<p>No offense to anyone or their writing abilities, but 95% of all essays they read take one of about 6 forms. There just aren’t all that many ways to answer that question. I guarantee you that every admissions person at the U of C has read 100 essays structured almost exactly like that one this year.</p>
<p>Personally, I wouldn’t worry about the format as much as I would take pains to let them know you’ve actually investigated the University of Chicago and Hyde Park, and can make it clear that you’re not just plugging in the usual BS you’ve already used for 10 other Common Applications or parroting what you’ve read on their website.</p>
<p>Relax, unless you’re from Northern Greenland and your essay says that you’re interested in the U of C because of the mild winter weather, there really isn’t anything you’re going to write that they haven’t read before.</p>