“Why College X” Essays

As you’re strategizing about which essays to write, we want to introduce you to a very common kind of supplemental essay: “Why College X” essays.

As you finalize your list of schools, you can start thinking ahead to what you would tell them if they asked you why you’re interested in that school in particular. It’s a good exercise to go through, because even if you don’t write a supplemental essay on the topic as part of your application, it’s good information to convey in an admissions interview. It won’t go to waste!

WEEK 32 TO-DOS

THIS WEEK

• Brainstorm possibilities for “Why College X” answers. That’s it! This research will pay off down the road.
  
  

THIS WEEK AND EVERY WEEK

• Check your email, voicemail, texts, and snail mail for any communications that relate to applying to college. Read them and take whatever action is necessary.

• Update your parents about what you’re doing. This regular communication will work wonders in your relationship with your parents during this stress-filled year.
  

TIPS & TRICKS

Colleges have different ways of phrasing “Why are you interested in us?”

Is it asking some version of "Why are you applying here" or "Why are you a good fit for our school?" If so, it's effectively asking, "Why Us?"

Northwestern's optional essay topic is a good example. Here's the prompt:

While other parts of your application give us a sense of who you are, we are also excited to hear more about how you see yourself engaging with the larger Northwestern community. In 300 words or less, help us understand how you might engage specific resources, opportunities, and/or communities here. We are curious about what these specifics are, as well as how they may enrich your time at Northwestern and beyond.

What they're actually asking is: "How badly do you want to go here?" If you don't submit a thoughtful essay in response, you're essentially answering: "Not very much." And that's a quick way to get rejected.

If a school asks that question (and not all do!), what they are showing you is that they are very sensitive to who is genuinely interested in them, and they really want to know what specific things are drawing you to that college. For example, you might be really interested in their dance program and want to participate in their dance club. Be specific!

The admissions folks at Northwestern even tell you at the end of the essay prompt: "We strongly encourage a response." Assume that’s true for any optional “Why College X” essay and treat it as if it were required.

What’s an example of a college that doesn’t ask?

Here’s one.

Harvard usually has a looooong list of optional essay topics, but not a single one of them is some variety of "Why Us?" (It's nice to be Harvard; they assume that you want to go there.) You can see those optional essay prompts here, and then scroll down to Writing Supplement > Additional Essay.

So our rule is: You do NOT need to write a “Why College X” essay for a school that doesn’t expressly invite that. But for the ones that do, definitely write something, and make it good.

And if the optional essay question is not a "Why College X" essay prompt, submit something only if it's a strong piece of writing AND it says something about you that isn't already demonstrated somewhere else in the application. For example, if the optional essay question is "Is there anything else you want us to know about you," don't use that as an opportunity to say to them, "Oh by the way can I mention that I received an A+." That won't add anything valuable or new to your application, and you're better off not submitting the optional essay at all.