Crafting an Effective 'Why This College' Essay: A Comprehensive Guide
Mastering Your 'Why This College' Essay: A Step-by-Step Roadmap
"What are the key elements to consider when researching a college for your 'Why This College' essay, and how can this research be effectively conducted?"
"How can you tailor your 'Why This College' essay to make a compelling connection between the institution's offerings and your unique goals, interests, and values?"
The essence of the 'Why us?' or 'Why this college' essay is to illustrate, by means of precise details and examples, why you constitute an ideal fit for a specific institution. Additionally, this essay serves as a valuable channel for expressing your genuine interest in a particular college.
It's worth noting that the 'Why this college?' essay, or similar prompts, stands out as one of the most commonly encountered supplemental essay questions in the college application process.
Here are just a few schools that have (or recently required) this prompt:
Bowdoin College
Brown University
Colorado College
Columbia University
Cornell University
Duke University
New York University (NYU)
Northwestern University
Oberlin College
Swarthmore College
Tufts University
University of Michigan
University of Pennsylvania
University of Southern California
And there are dozens of other colleges that ask this question as well.
When it comes to writing a compelling 'Why This College' essay, you'll want to follow a methodical approach. Below, we break down the process into several manageable steps to help you ace this crucial component of your college application.
Step 1: Research Extensively
To create a standout 'Why This College' essay, thorough research is your first step. Here's how to go about it:
Dig Deep on the School's Website: Spend ample time exploring the institution's website. Dive into the online catalog and course schedule to not only identify majors and minors but also to discover unique programs, courses, extracurricular activities, and opportunities that distinguish this college from the others on your list.
Read Expert Reviews: Seek guidance from authoritative sources like 'The Fiske Guide to Colleges' by Edward B. Fiske, 'Colleges That Change Lives' by Loren Pope, and 'The Best 376 Colleges' by Princeton Review.
Peruse Student Reviews: Real student insights offer a unique perspective. Websites like Niche.com and Unigo.com host student reviews. Read several to get a well-rounded sense of the campus atmosphere.
Take Tours: If possible, embark on both physical and virtual tours of the campus. Touring helps you understand the campus environment better. And don't just settle for one virtual tour; explore at least five to make meaningful comparisons.
Connect with Admissions: Reach out to the admissions office and, if available, connect with your regional representative. They can provide valuable insights and answers to your queries.
Contact Current Students: Leverage social media to connect with current or former students at the college. Prepare thoughtful, open-ended questions to gain a deeper understanding of the institution.
Discover the Three-Word Trick: Hunt down a syllabus for a class you might consider taking at the college. It's a goldmine of information, especially the section that details what you'll learn from the class.
Step 2: Organize Your Research
Once you've gathered a treasure trove of information, it's time to structure it effectively. Consider using a tool like 'Higher & Hire’s "Why Us?" Essay Research Chart 2.0' to help organize your findings. Look for specific reasons that connect the school's offerings with your own interests and needs.
Step 3: Decide on Your Essay Approach
Choosing the right approach is crucial, as there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Here are three approaches to consider:
Approach #1: The 'Bunch of Reasons' Strategy: Research a multitude of opportunities at the school and link each one back to your goals. Create an organized essay with a clear thesis and multiple supporting reasons.
Approach #2: The '3-5 Unique Reasons' Strategy: Find 3-5 distinctive features of the college that set it apart from other schools. This approach allows you to delve into personal interests and provide a detailed connection between you and the institution.
Approach #3: The 'One Value' Strategy: Identify one core value or theme that resonates with you and craft a narrative around it. While it's riskier, it can be a powerful way to stand out.
If none of these approaches seems perfect, consider a hybrid approach. Combine a central theme with a few specific reasons that tie back to your interests and needs.
Writing Your Essay with an Undecided Major
If you're uncertain about your future major, fear not. You can still craft a compelling 'Why This College' essay. Here's how:
Include a thesis that either highlights your areas of interest or admits your uncertainty, emphasizing your desire to explore various subjects at the college.
Start with a captivating hook to engage your reader and divert attention from the undecided major.
Three Tips to Ensure Your Essay Hits the Mark
Scan for Capital Letters: Look for capitalized words in your essay, as they often denote specific features offered by the school.
Highlight Your Reasons: Boldly highlight the reasons you want to attend this college. If you find that only 1-3 points are bolded, consider trimming your essay to make room for more reasons.
Connect Everything Back to You: Ensure that every mention of the school is tied back to your personal goals and interests. Clarify why each detail matters to you, not just in general terms.
And that's the breakdown: Three strategies to tackle your 'Why this college' essay, along with crucial insights to equip you for the journey ahead. These pointers should set you on the right path.
Do you have a valuable tip or a burning question? Or perhaps an entirely different perspective on this essay? Feel free to share it in the comments.
Happy “why us-ing!”
Need more help writing your admissions essay, check out some of my other posts here:
6 Common Mistakes in Writing the ‘Why This College’ Essay
Enhancing Your Essay by Showing Off Your Values
How To Write A Personal Statement (Tips + Samples)
Mastering Your Admissions Essay with a Powerful Writing Tool
I hope you’ve found this helpful, and I wish you the best of luck in the application process. If you are looking for more information, please visit my website- Higher & Hire. If I can be of assistance to you, please reach out to me here.
Many Thanks!
Valerie Palmer
