<p>i am having troubles writing the why essays. I know I am getting late and I am slowly starting to freak out.</p>
<p>The problem is we, intl students, haven't toured the campus we are applying. moreover, unlike US students we can not truly apply to our fit colleges as we have to take the cost and financial assistance into account. So, most of us apply to colleges where we are likely to receive a good financial aid package. And the list of the colleges for international students like me who can only pay about 3-4 k (at maximum) is quite small.</p>
<p>Now, since most of the colleges we apply are not exactly our matches (both academically and socially) , what should we write in the why essays. To add to the misery, most of us don't have the view books of all the colleges we plan to apply. So, what should be taken into consideration while writing the why essays.</p>
<p>Please help me</p>
<p>PS. I have tried to portray a general international student in the post above. If what I have written offends some body, i m sorry</p>
<p>First of all, why do you want to study in the US?
The colleges you are applying to may not be your dream colleges, but they must be a better fit than the universities in your home country, otherwise you would not apply, would you?</p>
<p>I am sure you did some research about the colleges you are applying to (other than their admission and fin aid statistics ;)). Why could you picture yourself attending those colleges? What programs do they have that you want to take advantage of? What distinguishes that college from most others? (Maybe a special major? An internship program? A sport? A certain social environment?) What would you contribute to each campus?</p>
<p>A good place to start your research is that college's website, which also contains all the information you would find in a viewbook (except for the pictures maybe).</p>
<p>Just do some research on their website. Most universities have their viewbook posted as pdf version on the Internet. To be honest, even a lot of US applicants don't have the chance to tour around the campus, but still manage to pull off excellent Why Essays. </p>
<p>It's maybe too late to talk to current students/alumni. Try facebook, myspace or shoot emails directly to them. </p>
<p>If you still can't write a Why Essay out after all the research, then perhaps, you should reconsider your choice of universities. Good luck!</p>
<p>Since you said you try to portray a general international student, let me tell you that international students can ask colleges for more information as well and they would have sent you their viewbook. It is too late for you, but for other internationals it may be useful.</p>
<p>I did so and certain viewbooks really changed the picture I had about colleges by reading their website. Moreover, from waht I could notice, a viewbook emphasises the overrall image of the college, while the website provides specific information. They both help you form an opinion about the college and help you with the 'Why' essay.</p>
<p>register ur self at acuinfo.com and u get a hell lot of colleges sending emails and viewbooks by post(even good ones like columbia, grinell etc..)
i have atleast 150 to 200 view books of colleges and it really helped me.</p>