Dual Credit English 1301
College Essay Assignment
Due Date: September 22
The final essay will be 650-800 words, typed in MLA format. Your paper must continue at least two full lines on the third
page in order to meet the minimum and must not exceed three pages. You have many choices of prompts; choose one
that suits you best.
You must submit your paper to turnitin.com by September 22 at 7:25 a.m. It is wise to print out the turnitin.com receipt
and submit it with your paper. This is your proof that you met the due date in the event we cannot find your paper within
the system. An identical hard copy of your paper is due at the beginning of class. If you do not bring the hard copy to
class on September 22 during your class period, you will lose 5 points off your summative grade. Print your essays and
turn them in online with plenty of time to spare to avoid technical difficulties. Don’t forget to proofread, introduce all
quotes, and develop a strong sense of voice. Diction, continuity, and flow of writing matter in addition to grammar and
conventions.
Option #1: You may write a response to the common application questions. If you choose this prompt, you must use an
essay that has not been submitted to a university (yet). The prompts are as follows:
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their
application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you
experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same
decision again?
4. Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research
query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance
to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to
adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
Option #2: You may write a response to one of the current or past University of Chicago “Extended Essay Questions.”
The current essay prompts are as follows:
1. Orange is the new black, fifty’s the new thirty, comedy is the new rock ‘n’ roll, ____ is the new ____. What’s in,
what’s out, and why is it being replaced? —Inspired by Payton Weidenbacher, Class of 2015
2. “I learned to make my mind large, as the universe is large, so that there is room for paradoxes.” –Maxine Hong
Kingston. What paradoxes do you live with? —Inspired by Danna Shen, Class of 2019
3. Joan of Arkansas. Queen Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Babe Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Mash up a historical figure with a
new time period, environment, location, or occupation, and tell us their story. —Inspired by Drew Donaldson,
Class of 2016
4. “Art is either plagiarism or revolution.” –Paul Gauguin. What is your “art”? Is it plagiarism or revolution?
—Inspired by Kaitlyn Shen, Class of 2018.
5. Rerhceseras say it’s siltl plisbsoe to raed txet wtih olny the frist and lsat ltteres in palce. This is beaucse the
hamun mnid can fnid oderr in dorsdier. Give us your best example of finding order in disorder. (For your reader’s
sake, please use full sentences with conventional spelling). —Also inspired by Payton Weidenbacher, Class of
2015. Payton is extra-inspirational this year!