<p>Is it preferred to adcoms that you pick one of the 4 topics given and not invent your own as #5? And if you choose a topic of your own choice, does it have to somehow follow the same format as the other 4 topics given? Or could it simply be anything? like difficulties faced in your lifetime</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure you can write just about anything. They wouldn't give the choose your own topic choice if they didn't want you to use it.</p>
<p>Many people on last year's message boards talked about using the free choice topic. It's fine.</p>
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Many people on last year's message boards talked about using the free choice topic. It's fine.
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<p>This advice needs to be qualified a bit. If you read the instructions carefully, you will see that the intent of the "free choice" question is also to evaluate the prompt that you pose. Simply posting the prompt "Tell us something about yourself" and writing about that great summer trip you had is probably not going to cut it. I think that the self prompt needs to be somewhat unusual, and stand out in SOME way.</p>
<p>^^ well said GroovyGeek</p>
<p>How about choosing a previous year's topic?</p>
<p>that would be something i, too, might consider, given that I much prefer previous year questions to this year's ones. </p>
<p>but i don't think it's a bright idea; the question asks you to pose an "original" prompt of your own. which means they're not merely looking at how you respond to your prompt, they'll be giving weight to the prompt itself. if it's not original, you might just be penalised somewhat.</p>
<p>Libby Pearson told me to "feel free" to write on one of last year's prompts. I'm not 100% sure if I will, though. Do any of you honestly think it will hurt my chances?</p>
<p>wow she told you that? that's good, then. if you think you can write a better essay on a previous year's topic than one of this year's ones - including the own prompt question - then go ahead and write it then.</p>
<p>you emailed her, did you?</p>
<p>I'm struggling with the same problem... I love the "mind that does not stick" prompt, and actually used it as an inspiration for my non-UChicago essay. Now, I've become rather fond of that essay.... I'm considering submitting it under option #5 (and using the "mind that does not stick" prompt).</p>
<p>I know that I could also write another essay on one of the current options but... this essay really highlights what I'm like. I've always loved UChicago's essays, though, and I almost feel as if I'm cheating....</p>
<p>Gah! I'm so conflicted!</p>
<p>I don't think there's a problem with using an old prompt, but there is a problem with writing an essay about difficulties faced in your lifetime (unless you're incredibly clever and creative about it.)</p>
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I love the "mind that does not stick" prompt, and actually used it as an inspiration for my non-UChicago essay
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<p>Gotta be careful with this one - using one school's prompt to apply to another. All adcoms know the prompts of their peer group, some may not look kindly on such a choice. You can use the essay, but make sure that the UChicago origin is well disguised.</p>