<p>I'm going to be asked this during an upcoming interview for a school I'm applying to (my friend who went to the same interview did). How are you supposed to answer this question [and answer it well]? What's expected of this question?</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>You are supposed to answer the question honestly. Think about what you would bring to the school: Viola for the orchestra? Future leader of College Republicans? Humor? Thoughtful questions in class? The list goes on.</p>
<p>You must have an honest and compelling answer to this question--if they don't think you can bring anything new to the school, why would they accept you?</p>
<p>Or, you could say,"when I make my first million I'll give my alma mater $50,000".</p>
<p>The best essays I've read on this topic have taken examples of what a person has already accomplished or contributed elsewhere (say high school or in a specific extracurricular) and used that to demonstrate and explain what they're bringing to college. Example: I recently worked with a student on an essay where he described his experiences and leadership in Boy Scouts and then related it to what he hoped to contribute to the college. It was much more convincing (and interesting!) than just saying "I believe my leadership skills will let me contribute to the campus community" because it showed he had already done those things. So, find something that you've done or been interested in, and figure out how that demonstrates what you could contribute in the future.</p>
<p>OMG! That's the funniest thing I've read in awhile backhand LOL What if someone actually did that?</p>
<p>Also, it doesn't have to illustrate that you intend to be a major leader, or "force" on campus. I have read an excellent essay where a kid had heard that the school has an annual "Battle of the Bands," and how he immediately knew that this was the place for him. He was a musician, was looking for a place with lots of student-run bands, and spoke of how he wanted to be part of a vibrant campus (these were not his words) with these kinds of student-organizated activities, etc.</p>
<p>jmmom:</p>
<p>Perfect answer.</p>
<p>The best answers to these kinds of questions match a student's particular interests with a school's particular qualities. Come to think of it, that's the best way to approach the whole college application process.</p>