<p>This has been posted in previous threads, but I think it deserves a thread of its own:</p>
<p>Earful</a> Over Cheeky University Essay - NYTimes.com</p>
<p>Looks like a little light controversy for Nondorf and some good pub for the Univ of Chicago... AND this is a nice nod to this discussion board.</p>
<p>yay! 10char</p>
<p>Heehee 10char</p>
<p>This is awesome.</p>
<p>To calm the waters, a Chicago admissions representative on Tuesday posted a response telling students not to worry if their essays were similar. We sent out the essay to lighten the mood, but it seems that it might have backfired a bit, the posting said, adding that the dean, James G. Nondorf, had asked to pass on a sincere apology if it did not hit the mark. </p>
<p>Be careful what you say on CC… as I learned today, you never know when it might wind up in the NYT :)</p>
<p>I’m beginning to wonder if the essay were sent out specifically to generate publicity… it’s not a bad plan at all. Although it wouldn’t necessarily be expected to generate publicity in the media (although it apparently has…), it would certainly do so among applicants.</p>
<p>Grace is famous.</p>
<p>Sweetness :D</p>
<p>who on here said it was sexually provocative? I never noticed that.</p>
<p>^There were actually three threads about that email on these boards; one here, one in college essays, and one in the parents forum.</p>
<p>Read the first sentence of the essay again and perhaps you can gain a sense of where it’s coming from.</p>
<p>Hmmmm…</p>
<p>I was brutal on that essay in the main thread featured on the front page of CC forum. Kinda glad they didn’t quote me…</p>
<p>I do have to agree that it WAS sexually provocative.</p>
<p>If UChicago considers that a good essay, then what do they define as being bad?</p>
<p>This is awesome. I really hope I get in. I’m starting to love UChicago more and more every day.</p>
<p>I discovered this from the NYT and decided to come out of retirement and have a good laugh at you all.</p>
<p>I love IHateUofC. So bitter it gives me chills :-D</p>
<p>IHate, I posted this in another thread a while back but you never answered. If you have a minute I’d love to hear a response to the following:</p>
<p>IHateUofC - looking back on it, and perhaps having anecdotal stories from friends, where would you have rather gone? Maybe the Honors program at a large state school - where’d you certainly have more exposure to practical pursuits? I don’t get the sense a strongly pre-professional school like UPenn or Duke would have been up your alley, but maybe a small LAC somewhere with more of a focus on practicality?</p>
<p>I’m sorry that the U of C experience didn’t work out for you. Chicago certainly is not known for balance, and I personally think, in the marketplace of top colleges, it’s fine to have one decidedly theoretical place out there. In a lot of ways, Chicago is the very definition of academia (for better or worse).</p>
<p>It is interesting that you’re feelings on this are quite so intense. At my time at the U of C, a lot of students rolled their eyes at the sheer theoretical nature of the school, but it wasn’t much more than that. Your aversion obviously goes a step beyond this. So, again, in retrospect, where would you have rather gone, knowing what you know now?</p>
<p>I use this name mostly to needle the ridiculousness I see on the forum and to hyperbolically vent about my undergrad experience, so I’m going to dodge your main question to avoid revealing anything too personally identifiable.</p>
<p>But, you’re more levelheaded than everyone else on this forum, so I’ll tell you that I do know which school I wish I had attended. When it came time to send in a deposit, I chose UofC because it felt like a better fit. In retrospect, I was wrong.</p>
<p>My ideal school would merge introspection and a joyful engagement with life, so take from that what you will.</p>
<p>UofCers are too dedicated to critiquing different ways to engage the world that they end up not doing it at all, and it’s pretty sad.</p>
<p>Cue7, where do you get the idea that Duke is anywhere near as pre-professional as UPenn? I didn’t think it was, but, if you would not mind, could you give an explanation as to why you pin them on the same level?</p>
<p>As well, I have some objections to your point that Chicago ‘is the very definition of academia’ but I know that anything I say that is not pro-UChicago will be conceived as simply being a result of bitterness about being deferred</p>