What are some tips for writing a strong 'Why Us' college essay?

Making your 'Why Us' essay stand out starts with matching your real interests and values to each school's unique offerings. Instead of listing impressive-sounding facts, focus on how specific details about the college connect personally to you, your goals, and your experiences.

Dig deeper than the website homepage. Browse department pages, student publications, course catalogs, and even club social media—anything that gives you a sense of the school’s distinctive spirit. Pick out 2-3 things that excite you (these could be a niche academic program, a quirky student tradition, or a research center aligned with your interests) and explain why these aspects would shape your college experience.

For instance, if your favorite class in high school was an elective in urban planning and Columbia has a well-known Urban Studies department, you could write: "After volunteering on my city's bicycle safety task force, I’m eager to join Columbia’s Progressive Urbanism Project. Working with Professor X, whose research on accessible transportation inspired my own senior project, I could learn how to bring inclusive design to real-world city planning."

Notice how this example connects the applicant's past experience, their curiosity, and a very specific opportunity at Columbia. That’s the formula you want: Personal connection + College detail + Future goal.

Schools do like when you mention specific classes, professors, or organizations—but only if it’s clear you’ve done real research and your choices are connected to what you want to do. Try to avoid generic statements like “I want to take advantage of your amazing research opportunities.” Instead, name the research lab or mention a project and why it fits your goals.

Also, don’t shy away from mentioning non-academic aspects if they’re personally meaningful. Maybe a student-run community farm, a quirky campus tradition, or a college's commitment to community engagement speaks to a value or hobby you haven’t talked about elsewhere in your application.

Aim for depth over breadth; it’s better to discuss two passionate, well-researched connections than to list ten generic reasons. Ultimately, admissions readers want to see that you’ve thought seriously about why their college is the right next step for you… and why you would be a great addition to their campus community.