<p>I'm writing my Why Northwestern? essay, and it asks what the unique qualities of the undergraduate school you are applying to are. I'm applying as an economics major in WCAS, and in my first essay draft I wrote about that specific major instead of WCAS as a whole because I really like Northwestern's econ course offerings. Is that okay, or will I be viewed negatively for not having exactly answered the prompt? Any tips for writing the essay? I really love Northwestern, but right now my essay just looks like a list of things you can find on the website, even though I really am interested in them.</p>
<p>Yeah, I’m struggling with the same thing. Can any current NU student/parent shed any light?</p>
<p>I recently graduated from NU and can shed some light. It is good to mention specific econ course offerings, but it is always good to show deeper knowledge. Maybe mention specific professors whose research interests you and how you would relish the opportunity to learn from them. Do you have any unique academic interests along with econ (like physics, dance, philosophy, etc.)? Your discussions should be genuine.</p>
<p>What does Northwestern offer that other schools do not? Every school offers an economics major. Are you interested in MMSS, Kellogg certificate, BIP, other special programs? Is there a specific interest in being in the Chicago area (i.e. having family close to the city). What do you think about the quarter system?</p>
<p>We went to the campus visit and attended the information sessions there. It is very helpful for my D to write the essay.</p>
<p>@impressionistic I’m in the same boat as you. I’m applying to WCAS for econ as well, but in my essay I discussed my appreciation for NU’s dual degree and explained how I can use NU’s location to enrich my prospective dual degree in econ and urban studies. I also talked about my interest in BIP minor and the Kellogg certificate and explained how it will create the foundation for my career in finance. I don’t think there is any “right” way to construct the essay. I have friends who are taking more of a social approach and others that and focusing heavily on location and how it will strategically appeal to their major. I don’t feel 100% confident in my essay, but I think it’s very open to interpretation. Just be yourself and make sure it truly reflects your personal reasons for why you want to be at NU even if they are very specific. Don’t frame your response to what you think that they are looking for!</p>
<p>I’m applying for either chem or bio in WCAS and didn’t talk about the general school. I feel like talking about the general school is just spitting back website/info packet stats so it’s not personal enough to you. But don’t limit your discussion to econ or even academics. Like wildcat394957 said, talk about other interests both academically and extracurricularly. Northwestern knows they have good academics, so do tons of other universities, what’s important is what they have that is unique to your interests and needs no matter how specific. </p>
<p>Also, how long are your essays? I thought the 250 guideline was a minimum…but was recently told it’s a maximum…I sound like an idiot and should have contacted them with the question but now its too late >.<</p>
<p>Thank you all SO much for your help and advice!</p>
<p>ahddha, I haven’t finished yet but I’m going to make sure it’s 250 or less, for the reasons you outlined. I’m not sure if it’s suggested or a max Common App will enforce, but I don’t want to have to edit after finishing my draft because it turns out it’s a max.</p>
<p>Not sure if it’s a max or not, but my friend applied ED and had 300+ words, he was accepted.
The advice is keep your essay around 250, can go over a little bit, 250-300 words probably the best range.</p>
<p>When our kids wrote their Why NU essays (one was admitted ED and the other RD) both focused more on what they would add to the school, and on imagining how they would fit into the NU community, than on listing aspects of the programs that they liked. Not sure what role this played in their admissions, but it apparently didn’t hurt.</p>
<p>I agree completely with MomCares. This is not about telling NU about what they have that interests you – they know they have tons of things that interest you (beautiful campus, excellent programs and profs, proximity to Chicago, etc.). This is about working in what about you would benefit THEM.</p>
<p>Think of this way - you’re trying to court a beautiful girl / handsome guy. Do you say “you have lovely hair, skin, smile, etc that I really like”? Or do you say, “if you were to date me, I could add to your life by …”</p>
<p>Every essay really has as its subtext “what I could do for you (the college).”</p>
<p>Like MomCares, I have a kid there who got in ED. He talked about parts of the campus he loved but then worked it around to parts of his personality, approach and style that would make campus life better, that would make him someone who would add to the NU community.</p>
<p>Personally, I did a ton of research into the website. I did find some very specific programs, but then tied it back to my own interests and related it to how this would be a plus to both me and the university. Of course, much of this is very ambitious in just 250 words. Not a lot of room for creativity either. Just give it a shot. It’s not an ivy league or anything, you don’t have to be near perfect.</p>
<p>Also, I really would refrain from bringing up the Chicago location. EVERYONE is going to say that; IF you can make a personal connection, fine, but don’t generically throw it in there. Really, you can say “chicago” about a lot of other schools, one which being UChicago itself or uic or depaul.</p>
<p>Good luck</p>
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<p>Your apparent impression of the stature of NU cracks me up. Best of luck on being admitted, if indeed you weren’t already rejected in the ED round (I can’t remember). And congrats on your UMich acceptance!</p>
<p>@MomCares</p>
<p>First, I appreciate you resorting to personal attacks.</p>
<p>Second, Northwestern is not part of the Ivy League, if I remember correctly.</p>
<p>Third, I believe I gave the OP good advice on the supplement.</p>
<p>Fourth, I have applied for the RD round; I did not get rejected, as you implied.</p>
<p>Fifth, your post/attack had nothing to do with the topic of this thread, or what the OP is asking.</p>
<p>With regards to that one sentence, I was trying to ease the OP’s stress a bit. Unlike a school like Harvard or Yale, where no one really knows what they’re looking for, NU is not as difficult.</p>
<p>I feel that next time you - or anyone - posts something, that they respect the topic the OP wanted us to discuss. </p>
<p>///Back to the topic</p>
<p>@impressionistic </p>
<p>If you’re trying to also link extracurricular offerings of northwestern to your essay, I think this link may help -
<a href=“- Wildcat Connection”>https://northwestern.collegiatelink.net/organizations</a></p>
<p>“With regards to that one sentence, I was trying to ease the OP’s stress a bit. Unlike a school like Harvard or Yale, where no one really knows what they’re looking for, NU is not as difficult.”</p>
<p>Same difference, Same kinds of kids applying. It’s splitting hairs to pretend there is a meaningful difference between any of the top 20 schools, beyond personal preference.</p>