<p>Is is a good/bad/insignificant to mention the college you're applying to in the essay. Like at the conclusion, say something in the line of "So, this is why I have decided to apply to Harvard." (Not so bluntly, obviously) Of course, the names will be changed, since common application is used (I don't want to send an essay to Yale that says Harvard!).</p>
<p>DON'T DO IT. It's just risky because even if you are very conscious about not sending the essay to a school not mentioned, you might end up sending it.</p>
<p>Also, I think this year the common application does not allow you to alter the main essay after it has been submitted...</p>
<p>If it's a "Why Harvard" essay, you should probably mention Harvard.</p>
<p>I would advise against this, colleges know its a common app and that youre just changing around the wording for each college.</p>
<p>Ok, that's exactly what I needed know. Thanks guys. I just thought that it might be good to drive home the point at the end, but I guess not.</p>
<p>There's always a risk of screwup by mentioning the wrong school, but it won't happen if you are careful.</p>
<p>I don't think there's much benefit in a generic "that's why I think Harvard would be a great fit" if the same essay fits most of the other colleges you are applying to.</p>
<p>If you want to leverage the essay for the school, make it relate to that college in ways that don't apply to other schools... whether it's their storied economics program, their tradition of building ethics into all topics, or anything else. If your essay shows you really see how you fit in the school (and that you understand what they are about) you might see a real benefit. Good luck!</p>
<p>yeah, I decided, since Harvard is my number one, I'm going to write a special one for it.
I know this is kind of off-topic, but I have another small question. I guess I can do this since I'm the OP lol.
The essay directions tell me to please keep it under 500 words. If I go over maybe 10 or 20 words, is that okay? Or will they start getting annoyed with anything 501 and over?</p>
<p>The prompt for mine is "why are you selecting this major/field of study?"</p>
<p>Should I mention the school in it? I already have, and mentioned the school's research, and how excited I am about participating in research at the school.</p>
<p>If the directions state a maximum word limit and you exceed that word limit you are indicating that you can't follow simple directions or that you think the directions don't apply to you. Either way you look bad.</p>
<p>OP, they aren't a stickler for words. They don't haev time to count words.
HOWEVER, that doesn't mean you should write a 700 word essay, but going over "10 or 20 words" certainly will not hurt you.</p>
<p>Theotherguy-If you're using the common app, you may want to follow the above mentioned advice from the other posters. If you specifically mention what that specific school offers to you for your major, make sure you tie it into why you want to major in that field....I think the question is less of "why this school" and more of "why you nat to be a/an (insert here) So it's more about ebing specific to yourself, not the school</p>
<p>Hope that made sense lol</p>