UChicago Supplement A

My impression of UChicago was shaped by three people.

Three years ago, I had a physics tutor who was a UChicago freshman double-majoring in mathematics and physics. Although we only worked together for a month, he left a strong impression on me because he was the first person my age to shake my intellectual confidence. At that time, I was very interested in Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity, so I asked him if he could teach me how to derive the time dilation and length contraction part of relativity. Although this was almost impossible without a calculus background, my tutor managed to find a way to explain the concepts, writing a detailed handout full of mathematical formulas and proofs. Although I didn't fully understand the concepts then, I was taken aback by his intelligence and work ethic. Later in my high school years, I learned more about UChicago that added to its already impressive reputation. For example, I discovered the Chicago School in economics, the atomic bombs in physics, and the hormonal therapy in cancer treatment all had roots in the university. I became curious about UChicago: what kind of school could produce so many intellectual elites like my tutor?

The second person I met transformed this curiosity to anticipation. She was my UChicago tour guide, a philosophy major who spoke at a breakneck pace and absolutely glowed with happiness and excitement. It was obvious that her frantic pace was not an impressive recitation of memorized lines, but rather, a love and passion borne from her enthusiasm for the school. I still remember one of her final remarks: "I love UChicago because I can find a random person in the campus and have a pleasant conversation on an abstruse philosophical question despite the major he or she is in." Perhaps this was due to the school’s core curriculum, each student received a foundation in a variety of disciplines. Isn't that what I am looking for? My tour guide's words made me start imagining myself in UChicago. Although I have been determined to pursue science since childhood, I am also a metalsmith, a European history enthusiast, and a closet economist. One of my strengths is that I can fall in love with learning anything, and I love to continually refine what I’ve already learned. An intellectually curious community like UChicago would be a perfect place to explore my various interests.

The third person was Enrico Fermi. Of course I never met him before, but like the previous two UChicago students, he further ignited my passion for the university. At the time I learned about The Enrico Fermi Institute at UChicago department of physics, I happened to be preparing for Fermi Question event in science Olympiad meeting. After I found out they were named after the same nuclear physicist, I was fascinated by this connection and did more research. The result truly excited me: as a co-contractor of Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, UChicago facilitates collaborative research among faculty and students. As a hopeful physics major, a research opportunity like this is the best I can imagine. Surely I have to work very hard to get this opportunity, but the mere fact that UChicago has such advanced research opportunities and physics curriculum is enough to ignite my anticipation for studying here for the next four year. I went on to question myself: “UChicago students are famous for their desire for learning. Am I intimidated?” No, I was always the quirky nerd in the class, going after teachers and asking odd questions to fill any and all gaps in my knowledge. “The UChicago supplement essays are notoriously creative. But looking over the prompts, am I intimidated?” No, I am secretly excited, I can read every prompt and spend half an hour staring into the sky, pondering how I can shape a new world around it. I realized that UChicago is a community that will both satisfy my interdisciplinary curiosity and allow me to express my personality without a word limit. I can now say without hesitation that UChicago is where I want to enjoy my next four years.