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Actually, you could. Chicago’s 5th essay prompt has always been an essay of your choice. Many applicants chose to submit the essay they wrote for the Common App, quite a few of them successfully. I do recall some uniquely Chicago short answer essays, however. </p>
<p>The self-selection argument only goes so far. Chicago’s yield has always average (~30-33%) for a top university, and one would expect higher from a truly self-selecting pool. For example, BYU’s yield has always hovered between 75% and 85%. </p>
<p>I think TK’s arguments are more on point. Chicago has, quite frankly, become much more mainstream over the last few years. Among other things, it has outpaced virtually any other top university in aggressively pursuing applicants via mailed publications. </p>
<p>My cynical side wonders how much Chicago’s popularity has to do with the avarice of high schoolers. Investment banking, finance, and similar fields have boomed in popularity lately, and let’s face it - most CC posters practically wet themselves with excitement whenever Chicago Econ is mentioned.</p>