<p>this goes for other colleges more than it does chicago.
most schools have you write an essay about what you enjoy outside of classes (EC’s). Instead of taking it as an opportunity to restate everything that you do, take one of them that you’re really dedicated to and talk about how it’s changed you. there a really good thread about it somewhere on CC. I’ll look it up and post a link here.</p>
<p>UCLA, okay, so I agree that you should apply to many different schools. However, with as many different colleges and universities as are out there, you shouldn’t think that you have to apply to certain ones because you want to see what kind of money they offer. I don’t care how much a school offers, if you don’t like the fact that a school has a strong core, or you think the campus is butt ugly (or whatever reason you don’t like it), then they could pay you to come and you still wouldn’t get the most out of your college experience.
I’m currently at a university that I’m finishing my junior and senior years of high school at, and i’m on a full ride right now. however, that doesn’t change the fact that I’m borderline miserable here (the only thing that makes it worth it is that my old high school was so crappy, and the education i’m getting here is so much better, but that’s not the point).
my point is, apply to many different schools. however, apply to schools that you could see yourself being happy at, not schools that will give you a free education.</p>