Dear Senior,
It has become almost axiomatic that the Essay is the most daunting part of the college application. However, it is not the only daunting part. A simple question often leaves students struggling to find an answer - why do you want to go to our college? For some, this is easy. "I would like to go to Cal Poly Pomona because I am strongly interested in a major in Agriculture." However, for others, it can be hard to make your reasons sound personal, unique, and compelling. "I want to go to Harvard because, um, it's the best university in the world, and, um, I really like law, so, yeah." I'm not a fortune teller, but I can almost guarantee that that will not be nearly inspiring enough for a recommendation. So, my point here is to encourage you to find the real reason you want to go to a specific university. If you find yourself constantly drawn to name or prestige or something superficial, maybe this is not the college for you. Even if your reason is not superficial, it can sound rehearsed and unnoteworthy. An easy way to find a unique reason is by researching the history of the university and its alumni.
Best of luck,
-The Online Counselor
It has become almost axiomatic that the Essay is the most daunting part of the college application. However, it is not the only daunting part. A simple question often leaves students struggling to find an answer - why do you want to go to our college? For some, this is easy. "I would like to go to Cal Poly Pomona because I am strongly interested in a major in Agriculture." However, for others, it can be hard to make your reasons sound personal, unique, and compelling. "I want to go to Harvard because, um, it's the best university in the world, and, um, I really like law, so, yeah." I'm not a fortune teller, but I can almost guarantee that that will not be nearly inspiring enough for a recommendation. So, my point here is to encourage you to find the real reason you want to go to a specific university. If you find yourself constantly drawn to name or prestige or something superficial, maybe this is not the college for you. Even if your reason is not superficial, it can sound rehearsed and unnoteworthy. An easy way to find a unique reason is by researching the history of the university and its alumni.
Best of luck,
-The Online Counselor