<p>Almost all of the college applications I'm filling out include a "why barnard?", "why NYU?" question. In it they expect us to tell them why we would be a good fit for their school, and why we really want to go there; why, essentially, it is our number one choice. Well, they can't all be our number one choices, yet that is how we fill out the applications. Honestly, I don't want to go to Boston University, yet when I fill out their short essay asking about it, I'm going to tell them that I do. I'm not writing this for you to tell me not to write that, that it would be lying and that I shouldn't do it, because, trust me, I'm still going to. I'm just curious as to why colleges ask this? Do they expect 100% honesty? I mean they themselves encourage us to apply to a range of matches and safeties - they can't all be our number one choices.<br>
Just looking for some insight here.</p>
<p>They are not asking why they are your number one choice. They are asking why you would want to go there- which is completely different. If you do not want to go there, you should not be applying. I love all the schools I am applying to- reaches, good matches, and safeties, and would be happy at any of them. Yes, I would prefer some of the reaches, but I have very specific reasons for choosing each school and can write about each school's programs that drew me to the college. What is it that made you choose Boston University over a similar quality school like Syracuse, UMCP, etc...? What is it that made BU stick out to you? What is positive about BU? Do you like their programs, social life, atmosphere, location...? If you don't like any of that, don't apply...</p>
<p>Maybe you're just a much holier, more wholesome person than I, but while I have my reasons for applying to BU, I certainly don't want to attend. Do you honestly believe that everyone who applies to any particular college really wants to go there? People apply because their parents make them, because they need a safety, or a financial safety. So sure, I'll do some research on BU (no, I've never even been there), find out what the life there is like, and tell them that that is perfect for me. (Tell me how I could fit in perfectly in both Brandeis and NYU!) Am I going to hell? Probably. Will I be alone? No.</p>
<p>Hey I agree, cool2bars. I'm applying to BU too and I don't want to go there. There are aspects I like about it, but I wouldn't be as happy to be accepted there as I would be at Tufts or Georgetown. So in the "Why BU?" essay, I just talk about the things I do like about the college, but I never say that it's my favorite college and that I must go there or die of sadness.</p>
<p>My parents aren't making me apply to any schools, and I don't need financial safeties. So I don't really have that issue. I am not saying that I am holier than you at all. I think though that you can find things about the school that excite you. I said that my safeties are not my first choices...I will not be happy to be rejected by reach/good match schools, BUT I will be happy to be accepted at safeties. Think about what is positive about BU. Visiting would have helped, but looking online is good too. It is not only good for the Why BU? Essay, but also, if you end up having to go there, you want to have a positive attitude about it.</p>
<p>" Honestly, I don't want to go to Boston University, "</p>
<p>Then don't apply. If you honestly would not want to go to a school, don't use it as a safety. A safety should be a school that you like well enough that if you went there, you feel you'd be happy even though it's not your first, second or even third choice college.</p>
<p>If you have to lie on a college application when asked why you applied, then that's a big indication that you need to find a different college to apply to.</p>
<p>If you think that your first choice college is perfect, then you're living in a dream world. No college is 100% perfect. No safety should be a college that the applicant shudders at the prospect of attending.</p>
<p>i understand cool2bars. I applied to purdue with almost no intention of actually attending (although i wouldnt mind going if it was a last resort). Even with the schools i loved i still felt like my reason for attending didnt sound good enough so i basically told them what i thought they wanted to here and as far as those essays about "what do you think you will contribute to our environment".... seriously how do u not lie on those?</p>
<p>I don't understand how a student can apply to a college and not have any idea about how they might contribute to the environment. </p>
<p>If you really don't think you can contribute to the environment, why bother to apply? After all, if you can't think of a way that you could contribute, how could adcoms? They are looking for students who'll add to their campus environment. If you don't think there's a way that you can do that, then seems that you're saying there's no reason for adcoms to accept you.</p>
<p>and what happens if the school that you "don't feel like going to" becomes the only school who accepts you?</p>
<p>of course we all know ways that we can contribute but everything that i want to say just doesnt seem like its good enough. I mean i cant just write that im fun, outgoing, open-minded, going to be successful</p>
<p>Why bother to apply? Because I need to ensure acceptance to at least one school, don't I. What happens if thats the only school that accepts me? Then thats where I'll go isn't it. It's not rocket science. I hate to tell you but doing something and being happy about something are not really the same thing. NorthstarMom, I'm sorry if you can't understand my motives. I just don't see how someone who I'm assuming has gone through the college admissions process, doesn't comprehend a student applying to schools they don't want to attend. Most people have a first choice school, As I do. I also have a second and third place school. If I don't get accepted to any of those, I would think I would be reasonably (and justifiably) upset, don't you?</p>
<p>
[quote]
What happens if thats the only school that accepts me? Then thats where I'll go isn't it.
[/quote]
but then you'll be unhappy there for four years! :eek:</p>
<p>it's called transfering.</p>
<p>"If I don't get accepted to any of those, I would think I would be reasonably (and justifiably) upset, don't you?"</p>
<p>No, because most people pick backups they actually wouldn't mind going to. Like you said, "it's not rocket science".</p>
<p>ooh unless you want to do that then i guess you'll be fine then. :)</p>
<p>its a lot better to go to a college that u dont like very much than 2 not go at all</p>
<p>terrybhs06 - thank you! I'm going to guess you're going through the college admissions process, and understand that it sucks!</p>
<p>it's not like just because a school is your backup that you're not going to want to go there</p>
<p>"terrybhs06 - thank you! I'm going to guess you're going through the college admissions process, and understand that it sucks!'</p>
<p>yep.... but its not sucking so bad anymore</p>
<p>lol why? just apply ED somewhere?</p>