<p>hi, williams does not ask us for a "why williams?" question</p>
<p>is it ok if I actually send one? I would like to let them know why, I just dont know if they really wanna know or care...</p>
<p>thanks,
lala56</p>
<p>You are correct that there is no "Why Williams" essay. There is no supplemental essay at all. I don't think a "why Williams" essay would hurt, as long as it is of reasonable length and you have good reasons for wanting to attend. 2500 words worth of useless fluff would obviously annoy the adcom. I would look at the word limits on other "Why X College" essays and try to stay within that range.</p>
<p>If Williams were the slightest bit interested in why you chose Williams, they would ask.</p>
<p>They get the information they need to build the kind of student body they want without supplemental essays.</p>
<p>People seem to have differing opinions about this. </p>
<p>The same question comes up a lot on Dartmouth board since Dartmouth doesn't require a supplemental essay either. The opinions there differ as well.</p>
<p>If you haven't sent in your application yet and have time, use a brutally cold eye to go over the supplement you are proposing to send. Does it add anything? Is it fluff? Will it sound just like hundreds of others? Is there another way you can get your points across (by the way you organize your activities, by the qualities you emphasize in your essay, etc.)? If you are supplementing the activities grid with a resume or suplemental activities sheet, you may be able to get your ideas in there. If you just need to get in a few words and they don't fit elsewhere, maybe you could put them in a very short cover letter. </p>
<p>You may find that, by seeking ways to include the information in your actual application, you have greatly strengthened the application and don't need the supplement. </p>
<p>But time is short. So you may find that you feel most comfortable with sending the supplemental essay that you've already done. Just be aware that that approach might hurt you unless the supplement is very well done, concise, on point, and truly adds something.</p>
<p>Probably the reason Williams doesn't ask for that sort of essay is that most people will just regurgitate the school's talking points: "I like Williams because it's a highly ranked small liberal arts school, has a good <em>x</em> department, good athletics, tutorials, winter study, a beautiful location, etc.," which doesn't tell them anything they don't already know. But if you think you have something unique to say, something that would give them a deeper insight into your life and why you would be a particularly good match for Williams, then it probably wouldn't hurt to send it in.</p>