy are you guys judgmental! “If you don’t read this essay the right way, then clearly you are not the kind of person the U of Chicago wants.” I found this essay to be kind of trite and not particularly well written. As for being out of the box, not particularly. Go over to the U of Chicago forum and you will find at least three other kids then meghnsfidhar who have written love letters in response to this prompt. If only a small percentage of Chicago applicants post on this forum image how many other “love letters” come in every year. </p>
<p>AND if the only kids Chicago wants is one who finds this essay a piece of well written humor, then it really confirms one my son’s major concerns with Chicago. His first impression is that there is a real lack of attitudinal diversity at Chicago. He was extremely worried that while there were really bright kids at Chicago, he was not going to find the kids who will change the world. </p>
<p>As a note, Son is a RD applicant, because Chicago is not his first choice, for exactly this reason. He did discuss the letter with a group of friends, two of whom are Chicago EA admits. None of them were impressed and one of the kids said “Oh, I hope this jerk doesn’t end up on my floor.!!” I guess according to all of you he should turn down Chicago cause he is not a good fit.</p>
<p>LOL-- who is the judgemental one???</p>
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<p>Nope. This is a cliche.
This is one essay of hundred essays of students that have been admitted and all of them would not have the same tone. By the way, Soren Kierkegaard, Rene Decartes, Martin Heidegger, Jean Paul Sartre,… did not write any cute and humorous essays or books to show intellectuality.</p>
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I agree. Not only was it trite, but there were simple errors such as run-on sentences, etc. Not a particularly impressive piece.</p>
<p>Good grief everyone. Take a chill pill.</p>