How do I write a strong "Why Us" essay for the University of New Hampshire?

For a strong University of New Hampshire “Why Us” essay, be very specific. UNH will want to see that you understand what is distinctive about the school, especially its hands-on learning, strong connection to sustainability and the environment, and the balance between a classic New England campus in Durham and access to the coast, Boston, and outdoor recreation. The best essay usually names 2 or 3 concrete UNH opportunities and connects each one to something you already care about or hope to do in college.

A good structure is simple: start with the academic reason, add one community or campus-life reason, and end with how you would contribute. For academics, mention a major, research center, lab, internship pipeline, or learning model that fits your goals. UNH is especially known for experiential learning, undergraduate research, and programs tied to marine science, sustainability, business, engineering, health, and public service, so use whichever is genuinely relevant to you.

For the community side, avoid saying only that the campus is beautiful or that you want school spirit. Instead, point to something more specific, such as the location in Durham, opportunities through the Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research, engagement with sustainability initiatives, or clubs and traditions that match how you like to learn and participate. The key is to explain why that detail matters to you personally.

What makes the essay strong is the “because” after every UNH detail. Don’t just write, “I’m excited about undergraduate research at UNH.” Write something like, “Because I like turning class questions into real projects, the chance to pursue undergraduate research through programs such as the Hamel Center would let me keep building on the independent data work I started in high school.” That second sentence shows fit instead of just praise.

Try not to list too many programs or sound like a brochure. Two or three well-explained details are much stronger than six quick references. If your draft could be copied and pasted for another college, it is still too generic.

A useful test is this: every paragraph should answer both “Why UNH?” and “Why you?” at the same time.