Xander Hastings scrapped months of essay drafts one week before the deadline. What replaced them wasn’t a rewritten paragraph—it was an act of reinvention. In a moment of bold surrender to his instincts, he rewrote his University of Chicago supplement in Spenserian sonnets, in iambic pentameter, turning the essay prompt into both subject and structure. In doing so, he did more than stand out—he became unforgettable. “I was scared to scrap so many months of progress,” Xander said. “But as I began coming up with rhymes and doing syllable scansion, I completely came alive. It was so much more me.” He wasn’t afraid to be dense, elaborate, or wildly metaphorical. His only rule was clarity: as long as people could understand it, that’s all I cared about. This wasn’t an attempt to impress for its own sake—it was a way to signal what UChicago most wants in its students: someone willing to take risks, dive deep, and lean all the way into their quirks.

The University of Chicago's core mission, as expressed in its Latin motto "Crescat scientia; vita excolatur," translates to "Let knowledge grow from more and more; and so be human life enriched". Xander didn’t just read that mission—he engaged with it. He studied the school’s Core Curriculum, its student traditions, its interdisciplinary freedoms, and its love of the eccentric. On his campus visit, the signs weren’t subtle. From spontaneous chats with professors to surreal encounters with strangers who seemed to read his thoughts, Xander recalls:

That day, the wind changed. And Xander, who had set sail toward another school entirely, found himself off-course in the best way imaginable.

This metaphor did more than explain Xander’s enthusiasm. It radiated it.

Rather than telling UChicago he could see himself there, Xander showed them—in vivid moments and symbolic gestures—that he already did.

UChicago doesn’t just seek intellectuals—it seeks participants. People who will take the school’s raw resources and breathe life into them. Xander saw this clearly. His passions weren’t limited to the library. He imagined himself: - Studying astrophysics with the team searching for extraterrestrial life - Traveling to Hong Kong for the renowned economics abroad program - Applying his Mandarin skills and cultural interests on a global scale - Becoming one of the names whispered on future UChicago tours, like those behind the first controlled nuclear reaction He even submitted a supplemental essay prompt to admissions, still used today:

In this, and everything else, Xander wasn't just engaging with the campus—he was building onto it.

UChicago isn’t a place that wants simple answers. It wants students willing to wrestle with the complexity of life itself. Xander was—and is—one of those students. Radical Authenticity – His writing wasn’t safe. It was poetic, expressive, and deeply “him.” Intellectual Vitality – He devoured ideas and reshaped them. He loved literature, but studied economics and astrophysics. He lived interdisciplinarity. Existential Drive – His essays were rooted in legacy, mortality, meaning, and myth. It wasn’t just academic—it was spiritual.

Xander leads with voice. His application is art, not just information. From rewriting his essays as Spenserian sonnets to crafting a metaphor-rich journey of intellectual awakening, he embodies the "main character" of his story. His writing is self-aware, expressive, layere ry, and intentionally theatrical. This is narrative-as-admissions-tool at its peak.

This is not just storytelling—this is mythmaking.

Who else rewrites their supplement in iambic pentameter? Xander's literary gambit is an unmistakable act of creative defiance—and it worked. From describing campus as a Pac-Man board to inventing Martian scenarios for supplemental prompts, his approach is magnetic, eccentric, and delightful. His brand of originality is uncoachable.

This is the beating heart of a Wildcard: someone who surprises, entertains, and captivates.

Despite the literary armor, Xander’s vulnerability and truthfulness ring out. He scrapped months of work. He submitted something truer. He talked openly about self-doubt, reinvention, and cosmic meaning. His story isn’t about performing perfection—it’s about owning his own kind of weird, and daring to go all-in on it.

This is authenticity through intellectual risk.

Q: What advice would you give prospective students?

When asked what he’d tell his younger self—or any student unsure of their fit—Xander had this to say:

Xander’s journey didn’t stop with UChicago. It became the launchpad for a new kind of legacy. After graduation, he founded Scholarly, a platform that connects applicants with real students and grads from top schools for mentorship, essay feedback, and personalized insight. Why?

Scholarly is part storytelling, part strategy, and all heart—just like Xander’s application.