Anonymous
Post 12/17/2020 14:16     Subject: Why [Insert College Name] Essay
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I actually think it makes a lot of sense for colleges to be asking this question. Especially for those that are looking to weed out kids who are just shotgunning to a bunch of schools without knowing anything about those schools.

From my understanding as long as you demonstrate interest and knowledge about the school, you should be set. No need to overthink.


Completely disagree. Most kids need to "shotgun" a bunch of schools b/c the acceptance rates are so low and because it can be a crapshoot. I see this in the metrics but also, anecdotally, from many posts here. The high stats, seemingly perfect applicant rejected from schools that 20 years ago they would have been a lock for. It's shitty to have this the game that they have to play. And then make it even harder.


You are sadly cynical.

I really don't see it as a game. But then again, I did not try to manipulate my kid's achievements and identity to game her way into college.

The school wants kids who will thrive in their community. Contribute, excel, be happy. By understanding why the applicant thinks their fit makes sense, the school may get a new insight or see the future student in new light.

It is best to be honest in this circumstances, and on dates, and job interviews...so you wind up with a life that is authentic to who you are, not curated to impress others.


The above post may be cynical but not untrue. It’s a dumb question.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2020 13:59     Subject: Why [Insert College Name] Essay
Anonymous wrote:But if a relative asked your kid why they picked a certain school, could they not come up with an answer?
By the time they apply, they have whittled their list down from potential thousands.

Yes, your kid does not want to give generic answers like, "it is in state and cheap," BUT they can spend a FEW minutes articulating their rationale.

I liked this because they were not deep (like my kid )

Also, I felt the answers were less judge=worthy (unlike, "name 5 people, dead or alive, you would invite to a dinner party"!)

What helped us were the notes I had her write down on the day of our campus visits. Her impressions of each school were fresh on her mind then. I realize that COVID will not allow that this year, but maybe a kid could do something similar, by noting notes on their virtual tours? What got them excited? (Particular clubs, the new science building or performing arts space, the school's philosophy, traditions, flexibility around degree requirements, the fact that everyone must volunteer?) This is where fit comes into play.

If your kid only chose their list based only on USNWR rank or what their friends think...they may have a problem.


Yes, it's a good idea to mention that you visited the campus either in-person or virtually, and write about which buildings or campus spaces you saw and what you thought of them, which programs they talked about that sparked your interest, any people you met that made an impression, etc. So that they can tell you were "there" and were paying attention.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2020 13:43     Subject: Why [Insert College Name] Essay
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I actually think it makes a lot of sense for colleges to be asking this question. Especially for those that are looking to weed out kids who are just shotgunning to a bunch of schools without knowing anything about those schools.

From my understanding as long as you demonstrate interest and knowledge about the school, you should be set. No need to overthink.


Completely disagree. Most kids need to "shotgun" a bunch of schools b/c the acceptance rates are so low and because it can be a crapshoot. I see this in the metrics but also, anecdotally, from many posts here. The high stats, seemingly perfect applicant rejected from schools that 20 years ago they would have been a lock for. It's shitty to have this the game that they have to play. And then make it even harder.


You are sadly cynical.

I really don't see it as a game. But then again, I did not try to manipulate my kid's achievements and identity to game her way into college.

The school wants kids who will thrive in their community. Contribute, excel, be happy. By understanding why the applicant thinks their fit makes sense, the school may get a new insight or see the future student in new light.

It is best to be honest in this circumstances, and on dates, and job interviews...so you wind up with a life that is authentic to who you are, not curated to impress others.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2020 13:37     Subject: Why [Insert College Name] Essay
But if a relative asked your kid why they picked a certain school, could they not come up with an answer?
By the time they apply, they have whittled their list down from potential thousands.

Yes, your kid does not want to give generic answers like, "it is in state and cheap," BUT they can spend a FEW minutes articulating their rationale.

I liked this because they were not deep (like my kid )

Also, I felt the answers were less judge=worthy (unlike, "name 5 people, dead or alive, you would invite to a dinner party"!)

What helped us were the notes I had her write down on the day of our campus visits. Her impressions of each school were fresh on her mind then. I realize that COVID will not allow that this year, but maybe a kid could do something similar, by noting notes on their virtual tours? What got them excited? (Particular clubs, the new science building or performing arts space, the school's philosophy, traditions, flexibility around degree requirements, the fact that everyone must volunteer?) This is where fit comes into play.

If your kid only chose their list based only on USNWR rank or what their friends think...they may have a problem.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2020 13:28     Subject: Re:Why [Insert College Name] Essay
My kid wrote an essay about why "this school" at "this university" that first addressed what his passion is and how he has developed that so far, then how specific programs, classes, etc. meet his interest/passion and what he can bring to that program. Then it was easy enough just to substitute those specific things in the second half of the essay with the different classes and programs at the other schools he was applying to. So there was a lot of hard work in the first iteration, then quick updates from there. And I don't think it sounded too much like a copy and paste--because he did do his research into each school to find specific programs, clubs, or classes that were appealing to him.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2020 12:12     Subject: Why [Insert College Name] Essay
It proves the students has actually thought about why the school's a good fit? A decent fit?
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2020 12:09     Subject: Why [Insert College Name] Essay
My DD had a good answer, "I'm a biology major and this U supports STEM cell research." At least it's not against it ... like her in-state U options.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2020 11:21     Subject: Why [Insert College Name] Essay
Its a writing prompt. To see how the applicant writes and makes an argument on a simple subject.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2020 11:01     Subject: Why [Insert College Name] Essay
It isn't that hard a question. Why does the applicant want to go to THIS school?

They all do things differently, but it takes a little time to research to put something appropriate together.

If the applicant is writing off the top of the head, they are doing it wrong.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2020 10:15     Subject: Why [Insert College Name] Essay
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP - really? It's called DO YOUR RESEARCH. if you have an informed applicant who knows what is on offer in their possible major of choice then they will have an advantage over your kid who just doesn't know squat.


Every college offers every major, unless you are into something really specific and different (marine biology).

I love how (....) offers such a wide range of classes in (....) and I’m particularly interested in (....professor).

Come on.


Meant to say that applies to pretty much every school,
What’s so unique about that?


nonsense. every college do things differently. do they offer same majors? yes, most do. but that doesn't mean they are all the same. some may have special programs, different ways to implement honors programs...etc.

OR, if this concept is too difficult for you, don't apply to those schools.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2020 09:47     Subject: Why [Insert College Name] Essay
Ironically, the kid who spends hours thoughtfully crafting super school specific essays will likely not have as much time to proof them as the kids who write generic essays inserting one or two school specific details, or if they do take the time, they aren't getting out as many applications
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2020 09:37     Subject: Why [Insert College Name] Essay
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I actually think it makes a lot of sense for colleges to be asking this question. Especially for those that are looking to weed out kids who are just shotgunning to a bunch of schools without knowing anything about those schools.

From my understanding as long as you demonstrate interest and knowledge about the school, you should be set. No need to overthink.


Completely disagree. Most kids need to "shotgun" a bunch of schools b/c the acceptance rates are so low and because it can be a crapshoot. I see this in the metrics but also, anecdotally, from many posts here. The high stats, seemingly perfect applicant rejected from schools that 20 years ago they would have been a lock for. It's shitty to have this the game that they have to play. And then make it even harder.


I understand your point but you would be surprised by how many applicants cut and paste their response to this type of essay and forget to proofread and/or customize their answers. I have seen this at the graduate level when I was a faculty member of a top 10 university and through friends that work in admissions at two top 20 schools who have repeatedly shared how often this happens. As some PP stated, this is an easy way to eliminate applicants, especially when many applicants have similar high stats and as you noted "shotgun" many schools because of low acceptance rates. It is a vicious cycle.

This happens when people apply for competitive jobs--the easiest way to reduce the resume pool is to eliminate poorly written or generic cover letters and resumes with typos.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2020 09:37     Subject: Why [Insert College Name] Essay
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP - really? It's called DO YOUR RESEARCH. if you have an informed applicant who knows what is on offer in their possible major of choice then they will have an advantage over your kid who just doesn't know squat.


Every college offers every major, unless you are into something really specific and different (marine biology).

I love how (....) offers such a wide range of classes in (....) and I’m particularly interested in (....professor).

Come on.


Meant to say that applies to pretty much every school,
What’s so unique about that?
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2020 09:35     Subject: Why [Insert College Name] Essay
Anonymous wrote:OP - really? It's called DO YOUR RESEARCH. if you have an informed applicant who knows what is on offer in their possible major of choice then they will have an advantage over your kid who just doesn't know squat.


Every college offers every major, unless you are into something really specific and different (marine biology).

I love how (....) offers such a wide range of classes in (....) and I’m particularly interested in (....professor).

Come on.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2020 09:34     Subject: Why [Insert College Name] Essay
If you really spend time to research schools, this shouldn't be too hard to write. If you apply schools based on names, rankings, or just other no good reasons, this is a difficult essay.