<p>Would it be okay to choose option 5 (your own prompt) in Chicago supplement? It seems like Chicago has a lot of pride over its unique essay prompts. Although I did come up with a pretty original prompt for Option 5 and wrote an interesting essay, I was worried whether choosing option 5 would disadvantage me.</p>
<p>If you look in the archives for Chicago Option 5 essay, you'll see lots of posts from applicants who chose their own topics and did just fine with Chicago admissions. It definitely does not put one at a disadvantage. I suspect the admissions committee finds the prompt one develops as interesting as the essay itself.</p>
<p>Besides, the admissions office features prompts by students in future admissions applications. Write a really interesting prompt and you may be immortalized (or cursed) by the Class of 2014 or 15!</p>
<p>If the prompt is original, that's great. If it's pg. 213 from your autobiography or a person who inspired you, then drop it ;-)</p>
<p>I really wouldn't do it, to be honest.</p>
<p>It's just too big of a risk. The idea, I think, is to take their wacky idea and bounce it off of you and see what comes back, not for you to promote your own wacky idea.</p>
<p>If writing an original essay prompt is "too big of a risk" for a college application, one should consider whether the academic ten-meter dive that's an inherent part of a Chicago education is also too risky. If Uncommon Prompts don't excite you, that's a big red flag you should consider.</p>
<p>Yes, my Chicago student wrote an original prompt -- and took 1392 words to respond.</p>
<p>Take the risk! I got in EA and I agonized over Chicago's questions for a month before I decided to make up my own. I came to the conclusion that if they didn't like my original essay then I didn't belong at Chicago anyway. I think it is a healthy risk to take and a good outlook to have on the process.</p>
<p>Think of it this way: if they didn't want you to be able to do it, it wouldn't be an option.</p>