It took me a few tries to get my why UChicago essay down. I ended up talking about the specific programs there that interest me, the freedom of the core curriculum, their amazing parli team, and the general vibe that I felt on campus when I visited. I alluded to the job I wanted to hold eventually (forensic specialist) and how their programs are ideal for me (chemistry, psychology, sociology, ect)
Since I’ve never toured UChicago before, I specifically wrote about their physics program and how I could apply my research from the astronomy camps I’ve been to over the past two years to future, potential research with a Noble Prize winning professor at the university.
@Lift35 I can’t really say but say you applied through quest bridge the odds of admission will definitely rise up
Thanks guys!!
@Livingteen1209 What makes you say that re: Questbridge? Speculation or does UChicago actually favor Questbridge applicants?
@dedex13 It is just a speculation. Look at it this way- an applicant with 2200 SAT and unhooked has a slightly lower chance of acceptance than a similar applicant applying through questbride
I think QuestBridge doesn’t really help because then it’s not need blind any more. In addition, QuestBridge applicants tend to have mediocre extracurriculars.
Does the need-based financial aid include FAFSA? Because when I sent in my application, I said “No” to the financial aid question because I figured it was just talking about the financial aid UChicago offers.
Also, for the “Why UChicago” essay, I talked about how its reputation as “Where fun goes to die” appeals to me and went into detail about the school’s curriculum and my academic past. 
No to your first question.
UChicago students and alumni treat “Where fun goes to die” as a joke. Very few of the people who use that nickname actually attended the college.
My Why U Chicago essay focused mainly on the core curriculum and how I see myself growing and evolving at U Chicago
I took a somewhat different approach. I talked about the people at UChicago (Steven Levitt, and of course Sudhir Venkatesh of the “Most drug dealers live with their moms” study) as well as the neighborhood (I couldn’t resist giving a shout-out to Harold’s Chicken Shack in particular). I mentioned the Institute of Politics specifically, and touched on a few things that really stood out when I visited (gargoyles, Robie House, and - further afield - the Art Institute).
What topic did you guys choose for your Uncommon essay? I chose a previous prompt that stated “if you could walk on a tightrope, which landscape would you walk over and why?”. So far, I have not encountered anyone who chose that prompt as well. 
As a political science applicant with a strong interest in history, my choice wasn’t very hard. I chose the “mash up a historical figure” prompt, and wrote a piece on William Jennings Bryan in an alternate past.
Similarly, as someone who loves chemistry and science I choose the one that asked which pH describes your personality
Did anyone else select molecular engineering as their top major in the Common App? I even wrote my Why UChicago essay on how I want to study molecular engineering at UChicago.
@VaishS Thank you!! I called the admissions office and they weren’t overly helpful, they just said that alumni interviews are optional and that not everyone can get one. I think I’m going to try calling again to see if I get a different response.
I chose the order within disorder question. I wrote it in a Sir Arthur Conan Doyle style, and it was really fun. I’m pretty sure that if I got in, it’ll be from that essay.
Plagiarism and revolution! As a part-time writer, probably the most fun prompt I had ever written. I really hope it could add a bit to my application
Anyone else get the study abroad email
@Lift35: I did, but I disregarded it since it didn’t have anything to do with the application process :-??