Before we dive into stats and strategies, let’s talk about what makes Chicago unique. This isn’t just another prestigious university – Chicago has a distinct personality that you’ll either love or… well, you might prefer somewhere else. And that’s okay!

The Life of the Mind

Chicago’s unofficial motto is “the life of the mind,” and they mean it. Students here genuinely get excited about ideas. Dinner conversations might cover everything from Plato to particle physics. If you’re looking for a party school, Chicago isn’t it. If you’re looking for intellectual stimulation that never stops, welcome home.

The Core Curriculum

Chicago’s Core is legendary – and mandatory. Unlike many universities where you can avoid subjects you don’t like, Chicago requires all students to engage with:

• Humanities sequences (reading the great books)
• Social sciences foundations
• Natural sciences requirements
• Mathematics courses
• Foreign language study

This means your pre-med roommate will be reading Marx, and you, as an English major, will be tackling calculus. Chicago believes this creates well-rounded thinkers, not just specialists.

Having helped students get into Chicago, I can tell you they’re looking for something specific:

Intellectual Curiosity Above All

Chicago wants students who:

• Ask “why” and “how” constantly
• Enjoy learning for its own sake
• Can handle rigorous academic discussion
• Think creatively and originally
• Aren’t afraid to challenge conventional wisdom

The Uncommon Application

Chicago’s application stands out:

• Common App OR Coalition App
• Chicago-specific supplement
• The famous “Uncommon Essay” prompts
• Two shorter supplemental essays
• Strong emphasis on academic preparation

Recent Uncommon Prompts Examples

Chicago’s prompts are famously creative:

• “What advice would a wisdom tooth have?”
• “Where have all the flowers gone?”
• “What’s so odd about odd numbers?”
• Create your own spell, charm, jinx, or other means for magical mayhem

What Makes a Successful Chicago Essay

Intellectual Playfulness The best Chicago essays combine serious thinking with creative fun. Like Suki’s approach to her interdisciplinary interests, successful essays show you can think across boundaries.

Original Thinking Chicago doesn’t want recycled ideas. They want YOUR unique perspective. Remember how Amelia transformed her “boring” horse stories into compelling narratives? That’s the kind of fresh angle Chicago loves.

Deep Engagement Surface-level responses won’t cut it. Chicago wants to see you wrestle with ideas, explore contradictions, and show genuine intellectual engagement.

Risk-Taking Don’t play it safe! Chicago appreciates students who take intellectual risks. O’s essays about his multicultural perspective stood out because he wasn’t afraid to explore complex identity questions.