Reading my UChicago Creative and Why Essay!

Two other equally important aspects of the UChicago application are the creative and "Why UChicago?" essays. In this video, I read both of my essays, explaining my thought process along the way. I also give tips throughout the video for those who might be struggling with just what to discuss in these papers. What a nice trip down memory lane, huh...
If you're more interested specifically in the "Why?" essay, it starts at 6:10.
Disclaimer: The College is not paying me to do this. These are just my personal opinions/experiences.
About me!
+ My Insta: / ree.s.e
+ My LinkedIn: / rklemm
+ Major: Economics (Business Track) and French
+ UChicago '23

[@cherrygadamandla8594]

This was the most gentlest sweetest easy to understand video I’ve seen so far LOL all the other videos are very in your face and make you feel even more anxious. Thank you!

[@ReeseKlemm]

Oh, I'm so glad! Thanks for the sweet note. My intention was definitely not to freak people out, so I'm glad it's working!

[@examerica84]

@@ReeseKlemm Hey can you offer me personal tutorials. I agree to pay you something. I'm a Kenyan

[@joa3072]

this is so good! UChicago is my dream school and this video really helped me grasp the perspective i should be taking. thanks!

[@ReeseKlemm]

No problem! Good luck in applying!

[@JohnVKaravitis]

LMFAO! Your "dream school." You will soon enough learn that it will be your nightmare. Enjoy your grade deflation and soul-crushing student loan debt!!!

[@arabboyakhmadullaev7914]

They are so amazing. I really wish we had this amazing universities which appreciate your creativeness and i could write in my native language. I will never be that good in english probably. (

[@ReeseKlemm]

Well, from what I'm reading, your English is great! :) There are lots of foreign students here, so you definitely wouldn't have been alone.

[@clairexu4472]

OMG I love "incogninompostdict" so much!! It happens to me, a LOT :)

[@ReeseKlemm]

Originally I was gonna write about the types of turns you make when driving, but then my mom informed me that they were just called soft/hard turns... kinda dumb of me lol

[@xelyius5480]

@@ReeseKlemm relatable

[@alpdurgun7108]

your uncommon essay gave me inspiration to write mine!! i applied ed2 as an int'l i hope i get in!

[@arabboyakhmadullaev7914]

I literally wanted to write an essay like these for my grad school, unfortunately everyone discouraged me. Good luck, wish u all the best

[@ReeseKlemm]

Thanks!

[@val-rf7eh]

hello! this is an amazing essay! just wondering--how did you divide the three stories in the essay? Were there any dividers, lines, or was the next story just written on the next line?

[@tindo0038]

Your essays are so good!!! Glad UChicago accepted you :)

[@ReeseKlemm]

Aww thanks

[@rouslal-tahhan6291]

Hello! I'm planning to apply to UChicago in November. I'm really excited and nervous because I'm an international student, but I really like the creative way of the school. May I ask, do you think it is a good idea to submit an art portfolio to my application, even if I'm not planning to study something related to arts?

[@ReeseKlemm]

To be honest, I've never heard of anyone doing that, so I don't know if it's effective or if anyone would look at it (they probably would??). I do know about people submitting creative videos in addition to their application... So, I guess my advice would be that if you have some art already made that you like, go ahead and send it, but I don't necessarily see the point in making all new art if you don't intend to do visual arts, you know?

[@user-kh4yz5vm5j]

Such lovely essays))

[@cassidyhatch2011]

Okay I’m applying to Uchicago for fall of 2021 and I am completely LOST BAHAHAAH. Like I don’t want to be basic because I know they are creative and they want intellectual students but I feel extremely basic lol.

[@ReeseKlemm]

Yea, I mean, so long as you're not talking in clichés, I don't think it's a super big deal. Like I sorta said, be yourself and be super real. I think that comes across when I real my sister's essays as being really genuine (and not basic). They really give you the opportunity to be super silly if you want.

[@wony6468]

Did you get in?

[@bibliophile7557]

Love your essays!! Will you be doing a stats/extracurriculars video? (If you’re comfortable with that)

[@ReeseKlemm]

Totally - I’ve got two ideas in the works, but that’ll be next on my list to have out in the next two weeks or so. 🥰

[@bibliophile7557]

@@ReeseKlemm awesome. Also you lowkey remind me of teddy Duncan from the show good luck charlie for some reason😂

[@mr.muhammad5605]

I see everyone praises uchicago dorms. how is it? because, the one you are in currently does not look like the ones I watched 😁😀

[@rosiem9731]

thank you so much, this was extremely helpful :)

[@clairexu4472]

I'm curious about your intended major. Does it relate to your uncommon essay? How to show your personal connection in the writing? Thanks!!

[@ReeseKlemm]

To be honest, I've heard differing opinions on this. Some people will say that it's absolutely necessary to put in your Why Essay; I would say that I agree... More or less because your major usually has a great deal to do with your personal interests. However, for the uncommon essay, I really don't think it needs to relate to your major at all. I think they really just want you to creatively write and make them laugh. Obviously, mine had nothing to do with my major. Honestly, just go wild with writing it. Be as weird and unrealistic with it as you want. In terms of a "personal connection," I assume you mean to the school. I don't think that they can really expect *that* much from you, but research what types of things you can do here and give examples of how what you've done in the past proves why you'll take advantage of them here. :) That's my 2 cents.

[@clairexu4472]

@@ReeseKlemm Thank you sm:)))

[@gracecolvin8803]

I LOVE REESE KLEMM

[@ReeseKlemm]

I love youuuuuuu

[@peijack3910]

Great job!!

[@ReeseKlemm]

Thanks 😊

[@nicolerivera9528]

hi sorry would u mind telling me in what format (mla, apa) did u upload ur essay?? im a bit confused with uchicago

[@ReeseKlemm]

I didn't use any citing, etc. so it doesn't really matter. I just threw it in 12-point font, double-spaced Times New Roman

[@cherrygadamandla8594]

Do you have any tips on wordy essays? I know there’s not a word count but I could definitely cut out stuff but idk what

[@ReeseKlemm]

I guess one suggestion would be to see if you're explaining anything to the viewer such as "i realized..." or "i learned..." or "this has made me..." I think *ideally* these things, usually in one conclusion paragraph, are super obvious. As a result, you can get rid of them and make sure that you writing up until that point says the same things more figuratively.

[@tlchang233]

This is amazing

[@ReeseKlemm]

Thanks! I probably made like 10 drafts before I liked it in its entirety lol

[@Claudia-lj8hi]

I love you so much you remind me so much of Lorelai Gilmore.

[@SA-sk8cm]

I wanna know how long ur why Uchicago essay is because mines asking 810 and I’m not sure if it’s fine?

[@ReeseKlemm]

I honestly don't think it matters too much, but I just checked. Mine is 606.

[@SA-sk8cm]

@@ReeseKlemm ok thank you I submitted mine yesterday it was around 750. Wish me luck!

[@acastacie3362]

@@SA-sk8cm how did it go??

[@jazzy._]

Lorelai Gilmore, is that you???!?!?!?!

[@ReeseKlemm]

I somehow haven't watched Gilmore Girls; I hope that's a compliment lol

[@swagmoney4532]

lesh go australia

[@ReeseKlemm]

STRAYA. YES.

[@shogun7107]

So the uncommon essay don’t gotta be about you… thank god mine was a song analysis from my favorite anime and I thought I completely butchered my chances when I saw videos and people tied their uncommon essay back to them

[@ReeseKlemm]

Totally! People write about some crazy stuff. One of my friends wrote about what it’d be like if the Earth was flat and someone could sail off the edge of the world

[@xxthemlgproxxxd2073]

I wrote my creative about snails lmao

[@ReeseKlemm]

yes [clap emoji] the creativity! [clap emoji]

[@swagmoney4532]

college app time

[@ReeseKlemm]

Such a throwback, amirite.

[@laineweis6024]

Did you get in?

[@ReeseKlemm]

Yup :) I'm currently a second-year.