<p>^ I know, i’m not going to like mimic their writing style or w/e. It’s just i’ve never read a college essay before. I just want to see how creative and the level of writing that chicago essays have to be. Plus i think it’ll be fun reading these essays :)</p>
<p>Any current Chicago student care to let me bounce an idea off of them?</p>
<h1>4 is so fitting for Chicago. Geez, when their former governor is facing criminal charges! And #1 reminds me of their famous scavenger hunt.</h1>
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<p>Thanks. I’ve never been particularly whimsical or off-the-wall or imaginative, even (you don’t have to be! guys, really) so I tended towards the prompts that could be applied to a more straightforward essay, as opposed to the ones, like this year’s #2, that practically demand a creative, clever answer. The “Pontificate on a Big Deep Moral Issue” question (this year’s #4) intimidated me a little, but that’s also an option if you’re more of an analytical type.</p>
<p>Quirk comes naturally to some people. Humor comes naturally to some people. What comes naturally to me is introspection and self-analysis–I’m a very thinky person–so I turned my critical eye, and my pen, on myself. I guess what I’m getting is that there’s more than one kind of Chicago student and more than one way to write a Chicago essay, so twisting yourself into knots trying to write the irreverent, metaphor-laden, Rohanesque essay you think the adcoms want to see is beyond counterproductive. Deep breaths, guys. You write best when you’re comfortable in what you’re writing.</p>
<p>(this isn’t directed at you, btw, feareman–more at some of the sentiment I see around these parts. I’m actually kind of curious as to what you are writing about…but I won’t ask.)</p>
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<p>It’s right here: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1064299499-post482.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1064299499-post482.html</a></p>
<p>Read the entire thread–it’s enjoyable as well as enlightening. There are plenty of essay-writing and successful essay books out there as well; my bible during the college process was Alan Gelb’s Conquering the College Essay, but it’s a guide to a specific type of essay that doesn’t suit everyone.</p>
<p>Wow, TYIL is amazing.</p>
<p>These prompts are amazing - I’m jealous! Good luck everyone!</p>
<p>Thanks so much haavain! 
i tried to look for the past threads w/ the essays but they were all gone! :O</p>
<p>Is there a word limit, guys?</p>
<p>^nope.
10 char</p>
<p>This year’s prompts would get both of my kids pumped.</p>
<p>Both of S2’s main Chicago essays last year was on the order of 1800 words (2.5 pages). Before you all shriek in panic, he wrote a main Chicago essay and then modified one of the other Chicago prompts to use for his main Common App. S1’s three years ago was 1398. These are <em>definitely</em> on the long side.</p>
<p>Generally is it 1-2 pages? This may be a stupid question >.< , but is it double spaced?</p>
<p>I think these can be very interesting… but I also feel pressured! Ack. Haha.</p>
<p>500 words is considered the norm. It doesn’t matter if you double space or not from what I hear.</p>
<p>I just finished my common app essay. Not sure what I think of it yet… the concept is original and the idea is good but I’m not sure. Haha</p>
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<p>lol, it doesn’t matter. Some sources say less than 500 words, some less than 750. I tried valiantly to get down to 500 words and failed. Successful essays can be any length, but my inclination is to say if you can cut, do.</p>
<p>I’m not applying to college for quite a while, but I cannot wait to answer prompts like these They’re all great!</p>
<p>I’m pretty excited about these, but definitely hesitant as well. I can’t see myself writing a solid essay with any of these prompts. I was leaning towards option 1, but I was planning on taking quite a whimsical/imaginative take on it, and I’m not too sure if this is a good approach? Borderline fiction story. Bad idea? I just can’t decide.</p>
<p>are we required to answer all prompts?</p>
<p>^^ You can always just make up your own questions. The important thing is to write well.</p>
<p>^ You choose one of the “main” supplemental questions (those found above), and you also have two shorter, 1/2 paragraph supplemental questions (one of these is optional). Of course, you have the common app essays too.</p>
<p>For the 1st one, I hope someone has the balls to draw a giant X and say “I found it”. I strongly considered doing that lol</p>
<p>^ I definitely would warn against that. It’s just way too gimmicky; I’m willing to bet that at least 5% of applicants this year will “strongly consider” doing that.</p>