<p>Last week, I was at the top of my game. I submitted 4 apps and was proud of myself. Now I can't even figure out where to start. Right now, I have 3 "Why X?" essays on my plate - UPenn, UPenn Jerome Fisher program, and Northwestern. I know exactly why I want to go to UPenn and the Fisher Program and I have it all itemized in an outline, but I just can't figure out how to start one of these. </p>
<p>Northwestern, I am just clueless. I watched the DVD and corny videos they have on their site, but I can't figure out what makes the school unique. I need to apply there to have a match (I have virtually none), but I can't see anything special in the school (I am going for CS or engineering).</p>
<p>Can somebody please help me get over this writer's block? Maybe I just need to see one of these "Why X?" essays to see how they are structured. Can somebody maybe send me a good example of one for a school to which I'm not applying (see my chances thread)? </p>
<p>Thank you SOOOOO much for helping me out or at least hearing me. I have less than a month to finish my apps, and I shouldn't be spending it writing out rants on this forum.</p>
<p>I don't know, I told a story that started with something I saw during a visit. I've also seen a good essay where the app pretended to be a student at the school and described some of his time there- I'm not sure how popular that approach is.</p>
<p>I had some serious writer's block with my Why X essay, but eventually I just made myself write. Really, just get your pencil moving, disreguard spelling and grammar and how much it makes sense for now. It's sort of like brainstorming- if you just force yourself to get started you eventually will circle around until you find something you want to write about.</p>
<p>I have no clue how to help you with Northwestern- maybe ask some current students what they like? I wouldn't try to BS it if I were you- find something you honestly like about it before even trying writing that one.</p>
<p>Ouch, if you can't find anything at all special, I'd try to find a different match school. Maybe one without "Why X?"- then you won't have to try to fake love for a school.</p>
<p>^Nope, don't. If you can replace the name of the school with another name, then it isn't a good essay. Admissions will see right through it- it doesn't show any real interest and it won't stand out because they probably get tons of it.</p>
<p>(You might already know this, but I might as well say it and be safe.)</p>
<p>Start writing the Penn essays in the middle, anywhere. Fill in the beginning later on, writing can give you ideas for what to say for the beginning.</p>
<p>Well, why do you want to go to Northwestern? </p>
<p>Or, perhaps more to the point: what other match-ish schools would you consider?</p>
<p>I'm not the one to offer advice on match schools.</p>
<p>Have you considered posting on the Parents Forum?</p>
<p>If you do, though, my suggestion is that you not start a traditional "Chances" thread there. Rather, I would suggest that you present the specific problem: here are my stats and I am having trouble finding match schools, could anyone suggest some?</p>
<p>I could be wrong, but I think that you would get some useful responses.</p>