<p>This might have already been addressed, but I was just wondering how to address the why _____ essays. Do they want something super specific like "I want to study with -insert professor name here-"? Or something more general like "I want to get my BA in ______ from your college because it's one of the most advanced in the field of ______"? Or should I talk about the social life/clubs/surroundings to show them that I would fit in? </p>
<p>Maybe they want some combination of those? Or is it better to focus on one aspect like the unique academic experiences offered and really elaborate on that?</p>
<p>I really have no idea what they want. Help appreciated! Thanks!</p>
<p>The main thing you have to keep in mind with the “Why <em>XYZ</em>?” essay is that it is another way of saying “Why <em>XYZ</em> and not any other college?”.</p>
<p>In other words, they want to know why you would choose XYZ over other colleges. What is it about XYZ that you find so appealing that you cannot find elsewhere? If you know any specific professors, that is definitely a plus! And I wouldn’t focus too much on the social life/clubs aspect as you’ve never spent more than a day or so there—you’re bound to misinterpret the social scene unless you’ve actually spent a significant amount of time there.</p>
<p>Another thing to keep in mind is that it’s not all about what the college will do for you—try to include some stuff about what you think you will do to benefit the college (research a specific topic, join a particular program, etc).</p>
<p>I want to study with -insert professor name here- <---- not really</p>
<p>Or something more general like “I want to get my BA in ______ from your college because it’s one of the most advanced in the field of ______” <— HELL NO</p>
<p>Actually do some (but not too much) research on the school. The reason I say “not too much” is that in the end you will find every school is virtually the same (yeah I am generalizing a bit but just go with it). I mean, which school does not have “good and plentiful research facilities/opportunities,” “enthusiastic and learned staff,” “variety of classes,” “awsome clubs, events, parties,” “great social life (multi-cultural),” and “great job outlook”? So maybe just review their webpages and see what they boast, where they place their perks. Say, for example, I learned Penn boasts its one-university policy and interdisciplinary curriculum, so I gear my essay that way. I wrote how I was an IB diploma student and how experiences like ToK and EE really granted cohesiveness to the various classes I have taken, and how my philosophy, IB’s philosophy, and Penn’s philosophy are similar. I concluded with Penn being “a natural next step” for me in my education and that it will further my many academic interests.</p>
<p>So, to sum up, do not be general, but do not look too hard. Focus on a couple aspects (do not be shallow essentially). Make sure you mention why you want to go to a specific university, and why a specific university would want you (i.e. mention what you can bring to the academic/social life).</p>
<p>you could focus on the programs offered or maybe a specific area of interest that that school is known for. just avoid what is obvious. other than that i would love to know anything else</p>
<p>Well it seems that most top schools share the same liberal arts philosophy, so I’m not too sure about how to make that part unique. </p>
<p>I really want to focus on the academics, but as you said, they all seem to be pretty similar. I’m just not sure on how to really connect with the school without being general. I have already researched their programs, social life, academics, etc. but most schools don’t really offer any REALLY special programs that you can’t get at another top level college. </p>
<p>Also, I shouldn’t be so specific as to say “I want to study with -insert professor name here”? How about something like “I’m interested in the -insert program name here- and research opportunities of -insert department name here-”? For example, my friend got an interesting research opportunity at Yale’s psychology department, and I was thinking something like that for a why essay. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>It’s not so much what is really unique about a place – as I said nothing ends up being unique. It is about what the university THINKS is unique about THEIR place. So if you see on the admissions page the first line reads “We offer BLAH,” then go with BLAH.</p>
<p>The example you gave it good. The reason I say no “Why Who” is because come on, what do you know about a professor? Besides, I can assure you chances are the admissions officers will have no clue whatsoever as to who you are talking about. (My advisor, a maths professor, does not know almost all the profs who are teaching freshman physics this year.)</p>