<p>^dude i feel you, my parents were the SAME way, they were freaking out and were like “you have to submit this today! (3 days before the EA deadline) or else you won’t get financial aid! (b/c FA is due on 11/1 or 11/2 and we needed to get an account before applying for financial aid and you have to allow your account to be set up which can take a couple of days)” " haha… </p>
<p>sorry, i’m rambling… </p>
<p>anyway, i’m sure they know that a lot of students are in the same predicament. i’m sure before they sent it out that they knew there would be some kids who have sent/are already working on/will send an application essay of the same format. I’m feeling that they will give you the benefit of the doubt… but then you also have to consider, how many other students are writing like that and how will the adcom know if they truly came up with that idea or if they copied… if your essay if really really similar, i’d suggest you add something else to it to give it your own flavor. and besides, even if the dean didn’t send out such a letter, i’m sure the admissions office still gets a lot of essays in similar lovey dovey letter formats. 1 or 2 maybe exciting, but after a while? does it not get a little sappy? i guess what i’m trying to say is that… whether or not the dean had sent out such an essay, there are many others who have written in the same format. </p>
<p>ALSO… haha i’m having epiphanies as i write…i think that those who haven’t started the essay when they received that letter from the dean would not really have the nerve to do something similar…i know i wouldn’t… but i guess i’m too naive. </p>
<p>i think the why chicago essay is not as important as the supplemental essay. as long as you don’t make huge blunders in your why chicago essay, as long as it is not too unoriginal, too bland, too “insert-other-college-name-here” essay, then you are okay. I’d say focus more on your extended essay, as it will show more of who you are. and if that stands out, your why chicago essay should still be fine.</p>