University of Chicago

Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

for 2024-2025

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University of Chicago

essays?

Talk to a Prompt program specialist about what you’re thinking about writing.

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How do you apply to

University of Chicago

?

You apply to
University of Chicago
through their application portal through the Common App
or Apply Texas
or the UC App
or Questbridge
.
Apply Texas
Apply Texas
Apply Texas B
Apply Texas C
Common App
Common App
UC App
UC App
Questbridge
Questbridge

When are

University of Chicago

applications due?

Early Action:
November 1, 2024
Early Action II:
Early Decision:
November 1, 2024
Early Decision II:
January 6, 2025
Restrictive Early Action:
Regular Decision:
January 6, 2025

How many essays are required to apply to

University of Chicago

?

There's also
0
optional essay(s).
There are no optional essays.

Want to talk about your

University of Chicago

essays?

Talk to a Prompt program specialist about what you’re thinking about writing.

Talk with us

University of Chicago

Supplemental Essay Prompts

Chicago: Choose 1 of 6

Essay Option 1We’re all familiar with green-eyed envy or feeling blue, but what about being “caught purple-handed”? Or “tickled orange”? Give an old color-infused expression a new hue and tell us what it represents.– Inspired by Ramsey Bottorff, Class of 2026Essay Option 2"Ah, but I was so much older then / I'm younger than that now” – Bob Dylan. In what ways do we become younger as we get older?– Inspired by Joshua Harris, Class of 2016Essay Option 3Pluto, the demoted planet. Ophiuchus, the thirteenth Zodiac. Andy Murray, the fourth to tennis's Big Three. Every grouping has something that doesn’t quite fit in. Tell us about a group and its unofficial member, why (or why not) should it be excluded?– Inspired by Veronica Chang, Class of 2022Essay Option 4"Daddy-o", "Far Out", "Gnarly": the list of slang terms goes on and on. Sadly, most of these aren’t so "fly" anymore – “as if!” Name an outdated slang from any decade or language that you'd bring back and explain why you totally “dig it.”– Inspired by Napat Sakdibhornssup, Class of 2028Essay Option 5How many piano tuners are there in Chicago? What is the total length of chalk used by UChicago professors in a year? How many pages of books are in the Regenstein Library? These questions are among a class of estimation problems named after University of Chicago physicist Enrico Fermi. Create your own Fermi estimation problem, give it your best answer, and show us how you got there.– Inspired by Malhar Manek, Class of 2028Essay Option 6And, as always… the classic choose your own adventure option! In the spirit of adventurous inquiry, choose one of our past prompts (or create a question of your own). Be original, creative, thought provoking. Draw on your best qualities as a writer, thinker, visionary, social critic, sage, citizen of the world, or future citizen of the University of Chicago; take a little risk, and have fun!In the spirit of adventurous inquiry, pose your own question or choose one of our past prompts. Be original, creative, thought provoking. Draw on your best qualities as a writer, thinker, visionary, social critic, sage, citizen of the world, or future citizen of the University of Chicago; take a little risk, and have fun.Essay Option 7And, as always… the classic choose your own adventure option! In the spirit of adventurous inquiry, choose one of our past prompts (or create a question of your own). Be original, creative, thought provoking. Draw on your best qualities as a writer, thinker, visionary, social critic, sage, citizen of the world, or future citizen of the University of Chicago; take a little risk, and have fun!

Word count:
2.0 pages
or less.
Requirement:
required

Why UChicago?

How does the University of Chicago, as you know it now, satisfy your desire for a particular kind of learning, community, and future? Please address with some specificity your own wishes and how they relate to UChicago.Note: No word count provided, though other UChicago essays have a 1-2 page limit.

Word count:
No max length
or less.
Requirement:
required

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Tips for Writing Supplemental Essays

How to write the best supplemental essays.

Tip #1

Develop Your Personal Brand

Brainstorm all your experiences in high school that you believe will show that you will be successful in college and beyond. The strongest ones will be the foundation of your personal brand.

Tip #2

Highlight Your Strengths

Your essays should highlight one of the 5 traits: drive, intellectual curiosity, initiative, contribution, diversity of experiences

Tip #3

Add to Your Personal Score

Every essay counts to build the overall narrative. Increasing your personal score increases your chances by 10x.

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