How to Write an Awesome 'Why This College?' Essay

The "Why us" or "Why this college" essay is a chance for you to demonstrate why you're a great match for a particular school. In this college essay guide, I'll cover how to write a great "Why us" essay, the most common mistakes to avoid, and some things you'll probably want to be sure you do. as well as a few of my favorite approaches.

📍Timestamps
00:00 – Intro
00:53 – Common mistakes to avoid
04:31 – How to find all the resources you need
07:07 – 3 approaches to writing a "Why us" essay
15:57 – What if you don't know what you want to study?
18:52 – 3 ways to make sure your essay is doing its job
19:45 – Additional resources

🧑‍🎓 LOOKING FOR HELP WITH YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS? 🧑‍🎓

🔗LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO 🔗
"Why this college" Essay Guide + Examples

How to Find and Research Great Colleges: The Fiske Guide (Podcast episode)

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[gmh]

The problem is that for most kids, they decide that they like particular college precisely because of things like the location, the campus, the size, ranking, athletics, the town, majors offered, etc. This is why I think the "why College X" essay is perhaps the worst supplemental essay topic used by colleges as it invites students to write the phoniest of all the phony essays they are forced to write. "I am excited to study thermodynamics with Professor Cohen after reading his article Thermodynamics In The 21st Century in New England Science Journal" even though the essay reader will never know that I found this information via a Google search and the reader has no idea one way or the other whether I actually read the article (I didn't). Essentially, the students who are able to be the most effective BS artists will win the admissions game. And it IS a game.

[AmyTrinnaman]

I'm so grateful for your generosity in sharing your amazing tips!

[madhushriiyengar]

I usually stress a lot about my college applications but when I watch your videos, that stress fades into thin air. Thank you for helping me with my essays and interviews, Ethan!

[mariamawhai]

You are a life saver when it comes to these topics relating to colleges. How amazing, at least we still have a number of choices that allow for time. Thank you very very much for putting these kids through the right methods of doing things.

[counselorqfs]

I consider you my teacher. Learning so much from your books and online content. You are really a good soul. God bless you. Thanks

[jon]

Your sample essays are the best! Thank you Ethan!

[Hermonyyy]

I just finished my personal essay for my common application and started with my supplemental essay and using your methods and tips I am going really fast. If I got accepted by the Universities I choose, I promise you are the only person that I will mention and thank i.e. after my parents😊. Thank you very very very much Mr. Ethan you have made my life easier.(not a lie)

[profbolt]

A video on, "Why you need a scholarship essay" from a particular would very much be helpful...Could you share some tips on how to go about such an essay?

[kalkidanyibeltal]

true your value is JOY and its contagious. I feel a relief whenever I see your courses because the process is scary and intimdatin for me and I'm like "you got all these resources don't give up on your dream." I seriously don't know what I would do without you. I mean it!

[machikr]

I love your cheerfulness and great spirit almost as much as the wonderful insights and tips! Thank you for helping out all those who are writing their hearts out to craft the essays in their final stretch moments!

[Michael-lbhh]

I'm grinding through so much of your content on your Youtube and your website because it has provided so much structure to this entire college application process. As a result, I'm less likely to feel overwhelmed. Thank you so much Ethan !

[nirelleksenasitchoa]

😂 The comparison to a date really puts it in perspective for me! Thank you! This was incredibly helpful.

[hihi-ognm]

You are such a lifesaver!! Every single video of yours is so helpful and detailed. Thank you so much.

[magicthegatheringlover]

I love how a great deal of this video is: it is called a "why this college essay" but don't write down the reasons you are most likely to want that college. Why have I (and I assume most people) chosen the schools I did? The ranking and location with consideration to the weather

[evilgriffing]

Your videos are so awesome because they immediately get my brain churning with ideas for my essays unlike any other tips channel. For someone with only 20k subscribers you put out more useful content that anyone else, thank you and keep making these wonderful videos!!

[pretentiousdelinquent]

This man is carrying every graduating American student on his back. He deserves more love.

[juliagu]

“lowkey” was absolutely used correctly. hats off to the coolest college guy on the internet

[diegoschlussel]

God, you're amazing! In two months I have to start my applications for universities across The Netherlands and I'm more than thrilled to use and thrive with these tips when applying to my universities! Wish me luck everyone 🙏

[shadrackboakye]

I really can't imagine how many people have gotten into their dreams schools because if this guy

[Jayvyn-szsx]

Honestly, you've given me so much great advice that I give you permission to use the work "lowkey" more