<p>
[quote="blueducky, post:23, topic:10"]
What really set this school apart was its atmosphere. Does it sound phony?
[/quote]
Not phony at all if that's what draws you to the place and you can describe it sincerely. It's not all about the academic programs; a zillion schools offer more or less the same programs. If you were drawn to the school's culture and the kind of people who would be your classmates there, doesn't that say something about how you would "fit" with the school?</p>
<p>Because your are the best alternative to my First-choice college 
haha</p>
<p>I used to think that these essays are really stupid and just a nuisance, but when I started to actually write them, and consequently research the colleges in much more detail, I found out a lot of interesting stuff. I read many student reviews, got a feeling of the atmosphere of each college, whether they were really good in the sphere I want to study, who the professors are, about the extracurricular activities, and many other things. These questions are really useful, and colleges are doing the right thing when they ask them.</p>