<p>My son is struggling a bit on his "Why xyz College?" essays. I've read that schools want to hear not just what the student will gain from the college, but what the college community will gain from the student's presence. S is a voracious reader, a great thinker, contributes tremendously to class discussions, consistently raises the level of the discussion/debate, loves to learn, etc. </p>
<p>I know these qualities will be reflected in his recs and his ECs as well as stats, but what can he say about himself that doesn't sound boa****l?</p>
<p>our son wrote about a very interesting campus visit in his Why Oberlin essay liberally inserting his humorous hell be damned attitude. Twas a fairly good one that took him about 20 minutes to write.</p>
<p>My son wrote about specific opportunities that were well described on one school's website, and how he was planning to take participate in some capacity with the school in that program. That program also met an objective that the school listed in its current mission statement. He was accepted to that school with a merit a scholarship.</p>
<p>Have him write about what he truly enjoys, and the tone will take care of itself. If there is nothing about the school that intrigues him or that he is lookinf forward to being a part of, that will show through as well - perhaps that school is not the best fit.</p>