unique ways to write "why this university" essays?

College Essays
1

<p>I have 3 supplement essays left, all "why X university"</p>

<p>I've written one of them so far, but its pretty straightforward. The only thing, i think, that makes mine unique is that I don't talk about the generic things others will talk about. I only picked a few things to focus on but I don't know if that makes my essay unique enough. </p>

<p>Anyone have any good ideas to write a unique "why X university" essay? I saw a Northwestern example essay about a girl (majoring in journalism) and how she wrote her supplement as a news article. I thought it was definitely unique but as a science major I wouldn't really be able to write from the same point of view.</p>

<p>any help at all would be appreciated.</p>

2

<p>write a story like you're already there.</p>

3

<p>Saved this info below a long time ago from this site. Don't remember who posted it.
Seems to be dead on.</p>

<p>This same question is likely to come up in interviews, discussions with admissions staff, etc. It's a quick way to judge the applicant's knowledge of the school, the depth of their thought process, and their level of commitment and interest.</p>

<p>Clearly, an answer that shows specific familiarity with one or more aspects of the school (preferably non-obvious) and which ties together past interests with future objectives is the best.</p>

<p>E.g., "Why do you want to attend Columbia?"</p>

<p>Fair: The academics are top-notch, and I'd like to be in New York City.</p>

<p>Slightly Better: The art history program is top-notch, and the cultural opportunities in New York City are fantastic.</p>

<p>Better Still: I've been interested in art as long as I can remember, and have enjoyed studying art and showing my own work in high school. I can't think of a better place to pursue a major in art history than Columbia. Not only do the courses sound fascinating, but it is my dream to live so close to great museums like the Guggenheim and MOMA, not to mention so many small, private galleries. I know I'll spend many hours absorbing thousands of years of art history as well as seeing what today's cutting-edge artists are creating. </p>

<p>(The last may sound a bit sappy, but you get the idea... ) Working in a particular prof, course, or other specific topic would be good, too - if it's honest and fits your big picture. If it looks like you grabbed something off the website that doesn't seem to mesh with your past interests, you could hurt your cause rather than help it</p>

<p>what i did, was write about me, i wrote about my goals and i hoped that by attending the schools i would be on the pathway to reaching my goals from the resources i'd get and the education i'd receive.</p>

4

<p>Get really specific. Name a course or two offered at that school. A distinct program or professor. A unique experience about the time you visited. Use anything that will make the essay stand out and let them know that you didn't just use the same one for all the other schools.</p>

<p>When I wrote mine, I included one specific attribute about the school. I then expanded on that and then talked about my academic interest using some specific courses as examples in my essay.</p>

<p>Just be sincere about it and write from the bottom of your heart. Really answer the question because they will be able to tell if you totally BSed it.</p>

5

<p>Some kid a Penn told me how he wrote about the sci-fi time travel thing where this woman was stuck at Penn and somehow learned all about it and then loved it...</p>

6

<p>so basically a good essay would be a sincere, personal essay that includes specific things about the university that match my interests?</p>

<p>BUT a GREAT essay would be one written creatively yet still incorporating the major aspects listed above.</p>

<p>Oh boy.. haha thanks.</p>

7

<p>the best "why X?" essays are truly genuine. they normally come from people who have been wanting to go to X school since like birth or something and they normally contain some sort of grand insight, something that catches the essence of a school. not saying that you can't do the same with a recent infatuation but for some reason everytime i think about writing a "why Z?" school where Z isn't a school i've dreamed about for years, it just doesnt seem quite as powerful or authentic.</p>