<p>Regarding the 5th supplemental essay (pose your own question), </p>
<p>Do you guys think it would be better for UChicago if I (I'm a polisci major)</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Used kind of an analytical essay I wrote on immigration policies world-wide and the United States' immigration policy and how implementing a certain policy could dramatically reduce our healthcare costs. It's about 650 words. </p></li>
<li><p>Re-used one of my other essays that's written in a very quirky and funny manner. About 550 words.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Just ask yourself which will tell them more about your personality. Think of how the admission officers will look upon your essays - if your second essay was humorous but doesn’t tell anything about your personality, they may laugh but reject you anyway. Similarly, your analytical essay will need to show your insight, compassion, and maybe some other attribute. If it only shows your analytical abilities, which is evident in your grades and test scores anyway, it is pointless.</p>
<p>I was going to apply with a similar essay on urban policy until I decided against applying because I realized my main interest in the school came from the fact Pres. Barack Obama lived nearby and once taught there.</p>
<p>Your first topic sounds passionate, thoughtful, and appropriate. Although UChicago is a little eccentric with their taste in essays, I think their underlying goal is to recruit students who show an extreme interest in learning for the sake of learning, are willing to go to great lenghts to express passion for their interests, whatever they may be, and an open perspective on life. Essay 1 appears to best fit these qualifications.</p>
<p>I wrote about shopping, and the time I bought these really nice shoes from Nordstrom. I got in EA, don’t sweat it. As long as they’re both well written, just flip a coin and pick one.</p>
<p>I’ve never believed in the supposed divide between essays about a topic and essays that show your personality. imho, if you write passionately and intelligently about a topic, your personality will inevitably emerge. Even if you’re not sitting there listing personality traits for adcoms, they will be able to tell who you are from what you write.
So I say go for whichever one you like better.</p>