Question about the "Share with us a few of your favorite books, poems, authors, films, etc." list

Hey guys,

So I’m currently working on my UChicago application for RD (or maybe ED2). But anyways I was wondering how many things I should be putting down for this essay question. Like everyone, I’ve read a lot, watched a lot, etc and so there’s many things I like. However, I don’t want to seem like I’m overloading the list to look “impressive” or “scholarly” or w/e.

How much did you guys put down for it?

Totally depends on you. There’s no strict word limit for any of these essays, so you could theoretically list your whole library if you wanted, but keep in mind the sort of essay you want to write. Do you want to elaborate on some favorites or all of them? Do you want to focus on one category or several? Do you want it to be a list or an essay about one favorite? While writing this, remember that adcoms want to actually get to know you through your essay(s), so don’t list Ovid’s Metamorphoses if it’s not actually one of your favorite books.

You should read the “ask an admission counselor” thread on the top of the forum. In that, the counselor had indicated that an essay should have around 500 words. No one is going to read your 5,000 words dissertation, if you took it that far. So make it short and to your point.

On a different note, don’t be afraid to go a bit outside the box with this one–I made literally made a collage (you submit as a PDF, so you can put pictures in) and was accepted RD to the Class of 2020.

I wrote all about one poem and how it has been prominent in my life and now has three distinct meanings. It’s all up to you. They want you to answer in a way that is natural to you.

Also, lists are encouraged.