UChicago essay?

Applying to College
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<p>Hey, I'm worried about the main essay... I've chosen one of their topics... but the essay isn't telling anything about myself, like the other college application essays (like how I've deal with a 'feels-like-the-end-of-the-world' situation, my most meaningful extracurricular activity, etc etc...) - ok, maybe it shows my creativity, but... uhm, you know what I'm talking about...</p>

<p>Should I ask them to send an additional essay, with a conventional topic? Or send only the UChicago topic essay? Or maybe throw away my UChicago essay and send only a conventional essay?</p>

<p>Could somebody who have already passed at UChicago, or really know how they evaluate the applications, answer this thread please? I really really really want to go to UChicago... How were your UChicago essays?</p>

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<p>conventional essay --> I'd like to send one which doesn't really tell about something that occured in my life... a little different essay. Should I send it - and pick up the option number 5? Or ask to send it as an additional essay?</p>

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<p>p.s: I'm asking this here because not all the people who have passed have chosen UChicago...</p>

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<p>a related thread:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-chicago/424936-uncommon-app-essay-option-5-common-app-topic-your-choice.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-chicago/424936-uncommon-app-essay-option-5-common-app-topic-your-choice.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>now I'm wondering... is it a good idea to ask them to send an additional, option 5 essay? Or just send the option 5?</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Could somebody who have already passed at UChicago, or really know how they evaluate the applications, answer this thread please? I really really really want to go to UChicago... How were your UChicago essays?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I'm a current student at Chicago. I won't pretend to be an expert on admissions, but I've been around the block enough with my school.</p>

<p>Libby Pearson (admissions officer) mentioned on one of our threads that they are not LOOKING for particular answers to essays. They want to read what you want to write about. Don't worry if it's not personal; don't worry if it is. There's no real "formula" for what they are looking for.</p>

<p>It sounds like you are proud of the response you made for the uncommon prompt. If that's the case, submit it. If you want, you can also submit your common app essay as a supplemental or in the additional comments section. That way, you know that they will be able to evaluate you on two different pieces.</p>

<p>Most schools might be interested in what you do. I think Chicago is much more interested in how you think. So even though you don't think you're saying much about yourself, by giving voice to your ideas, you are in actuality saying a lot.</p>

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<p>Thank you very very much. I'm a little less nervous and more confident now.</p>

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<p>definitely agree with ^. I applied EA and I remember how Libby told us that UChicago isn't really looking for a "personal statement" but more for your creativity and how you think. And that's what I aimed for while writing my essay. An unconventional essay for an unconventional school. Good luck!</p>