Many colleges require applicants to write a supplemental essay explaining why they are specifically interested in attending that school. The key to crafting a strong “why this college?” essay is to do thorough research on the institution.
What colleges look for are applicants who can demonstrate genuine, well-informed interest in their school. Generic statements about liking the location or the size of the college simply won’t cut it. Instead, they want to see that you’ve taken the time to learn about the institution’s unique academic programs, extracurricular offerings, and other resources – and can clearly articulate how those align with your personal interests and goals.
The process of writing an effective “Why this college?” essay should follow these steps:
- Thoroughly research the college. Explore the school’s website, visit the campus if possible, and dig into details about specific courses, professors, clubs, and other opportunities that appeal to you.
- Connect what you’ve learned through your research to your own academic interests, passions, and goals. Identify the clear links between what the college has to offer and how you envision thriving there as a student.
- 3. Outline and write the essay, weaving those specific connections throughout to create a cohesive, compelling narrative about your fit with the institution.
How to research a college
The most crucial step in writing a compelling “why this college?” essay is thorough, in-depth research. Simply browsing the college’s general overview or “About” pages won’t provide the level of specificity you need.
Instead, you must dig deeper into the college’s website to uncover details that are uniquely relevant to that institution. Look for information about specific academic programs, courses, professors, clubs, resources, and opportunities that truly capture your interests and goals.
The key is to find details that could only apply to that one college. If you could swap in the name of a different school and the essay would still make sense, then your research hasn’t been specific enough. Every piece of information you include should be tailored specifically to the college you’re writing about.
This level of granular research takes time and effort, but it’s essential for crafting a “Why This College?” essay that demonstrates your genuine, well-informed interest in attending that institution in particular.
Visit the campus
Visiting the college campus in person, if possible, is one of the best ways to gather insightful details to include in your essay. Physically exploring the grounds, facilities, and atmosphere can give you a much richer understanding of the college experience. Pay attention to things like the campus culture, available resources, and overall “vibe” that resonate with you.
If you’re unable to visit the college campus in person, look for other ways to gather information, such as virtual tours or online resources. As an international student or someone who can’t travel to the campus, these alternative options can still provide valuable insights to include in your “Why This College?” essay.
Look for courses and professors that interest you
As you research the academic programs, look for specific courses, majors, or professors that align with your intellectual passions and goals. Dive into the course descriptions, faculty research areas, and departmental offerings. This will allow you to speak knowledgeably about how the college’s academic resources can support your educational and career aspirations.
Example: Researching courses
Alex, a high school senior passionate about environmental science, is applying to the University of Michigan. As he researches the school’s academic offerings to answer the “Why Michigan?” essay prompt, he zeroes in on the courses within the School of Natural Resources and Environment.
Alex discovers an upper-level seminar called “Sustainable Cities,” which explores urban sustainability initiatives and innovations. Given his interest in urban planning and reducing humanity’s environmental impact, this course immediately piques his interest.
Further digging reveals that the professor teaching “Sustainable Cities” is Dr. Emma Thornton, whose research focuses on renewable energy policy and implementation strategies. Alex is excited by the prospect of potentially assisting Dr. Thornton with her work through an independent study or research project.
Additionally, Alex finds a class called “Industrial Ecology” that investigates the design of industrial and economic systems to minimize waste and environmental degradation. This hands-on, solutions-oriented approach aligns perfectly with Alex’s goal of one day working as a sustainability consultant for businesses and municipalities.
By showcasing his research into these uniquely tailored academic offerings, Alex can demonstrate to the admissions committee how his educational and career aspirations seamlessly dovetail with the University of Michigan’s exceptional environmental science programs.
Researching other activities
Beyond the classroom, also investigate the extracurricular opportunities, clubs, and resources the college provides that match your personal interests and goals. For example, if you’re passionate about entrepreneurship, you might research the college’s startup incubator, entrepreneurship club, or small business consulting program.
Plan and write the essay
Start by outlining how you will connect your specific academic interests, extracurricular goals, and personal experiences to the unique opportunities available at the college. This gives your essay a clear, logical flow.
The core of your essay should demonstrate the clear links between what the college offers and your own unique profile. Don’t just state that you’re interested in a program – explain why it’s the perfect fit based on your background, skills, and aspirations.
Throughout the essay, convey your sincere excitement and demonstrated interest in attending the college. This could involve describing campus visits, referencing conversations with current students, or citing specific examples that have captured your imagination.
The goal is to paint a vivid picture of how you envision yourself thriving as a student and contributing to the campus community. Admissions officers want to see that you’ve done your homework and have a clear, well-reasoned vision for your future at their institution.
Example: Planning the “Why this college?”
Why the University of Michigan?
As I research the exceptional academic and extracurricular opportunities at the University of Michigan, several key factors stand out as perfect fits for my interdisciplinary interests and career goals:
Academic Offerings:
- Courses like “Sustainable Energy Systems” and “Industrial Ecology” within the School of Natural Resources and Environment provide an ideal intersection of my fascinations with environmental science, biology, and developing innovative solutions to global challenges.
- The chance to potentially collaborate with Professor Thornton on her renewable energy policy research through an independent study or lab position fills me with excitement.
- Michigan’s strong reputation in the life sciences would allow me to pursue my aspirations of bridging the gap between environmental conservation and the medical field.
Campus Culture:
- During my campus visit, I was struck by the collaborative, interdisciplinary atmosphere that permeated every corner of the University of Michigan, observing students across disciplines engaged in lively, impassioned discussions.
- Conversations with enthusiastic current students highlighted the community’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, from student-led organizations like the EcoReps program to the university’s broader green initiatives.
- Extracurricular opportunities to get involved with the Sustainable Food Program would enable me to directly address issues of food insecurity and promote urban agriculture in the local community.
Unique Opportunities:
- Leveraging Michigan’s robust network of alumni working in sustainability-related fields through the career center would be an invaluable resource as I prepare for my future career.
- The university’s strong reputation for hands-on, applied research in the life sciences would provide unparalleled real-world experience to complement my classroom learning.
Once you’ve compiled a thorough list of the specific academic, cultural, and experiential positives that appeal to you about the university, you can move on to outlining your essay. In the outline, carefully connect the details you’ve researched to your unique background, interests, and goals. This could involve describing a relevant personal experience, elaborating on an academic passion, or explaining how the university’s offerings align with your future aspirations.
Example: Connecting academic interest to a course
As a prospective neuroscience major, I’m particularly drawn to Michigan’s “Neuroscience and Human Language” course. Exploring the complex relationship between the brain and linguistic function aligns perfectly with my interdisciplinary interests at the intersection of medicine and linguistics. I’m eager to delve into this specialized topic and potentially collaborate with the professor on related research projects.
After outlining your essay, you can proceed to the writing stage. The word count for these “Why This College?” supplements is lower than your main personal statement. Admissions officers have limited time to review each application, so it’s important not to exceed the specified limit. Successful responses to this type of prompt can be quite concise – for example, at Tufts University, the recommended length ranges from just 100 words up to 250 words.
Mistakes to avoid in a “Why this college?” essay
Steer clear of making overly general statements, using excessive emotive language, and simply reiterating points already covered in your other application materials. Read styles and tone tips for college essays.
Speaking in generalities
Vague statements like “it has a beautiful campus” or “the professors are renowned” don’t demonstrate genuine, well-informed interest. Admissions officers want to see specific, personalized reasons for why you’re excited about the college.
Example: Overly general reasons
Prompt: Why do you want to attend Duke University?
Response: I want to attend Duke University for several reasons. First, Duke is a highly prestigious school with a great academic reputation. It is consistently ranked among the top universities in the country. Additionally, Duke offers a wide range of majors and programs, which would allow me to explore my diverse interests. Finally, I know Duke has a beautiful campus and great student life, which is important to me.
Analysis: While this response touches on some appealing aspects of Duke, the reasons provided are quite general and could apply to many other top-tier universities. The applicant doesn’t explain why Duke’s prestige and academic reputation matter to them personally, or how they would take advantage of the range of majors and programs offered. Mentioning the campus and student life is also very broad and doesn’t demonstrate a deep understanding of Duke’s unique culture and community. To strengthen this response, the applicant should focus on more specific features of Duke that align with their academic and personal goals, and illustrate how Duke in particular would be a great fit for them.
Overusing emotive language
While passion is important, overdoing it with phrases like “I’ve always dreamed of attending XYZ University” can come across as inauthentic. Balance enthusiasm with concrete details about your fit.
Rewriting your personal essay or resume
The “Why This College?” essay is an opportunity to showcase a different aspect of your background and interests. Simply repurposing content from your main application materials or personal essay misses the chance to provide new insight.