Post By: COYD Staff
Since this week is essay week, I wanted to talk to you guys about one specific essay question that students have difficulty with: the Why Us? essay. For some reason, students have trouble expressing why they want to apply and attend a certain university. To help students with this question, we must first discuss why this question exists.
First, universities want to know that you are serious about applying. The most selective colleges get far more applications than spots in their freshmen class. So they want to make sure that those who get accepted will actually attend. They don’t want to admit a bunch of students who only applied because their parents forced them to apply.
Second, universities want to know why and how they would fit your academic and career goals and vice versa, why you would fit their university. Like I said in my previous posting, you are unique so your answer to this question should also be unique. Your goals, career aspirations, personality, taste are different from the next applicant.
Third, universities need to see that you have made a big effort to thoroughly get to know the university. The students who excel the most at a university are the ones who utilize all the resources at the university.
So with those three things in mind, here are a few things you should do to get to know each university and so that you can write an exceptional Why Us? essay:
1. Look at the university’s website and do more research
Through a university’s website, Wikipedia page, internet research and college guidebooks, you should be able to answer the following questions:
What is the university’s mission statement?
Do they have an impressive scholarship program?
Does this university have a commitment to the community?
Does this university excel in a certain type of research?
Does this university have reputable professors?
What are the university’s strengths and weaknesses?
2. In the essay, show that you have connected with former or current students to learn more about the university.
If you have the resources, you should visit the campus. Go to previous posting titled What to do when you are on a college visit to learn how to make the most out of your visit.
If that is not possible, you can contact an alumni or a current student. Your own high school might have alumni that attended the university. If not, there are social networking sites where you can connect with alumni or current students. Reaching out to current or former students is the best way to know the university inside and out. Websites like Unigo, College Prowler give student reviews and insights from alumni and current students. Facebook and Myspace are also good because you can find students on there as well. Most students are open to sharing their experiences with you so don’t be shy and exhaust your social networking resources.
3. What is your “gut reaction” answer to this question?
Don’t disregard your gut. The sincerity and honesty could be the trick to writing an excellent Why Us? essay.
4. Show how your academic and career goals align with the university’s strengths, mission…etc.
Now bring yourself into the picture. You should simultaneously show your knowledge of the university with how you would make a great fit at the university.
