What is the best way to end a 'Why Us?' college essay?

When ending a 'Why Us?' college essay, the goal is to leave the reader with a strong, authentic sense of your excitement about the school and how you’d fit in. It’s smart to avoid just repeating your main points or listing more facts about the college. Instead, you can use the ending as a way to connect your aspirations and personality to what you’ve described earlier, leaving the essay on a note that feels personal and memorable.

A popular and effective approach is to call back to something in your introduction. For example, if you started with a brief story about a moment that made you interested in the school, you can close by tying that moment to your future goals or imagining yourself on campus. This brings your essay full circle and makes it feel complete.

Here’s an example: Say you opened your essay with, “Standing in the bustling university quad on my campus tour, I was struck by how even strangers greeted each other.” You could end your essay with, “I look forward to joining in those greetings, contributing to the vibrant campus community, and discovering where my own story fits into the university’s next chapter.”

Alternatively, you can write a vision statement. Imagine yourself at the college in a specific setting: sitting in a lecture, walking through a lab, or joining a student group. Describe what you’re most excited to do or learn, making it unique to the college.

For instance: “I can already picture myself at the weekly philosophy club meeting, debating pressing questions alongside students who challenge and inspire one another—just as I hope to challenge and be inspired.”

A very short, personal anecdote can work if it relates directly to your fit for the college. For example: “As someone who used to organize TEDx events at my high school, I’m thrilled by the prospect of joining the student-run lecture series on campus, continuing my passion for sparking conversation.”

Admissions officers like endings that show you really see yourself as part of their campus. So long as your final lines feel authentic and tie back to your story, you’ll leave a positive impression. Aim for a sentence or two that echoes your excitement, makes your essay feel cohesive, and illustrates the unique match between you and the school.