<p>In these essays, is it necessary to actually name the college? Could you just write about yourself and try to convey what characteristics you have that would make you a good fit for the college, or do you have to talk about the college specifically?
(Because I can't visit colleges, and everything I say about them sounds all contrived and icky and I don't want to just say what everyone else says.)</p>
<p>Don’t think it’s necessary</p>
<p>But you should probably get a second opinion</p>
<p>You are asking if one could write a “Why College X?” essay without mentioning College X by name. And also without mentioning specific traits of the college that could be found through research?</p>
<p>I would worry that your readers could say “This same essay could be submitted to any college.” I would worry that the essay could come across as “Why halcyonheather?” rather than “Why College X?”. I would worry that whatever reasons you actually have to want to go to College X might not be readily understandable.</p>
<p>So perhaps it could be done, but those would be my concerns, things to be attentive to/wary of.</p>
<p>“I would worry that whatever reasons you actually have to want to go to College X might not be readily understandable.”</p>
<p>That’s basically how they are, even to me.
Essentially I want to go there because they have an intellectual environment as opposed to tons of people overly concerned about their future careers, and the weather is the way I like my weather, but lots of colleges have that stuff, and lots of people can say those things.</p>
<p>Well the way you say something can still set you apart from others. Yes, lots of people can say that they like the weather and intellectual environment…but only you can say it the way halcyonheather says it. Make sure that the essay sounds like halcyonheather, you know? :)</p>
<p>My kids had a lot of success with these essays, I think (they got in everywhere they had to write them!). Here are a few thoughts:</p>
<ul>
<li>You might be able to use something about yourself that related to the college as a key point. For example, my D2 attended a very, very rigrous summer program for a couple of years where they went to class or studied for 16+ hours/day (not kidding). She loved it, and for the very rigorous schools on her list she led her essay with talking about that experience and how she is seeking a college like that experience – and that College X had that rigorous reputation. She used it for her top 4 colleges (all reputed to be quite rigorous), but did NOT use it for the other 4 (they would have known it was BS for them).</li>
<li>She talked about specific programs or activities at the college she was interested in. For example, she wants to study physics – so for U of Chicago she talked about their relationship with the Argonne lab as something that attracted her. She loves quiz bowl, and they have a top QB team – so she talked about that. She likes the idea of their scavenger hunt – so she talked about that. Although she did visit U of C, none of those three things were things she learned about on campus (her tour guide had not even participated in the Scav hunt).</li>
<li>She is also interested at art, so at a school like Kenyon or Carleton she made sure to mention that their new art buildings look very impressive (and she had only seen Kenyon’s on paper, it opened after she visited). So facilities are a possible topic. :)</li>
<li>At another school she looked through the professors’ bios online and found a couple that are doing research in an area that interested her. She mentioned those as things she would be excited to explore at that school.</li>
<li>D1 looked over the courses offered in her major and mentioned a couple in her “why X” essay for the school she attended.</li>
<li>FYI, my D2 ended up deciding on a school in California. And we come from a snowy place… but she did not mention the weather in her essay. Not saying it is bad, but it is sort of like small talk – it is what everyone talks about when they don’t know what to say. If you really don’t have anything else to say put it in. But try to find something more related to academics and activities if you can.</li>
</ul>
<p>So in response to your question, do NOT write the essay without mentioning the college. They will notice, and it will not be good for your application. DO try to find things that you and the college have in common. I suggest using Fiske, College P<em>R</em>O<em>W</em>L<em>E</em>R, and reading the old threads out here to look for ideas. Dig through the whole college website. Email with a professor in your proposed major if you can’t visit and ask questions if you have any (then you can mention discussing X with that professor – but obviously you want to have “real” questions). Look for things that tie into your academic interests or ECs. If you can’t find the fit for the essay, maybe the college isn’t such a good fit for you after all.</p>
<p>Do your best to tailor the “why us” essay to the specific college. Mention a program at the college or a department it is known for. They are looking for reasons that you will choose their college over other colleges you are applying to. This is key to their yield.</p>