Solving the "Why Us?"
By Path Mentor J.K., a current undergraduate student at Columbia University (Originally Posted on September 12, 2019)
In most top colleges’ supplemental essay portion, the first prompt is usually the “why us?” question. Although it sounds like a question that colleges use to flatter themselves, what are college admissions committees actually trying to know about students through this question?
Think of applying to a college as asking someone out. Your application lists your credentials and the essay portion is where you use your voice to explain why you want that person and why that person should want you. College admissions officers know that almost all students apply to multiple colleges. They want to know what students think make their school unique and special just like when a person is asked out, they want to specifically hear what makes them different. They don’t want to hear broad statements like “you’re good-looking” or “you’re pretty.” Along the same line, colleges don’t want to hear statements like “I want to attend an elite university.” Through the answer of this question, admissions officers try to gauge how well students will fit into their school. They are not looking for generalized essays that can be copied and pasted as another school’s “why us?” essay. Colleges are looking for passionate responses of why students think their school is their dream school. Therefore, it is crucial to tailor each “why us?” essay to each school you apply to.
Ask yourself the following questions while writing about “Why do I need this school?”:
Why is this college your “dream” school?
If accepted to this college, what are you most looking forward to?
What makes this school special in your eyes?
What opportunities are presented at this school that no other school presents?
The “why us?” essay is also an opportunity to show what you can offer to the school. You can have all the credentials and explain why you like someone all you want, but if you don’t talk about how and why you are a good fit with them, you will likely still get rejected. Many high school students show in their college applications why colleges might want to accept them (e.g. having a great GPA and SAT/ACT score), but they fail to show what they can contribute to the school. Most of the information that is put on a college application is measurable. Some examples are grade point average, standardized test score, and participant and leader of many extracurricular activities. However, there are more qualified applicants with high GPAs and SAT/ACT scores than spots in an incoming freshman class. Thus, colleges also want to know the immeasurable.
Ask yourself the following questions while writing about “Why does this school need me?”:
How will you contribute to the campus life and student body?
Why are you a good match with this school?
Why are you applying to this school?
What will you get out of your experience at this school? What will you do with it in the future? How will you use it?
In summary, you should view the “why us?” essay as an interplay of what you and a college have to offer each other. Be sure to be specific! The more specific you are, the better the college admissions committee will understand who you are and what you bring to the table! You want to stand out amongst thousands of other applicants. Lastly, write confidently! Although you are the applicant, don’t forget that colleges also need students like you!
