<p>I understand UChicago's emphasis on creative essays (I would be bored if I were admissions otherwise) but how off-the-wall are they expecting? Being a decent writer with decent creativity, I'm not sure I can live up to UChicago's standards... What do you think? Is it even possible to get in with an un-crazy essay?</p>
<p>I am sure that if your essay is not completely off the wall, then you can probably still get in. Just try to make it as unique as possible though. A few years ago, there was a prompt about whether it is better to speak your mind or to keep silent. Someone handed in a blank sheet for the essay. That person got in.</p>
<p>All good writing is thoughtful, creative, and unique. Not all unique writing is good. “Just try to make it as unique as possible” is not the best advice. “Just try to make it as strong a piece of writing as possible” is. If it’s a good, insightful personal essay, it will speak for you. And that’s all you need. </p>
<p>It’s just like anything else. Think about the best essays and novels you’ve ever read, or the best albums you’ve ever heard, or the best films you’ve ever watched—some of them are crazy, some of them aren’t. That’s not what matters.</p>
<p>I’d recommend just looking at some of the essays in the massive thread with all the essays in them. Look at the ones that got accepted/waitlisted/denied and go from there. Sometimes, a strong piece of writing beats out something zany, sometimes it doesn’t. I personally think my essay wasn’t the greatest writing that I did, but it was by far the most fun to read (and the most fun to write.) I guarantee you you have the potential for an "accept"able essay if you enjoy the writing process.</p>
<p>You do not need to have a crazy, extremely off beat essay. What you do need to do is demonstrate that you are passionate about learning in someway, and as long as it is well written, the admissions committee will not hold it against you if you do not have something in an unconventional form.</p>
<p>Thanks guys for the great tips! I guess I’ll go ahead with my essay… did you title yours? I’m still iffy on how much emphasis UChicago puts on “creativity” but ah well. I’m a mundane person hahaha.</p>
<p>My essays were fairly normal and simply personal. You don’t need to do anything extravagant, just write something that will show them who you are as that’s what they want to know. That’s what I did and was lucky enough to be selected.</p>