6 answers
Jam
Student
Gilroy, California
5
Questions
Asked
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How should I answer the "Why Us?" Essay in college applications?
I find this topic to be the hardest to answer on college apps. Any advice?
#college #college-advice #advice
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6 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1349
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Jam at first, it sounds like a relatively straightforward and casual question and one that requires a quick one-line reply. Treating this question so casually, however, can be a huge mistake and could potentially get your application rejected. You can be sure that the admissions authorities WILL NOT just skim through your answer. They will read through it carefully and use it as one of the factors in their final decision.
Go through the college website again. Explore the course offerings as well as the extracurricular opportunities:
• What is it about our college that is most appealing to you?
• Why do you think their college is a good fit for you?
• What will you bring to the table?
College authorities want to know more about your academic interests and commitments. Talk about the specific educational, research, and other academic opportunities offered by the college that appeal to you. Expand on this idea by talking about how these opportunities help support your future goals. Whether you are applying to a fine arts program, a physics program, or a business management program, talk about specific opportunities that excite you most and why. Knowing your major is a great way to show that you are interested in their programs. Additionally, refrain from mentioning the geographic location of the school. Don’t say you like that the school is close to the beach or other superficial aspects like the cafeteria is great or they have state-of-the-art dorms.
Hope this is helpful Jam
Go through the college website again. Explore the course offerings as well as the extracurricular opportunities:
• What is it about our college that is most appealing to you?
• Why do you think their college is a good fit for you?
• What will you bring to the table?
College authorities want to know more about your academic interests and commitments. Talk about the specific educational, research, and other academic opportunities offered by the college that appeal to you. Expand on this idea by talking about how these opportunities help support your future goals. Whether you are applying to a fine arts program, a physics program, or a business management program, talk about specific opportunities that excite you most and why. Knowing your major is a great way to show that you are interested in their programs. Additionally, refrain from mentioning the geographic location of the school. Don’t say you like that the school is close to the beach or other superficial aspects like the cafeteria is great or they have state-of-the-art dorms.
Hope this is helpful Jam
Thanks John!
Yasemin G.
Aspiring physician
635
Answers
Updated
Yasemin’s Answer
Hi Jam! I would like to offer insight from medical school applications. Usually colleges have a mission, or values they highlight, if this essay is for a specific college talk about those and how they align with your personality and values. Also location matters too, I think it's perfectly fine to speak about being close to home if you are applying for an in state school, or for an out of state you can talk about any ties you have . Maybe you visited the state or maybe you have family there too, or maybe you like to travel and explore so you like to move to a different state! Also as an example let's say it is a school that emphasizes diversity and that plays a big factor in your values- maybe you yourself are diverse or like to work with diverse individuals. You can speak about this in the essay and show your interest in the school based off of that. I would also like to add that diversity can mean many things, demographics, culture, ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, maybe an instrument you play or a language you speak-- it is not only cultural.
I hope this helps, I wish you the best! Please let me know if you have other questions! Best of luck!
I hope this helps, I wish you the best! Please let me know if you have other questions! Best of luck!
Matthew Eby
Strategic and Operational Consulting
26
Answers
Sarasota, Florida
Updated
Matthew’s Answer
Jam - I think you are going to face this question/decision for the remainder of your life as you make more and more decisions for your self. So let's see if we can create a generic decision-making process to guide us when we are trying to use logic to answer the question "Why them?"
I think we need to answer 4 basic decisioning questions and then summarize the answers. Let's try. Ready?
With respect to choosing and attending a specific college:
1. What are the things that you have now and want to keep when you attend this college?
For example, you like a particular school because it is close to home and your family can visit often.
2. What are the things that you have now and don't want to keep when you attend this college?
For example, you like a particular college because you don't want to feel like you are just continuing high school and they have a great transition program for freshman entering into their college experience.
3. What are the things that you don't have and you don't want to get from choosing this college?
For example, you like a particular college because you don't have any debt now and you think based on the cost and tuition assistance that you won't carry a big debt burden after graduation to pay off in the future.
4. What are the things that you don't have and that you want from choosing this college?
For example, you like a particular college because they have an excellent reputation in the job market in several industries that will carry with you the rest of your life and you want to be associated with that school.
So let's write our response ok?
Why us?
I am interested in your college because you are located near my hometown and I will feel close to my family. However, even though I will be close to home, I know that you take college education seriously and that this is not just a continuation of high school. Your reputation for quickly transitioning freshman into the habits needed for college success is exactly what I need and want.
Also, I know that the costs of going to your college remain reasonable and I'm sure that I can manage these cost within the time period that I am there, thereby avoiding a large debt burden when I graduate.
But mostly, It is the stellar reputation that your college has in the workplace that makes you an easy choice for me. I want to be associated with your college for the remainder of my career and hopefully will add to that reputation as I become successful in my life and career.
What do you think?
Answer four basic questions when making the decision; then summarize
1 What do I have an want to keep?
2 What do I have and want to not keep (or get rid of)?
3 What do I not have and don't want to get?
4 What do I not have and want to get (achieve)?
I think we need to answer 4 basic decisioning questions and then summarize the answers. Let's try. Ready?
With respect to choosing and attending a specific college:
1. What are the things that you have now and want to keep when you attend this college?
For example, you like a particular school because it is close to home and your family can visit often.
2. What are the things that you have now and don't want to keep when you attend this college?
For example, you like a particular college because you don't want to feel like you are just continuing high school and they have a great transition program for freshman entering into their college experience.
3. What are the things that you don't have and you don't want to get from choosing this college?
For example, you like a particular college because you don't have any debt now and you think based on the cost and tuition assistance that you won't carry a big debt burden after graduation to pay off in the future.
4. What are the things that you don't have and that you want from choosing this college?
For example, you like a particular college because they have an excellent reputation in the job market in several industries that will carry with you the rest of your life and you want to be associated with that school.
So let's write our response ok?
Why us?
I am interested in your college because you are located near my hometown and I will feel close to my family. However, even though I will be close to home, I know that you take college education seriously and that this is not just a continuation of high school. Your reputation for quickly transitioning freshman into the habits needed for college success is exactly what I need and want.
Also, I know that the costs of going to your college remain reasonable and I'm sure that I can manage these cost within the time period that I am there, thereby avoiding a large debt burden when I graduate.
But mostly, It is the stellar reputation that your college has in the workplace that makes you an easy choice for me. I want to be associated with your college for the remainder of my career and hopefully will add to that reputation as I become successful in my life and career.
What do you think?
Matthew recommends the following next steps:
Christopher McCann
Inside Sales
4
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Christopher’s Answer
Hi Jam,
Just like you as an individual have your own qualities and characteristics, so do colleges and universities around the world. They have their own unique history, mission, purpose, and ultimately group of people that make up their student body and faculty. Colleges might be looking for you to show that you have done your research on their school and can see yourself fitting in with their history, people, mission, culture, etc. It is important to personalize the essay in a way that shows you genuinely have the desire to attend the school and highlight specific things about yourself and the specific college or university that match up well together. At the end of the day, they want to get a better understanding of who you are to see if you should be there or not. Just be yourself! Good luck!
Just like you as an individual have your own qualities and characteristics, so do colleges and universities around the world. They have their own unique history, mission, purpose, and ultimately group of people that make up their student body and faculty. Colleges might be looking for you to show that you have done your research on their school and can see yourself fitting in with their history, people, mission, culture, etc. It is important to personalize the essay in a way that shows you genuinely have the desire to attend the school and highlight specific things about yourself and the specific college or university that match up well together. At the end of the day, they want to get a better understanding of who you are to see if you should be there or not. Just be yourself! Good luck!
Brayden Reiland
119
Answers
Corvallis, Oregon
Updated
Brayden’s Answer
Hello!
I agree with you, some times those college essay questions can seem easy in the moment and if you had to answer it verbally it would be much easier but answering it in a limited number of words can be difficult. I think with a question like this colleges want to make sure that you are commented to the university for just more than the degree. Colleges want to know that you care about the morals and ethics that they to care about and want the best for everyone who attends there. As others suggested there is no right answer for this and really colleges just want you to take some time to reflect and think really why you choose them as a place to pursue your higher education.
Good luck!
I agree with you, some times those college essay questions can seem easy in the moment and if you had to answer it verbally it would be much easier but answering it in a limited number of words can be difficult. I think with a question like this colleges want to make sure that you are commented to the university for just more than the degree. Colleges want to know that you care about the morals and ethics that they to care about and want the best for everyone who attends there. As others suggested there is no right answer for this and really colleges just want you to take some time to reflect and think really why you choose them as a place to pursue your higher education.
Good luck!
Gregg Tiven
Manager - eDiscovery
26
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Gregg’s Answer
Hi Jam,
This question, in some form, is something you will encounter over and over interviews. The actual answer usually does not matter as much as letting the school or person know that you have thought about where about you are applying and had a good reason. It could be as simple as a specific program the school has that you want to be a part of or an experience you had with an alumni. If it is honest and well thought-out, you will do fine!
Good luck!
Gregg
This question, in some form, is something you will encounter over and over interviews. The actual answer usually does not matter as much as letting the school or person know that you have thought about where about you are applying and had a good reason. It could be as simple as a specific program the school has that you want to be a part of or an experience you had with an alumni. If it is honest and well thought-out, you will do fine!
Good luck!
Gregg