<p>I've been unable to start my essay because this question has been bugging the heck out of me. I developed an idea for prompt #3 (the story of a road one) but it seems more fiction-ish that everything. I plan to have no dialogue but it seems very 'creative wiriting'-ish to me. Would that be okay to submit?</p>
<p>Yes.</p>
<p>Look at last year's improv comedy essay prompt; it begged to be a short story. Or look at the tightrope question, the superhuge mustard question, the dinner with characters question... you can do what you want with these.</p>
<p>Not every college is as lenient as Chicago in this regard, but I think it's clear on the application where fiction is appropriate and where it isn't. For example, the Why Chicago question provides you with the opportunity to be straightforward, and your common app essay probably provides the readers with more straightforward details about you.</p>
<p>Who you are and how you think are the same at the U of C. That's true on the level of the admissions philosophy and that's certainly true in the undergraduate experience.</p>
<p>Definitely okay to submit.</p>