The University of Chicago admissions website has published its supplemental essay questions for the 2026-27 application cycle: one required question on why the applicant chooses UChicago, plus one extended essay chosen from six options. Early Decision I (ED I) and Early Action (EA) both close on November 2, 2026, which leaves Irvine seniors planning to apply early about four weeks.
Who is affected
First-year applicants seeking admission to the University of Chicago for fall 2027. UChicago accepts both the Common App and Apply Coalition, Powered by Scoir.
Question 1 (required) asks applicants to explain, with specifics, how UChicago meets their wishes for a particular kind of learning, community, and future.
Question 2 (extended essay, required, choose one of six) includes five new prompts, each inspired by a submission from a current UChicago student or alumnus; the university solicits topics each year from newly admitted and current students. The five new prompts ask, in turn, how thoughts might “eat”; how the principles of an artistic practice could yield an elegant solution to a problem; for an invented mixed metaphor and why it makes sense; for a new Olympic event built on an everyday activity and how it would be judged; and for an example of a mistaken acronym identity and its backstory. The sixth option is the traditional choose-your-own prompt: select a past question or write one of your own.
The admissions pages do not state a word limit.
| Round | Deadline | Decision | Reply date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I (ED I) | November 2, 2026 | Mid-December | Mid-January 2027 |
| Early Action (EA) | November 2, 2026 | Mid-December | May 1 |
| Early Decision II (ED II) | January 4, 2027 | Mid-February | Mid-March |
| Regular Decision (RD) | January 4, 2027 | Late March | May 1 |
Required materials include the application and supplemental essays, two teacher evaluations, the secondary school report and transcript, the mid-year report, and the application fee or an automatic fee waiver. Test scores are handled under UChicago’s “No Harm” testing policy, and a video profile is a recommended optional item.
What to do now
Choose the prompt before drafting. With six extended options, students can spend a day or two outlining two or three prompts before committing to one. UChicago’s questions invite creativity, but the essay still needs to show admissions readers how the applicant thinks.
Make the Why UChicago answer specific. The question explicitly asks applicants to connect their own wishes to the university, so general remarks about reputation do not help.
Confirm the early round. Students admitted through ED I must reply by mid-January 2027, while EA admits may wait until May 1; which early plans are binding is explained in Early Decision vs. Early Action: Which Are Binding, and other schools’ deadlines in the same window are listed in Early Deadlines Split Between November 1 and 2.
The student must write the essays. For the rules on AI use set by the application systems and colleges, see Can Students Use AI on College Essays? The Rules. For one-on-one coaching, see the College Essay Bootcamp.
Sources
- University of Chicago: Essay Questions (accessed October 4, 2026)
- University of Chicago: Application (accessed October 4, 2026)
- Irvine Valley College Fall College Fair Nov. 3The Irvine Valley College Transfer Center set its fall college fair for November 3 and scheduled October UC and CSU workshops ahead of the November 30 deadline.
- OCSA 2027-28 Applications Close December 30Orange County School of the Arts opened 2027-28 applications, due December 30, with the next Preview Day on November 7. Dates for placement activities and the lottery.
- SSAT November 14 Late Fee Begins October 25For the November 14 paper SSAT, a $59 late fee starts October 25 and a $100 rush fee November 1. Dates, levels, and registration steps for Irvine families.
- Stanford REA With Arts Portfolio Due October 15Stanford's standard Restrictive Early Action deadline is November 1, but applicants adding an Optional Arts Portfolio must submit the Common App by October 15.
