Should U Chicago's admissions dean have sent this essay around or am I too strict?

<p>Sam Lee, the writer was asked for his permission to use the essay and he made it clear that he was going to attend UC.</p>

<p>Sure, some of the diction seemed too intimate, but at the same time, those exact phrases were what put the essay over the top and made it enjoyable and fun to read.</p>

<p>I think it was witty. Reminded me of candy because of the verbs used.</p>

<p>That was a lovely essay! And I cannot see anything wrong with it other than the fact that I feel very inadequate just about now.</p>

<p>My son wrote something similar a few years ago to Harvey Mudd (was accepted). He wrote it as a “I really like you a lot, would like to “go” with you,” told them some things about how he looked at the work and the things he cared about, and signed it “yours, if you’ll have me.” Was very funny, they liked it.</p>

<p>Got the below thanks to a poster on Parents’ Forum who spotted it in the U Chicago forum where UChicagoPSAC posted it.</p>

<p>"I know a lot of you were worried about writing similar essays in light of this, so I talked to Dean Nondorf about why he decided to send out the essay, and whether or not this has any ill effect on sending in similar responses. </p>

<p>He says,</p>

<p>There is nothing wrong with sending similar essays (with our uncommon prompts, it is not “uncommon” to receive similar essays- it is expected- and that it does not reflect poorly on the applicant. For those writing with totally different styles and tones, I tried to point out at the end of the e-mail that this is just one example of a student response to the prompt.</p>

<p>Finally, please pass on a sincere apology if it did not hit the mark on my goal: to lighten the mood when students are stressed about essays. The most frequent questions I get are about the essays and the clear stress students feel in putting them together. Sending out Rohan’s response was an honest attempt to ease that stress without an ulterior motive – really.</p>

<p>Hopefully Dean Nondorf’s response can help with some of the fears many of you had after reading Rohan’s essay and realizing that yours were similar, or that you had also had a similar style in mind. Don’t worry about it! We sent out the essay to lighten the mood, but it seems that it might have backfired a bit. Feel free to respond to the question in any way- whether similar to Rohan’s response or in a form of your own- that you feel best represents you."</p>

<p>Well, my daughter also got this letter. She has a classmate named (approximately, and it is not a common name) Rohan, who denies writing this letter, or (naturally) giving permission for it to be sent out, and is not going to the UofC. If this letter is genuine, it had the potential to cause a great deal of embarrassment to the parties involved. The letter was either poorly worded, or poorly conceived.</p>

<p>Sam Lee my son’s Why Chicago essay was indeed more mundane, though it started with all the reasons why he had initially thought Chicago was not the right place for him “It’s not on a coast!” He received a Christmas card saying they had enjoyed it and were glad he had found reasons to like Chicago after all. OTOH his main Chicago essay really was wild - I wasn’t sure at all that they would get it.</p>

<p>I think Chicago makes it very clear that creative responses to their wacky questions are a plus and that presumably creative responses to their more normal questions are okay too.</p>

<p>I think it was really well written
its not traditional and cliche and at the same time it makes sense</p>

<p>MAG170K - In what way does that letter cause embarrassment for the parties involved? First of all, evidence suggests entirely that the parties CONSENTED to circulating that letter and that it was a deliberated choice. Furthermore, are you suggesting that the DEAN is LYING about the letter being “real” and from an admitted student? </p>

<p>If you are actually questioning the integrity of UC, I don’t expect you’ll be very happy if your daughter chooses to attend.</p>

<p>And BTW, the fact that your daughter knows someone named Rohan had nothing to do with anything – surely you realize there’s a plethora of Rohnans in the world.</p>

<p>Nah, I’d say MAG170K has shown conclusive evidence that the Dean of UChicago is a lying schemer using desperate measures AND the fact that UChicago sent this letter proves that they are an unworthy institution</p>

<p>I agree with you here. people might view if that way because their prespective might be biased and clouded by their cultural differences.</p>

<p>Rohan

</p>

<p>Eligray

</p>

<p>■■■■■! Eligray, I Love You.</p>

<p>Annoying essay. For real.</p>

<p>There is a huge different between an essay written for an English teacher and one written for an admission officer. The admission officer isn’t there to pick on your grammar, clever use of syntax, concise writing, precise arguments, etc. They want to see your character. </p>

<p>This essay would not impress any English teachers; the writing isn’t that great and it isn’t very informative. But when the right admission officer sees it at the right time, it stands out among the other 100 essays they had to read that day. It shows that the student is confident enough to try something like this. That’s why the student was admitted.</p>

<p>I found the UC “Why” letter very interesting, and well-done. I’d love to have other students, from all schools, post their “Why” letters, for the joy and edification of all who apply. There must be many great examples of “Why” essays that do not fit stereotypes.</p>

<p>How do you know the writer is male?</p>

<p>The closest you come to snuggle is the luciferus nights in the '80s. If you braved the other side of midway you might watch sunset from the distant lakefront. My son was discouraged when he found out the motto is “where dreams come to die”. Can any one else see the irony of a sample assay on “what is different about you?”</p>

<p>i know the guy who wrote it, and i’m fairly sure he’s a male.</p>

<p>collegeconfidential is famous. this is in the new york times.</p>