The "Why (School)" Essay

<p>How do you approach the essay about why you'd like to attend a school? It's typically a short essay, and the answer can be so generic. One piece of advice I've seen is to try to make the answer as school-specific as possible. Ay other advice?</p>

<p>I think you got very good advice. Schools who ask this question want to make sure that you are aware of their unique qualities and that those qualities are something that you are seeking. It could be that you are attracted to the strength of a particular department, that you like the specific academic structure or the type of student that goes there. What you DON’T want to do is talk about how much you love going to football games when the school you are applying to has not FB team. Or how you really want to major in engineering when the school doesn’t have that major. You get the idea. </p>

<p>Your best bet is to know enough about the school to be able to explain in a couple of paragraphs why you are attracted to that particular school.</p>

<p>shennie is right on. Place yourself in the shoes of the application readers. Does this kid have the faintest idea of our college community and its mission? Is this kid thoughtful? Is this kid a goof-off?</p>

<p>It won’t rock the world but it will be a small measure of you as a viable potential member of their community.</p>