The University of Chicago has long been celebrated for its provocative essay questions. They consider these prompts as a unique opportunity for students to reveal their true selves, their preferences, and their aspirations. These questions can be tackled with absolute seriousness, whimsical creativity, or a blend of both. Every year, U Chicago reaches out to their newly admitted and current College students, inviting them to contribute essay topics. The hundreds of responses they receive are often eloquent, thought-provoking, or delightfully eccentric. This process not only showcases the diverse imagination of their student body but also enriches their tradition of intellectual exploration and self-expression. So brace yourselves for the 2024-25 thought-provoking prompts.
Essay option 1- We are 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 Ramsay Bottorff (Class of 2026)
Let’s see how you can write this with flying colors.
Essay option 2- “Aah 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 2026)
Hmm. Could it be why he sang “Forever Young”
Essay option 3 – Pluto, the demoted planet. Ophiucus, the thirteenth zodiac. Andy Murray, the fourth to tennis. BIG THREE. Every grouping has something that doesn’t fit in. Tell us about a group and its unofficial number, why or why not should it be excluded. (Inspired by Veronica Chang- Class of 2022)
One wonders if that explains why three is a crowd.
Essay 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 Name an outdated slang from any decade and language you’d bring back and explain why you totally “DIG IT.” (Inspired by Napat Sakdibhornssup (Class of 2028)
You write this and you can “Take the Egg.”
Essay option 5-How many piano tuners are there in Chicago? What is the total length of chalk used by U Chicago professors in a year? How many pages of books are there in the Regenstein Library? These questions are among a class of estimation problems named after the University of Chicago Physicist Enrico Fermi. Create your own estimation problem, give it your best answer, and show us how you got there. (Inspired by Malhar Manek -Class of 2028)
Would you rather estimate the approximate or approximate an assumption?
Essay Option 6. 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, and 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!
UChicago Supplemental Essay Questions | College Admissions
What are you waiting for? Put on your creative hat and start brainstorming! Be fearless and adventurous. Get your funny bone to work; well metaphorically.
But if you need some help, Ivy Central’s expert guidance team can help you answer the prompt of your choice.
