<p>I think that the right way to write that essay is to mention ISP, but to mention other things he liked about the school as well. </p>
<p>For instance, he could make the whole statement about viewing human knowledge as a continuous thing as opposed something that should be broken up into different disciplines. Then he could say that he thinks thats a reason that he wants to be at NU, and bring forth the example of the ISP as well as some examples of some other interdisciplinary work going on at the university (in clubs/ other departments). </p>
<p>This will show the school that he is interested, that he has done his research, and that he would fit in if he was accepted.</p>
<p>^^This is kind of the tack he’s taken but I haven’t seen the essay yet. He also told me that the ISP has been described kind of like a mini-CalTech at NU, so it sounds pretty intense.</p>
<p>I am so glad to see carolyn’s sage advice referenced here 3 times! While it doesn’t look like she has posted on cc since June, she is a very wise woman and helpful contributor. Follow her recommendations and you will be fine. There are also on line campus tour videos available if you aren’t able to visit the campus. And read the college visits section here on cc. Last recommendation- read the Insiders Guide to Colleges published by the Yale Daily news. It gives a great feel, from the students perspective of what it is like to attend school there. And do your HW-- is there sonmethign about a specific program or professors research that intruigues you? Be as specific as you can about what it is about you that makes you a great fit for the school, and vice versa.</p>
<p>This is all great advice. Here’s something I did when I was applying two years ago. I remember hating these questions and feeling so cliche every time I sat down to write an answer. So, for my George Washington University application instead of writing an essay for the “Why GW” question, I wrote a series of haikus. I used some of the information I learned about the college when I visited (like the funny campus organizations they told me about, the fact that lectures are often available on iTunes, etc.) as well as the usual stuff like top programs in my field, etc. While the information was cliche, the format was a little bit different. So that’s something to think about. Good luck!</p>
<p>From the quick google seach i did, it seemed like a really cool program. I don’t think he can go wrong if he follows that thought process wherever it leads him.</p>
<p>I know that for a lot of college essays, you’re supposed to take a fresh and creative approach. But does this also apply to the “Why this college” essay? Is it better to be innovative (like maybe tell a story), or is it fine to just be straightforward and flat out say “this, this, and this is why I want to go to this college”?</p>
<p>It is better to be creative. Think about it: College admissions officers have to read thousands of essays in the same subject. Most essays will say basically the same thing in the same way. The ones that stand out for delivering the info in a creative (but not bizarre) way will stand out as will the ones that reflect the individual interests of the student.</p>
<p>Example of an essay that stood out because of its creativity. This doesn’t mean write something like this for the college that you’re applying to unless that college is U Chicago, which is known for its appreciation of quirkiness.</p>
<p>the problem with being honest is that, well, you only have one first choice college by definition. Your honesty opinion to the other schools will be something like “yeah, I like that school better, but if I can’t get in there, you guys are nice too”</p>
<p>^Some people DON’T have one first-choice college. Even among those who do, many–certainly, I–like every school on their list for genuine reasons. For instance, I like Macalester because it’s a small LAC that offers computer science and linguistics; I don’t like its urban location, but I have other reasons TO like it.</p>
<p>Something doesn’t have to be one’s first choice college for one to be able to articulate why you’d be interested in attending it. I had reasons for applying to all of the undergrad and grad schools that I applied to. If a person really can’t articulate why s/he’s applying to a college, they probably are making a mistake by applying because they may have to go there.</p>
<p>i have found it chose an activity that took up most of your life in high school, mention how it helped shape you as a person/helped establish your major, and then link it to the activity in college (even if u dont want to persue it).</p>
<p>i.e. </p>
<p>i was on the newspaper staff, loved writing, blah blah blah
helped me decide i want to major in journalism (not rly)
this specific incident changed my life
univ of x has a great journalism club that helps kids learn how to write in third world countries.</p>
<p>I don’t think being “fake” is ever the best way to approach a college essay. I’d imagine that admissions counclers would be able to see through lieing pretty well after reading thousands of admissions essays.</p>
<p>@thefool: you don’t have to be “fake”. You just have to learn to present different sides of yourself- sides that the college wants to see. For example, I have a multitude of interests, but there are certain ones that I think are more appealing to certain colleges (or would just make a better why? essay.) So when writing the essay, I would focus specifically on that aspect of me.</p>
<p>A number of college admissions deans have said that they really hate seing a response like: “From the age of 12, I have always wanted to attend X College. When I had trouble in my biology class, I told myself that I should work hard since it will all be worth it when I go to X College. Yaddah, yaddah, yaddah. College X has such a beautiful YZ building. Etc. etc. etc. I can’t see myself at anywhere other than Q College.” (HINT: when you make a global change from “Q College” to “X College”, make <em>all</em> of the changes.)</p>
<p>Also, write an essay about yourself, not about your impressive aunt who received the Nobel prize. The college will want her, not you.</p>
<p>Writing these essays was difficult for me for awhile. I probably wrote several versions before overcoming “the wall.” I was trying so hard to avoid being clich</p>
<p>one way is to write a day in the life a student at the school. from waking up to your participation in campus activities, to off campus, but surrounding area activities, to going to bed.</p>
<p>you want to say what you can offer the school and what the school can do for you.</p>