“Why Us?” College Essay Do’s and Don'ts

Sep 29

Sep 29 “Why Us?” College Essay Do’s and Don'ts

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Emily Hokanson

The “Why Us?” college essay prompt is often viewed as the “easier” essay or not as important. Until I started my research this was my belief too. But in reality, the “Why Us?” essay is as important if not more important than the personal statement essay. Former Stanford Admissions officer, Michael Short, says the “Why Us?” essay is so important because colleges already know what they offer, but this essay shows how you will utilize the school’s resources, opportunities, and more. To help you write a unique “Why Us?” essay, here are some important Do’s and Don’ts.

❌DON’T refer to a school’s ranking, prestige, or weather

➔These are all overused, superficial points that admissions officers already know the answer to. This essay is not about complimenting the school, but about showing WHY it is right for YOU. Try to stay away from mentioning these superficial topics and focus more on topics that can’t simply be answered by Google.

✅DO talk about unique aspects of the school

➔A “unique aspect” does not mean a school’s mascot or color scheme. You should be focusing on aspects of the school that you can connect to. For example, talking about certain areas on campus that you can utilize as study spaces or for socialization is much more productive than referring to aspects of a school that can simply be found through a basic Internet search.

❌DON’T regurgitate the college’s website

➔One of the most common mistakes that students make is just researching the website and rewording what is said. DO NOT DO THIS. Colleges know what is written on their websites and they will be able to tell the difference between someone who just looked at the website and someone who did in-depth research. It is especially obvious when students copy and paste straight from the website. That is PLAGIARISM and will not be tolerated by admissions. Yes, utilize the website, but don’t make it your only source of information.

✅DO YOUR OWN research

➔A college’s website is a great resource, but you should utilize other resources as well. You can find information through the school’s social media accounts or student pages that talk about personal experiences at the school. This way you will find more unique information that sets you apart from others.

❌DON’T use emotional language or phrases

➔Oftentimes people will use phrases like “It felt like home” or “I just knew it was the one.” These phrases should NEVER be used. Not only are they super-superficial, but admissions officers have seen them time and time again.

✅DO show NOT tell

➔Yes, emotion in an essay is important, it’s what makes an essay more personal, but this must be done properly. When I say, “show don’t tell,” I mean when you want to tell a college that their campus “felt like the one” don’t directly write that but, show it by describing a college tour you may have been on, or describing the opportunities you will utilize. By doing this you will show the college that you not only want to go there, but you are the right fit for them.

❌DON’T Write a “Plug and Play” Essay

➔The common belief that the “Why Us?” essay is less important leads applicants into thinking that they can write a general essay and change the name of the school. This is a HUGE mistake! Colleges can tell when an essay is general which gives off the impression that you didn’t put in the effort.

✅DO write essays specific to the school

➔ Every college is unique in some way, so make sure you highlight aspects that set that college apart. A good way to do this is by looking into what the school offers and finding clubs or sports that you can personally connect with. For example, every school has volunteer programs, but not every school has a volunteer program specific to your major. Make sure to emphasize those types of details and why it’s relevant to you.

The “Why Us?” essay is not to be taken lightly. It is an important essay that should be well-thought-out! This essay is about you, so make those connections and focus on the aspects of you that are unique. The college application process is very difficult, and I myself am going through the process right now, but with the right resources and advice, we can make it! Good luck writing your “Why Us?” essay!