Nowadays many colleges, especially ones with high reputation, ask for the answers of the question: why is our college a good match for you? Or, why do you want to attend this college? For most applicans the answer is sooo obvious: your college ranks high in U.S. News & World Reports; this school has a beautiful campus and a world-renowned faculty; this college is located in an exciting city.... Wait a minute, did you ever think about why they ask this stupid question?
To answer why they ask 'Why This College', let's think in the admission office's place: what kind of students are they looking for? Highly ranked colleges get far more applications than they have places for in their freshman class. Obviously, the admissions office does not want to waste an admittance on an applicant who is not likely to attend – and they also want to make sure that every student who does attend next fall has thought through their reasons for wanting to be there. In short, they are looking for evidence that you didn’t just toss in an extra application on a whim, but that you truly are interested enough to have thought through your decision to apply.
They’re also looking for clues to your personality, interests, and goals, and how you will contribute to or participate in all that the college has to offer. So, this question isn’t just about why the college is a fit for you, but why you’re a fit for the college. It’s a subtle but important difference to keep in mind as you work on this sort of essay. Don’t just tell the college why they are right for you – also tell them why you are right for them.
Here are some tips to help you tackle “Why This College?” essays: College Application Essay on "Why This School"
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