Writing a why essay, often seen in college applications or other similar venues, provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate your interest and fit in a particular institution. This is achieved through sharing specific details and examples about the school and how it aligns with your aspirations.
Understanding the Why Essay
The why essay is an essential part of many college applications. It seeks to understand why you have chosen a particular institution and how you believe it fits with your future objectives. This includes the school’s academic offerings, extracurricular activities, community, traditions, location and so on.
It provides the admissions officer an understanding of your interest and desires for attending a particular school.
Mistakes to Avoid
When writing a why essay, it’s essential to avoid certain basic mistakes.
- Mistake #1: Do not discuss the school’s size, location, reputation, weather, or ranking. These are conventional attributes that many other students might also write about.
- Mistake #2: Do not simply use emotional language to demonstrate fit. Showcasing how you are a good match for the school requires more than emotion-based statements.
- Mistake #3: Similarly, providing wrong details about the school can drastically show a lack of research.
- Mistake #4: While showing some resonance with the schools’ values, paraphrasing or copying the brochures or website language does not carry much weightage.
- Mistake #5: Writing about school traditions that are well- known may not make your essay stand out. Look up unique traditions that aren’t popularly discussed.
- Mistake #6: This essay isn’t purely about the school, it should also highlight ‘why you’ as well as ‘why them’.
Steps to a Compelling Why Essay
To write an effective why essay, you can follow the below steps:
- Step #1: Research – Read about the college’s offerings on their website, take virtual tours, talk to current students or alumni and even the admissions office if you can.
- Step #2: Identify your interests – Identify the skills, talents, interests and passions that align with what the school has to offer. Also consider what you can contribute back to the school community.
- Step #3: Decide on your approach – Depending on your preference and the specifics you have gathered, decide on your essay structure. You could decide to list several reasons for your chosen school or focus on a few strong reasons.
Writing the Why Essay
Once you have completed your research and chosen an approach, it’s time to start writing. Your why essay should ideally include:
- A clear thesis that reflects your intentions in choosing the school.
- Reasons that reinforce your thesis and are backed by specific details.
- An ending that perhaps discusses what you plan to contribute back to the community.
Conclusions
In conclusion, a why essay is an excellent opportunity to share why a particular school is a good fit for you. To stand out, you must avoid common mistakes, undertake comprehensive research, align your interests with the school’s offerings and present your ideas in a personalized and structured manner. With these steps, you’ll be in a good position to write a compelling why essay.