How to write a "why this college" essay when you haven't visited?

College Essays
1

<p>So, there are a few schools that I'm applying to that have the "why this college" essay prompt. Now, there are reasons that I genuinely like each school on my list. However, I wasn't able to visit any schools this summer (this is what happens when you live in Alaska). How can I still write a good essay without having any details from a visit?</p>

<p>My plan is to visit schools once I get accepted into them. It's the most feasible plan for my family.</p>

2

<p>I remember from like Umich’s website or something about what your interests are and support how the college can help you explore those interests. </p>

3

<p>I’m on the same boat. The school’s website is the best bet along with possibly contacting someone from the school in your prospective major’s department. They will usually have useful information to tell you. </p>

<p>Look at programs within the school, classes, clubs, google some of its facilities. Look at the school’s overall approach to your major and make distinctions about what you like. You are bound to find something you can write about. </p>

<p>IMO, here are some things to avoid writing about:

  1. location, especially if it’s somewhere like NYC. NYU doesn’t care if you love NYC because there are like 30 other colleges there that you could go to instead.
  2. alumni- it can sound ignorant. Instead of sounding like “I want to go to x school because it produces brilliant alumni such as xyz,” it sounds like “I want to go to x school because xyz went there and I’m not really concerned about how much of a fit it is to me.” This really depends on how you write it.
  3. something obvious, like good student to teacher ratio.</p>

<p>Remember that why x college essays are not asking why you fell in love with the college, but rather why it should fall in love with you. Don’t regurgitate information they already know (see avoid example #3). This is sometimes hard to comprehend because they are literally asking you why x college and it’s hard to incorporate yourself into it. What you really should do is tell the college why you would excel in that specific environment. </p>

4

<p>Take a look at the school’s clubs and courses - these are usually listed on an online, publicly accessible database It would look great to mention one or two if there are any that genuinely call to you.</p>