When You Dont Even Know What Youre Writing Anymore on a College Essay

What'due south Covered:

• Sample "Why This College" Prompts
• Good and Bad Sample Responses
• Tips for the "Why This College" Essay
• Writing Your Essay
• Is Your Essay Good Enough?

Well-nigh students know that they have to write a full general essay that goes to all the colleges on their list. This is required by platforms similar the Common Awarding , which near students utilize to employ.

Simply the essays aren't over after that, unfortunately. Most colleges also accept school-specific essays, called supplements. These supplemental essays let the schoolhouse to sympathise how you lot might exist a good fit for their community.

One of the almost common supplements will ask you to answer the question: "Why this college?" These essays specifically want to know how you'll take reward of the bookish and extracurricular resource at this specific school.

In this postal service, we'll show you a couple examples of these prompts, go over practiced and bad sample responses, and break downward how to all-time answer to these.

Sample "Why This College" Prompts

Let'due south first by taking a await at two real prompts from the 2019-2020 cycle that fit under the "Why this college" archetype:

Which aspects of the Tufts undergraduate experience prompt your awarding? In short, 'Why Tufts?' (150 words)

Other parts of your application give u.s. a sense for how you might contribute to Northwestern. But nosotros also want to consider how Northwestern volition contribute to your interests and goals. Aid us understand what aspects of Northwestern appeal most to yous, and how you lot'll make utilize of specific resources and opportunities hither. (300 words)

As yous can come across, these prompts are basically asking why you lot want to nourish the school in question. Northwestern spells it out even further, and specifically asks how you'll use their resource to achieve your goals. Both prompts have word counts that are much shorter than that of the Common App, which is typical of supplemental essays. These ii discussion counts are pretty representative, and you can expect the "Why this college" essay length to be 100-400 words on average. That's not a lot of space for a pretty important question, so information technology's especially vital to utilize the word count wisely.

 Good and Bad Sample Responses to "Why This College?"

The key to writing a stiff "Why this college" essay is specificity. You lot desire to cite opportunities unique to the school that will help you explore your interests and attain your goals. The most mutual mistake students make is list generic characteristics that could apply to whatever school. This negatively impacts your application, since it sends the message that you didn't exercise your research, and aren't truly interested in the schoolhouse.

Hither's an example of something Not to list in your "Why this college essay." We'll have the example of Tufts since we shared the prompt in the beginning.

What NOT to write: I'1000 applying to Tufts because of its depression student to kinesthesia ratio, the strong math department, and its prime location in Medford, just a hop abroad from Boston. When I visited campus, the schoolhouse already felt similar dwelling house.

This case is bad because many schools accept low student to faculty ratios and strong math departments. There are besides a ton of schools in or near Boston, many of which have low pupil to kinesthesia ratios and slap-up math departments as well, such as Boston College, Harvard, Northeastern, Boston Academy, etc. If your statements tin can apply to other schools, that'southward definitely not a proficient sign. The student also uses an emotional appeal with the line "information technology felt like domicile," which might sound nice, but it has no substance and tin be written for whatever school. You should definitely avoid making any statements similar these.

This example shows that the student actually hasn't thought much well-nigh their fit with Tufts, and that it probably isn't their superlative option. This is a actually bad sign, even if you have stellar grades⁠—Tufts is known for taking applicants' demonstrated interest more seriously than other schools, so if yous show that y'all bear witness little interest through your essay, yous may end up waitlisted or rejected, even if your stats are amazing.

Another thing that this example gets incorrect is that information technology doesn't describe the student'due south goals or interests at all. It'due south important to not only talk about why you picked the schoolhouse, but too how exactly those aspects volition assist you grow.

Now that we know what a bad example might look like, here's an example of a good reason to cite in your essay:

What TO write: Every bit a potential Applied Mathematics major, I hope to gain the tools to model political beliefs. I'k especially interested in elections, and am looking forward to taking the form "Mathematics of Social Selection," every bit the centerpiece of Social Pick Theory is voting. I would also dearest to take "Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos," considering information technology will teach me to use differential equations to predict chaotic behavior.

This is a good example, as the courses listed are highly-specific to Tufts, besides every bit the pupil'due south professional goals. We not but learned something almost Tufts, but also the pupil. Keep in listen that this wouldn't exist a complete essay⁠—it'southward merely an example of good, specific resources to listing. The student would as well need to provide context for their involvement in politics/elections and math. (For instance, have they helped implement ranked choice voting for their school student quango elections? Take they created models to predict school dance attendance?).

If you desire an example of a consummate essay, here's this real student response for Boston University'southward "Why this higher" prompt.

Prompt: In no more than than 250 words, please tell u.s. why BU is a good fit for you and what
specifically has led you to apply for access.

Boston University's Higher of Arts and Sciences (CAS) attracts me because of its support of interdisciplinary written report among its wide array of majors. In fact, the CAS now offers a course that combines biological science, chemistry, and neuroscience. Every bit I promise to bear medical research into brain disorders, I program to pursue all three areas of report. These cross-disciplinary connections at BU volition prepare me to do then.

CAS's undergraduate research programme would allow me to piece of work with a mentor, such equally Dr. Alice Cronin-Golomb or Dr. Robert M.G. Reinhart related to their inquiry on neurological disorders. With them, I can accelerate the piece of work I have already completed related to Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). In a summer class at our local academy, my partner and I extracted data from fMRI and PET studies and inputted them into a coding plan. Nosotros and then created an indicator map, which we imported into another software program, AFNI, to brandish meaning activity in the brain regions affected by DID. Seeing the representation of our data thrilled me because I knew it could eventually help people who alive with DID. I want to experience that feeling again. Successfully analyzing these fMRI and PET studies and learning to code drives me to pursue more research opportunities, and this desire motivates me to report at a university that offers enquiry opportunities to undergraduates. BU'southward interdisciplinary arroyo to psychology and support for independent undergraduate undergraduate research will optimally prepare me for a career as a neurological researcher.

This pupil clearly outlines BU-specific resources (the interdisciplinary grade and undergrad research program), plus how these resources marshal with their professional goals (to get a neurological researcher). They do "proper name-driblet" professors, simply since their piece of work clearly relates to the pupil'southward interests, it doesn't look disingenuous, and shows that the pupil has washed research on their fit with BU. The student likewise provides background on why they want to pursue research, and shows that they already have experience, which makes their involvement in the undergrad research plan more concrete.

The only thing missing from this essay is the educatee'southward fit with BU in terms of extracurriculars and social life. "Why this higher" essays should also cover extracurriculars, as colleges are besides interested in how you'll contribute to their community. In full general, these essays should exist academic-leaning (especially if they're under 250 words), merely you should yet address some social aspects of the higher that appeal to you (nosotros recommend near 65% academics, 35% social, with more or less focus on social aspects depending on the word count). Since the educatee probably already detailed their previous research in their Common App activities department, they could've simply summarized their research background in one sentence, and used that space to talk virtually a specific social aspect of BU that interests them.

Here'southward another sample essay, but for UPenn. This essay'due south word count was much longer, allowing the student to really hone in on several specific aspects of UPenn.

Prompt: How volition you explore your intellectual and academic interests at the University of Pennsylvania? Please answer this question given the specific undergraduate schoolhouse to which y'all are applying (650 words).

Sis Simone Roach, a theorist of nursing ethics, said, "caring is the human mode of being." I have long been inspired by Sister Roach's Five C's of Caring: commitment, censor, competence, compassion, and confidence. Penn both embraces and fosters these values through a rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum and unmatched access to service and volunteer opportunities.

COMMITMENT. Reading through the activities that Penn Quakers devote their time to (in addition to academics!) felt like drinking from a firehose in the best possible way. As a prospective nursing student with interests exterior of my major, I value this level of flexibility. I plan to leverage Penn's liberal arts curriculum to proceeds an in-depth understanding of the challenges LGBT people face, peculiarly regarding healthcare admission. Through courses like "Interactional Processes with LGBT Individuals" and volunteering at the Mazzoni Center for outreach, I promise to larn how to better support the Penn LGBT customs too as my family and friends, including my cousin, who came out as trans last year.

Conscience. As one of the first people in my family unit to attend a four-yr university, I wanted a school that promoted a sense of moral responsibility among its students. At Penn, professors challenge their students to question and recreate their own set of morals past sparking idea- provoking, open-minded discussions. I tin imagine myself advocating for universal healthcare in courses such as "Health Care Reform & Time to come of American Health System" and debating its merits with my peers. Studying in an environs where students confidently vocalisation their opinions – conservative or liberal – will push me to question and strengthen my value organisation.

COMPETENCE. Two aspects that drew my attention to Penn'south BSN program were its high-quality research opportunities and easily-on nursing projects. Through its Office of Nursing Research, Penn connects students to faculty members who share like research interests. As I volunteered at a nursing home in high schoolhouse, I hope to piece of work with Dr. Carthon to improve the quality of care for senior citizens. Seniors, particularly minorities, face serious barriers to healthcare that I want to resolve. Additionally, Penn's unique use of simulations to bridge the gap betwixt classroom learning and real-world application impressed me. Using computerized manikins that mimic human responses, classes in Penn's nursing program allow students to employ their emergency medical skills in a mass casualty simulation and monitor their actions afterward through a video system. Participating in this activity will help me identify my strengths and areas for improvement regarding crunch management and medical care in a controlled yet realistic setting. Inquiry opportunities and simulations volition develop my skills even before I interact with patients.

Pity. I value giving dorsum through community service, and I take a item interest in Penn's Community Champions and Nursing Students For Sexual & Reproductive Health (NSRH). As a four-year volunteer health educator, I hope to continue this work as a Community Champions member. I am excited to collaborate with medical students to teach quaternary and fifth graders in the city well-nigh cardiology or atomic number 82 a chair dance class for the elders at the LIFE Heart. Furthermore, every bit a feminist who firmly believes in women's abortion rights, I'd like to bring together NSRH in order to advocate for women'southward health on campus. At Penn, I can work with like-minded people to make a meaningful difference.

Conviction. All of the Quakers that I take met possess one defining trait: confidence. Each student summarized their experiences at Penn as challenging but fulfilling. Although I expect my coursework to push me, from my conversations with current Quakers I know it will help me to be far more effective in my career.

The V C'due south of Caring are important heuristics for nursing, just they also provide insight into how I want to arroyo my time in college. I am eager to engage with these principles both as a nurse and as a Penn Quaker, and I can't wait to start.

This pupil takes a creative arroyo to the essay, using the Five C'due south of Caring. This works actually well since these qualities chronicle to the student's futurity career in nursing. It'due south also a unique way to answer, and the formatting of the longer essay is easier to read, with the V C's in all caps at the get-go of each paragraph.

What actually makes the essay stand out is the depth of the pupil's fit with UPenn, and how they're able to also share more virtually who they are. The student lists specific courses, research opportunities, engineering, and student groups. We also learn that they are a first-generation student, are passionate nearly increasing access to healthcare (particularly for LGBTQ+ people, minorities, and the elderly), intendance about health education, and are a feminist who staunchly defends abortion rights (this controversial topic could be risky, but since UPenn is a very liberal school, this should be fine).

Overall, this essay paints a brilliant motion-picture show of how the student would appoint academically at Penn, and we also see clearly how the student would pursue their intellectual passions exterior the classroom. Since this essay prompt focused on "intellectual and academic interests," in that location was no need to address other aspects of UPenn across those supporting their diverse interests in healthcare.

Tips for Writing the "Why This College" Essay

Now that nosotros've gone through a couple examples, you might be wondering how to become started yourself.

Here are three steps we recommend to get your essay underway:

1. Make a list of the reasons you decided to apply
2. Research unique opportunities related to your academic and extracurricular interests
3. Choice your height academic reasons for applying, and your top extracurricular/social reasons

ane. Make a list of the reasons y'all decided to employ.

As y'all made your higher listing, you likely didn't pick colleges at random (at to the lowest degree we promise not!).

Ask yourself:

• What drew you to the school in the offset place?
• What are you looking for in a college in full general? How does this schoolhouse fulfill your criteria?

Your answers to these questions should overlap in many places. Frequently, these reasons are more than general: maybe it was the location, the schoolhouse size, its academic rigor, the great financial aid, a strong department for your major, an extracurricular. Nigh of these reasons are not school-specific plenty to be used in a "Why this higher" essay, but this practise can help you identify which areas you lot should research more securely. For instance, mayhap you chose a school because information technology was ranked among the tiptop x LGBTQ+ friendly in the nation. If you were to inquiry this aspect, you might look into the specific organizations that support LGBTQ+ students on campus.

2. Research unique opportunities related to your academic and extracurricular interests.

Y'all might be wondering where you can find all these specific courses, clubs, and other resource. The school'due south website is a good place to start, or if you lot accept a general idea of what yous're looking for, you can even employ Google with the school name in your search, such equally "Tufts orchestra." For class descriptions and syllabi, you can visit the website of the professor who's pedagogy the class; they'll often mail service more detailed information than the online form catalogue, including readings and concepts to be covered. For clubs, you lot can likewise try to find their Facebook groups, which might show events they're hosting⁠—Facebook groups might even allow you to speak with a current student about their experience; if y'all do achieve out to the Facebook group admins though, be sure to be courteous and respectful of their time.

If you want more guidance, see our 7 tips on how to research schools for the "Why This College?" essay.

iii. Pick your top bookish reasons for applying, and your peak extracurricular/social reasons.

In one case yous've washed your inquiry and constitute specific opportunities to cite in your essay, choice your top 1-iii academic reasons and top 1-three extracurricular ones, depending on the word count. Going back to the Tufts essay, the expert example we gave really was already 65 words, and it was but able to mention ii courses. Proceed in listen that y'all not but take to describe resources specific to the school, but also how they'll contribute to your goals. This personal aspect is just as of import as the actual opportunities, so be sure to destine space to draw why exactly these resources brand the schoolhouse a good fit for you lot.

When it comes to bookish reasons, yous are free to list anything from special programs to unique majors to specific courses and professors. We desire to caution you lot against "name-dropping" professors, however⁠—unless their work actually fits with your established interests and professional person goals really well. Otherwise, it might seem like yous're existence disingenuous.

We also desire to reiterate that you should exist sure to not only talk about academics in your essay, but too extracurriculars (unless the prompt asks you to focus only on academics, or if the discussion count is short, i.e. 150 words or fewer). College isn't but about what you practise in the classroom. Admissions committees want to be sure that accepted students volition also contribute to the college community. You should program to spend about 60-65% of space on academic reasons, and 35-40% on social reasons.

Writing the "Why This College" Essay

We've now gone over how to brainstorm and research content for this essay, just what most really writing it? Should it be artistic and flowery like the Common App essay can be?

Since the "Why this college" prompt is more straightforward and the discussion count is short, you don't need to contain a narrative grade or tell a story at all, unless you desire to. For instance, if you lot visited campus and experienced a actually interesting course, or sabbatum in on a meeting of a gild y'all liked, this can make for a strong anecdote to brainstorm your essay. Just brand certain that whatever story you tell has some substance, and isn't only a narration of how nice information technology was to walk around campus.

Regardless of whether you use an anecdote, or but swoop right into your reasons for choosing the school, remember these two things that your essay should do. Information technology should:

1. Reveal more than nigh your goals and interests, AND

2. Describe how the school can help yous develop your interests and reach your goals, by naming highly-specific and unique campus resources, both bookish and extracurricular.

Is Your "Why This College" Essay Strong Enough?

Essays business relationship for around 25% of your admissions decision, equally they're your gamble to humanize your application and set yourself autonomously from other applicants with strong profiles.

The "Why This College" essay is particularly important, as it allows you to reverberate on your fit with the school. Your supplement needs to demonstrate your interest in the college, and paint a picture of how you'll contribute both academically and socially.

To understand if your essay is strong enough, we recommend using our Peer Essay Review tool , where you lot can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can likewise improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students' essays. This tool will make it easier to empathise your essay's strengths and weaknesses, and aid you make your writing even more compelling.

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Source: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-why-us-college-essay/

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