Crafting the “Why This College” essay can feel like navigating a maze. Admissions officers want to know why you see their institution as the perfect fit, and generic answers simply won’t cut it. You need to demonstrate genuine interest and a clear understanding of what makes the college unique, and more importantly, how your aspirations align with their offerings. But moving beyond a simple list of appealing programs and facilities to create a truly compelling essay can be challenging.
This guide explores a powerful approach: connecting your core values to the school’s mission and telling a story that highlights this alignment. This method can make your “Why Us” essay stand out, showcasing a deeper level of engagement and self-awareness that admissions committees value. While listing specific reasons to attend a college remains a valid strategy, focusing on a core value offers a unique and potentially more impactful way to answer the fundamental question: “Why us?”
Let’s delve into this strategy and understand how it can elevate your college application essay.
Beyond the Checklist: Connecting on a Deeper Level
Many students approach the “Why This College” essay by creating a checklist of appealing attributes: top-ranked departments, research opportunities, location, student-to-faculty ratio – the list goes on. While mentioning these aspects demonstrates you’ve done your homework, this approach can often sound generic and lack a personal touch. It’s Approach #1, the most straightforward, but also the least memorable for admissions officers reading hundreds of essays.
Approach #1: The “Reasons List” (Straightforward but Can Be Generic)
This method involves listing specific programs, resources, or aspects of the college that appeal to you and explaining why.
Pros:
- Demonstrates research and specific interest.
- Easy to structure and write.
- Covers the basic requirements of the prompt.
Cons:
- Can sound generic if not personalized.
- May lack depth and emotional resonance.
- Doesn’t always reveal much about you as an individual.
Think of it like this: telling an admissions officer “Your biology program is excellent” is good, but it doesn’t explain why it’s excellent for you. What specific aspects of that program resonate with your learning style, career goals, or intellectual curiosity?
Alt text: A student intensely researches college websites on a laptop, seeking information for their ‘Why Us’ essay.
Weaving Your Narrative: The Power of Storytelling
Another effective strategy, Approach #2, involves using a personal anecdote to illustrate your fit with the college. This approach allows you to showcase your personality, values, and experiences, making your essay more engaging and memorable.
Approach #2: The Story-Driven Essay (Personal and Engaging)
This approach uses a personal story or anecdote to highlight your qualities and connect them to what the college offers.
Pros:
- More engaging and memorable than a simple list.
- Allows you to showcase your personality and voice.
- Can create an emotional connection with the reader.
Cons:
- Requires strong storytelling skills.
- Can be risky if the story isn’t well-executed or relevant.
- Might not explicitly address the “Why Us” question if not carefully linked to the college.
Imagine starting your essay with a vivid story about a time you tackled a challenging problem in your community, and then linking that experience to the college’s emphasis on civic engagement. This narrative approach can be powerful, but it requires careful planning to ensure the story effectively connects to the “Why Us” prompt.
Alt text: A focused student diligently writes their college application essay in a bustling coffee shop.
The Value Alignment Approach: Finding Your “Why” in Shared Principles
Now, let’s focus on Approach #3 – the value-based approach. This strategy goes beyond simply listing reasons or telling a story. It involves identifying a core value that resonates deeply with both you and the college and building your essay around this shared principle. This approach can be particularly effective for colleges that emphasize specific values in their mission and culture.
Approach #3: The Value-Based Essay (Deeply Personal and Highly Impactful)
This method centers on identifying a core value that you share with the college and illustrating this alignment through a compelling narrative.
Pros:
- Demonstrates a deep understanding of the college’s mission.
- Reveals your core values and character.
- Creates a strong and memorable essay.
- Shows a genuine and profound connection to the institution.
Cons:
- Requires thorough research into the college’s values.
- Relies on identifying a truly authentic shared value.
- Can be risky if the connection isn’t clear or convincing.
This approach requires more introspection and research but can yield the most impactful results. By focusing on a shared value, you’re not just saying “I like your school”; you’re saying “My fundamental beliefs align with what your institution stands for, and that’s why I belong here.”
Deconstructing a Value-Driven “Why Bowdoin” Essay
Let’s examine the Bowdoin College example provided in the original article to understand how this value-based approach works in practice.
Bowdoin Prompt: Bowdoin students and alumni often cite world-class faculty and opportunities for intellectual engagement, the College’s commitment to the Common Good, and the special quality of life on the coast of Maine as important aspects of the Bowdoin experience. Reflecting on your own interests and experiences, please comment on one of the following: 1. Intellectual engagement 2. The Common Good 3. Connection to place.
The example essay focuses on “Connection to place” and tells a story about the author’s experience teaching middle school students about environmental science using the Passaic River as a learning laboratory.
Key takeaways from this essay:
- Value Identification: The author identifies “place” as a core value, both for themselves and for Bowdoin (given its location and Earth and Oceanographic Science program).
- Personal Story: The essay vividly describes the author’s experience teaching environmental science, showcasing their passion for place-based learning.
- Value Alignment: The essay explicitly connects the author’s experience and passion to Bowdoin’s offerings, particularly the Earth and Oceanographic Science major and the opportunity to study the Maine coastline.
- Specificity (Subtle): While not a list of reasons, the essay subtly mentions specific aspects of Bowdoin (major, location) within the context of the core value.
Why this essay works:
- Deep Connection: It demonstrates a deep, value-based connection rather than superficial interest.
- Authenticity: The essay feels genuine and reflects the author’s true passions.
- Memorable Narrative: The story of teaching by the river is engaging and sticks with the reader.
- Answers the Prompt: It directly addresses the “Connection to place” prompt while subtly highlighting other aspects of Bowdoin.
This essay isn’t just about liking Bowdoin; it’s about belonging at Bowdoin because of a shared appreciation for “place.” This deeper connection is what sets value-based essays apart.
Writing Your Own Value-Based Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide
Inspired by the Bowdoin example, how can you craft your own value-driven “Why Us” essay? Here’s a step-by-step approach:
1. Identify Your Core Values:
- Reflect on what truly matters to you. What principles guide your decisions and actions? Think about values like curiosity, creativity, community, leadership, social justice, innovation, perseverance, etc.
- Consider your academic interests, extracurricular activities, and personal experiences. What values are reflected in these areas?
2. Research the College’s Values:
- Go beyond program lists and rankings. Explore the college’s mission statement, values, history, and culture.
- Look for specific initiatives, centers, programs, or events that highlight the college’s values in action.
- Talk to current students or alumni if possible to get an insider’s perspective on the college’s values.
3. Find the Alignment:
- Where do your values and the college’s values intersect? Look for a genuine point of connection.
- Don’t force a connection if it doesn’t feel authentic. Choose a value that truly resonates with both you and the institution.
4. Craft Your Narrative:
- Choose a story or experience that vividly illustrates your chosen value in action.
- Make the story personal and engaging, showcasing your personality and voice.
- Connect your story explicitly to the college’s values and offerings. Explain how the college will help you further explore and live out this value.
5. Demonstrate “Craft”:
- Pay meticulous attention to your writing. Value-based essays often rely on subtle nuances and emotional resonance.
- Use vivid language, strong imagery, and thoughtful phrasing to make your essay beautiful and impactful.
- Revise and refine your essay multiple times, ensuring every word serves a purpose.
6. Embrace Vulnerability:
- Don’t be afraid to reveal your genuine self and passions. Authenticity is key to a successful value-based essay.
- Share what truly excites and motivates you, even if it feels a bit “geeky” or unconventional.
- Vulnerability creates connection and makes your essay more memorable.
Alt text: A student deeply contemplates and brainstorms ideas for their college application essay, surrounded by notes.
The Hybrid Approach: Best of Both Worlds
If you’re drawn to the value-based approach but still want to include specific reasons, consider a hybrid strategy. Approach #4 combines a central theme or value with several specific reasons that connect back to you.
Approach #4: The Hybrid Essay (Value-Driven with Specifics)
This approach blends the value-based strategy with specific reasons for choosing the college, all tied together by a central theme.
Pros:
- Combines the depth of the value-based approach with the specificity of the “reasons list.”
- Offers a balanced and comprehensive essay.
- Can be less risky than relying solely on a value or a story.
Cons:
- Requires careful structuring to avoid feeling disjointed.
- Needs a clear and strong central theme to tie everything together.
- Can become too long if not managed effectively.
The Swarthmore College example in the original article exemplifies this hybrid approach. It uses “listening” as a central theme, connecting it to Swarthmore’s emphasis on dialogue and collaboration, and then lists specific programs and activities (Center for Innovation and Leadership, Global Health Forum, Intercultural Center, Film & Media Studies, WSRN, The Review) that align with this theme and the author’s interests.
Key elements of the Hybrid Approach:
- Central Theme/Value: Identify a core value or theme that resonates with you and the college.
- Specific Reasons: Include 2-3 specific programs, resources, or opportunities at the college that directly relate to your theme and interests.
- Personal Connection: Explain why these specific aspects are meaningful to you and how they will help you pursue your goals and live out your values.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Path for Your “Why Us” Essay
The “Why This College” essay is your opportunity to demonstrate genuine interest, thoughtful research, and a clear understanding of why a particular institution is the right fit for you. While listing reasons and telling stories are effective strategies, the value-based approach offers a unique and powerful way to connect with colleges on a deeper level.
By identifying shared values, crafting compelling narratives, and showcasing your authentic self, you can write a “Why Us” essay that truly stands out. Whether you choose a pure value-based approach or a hybrid strategy, remember that the most important element is genuine connection – a clear and compelling answer to the question: “Why us?” Start exploring your values and researching your dream schools today to unlock the power of the “Why Us” essay.
