University of Chicago Supplemental Essay Outlines

Paragraph 1: The Sudden Hunger for Knowledge

• Open directly in the middle of a sensory scene where a complex idea felt like a sudden hunger.
• Include a specific physical setting to grab the reader.
• Do not write a long, abstract introduction or use generic statements about loving to learn.

Paragraph 2: Gathering the Raw Material

• Describe how your brain gathers facts, texts, or observations to feed your interest.
• Explain how you look for information outside of school classes.
• Do not repeat items from your resume or list your high school grades.

Paragraph 3: Choosing Good Books Over Fast Media

Paragraph 4: Processing Ideas in Quiet Moments

Paragraph 5: The Spark of New Connections

Paragraph 6: Dealing with Hard Questions

Paragraph 7: Making the Idea Part of You

Paragraph 8: Throwing Away Old Assumptions

Paragraph 9: Sharing Thoughts with Others at College

Paragraph 1: Finding Art in Everyday Life

Paragraph 2: The Rules of the Art Form

Paragraph 3: Stumbling Upon a Tough Problem

Paragraph 4: The Creative Design Proposal

Paragraph 5: Explaining How the Solution Works

Paragraph 6: Allowing for Human Mistakes

Paragraph 7: How My Perspective Shifted

Paragraph 8: Working as a Team to Make Change

Paragraph 9: Carrying These Values to the University

Paragraph 1: Proposing the New Saying

Paragraph 2: Looking at the Original Meanings

Paragraph 3: Blending the Ideas Together

Paragraph 4: My Own Experience with Care

Paragraph 5: The Battle Against Being Careless

Paragraph 6: Sitting with a Hard Paradox

Paragraph 7: Lessons in Personal Growth

Paragraph 8: Applying the Metaphor to Group Discussions

Paragraph 9: My Future Contribution on Campus

Paragraph 1: The Commotion of the Checkout Lane

Paragraph 2: Setting the Basic Ground Rules

Paragraph 3: Rules and Penalties

Paragraph 4: How Judges Score the Event

Paragraph 5: My Daily Practice Routine

Paragraph 6: Cooperating with Others on the Team

Paragraph 7: Why Celebrating the Everyday Matters

Paragraph 8: Staying Humble and Down to Earth

Paragraph 9: Bringing This Practical Energy to Class

Paragraph 1: The Funny Misunderstanding

Paragraph 2: How the Confusion Started

Paragraph 3: The Actual Story

Paragraph 4: Finding Similarities in Unlikely Places

Paragraph 5: Correcting the Mistake with Family

Paragraph 6: How Words Can Over-simplify Things

Paragraph 7: Valuing Clear and Precise Language

Paragraph 8: Laughing at My Own Mistakes

Paragraph 9: Embracing Hard Questions in Class

Paragraph 1: The Meeting of Disparate Paths

Paragraph 2: My Time in the Laboratory

Paragraph 3: Finding Value in Failed Experiments

Paragraph 4: My Experience with Dance

Paragraph 5: Stepping Beyond What is Familiar

Paragraph 6: Where Science and Art Collide

Paragraph 7: Realizing How I Learn Best

Paragraph 8: Focusing on Growth Over Resumes

Paragraph 9: Joining the Campus Community

Paragraph 1: My Introduction to Campus Discussion

Paragraph 2: Specific Classes I Want to Take

Paragraph 3: Why the Core Curriculum Works for Me

Paragraph 4: Research Spaces and Special Programs

Paragraph 5: Continuing My Local Community Work

Paragraph 6: Getting Involved in Student Clubs

Paragraph 7: Participating in School Traditions

Paragraph 8: My Long Term Vision for the Future

Paragraph 9: Looking Forward to Joining the Family