Should the Why UChicago essay reflect my contribution to the university if I am admitted?

The prompt for the Why UChicago is as follows: How does the University of Chicago, as you know it now, satisfy your desire for a particular kind of learning, community, and future? Please address with some specificity your own wishes and how they relate to UChicago. I wrote about the programs and opportunities I really liked about the university and how that relates to my ambitions for the future/what I’m looking for, but I know that some colleges want to see “what I can contribute as a student.” For this prompt, do you think that’s necessary?

Thank you!!

Hi jessrob5,

I’m a current second year student at uchicago. The biggest piece of advise i could give pertaining to the why uchicago prompt is that you should have fun with it and let it show your personality. In general, uchicago is looking for unique students. So you could explicitly say what you can contribute as a student, or implicitly show it through your writing. On the whole, think about if an admissions officer would enjoy reading the essay, and would think positively about you because of it. If it seems too standard/typical at the moment, try to spice it up!!

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