How do you write a strong 'Why Us' essay for college applications?

The 'Why Us' essay is your chance to show schools why you want them specifically—so specificity is definitely key. Admissions officers want to see that you’ve done your research and that you’re not just recycling the same answer for every school. The strongest essays connect your personal interests and goals with very concrete opportunities found only at that college.

Try to strike a balance between academic and extracurricular interests, but prioritize being genuine and detailed. For instance, if you’re interested in engineering at your top-choice school, mention not just the program's reputation, but perhaps a particular lab, project, faculty member, or research they've done that aligns with your passions. Use direct examples: “I’m interested in working with Dr. Nguyen’s robotics team, whose work on autonomous drones caught my attention at last year’s virtual open house.”

It’s totally okay to include something about the campus vibe or unique clubs, especially if those aspects truly resonate with you. You could write, for example, about how the college’s outdoor rec trips give you a way to decompress and connect with fellow students, tying it to your own experiences balancing academics and wellness.

Here’s how you might bring it together: “Your hands-on engineering design sequence appeals to my love of building things from the ground up—in high school, I led our robotics club’s sustainability design project. I’m also drawn to your Outdoor Adventure Club, which combines my passion for hiking with leadership opportunities, such as trip planning and team-building.”

Be sure to relate everything back to yourself: how will these things let you grow, contribute to campus, or pursue your goals? Admissions teams want to see both that you’ll benefit from what they offer, and that you’ll bring something of your own, whether that’s curiosity, leadership, or specific talents.

Try to avoid generic statements like “I want to attend because of your strong academics” or “the campus is beautiful.” The best 'Why Us' essays sound like they could not have been written for any other school. When in doubt, ask yourself if a friend could swap out the school’s name for another and your essay would still make sense. If so, it needs more detail!

Ultimately, the right balance between academics and campus life varies by person and by school. Focus on whatever is meaningful to you and clearly connect it to specific parts of the college. That’s what stands out.