Whether you’re applying to college or getting ready to graduate high school, writing essays is part of the learning process. Each essay you write gets better and more complex, and eventually you’ll find yourself writing papers that require research, analysis, and supporting evidence. Writing about your school experience can be a fun way to share something personal with the admissions committee. Using your experience as a basis for an essay can also help you develop a deeper understanding of a topic or issue.
A common school essay is the “why this school?” essay, which asks you to talk about a specific aspect of the school’s culture or community that resonates with you. It can be tempting to begin this essay with a strong anecdote, but remember that schools are more interested in why you want to attend their school than they are in hearing about your impressive accomplishments. If you don’t feel a genuine connection between your goals and the school’s offerings, it’s likely that a) you wouldn’t be happy there anyway, and b) you won’t contribute much to campus life if you were accepted.
The best “why this school?” essays have a clear theme and follow a logical structure. Begin with an introduction that clearly states your main goal and why you’re interested in the school (a good place for an anecdote). Then use the body paragraphs to discuss different aspects of the university culture that interest you (like the tight-knit community or emphasis on community service) and how those things connect back to your goals. Finally, wrap up your essay with a conclusion that reaffirms your goal and explains how the university can help you achieve it.
For example, if you’re writing about a particular class, professor, or extracurricular activity, be sure to include a detailed description of what you learned from it. Also, try to avoid cramming too many different themes into the same essay. This can confuse and overwhelm the reader.
If you’re arguing about a specific issue, such as gender inequality or racism, be sure to use examples from literature, history, and your own experiences. This will help you develop a more convincing argument and will show that you’ve thought about the issue carefully.
The most important thing to remember when writing an essay is that the admissions committee has read every essay they’ve ever seen before. They’re looking for something new. Show them what makes you unique and interesting, and they’ll be more inclined to accept your application.
If you have questions about how to approach the school essay, contact an experienced CollegeVine counselor for guidance! Our experts are here to answer your questions and help you write an essay that will stand out. Get started today. Just fill out the form below to request your free consultation.
