University of Chicago: Supplemental Essays & Deadlines 2026-27

Every University of Chicago application deadline and writing prompt for the 2026-27 cycle, verified against the school's own materials on August 7, 2026.

2026-27 Application Deadlines

Supplemental Essays & Short Answers

1. Choose one of the essay options below: Food for thought: How do thoughts eat? – Inspired by Ernest Leong, Class of 2026 The James Webb Space Telescope, launched in 2021, utilized origami-inspired techniques to compactly store and deploy its sunshield in space. Choose an artistic practice and use its principles to propose an elegant solution to a problem. – Inspired by Akhil Korra, Class of 2028 Sometimes metaphors get mixed up. For one reason or another, one could say, "we'll burn that bridge when we get there" or "the world is your china shop". Make up your own mixed metaphor. Explain how it could make sense, be understood, or even applied. – Inspired by Julia Nieberg, Class of 2029 The Olympics have long celebrated the pinnacle of human athletic achievement. But what if they expanded to honor the mundane? Imagine a new Olympic event built around an everyday activity like speed dishwashing or competitive grocery bagging. How is it scored, officiated, and judged? Why is it a worthy addition? – Inspired by Ewan Smith, Class of 2028 AI: Allen Iverson. NASA, or the North American Saxophone Alliance. Share a potentially confounding, comedic, or captivating example of MIA (Mistaken Identity of Acronym) and tell us its backstory. – Inspired by Jeeho Byun, Class of 2030 And, 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!
   1000 words
2. 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.
   1000 words

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Deadlines and prompts change. This page was verified on August 7, 2026; always confirm on University of Chicago's official admissions site before submitting.