<p>For a certain why college? essay, I used a picture I had taken while visiting and tied in stuff to that picture. I hope it was a "different" essay that might help me stand out, although parts of it I'm sure lots of people talk about. I also went over the recommended length, but I felt I had to in order to do the school and myself justice. I hope it works! Any thoughts about that idea?</p>
<p>How much weight do you think they give to the Why this college essay?</p>
<p>I know one guy who got waitlisted at Reed only because his Why Reed essay rocked!
I dont know where to start, what to write and I got 5 colleges to answer this why essay!!!</p>
<p>What exactly do the adcoms what with this? They have already heard everything ..... what do they expect from us now? </p>
<p>Is it Ok to write things that are already used or common...what else can we do!!</p>
<p>GOd help me......coz the deadlines only 3 days away!!!</p>
<p>The following is an excerpt from Mari Fagels application in response to the question: What are your reasons for wanting to attend Northwestern? </p>
<p>An aspiring broadcast journalist, she framed her response as a news story.</p>
<p>Senior Exonerates Death Row Convict and Raises Money for the Environment</p>
<p>Northwestern senior Mari Fagel arrived in Joliet one wintry Friday morning to pick up Gerard Jones for a tour of Evanston. Jones had never seen Lake Michigan before. In fact, he hadnt seen anything but the walls of his prison cell for the past 18 years. </p>
<p>Until recently Jones was wrongly convicted of murder. Working with her classmates in Professor David Protess course, Investigative Journalism, Fagel helped exonerate Jones. </p>
<p>A broadcast journalism major, Fagel reported on the story for the Northwestern News Network; she also writes for the Daily Northwestern and the Northwestern Chronicle. </p>
<p>To give back to Northwestern, Fagel has been an active member of her community. As president of Students for Ecological and Environmental Development, she raised $10,000 for the environment at the annual Dance Marathon. </p>
<p>Fagel also participates in Students for Israel and campus Hillel. She represented Israel in last years Model UN competition and organized a Northwestern Quiz Bowl to benefit Jewish refugees. </p>
<p>With that, Fagel excused herself to get to work on plans for Dillo Day, one of her favorite Northwestern traditions.</p>
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I know one guy who got waitlisted at Reed only because his Why Reed essay rocked!
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That's good to know, cuz my Why Reed essay is longer than my personal statement, heh.</p>
<p>I only had to do one of those "Why School X?" essays and it was just a short essay response. </p>
<p>My reason for "Why Boston U?" was pretty much, "I've never been over there before." Haha no joke. My dad's in the military so I've been pretty much everywhere (living in Germany now), but I never got the chance to live in the New England area. Of course I also added some stuff in about their engineering program, but the main reason was that I'd never been over there before haha</p>
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right now i am attempting to finish up my why brown essay..but it is so boring :|
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<p>Mine too, heh. I actually just finished it and I think I did pretty well. It's about why I like the Sc.B/Biology concentration and the options it offers, and what science courses I'd take based on my career choice. Then I talked about how Brown has awesome non-science related courses english courses I want to take and how I'd like to take Arabic language courses...
I hope it doesn't seem contrived or anything...though I did add some stuff about myself.</p>
<p>"I absolutely hate these essays... someone made an observation that mostly 2nd-tier schools require these (so as to make sure that they're not safeties), whereas none of the most prestigious schools do..."</p>
<p>Swarthmore required one</p>
<p>I'm applying to Yale RD, and for the "why Yale" bit, I'm going to try to outline as much as I can and convey passion in 50 words!!! Does anyone have any suggestions? Is there a way to write something as effective as what everyone has been mentioning in only 50 words (the limit on this question)?</p>
<p>BTW, the question is: How did you become interested in applying to Yale (e.g., an aspect of a visit to campus, contact with a current undergraduate, etc.)? Please limit your reply to 50 words or less.</p>
<p>I'm writing this response online, so as far as space, I'm not limited (like I would be on a paper application).</p>
<p>I appreciate any and all suggestions! Thanks everyone! :)</p>
<p>gosh, i have about 7 of these to do...</p>
<p>Hey...why not discuss what type of students the colleges are looking for.....then we can shape OUR OWN UNIQUE essays into something that they want!!! example:</p>
<p>Reed doesnt have intercollegiate sports....so they're implying we need a student who is more bookish than athletic</p>
<p>Macalester: Macalester has one thing conspicuosly popping up....diversity...so I guess it would be a good idea to show that we can contribute to its diversity.....</p>
<p>Hey guys....send in your discoveries at this forum....it will help a lot to everyone!!!</p>
<p>Uh... not to bash your idea... by any means, but: there is no "typical" student that any university searches for. The whole part that diversity plays in admissions is to admit students of all different backgrounds. For example, Reed is not going to reject all athletic candidates in favor of all bookish ones. Their diversity would go right out the window. Rather than trying to mold yourself into some impossible "ideal" that you assume the school holds on a pedestal, it is better to just be yourself and "show how you can contribute to the diversity" of all the schools you would like to apply to. Chances are many candidates will be bookish - so you'll want to come across as different. I don't know, I just don't think that your idea really has much merit.
On the other hand, researching one's prospective schools is a GREAT idea!! If you have some insight as to what YOU can get out of the school and how your passions and interests could be furthered in an institution, as well as how you can further the institution's goals - then you will have an edge in the application process. Most applicants have little or no idea and just rush to get in as many applications into as many "top-tier" schools as possible hoping to get into at least one. I'm guilty of it myself, and it's too late to go back and change that. So in the meantime, I'm going to research well and find out how the schools fit ME and how I fit the schools. I would recommend that. Don't change yourself to meet some vague ideal!!! My two cents...
If I come across anything interesting, I'll still be happy to post it up. Thanks for reading my post with an open mind!! Good luck to everyone (especially those of us that still have some last minute essays and what-not to finish up in the fleeting moments of 2005). Take care!! :) :D</p>
<p>My daughter visited a college that seemed like a good fit and as part of the science presentation, she was able to work in the lab on a biochemistry experiment that just coincidentally ties into some research she's been doing as part of internships at our local college over the last two summers. She was very impressed with the facilities, with the fact that the college is known for this work, and with the professors. Can she say in her essay something along the lines of "I came to your open house with an open mind and I found a perfect fit" and then explain how she could contribute to the research in that field, how much she would enjoy working with the professors in that field, etc.? Or is it not acceptable to indicate that the science open house really connected with her?</p>
<p>Thats perfect actually, but make sure to talk about other things too that make the school a perfect fit besides science and how she will contribute to the college community</p>
<p>There's a "Why Brown" essay. I loved it, it was the easiest part of the application.</p>
<p>Yeah that's fine. Just remember there's a 50 word limit on that short response, so like jhum111 suggested, you ought to tell her to mention the most important and compelling reasons. Don't worry. They'd (that is, the Yale adcoms) prefer to hear that one actually has an interest in the school for reasons other than the fact that it's an Ivy League school. I'm sure your daughter will do great. I wish her the best of luck!! Take care and have a Happy New Year!!</p>
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There's a "Why Brown" essay. I loved it, it was the easiest part of the application.
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<p>I put some work into that to make sure they knew that I knew the specifics of what I wanted to do there... I think the "Who interested you?" was easiest because it didn't require any thinking.</p>
<p>Im paranoid about this short answer. But anyone is this at all what you guys are talking about. columbia asks what i find most appealing about them and why. (there's a character limit, a really low one)</p>
<p>The most important thing about any university is the value of the education it offers. To me, Columbia offers the very best. I am a person that values diversity. Columbia's core curriculum will give me the most diverse education I could ask for. It emphasizes study in the humanities, this is very important to me. Besides the amazing core curriculum, Columbia also has some of the finest researchers in the world educating its undergraduates. These professors promote interaction between the students and between the students and themselves.</p>
<p>No way, I think that's too general. Tell them more than what you can see in the viewbook. Everybody knows that Columbia, and Ivy league institution, will have some of the best researchers/professors in the world and a great education. The viewbook will tell you about a core curriculum.</p>
<p>Redo:</p>
<p>The most important thing about any university is the value of the education it offers. To me, Columbia offers the very best. Although I am undecided in my major, I have a strong interest in both medicine and creative writing. Columbia will allow me to, if I decide to do so, major in English and still go the premedical pathway. Although I can do this at many schools, Columbia offers something others do not. A curriculum that will allow me to take not just science and english courses, but also courses in philosophy and art, so that if I do not want to stay on my current path, I can do whatever I want to do.</p>
<p>Any better?</p>
<p>See if you can throw in a specific class or academic program that would show you've investigated Columbia.</p>