Is it appropriate to tell a school they're my first choice on the Common App?

Applying to College
1

<p>The question is, "What attracts you to XYZ College."</p>

<p>Is it fine to say, XYZ is my first choice college because...." ?</p>

2

<p>Doesn’t really matter because one can write that for every “Why XYZ college” supplemental essay one has.</p>

3

<p>Well this is genuinely my first-choice college, and I’m not telling any other schools they’re my first choice. My question is, I know it’s fine to mention in an interview, etc., but is it okay to put on the Common App or is that pushing it?</p>

4

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<p>^I believe you, but colleges probably wont. There are a lot of students who do lie about this so admissions officers can’t really believe anybody. </p>

<p>Probably 15%(its could be more or less) of those essays for the “Why (insert school)” prompt usually state that blank-blank is my favorite school/#1 choice, its pretty common. Tell the school theyre your #1, but then genuinely show why they are your #1. To do this it has to be personal and it will probably come second nature to you. If you haven’t visited the school, its hard to do this. Good luck :)</p>

5

<p>^^And don’t mention it on your common app, it might come off as a bit desperate or with the common app and the alternate version thing, they could think your doing this for every college. Just let it shine in your “Why XYZ college” essay.</p>

6

<p>But it’s not an essay, it’s a space for 300 characters. It’s a paragraph. So it might be hard to sound passionate in 300 characters.</p>

7

<p>^interesting, 300 characters goes by fast. Have you visited the college?</p>

8

<p>Sure have… but whatever, I’m telling them on the Common App that they’re my first choice. Hope it’s not a mistake.</p>

9

<p>Of course it’s appropriate, but you need to convince them. Assuming it’s true, explaining why shouldn’t be a problem.</p>

10

<p>Yeah, I only had 500 characters to express that. I was just honest about the unique things about the college that attracted me there. Specific things that college offered that were unique to that institution.</p>

<p>Be wary of generalizations like “(Name of university) is known for its rigor and I love a challenge!” because that really doesn’t let the know that you know anything about the university, or that you have much interest in it. Showing what you know about the college is a good way to demonstrate that you are serious about this decision, and you are seriously considering attending this university.</p>