Among the many essays students will write as part of their college application, the "Why Us?" essay is unique. This essay is your opportunity to explain why you are interested in attending a particular institution.
Colleges use this essay to gauge important factors in the admissions review process, like demonstrated interest and overall fit. You should take your time with this essay!
In this post, we’ll go through 5 steps to crafting a compelling "Why Us?" essay that reflects your genuine interest and sets you apart from other applicants.
Step 1: Research the College
Before you start writing, take the time to get to know the school you're applying to inside and out. Thorough research is the key to a successful "Why Us?" essay. It not only helps you understand the institution better but also demonstrates your commitment and genuine interest.
Start by thoroughly researching the college you're applying to. Dive into the school's website, exploring academic departments, programs, and campus resources that align with your interests. Pay attention to mission statements, values, and unique initiatives the college highlights.
Pro Tip: Go more than “one click” deep! If you found information on the very first page you landed on, chances are, everyone else writing their “Why Us?” essay will find it too! Exploring beyond the landing page will give you more to write about and help you learn even more about why a particular college or program is a good fit for you.
Additionally, connect with current students and alumni to gain insights into the student experience. If you can, attend campus tours and information sessions (many colleges offer virtual options too!) to familiarize yourself with the school.
As you do your research, make a list of specific details about the college that resonate with you. This could include:
Academic majors, minors, or other programs that align with your interests and goals
Hands-on opportunities like internships, service-learning, or research opportunities
Look to see if there are any classes, professors, or research projects you're excited about
Any campus facilities or resources that would add value to your college experience
Unique extracurricular activities, clubs, or student organizations
Core values and other campus culture aspects that you admire
Pro-Tip: Plan to spend at least an hour researching each college. The more time you spend researching, the easier your essay will be to write!
Step 2: Find Overlaps with Your College Fit
Compare what you've learned about the college with what makes up your best college fit. It isn’t enough to simply tell a college about their opportunities—they already know that information. Admissions officers want to understand why those things are important to you and how you hope to contribute to campus.
In your essay, you’ll want to highlight the specific ways in which your goals and aspirations align with what the college has to offer.
Pro Tip: Before you can effectively express why a particular college is the right fit for you, you must understand your own academic and personal preferences. Check out this blog post to learn how to find your best college fit.
Step 3: Write Your Essay
Let your enthusiasm for the college shine through your writing. Show that you're genuinely excited about the prospect of attending and contributing to the community.
Be as specific as possible. One of the most common pitfalls in "Why Us?" essays is generic language. Avoid vague statements like "the campus is beautiful" or "the faculty is top-notch." Instead, be specific and provide evidence to support your claims.
Don’t forget to make it personal to you! Admissions representatives can read thousands of these essays each year. Their goal is not to learn more about the institution where they work—it’s to learn more about the student writing the essay. So share a personal story or anecdote that illustrates your connection with the college.
In addition to explaining what the college can offer you, discuss what you can bring to the table. Highlight your unique qualities, experiences, or skills that can enrich the college community.
Step 4: Avoid Common Mistakes
Let’s review some of the usual pitfalls that we see in a “Why Us?” essay.
Writing a list of facts about the college
Telling your reader what they already know is not a good use of essay space. Avoid focusing solely on facts about the college like prestige or ranking. Instead, emphasize the unique qualities that draw you to the college and explain why.
Describing the Scenery
Many students fall into the trap of writing about things that are adjacent to, but not related to getting an education at a particular college. Things like being located in a big city with lots of potential employers, being situated near the beach or mountains, having a beautiful campus with lots of trees and green space, or even having a great sports team.
While these factors may influence your decision, they’re also true of so many other colleges.
Negative Comparisons to Other Colleges
Don't compare the college to other institutions in your essay, even if you’re explaining how this particular college is better. Keep the focus on what makes this particular college special to you.
Using Clichés and Vague Examples
Steer clear of clichés and overused phrases. Always provide specific examples and details to support your claims. Generic statements lack impact—and are probably overused in this type of essay.
Step 5: Do the College Name Test
After finishing your essay, ask yourself if it would still work if you changed the college name. If it would, your essay isn’t specific enough yet and needs more work.
This is not an essay that you can copy, paste, and name-swap for each college with this prompt. Pay particular attention to make sure your essay doesn’t fail the “College Name Test” for a college in the same city, or worse, a college’s rival institution!
The "Why Us?" essay is your chance to demonstrate your interest in a college and showcase how you can contribute to its community. Remember, this essay is not just about showcasing your passion for a college but also about illustrating why you're a perfect fit. Through research, self-reflection, and your unique perspective, you can write an essay that leaves a lasting impression.