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In an era when college admissions essay themes are decidedly similar and not terribly exciting (significant book, a hero, etc.), the University of Chicago has long prided itself on questions that are different, or "uncommon," (even if the university did join the Common Application).
James G. Nondorf, vice president and dean of admissions and financial aid at Chicago, said the university invites suggestions from students and others, and typically receives around 600 ideas, before ending up with six prompts.
This year one of the questions may not be the most intellectually challenging ever asked, but may give applicants (and others) a chuckle. We offer it as a challenge to readers to think of which academic departments might be different with a switch of a letter:
Due to a series of clerical errors, there is exactly one typo (an extra letter, a removed letter, or an altered letter) in the name of every department at the University of Chicago. Oops! Describe your new intended major. Why are you interested in it and what courses or areas of focus within it might you want to explore? Potential options include Commuter Science, Bromance Languages and Literatures, Pundamentals: Issues and Texts, Ant History.
Any readers care to rename other departments either at Chicago (full list here) or at your institution?
