How to Answer the “Why This University?” Question (And Impress Admissions Officers)

Imagine: you’re an admissions officer at Washington State University, and you have three hundred applications to review for just fifty spots. You’re reading through the responses of these applicants to the question “Why this university?” which is asked in the WSU admissions process. Almost every response says something to the effect of “WSU has great professors,” or “WSU has a beautiful campus,” or “WSU is close to my hometown.” Basically none of these answers stand out to you, highlighting the inability for most students to differentiate themselves from other applicants with this question. And in the college admissions process, differentiation is everything. What if I told you that it is totally possible to write a response to this question that is going to stick with the admissions officer, and set you apart from everyone else in the process? Let’s look at three different strategies you can employ that will help you achieve this goal.

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So what is authentic intellectual curiosity? In the context of a university application, this would come through your essays to the admissions officer as a genuine passion for learning or academia. And when I say learning, I don’t just mean textbooks. Even discussing your passion for intellectually stimulating hobbies like electronics, art, or debate can make your application really stand out in a sea of others. This matters so much to universities because they prefer to accept students who they are confident will actively engage in their courses, research, and even campus life. Curious students are the ones that excel academically and contribute not only to university culture but also society later on after graduation.

Research Specific, Unique Details About the University

Why is it important to know the details about a university? Well, because admissions officers want evidence that you’ve genuinely looked at their university and aren’t applying solely because it’s just another university on your list. I’ll take this one step further: admissions officers also want to know that you aren’t applying solely because of their ranking. Don’t get me wrong, a university’s ranking is a perfectly acceptable motivation for applying their, but it is not a reason that you are going to stand out among other applicants; everyone who is applying to Harvard is applying because it’s a great school. Factors you can research are things like specialized majors, interesting labs, or unique programs that are only offered at this university. Find a professor whose niche work aligns with some of your interests and reference their research or specific courses they teach. Take a look at traditions or clubs that only this university has. Connecting it all together, imagine a student applying to the specialized Energy, Resources, and Environment program at Johns Hopkins University who would be able to mention the annual mock climate negotiation as one of the motivating factors for why they knew this university was for them. Consider the fact that the vast majority of applicants are all providing extremely generic answers for “Why this university?” and how this applicant would stand out strongly in comparison.

Clearly Connect University to Your Own Goals

Simply listing things about the university that you like is not good enough, you need to explain or convey why they matter in the first place. For instance, you should not say something like “I think your electrical engineering program is impressive.” Instead, say something like “I have long been intrigued by the elegance of consumer electronics, and the possibilities of bringing such products to life has directly contributed to my motivation to pursue a career in Electrical Engineering. Indiana University, with its strong reputation in Engineering, thus felt like a perfect fit for me to continue my education in this field.” Discuss relevant personal hobbies or interests that you can connect to campus culture, for example “I can imagine myself among my peers in Heller Field playing ultimate frisbee every Saturday morning,” or “I feel like I would find myself right at home in Bant Library, staying up all night coding the next Instagram with my friends from the Computer Science department.” For a more academic connection, reference a major or a program, like “The more interdisciplinary approach of your neuroscience program compared to other universities better aligns with the specific kind of cognitive therapies for Alzheimer’s patients that I am interested in conducting.” Paint a picture. Show how the university would fit right into your life, but also how you’d fit right in at the university as well.

Show Authentic Enthusiasm

All admissions officers appreciate authentic enthusiasm, but be careful, if it comes across as exaggerated or empty, this can actually backfire on you. How do you make your enthusiasm sound authentic? For starters, be specific. Cite real examples of the things you’ve learned or observed about the university and avoid vague statements like “the campus felt welcoming.” Instead, say something like “the student-led electoral projects in the Political Science department make me much more excited to learn here.” Second, avoid cliches about prestigious alumni or specific rankings. All applicants write about these things and this will absolutely not make you stand out; better to avoid this all together. Lastly, discuss how unique aspects of the university connect to your personality or personal values. Consider the difference between the following statements. “I always wanted to go to the University of California because many people in my family are alumni,” versus “I feel that the University of California embodies an entrepreneurial spirit, which–as an aspiring business owner–resonates with me deeply, and makes me more excited than ever to launch my academic career at your esteemed institution.” Again, paint a picture. Stand out. Be different.

Now, you’re more ready than ever to answer the question “Why this university?” 1) Specificity, 2) a connection to your personal goals, and 3) exuding authentic enthusiasm in your essay. Admissions officers are looking for any evidence whatsoever that you’ve done your homework and that you have an actual reason to apply beyond this institution simply being another option on your list. Show them that you know what you’re talking about and that you’ve done your research. Take the next step in your academic journey and really define what it is that makes you a good fit for your chosen university, and more importantly for your essay, why your chosen university is a good fit for you. Go get that acceptance letter!