How much variance could there possibly be for writing each college's "Why Us" essay?

I am currently writing “Why Us” essays for 3 of my top schools (UofM, UPenn, UChicago). When I finished writing my first one in about 3-4 hours and started to move on, I realized that there wasn’t that much uniqueness in my first essay aside from mentioning some specifics about the school’s environment and experiences touring it. As I am writing my other two, there is honestly not much variance in talking about my passions/major, each school’s core values, curriculum, type of students, buildings, support for personal interests, etc…

What else do I add? How do I make each one stand out more aside from randomly plugging in specific names or terms to the school (that seems cheap tbh)? I love and would love to go to these schools, but I really am at a loss in describing their different qualities.

Thank you!!

Don’t randomly plug in stuff, but rather do more research about what that school has that no other does and your thoughts. Because at the end of the day, a lot of the schools are the same or similar on the fronts you mentioned. But why did you pick that school in particular? Do you really know the school?

That’s really a question you need to answer for yourself.

If there really wasn’t that much variance from one school to the next, wouldn’t every senior in the country be applying to the same schools?

Look at the mission statements for each school. I Bet they are different. See how you can apply that to yourself. Also did you email or meet with a professor? If you did maybe that person gave you a greater appreciation for said school. If you didn’t email a professor… do so Monday. Always nice to add in an essay that Professor X influenced your decision somehow. Plus it makes it that you did your own research for the school. Maybe look at the courses and find something unique from each school that is taught and speak to that. I know U of C and Michigan will like that. U of C and Michigan are also vastly different in almost every way. Why would you choose Michigan over U of Chicago? That alone should help you create something different.

My son wrote more about what types of people he wanted to be surrounded by. Intellectual, curious, driven, striving to be their best and helping him become his best etc. For Michigan don’t put down you can see yourself standing in the middle of the diag… Like everyone does that. But if you say you are looking forward to hot fudge chocolate chip shakes from Pizza Bob’s on state street (can’t wait to take my son back soon) they will know you know something specific about campus.

Also how will you become involved in their community? What can you add to their worth?

I struggle with this as well.

If your essays for the 3 schools resonate each other, its probably generic. Start over. Its normal. I am on my 9th edition NU and 6th edition Michigan.

Reasons dont need to be obvious, they just need to be sincere and deep.

I sound like I know what I am doing right? Hardly. But its good to know I am not the only one.

Everyone says “Write about the little things you love about these schools, and make it fun.”

Thats like Lebron James saying “to dunk, you jump higher than your defender…”

My kids wrote about facilities or special programs at the schools, strength in majors, specific things they’d noticed when visiting, and ECs that looked interesting. One mentioned the great coconut cake in the cafeteria they ate in. Both mentioned aspects of the school that they felt matched their personality. If you can’t come up with anything specific to say, then you have to ask yourself if you are just going on name brand or prestige vs. really understanding if the school is a fit for you.

Your essay should speak to how the school is a great fit for you. So yes, you can mention specifics about the school itself, but also focus on specifics about you that make it the right fit for you specifically. What about them is different from other schools that most people would consider similar?