<p>From what I can gather many colleges (in the past) have asked questions to the extent of "Why do you want to come to our school?" or "What motivated you to apply to our school?" In fact, schools that I am applying to this year, in the not too distant past asked these exact questions (Stanford/Caltech "Why are you a good fit") but they have since removed these essays. Out of the 10 school to which I am submitting an application this year (Stanford, Caltech, Harvey Mudd, Rice, Wash U, Vanderbilt, UVa, U Penn, Case Western, Rochester) only 2 have actually asked me why I want to go there (Rice and Harvey Mudd). Do you think that this essay prompt is going out of style? I'm not convinced of its usefulness in the application and really wouldn't mind seeing it disappear completely. What are your thoughts/observations?</p>
<p>I think it’s only in one that I’m applying to, I think it was BU that asked. What are they looking for you to say though? I’m a little stumped as to how I can make that into a good, original essay.</p>
<p>We can only hope! I think it is the kind of prompt that begs for a bs answer and everything you can think of becomes a cliche.</p>
<p>Good. I hate giving those ridiculously syncopantic answers. We all know the same old song and dance, why keep pretending?</p>
<p>Some colleges I wish didn’t have them, some I wish they did. It’s useful if you can convey real passion, and annoying if you have to fake it.</p>