advice on essay mechanics

fortune3
Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:14:15 +0000

I’ve looked forward to writing the UChicago essay ever since they sent me a postcard last year with “Mind that does not stick”. However, now that I’m writing it, I’m having some qualms about if my essay is too weird…

I am currently writing on prompt #3 about describing a road and am doing a completely fictional/metaphysical road. I’ve been writing it in past tense but sometimes the sentences feel really convoluted. My question is, would it be okay for me to write this essay in present tense instead? Also, does Chicago mind essays that are more of a creative writing than a personal recollection? thanks!