<p>So I've noticed that many, many colleges on my list have essay questions that, though differently worded, all boil down to "Why do you want to go to Duke/Notre Dame/Emory/whatever?" I am finding it very difficult to write an interesting essay here; they all seem to end up having the same premise, only different names because they are different schools. </p>
<p>Do schools want a typical, boring answer (that indicates research, of course) or an interesting one. What interesting options are there?</p>
<p>picture yourself at x college. pretend that you have a day to spend there. imagine what it would be like. what would you be majoring? what would the environment be like? how are the students/professors? what would x college have to offer YOU?</p>
<p>I'm cutting and pasting this from another thread. Sorry.</p>
<p>Some colleges care very, very much about the interest that you show. Harvard and schools like that don't because they have such fantastic yields anyway. Colleges out of the very top don't because they don't care that much about yields. State schools don't because they see themselves as viable alternatives to the ivies because of price. The colleges that do care are just out of the top 12 and do not want to be considered safety schools for any of the top 12. Schools like that are Wash U, Tufts, Emory and so on. Showing interest at Emory is critical. Try to visit, try to interview, go to local presentations, and order the dvd tour.</p>
<p>This is where the "Why I want to attend" essay is important. Do some research and find specific names of programs available at the school. For example, if you are applying at Emory in political science, mention the Jimmy Carter center at the school. Go thru the website and mention very specific things about the college. The essay can not be totally generic.</p>