What are admissions officers looking for in a Why essay?
The "Why Us" essay is a staple of many college applications, asking students to explain their reasons for choosing a particular institution. While the prompt might differ slightly from one college to another, the underlying question remains: Why do you believe this school is the ideal fit for you? Here's a general guide on how to approach this crucial essay:
In a narrative “why school X” essay, you tell a story about your evolving enthusiasm for a school. You might start by saying what first piqued your interest—a comment from a friend, an interview you saw with a dean—and then explain how your interest grew as you did more research. Describe your visit to the school, if you made one, or your conversation with a student or alumnus, if you spoke to one. Conclude with the strongest possible statement of your interest.
Prompt: Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections.
How do you convey all of this in a Why essay?
Prompt: Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections.
What if you could enroll at college without the additional stress of the competitive admissions process? It’s possible with direct admissions — a growing trend that more colleges and universities are using to increase education access, decrease gatekeeping, and save both applicants and admissions officers time and stress. But what is it, and how does it work? Learn more about direct admissions and how the process differs from traditional applications.
Most "Why Us" essays, like Dartmouth's "Why Dartmouth" prompt, emphasize the college's academic program, community, and campus environment. Before diving into your response, thoroughly understand what the prompt is asking and limit your focus accordingly.
Is the University of Southern California on your college list? Part of USC’s application process includes submitting a letter of recommendation. While your academic performance in high school carries the most weight in the admissions process, a strong letter of recommendation from a teacher or school counselor will tell another piece of your story — who you are, how you conducted yourself at school, and how you might contribute to the campus community.
So, how do you write a why essay?
Don’t let a spelling or grammar error ruin an otherwise stellar essay. While spell check is handy, sometimes the names of professors, buildings, and activity centers can be spelled differently than what spell check recognizes. Double check the spelling of all names and have a parent, teacher, or counselor proof your essay for any grammar errors you might have missed!
College Essay Guy’s “Why us?” Essay Research Chart 2.0
In addition to – or sometimes instead of – the “why this college?” question, many schools ask other thought-provoking supplements, like : “If you could create a college course that all UVA students would take, what would it be about and why?” Picturing yourself on campus can help you brainstorm answers to these other questions as well.
Here is a "Why Tufts?" essay from :
If you’re still struggling to put your passion for a school into words, try another approach. Take all the research that you did to the next level by imagining you’re there. Write about what a day in your college life at that school would look like. Talk about your routine, who and what you see on your way to class, where you’d grab a coffee or lunch, the classes you’d take and the professors you’d talk to and what those conversations would entail. Not only will this give you a great foundation, but it will flesh out the activities and courses from your research that you find most appealing.
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Remember, colleges want to build a well-rounded class full of students that are excited to attend and expand their horizons. If you’re a clarinetist applying to a university with a fantastic music program and a top-notch orchestra, talk about it! If your dream is to study the rainforest at a college that boasts a stellar botany professor who leads annual study abroad programs in the Amazon, talk about it! These details will help you demonstrate your interest to the admissions officers reading your application and solidify why they are not only a , but why you are also a good fit for them.
Here’s an outline for a basic, solid “Why this College” essay:
While answering additional essay questions might seem challenging, the supplements give students the chance to show a different side of themselves to the admissions office, as well as emphasizing their demonstrated interest. Since supplements are an important component of the college admissions process, we always recommend students begin working on these essays early to save themselves the stress of working down to the wire. If you’re getting ready to apply to college and looking for supplements, our of admissions experts is here to help.