University of Chicago
A university defined by intellectual earnestness and a fearlessly weird supplemental essay tradition.
- Next deadline
- Nov 1, 2026Early Action
- Essays
- 2Prompts
- Supplement
- Required2026-2027 cycle
- Platform
- Common AppAccepted platform
- Selectivity
- 5.4%Highly selective
- Enrollment
- 7,559Mid-size undergrad
Build your University of Chicago application plan
Track the deadline, review every supplemental essay prompt, and shape each response around one clear admissions story.
Application deadlines
Supplemental essay prompts
- Why School650 words2026-2027
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.
- Supplement650 words2026-2027
Choose one of the prompts that resonates with you — past prompts have included 'Mustard is the crown jewel of condiments. What's yours?' and 'What's so odd about odd numbers?' — and respond in an essay that takes liberties with form and content. Share a perspective, argument, or creative exploration that only you could write.
How to approach University of Chicago's supplemental essays
Make fit concrete
Name one academic or community reason, then connect it to a scene from your life. The school detail should prove fit, not decorate the paragraph.
Choose a role before you draft
Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.
Use this as a blank structure for a University of Chicago why-school response, then replace every bracket with your own specifics.
- Open on [specific scene, object, problem, or conversation].
- Show what [choice/action/constraint] reveals about how you think.
- Connect that trait to [school program, community, lab, class, or value].
- End with the contribution you want to make at University of Chicago, not a compliment.
Need more help with this application?
Use our guides to plan your supplement, sharpen your Why Us research, and review your draft before you submit.
Frequently asked questions
How many supplemental essays does University of Chicago require?
University of Chicago has 2 supplemental essays listed for the 2026-2027 application cycle, in addition to the shared application essay.
Does University of Chicago accept the Common Application?
Yes — University of Chicago accepts the Common Application.
What is University of Chicago's acceptance rate?
University of Chicago's most recently reported acceptance rate is 5.4%.
When is University of Chicago's next application deadline?
University of Chicago's next listed application deadline is the Early Action round on November 1, 2026.
What is University of Chicago's "How does the University of Chicago…" prompt (#1, 650 words)?
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.
What is University of Chicago's "Choose one of the prompts that…" prompt (#2, 650 words)?
Choose one of the prompts that resonates with you — past prompts have included 'Mustard is the crown jewel of condiments. What's yours?' and 'What's so odd about odd numbers?' — and respond in an essay that takes liberties with form and content. Share a perspective, argument, or creative exploration that only you could write.
Sources and verification
We prioritize University of Chicago's official admissions pages for school-specific prompts and deadlines, then use application-platform and federal sources as cross-checks. This record is labeled for the 2026-2027 cycle but still needs a fresh verification pass.
Review official source →