Tutor profile: Delaney M.

What is the different between the passé composé and the imparfait tenses?

Simply, the passé composé refers most clearly to the "-ed" form of past tense words — "I payED for my lunch." The imparfait refers to the "was ___-ing" English past tense — "I was paying for my lunch" The passé composé refers to actions in the past that are completed—they begin and end with the action of the subject of the sentence. Therefore, "I bought this dress" would become "j'ai acheté cette robe." The imperfect represents actions in the past that are not confined to the time frame discussed in the sentence. Therefore, when we say "Il achetait cette robe," or loosely "he was buying this dress," the sentence does not demand that this action has a clear beginning and end—it is incomplete. He could have been buying the dress before, or after the completion of the sentence. All that we know is that he is not doing it in the present.

What is the primary goal of essay writing?

When writing an essay, you should be writing to the lowest common denominator—I like to say to make your essays comprehensible to a 5th grader. Avoid flamboyant words and complicated syntax that simply clutters your writing. Get straight to the point, and make sure that each word included in your essay is deliberately chosen to underscore your argument.

What specific characteristics about your school of choice make it a good fit for you?

Some refer to the University of Chicago as “the place where fun goes to die.” Early in the college process, I heard this phrase tossed around, and I wasn’t sure what it meant. So, I decided to do my research on this scary, daunting place. From what I read, it seemed academically rigorous and demanding with courses taught by the best minds in their fields. It seemed to be a place that dares students to think harder, ask more questions, and research more. But, to me, this didn’t seem like the death of fun. Instead, I saw the University of Chicago as an environment that welcomes and encourages curiosity and fosters intellectualism, breeding not only thinkers and learners, but skeptics and ponderers. I don’t yet know how I imagine my future. I’ve dreamt up many possibilities, from a sophisticated diplomat to an international human rights lawyer to a nomadic travel writer. However, my uncertainty leaves room to fill in the blanks through continued learning and knowledge. At the University of Chicago, I would be able to challenge myself, to realize my full potential, to continue my quest for knowledge, and to have fun while doing so.