Stop Writing About the Campus Fountain: How to Nail Your ‘Why Us?’ Essay
If you’re applying to colleges in the US, there’s one question that almost every school will ask you:
“Why do you want to go to our university?”
It looks simple, right? You like the school, you’ve seen the photos, maybe even watched a few YouTube vlogs from students there. But here’s the truth:
The school already knows it’s great.
As Nicole Buenzli from Union College says,
“You probably don’t need to tell us about the beautiful Nott Memorial. I pass it every day. It’s on every brochure we make!”
So, don’t waste space talking about how nice the campus looks or how famous the school is.
Instead, think of this essay as a conversation about why you and the school are a perfect match.
Step 1: Think of the “Us” in “Why Us?”
“Why Us?” doesn’t just mean “Why this university?”
It means why this university + you.
Imagine you’re on a date and the other person asks, “So… why do you like me?”
If you say, “Because you’re popular,” or “Well, you’re hot,” that date’s over.
The same goes for your essay. Don’t say, “Because you’re prestigious” or “Because my parents want me to go there.”
You need to show how you and the school fit together.
Your values, goals, and interests should connect with what the school offers. That’s what makes your essay powerful.
Step 2: Do Real Research (Not Just Website Browsing)
To show real connection, you have to know the school.
Don’t stop at the main homepage. Dive deep. Explore the course catalog, program pages, and student clubs. Here’s what to look for:
Academics
Majors and minors you’re excited about
Unique courses (for example: “First-Year Japanese through Anime and Manga”)
Professors whose research matches your interests
Special centers, labs, or programs (like a Center for Creative Writing or a Robotics Lab)
Campus Life
Check out what students actually say. Try:
Read answers to: “What’s the stereotype of students here?” and “Is it true?”
If people describe the school in totally different ways, that’s a good sign. It means it’s diverse.
Talk to a Real Student
Ask your friends or post online: “Does anyone know a current student at [School Name]?”
If you find one, ask for 10–15 minutes of their time. Prepare a few questions like:
“What surprised you most about the school?”
“What do students really do on weekends?”
“What do you wish you knew before coming here?”
You’ll get real answers that go way beyond what brochures say.
Step 3: Connect the School to You
Once you’ve collected your notes, it’s time to make connections.
Use this simple formula:
A (something specific about the school) + B (how it connects to you) = a great “Why Us” sentence
Example:
“The course ‘First-Year Japanese through Anime and Manga’ combines my love for storytelling and languages — the same combination that inspired me to start my bilingual webcomic.”
See how that works? It’s specific, personal, and shows how your interest and the school’s offering overlap.
Step 4: Choose Your Essay Structure
There are two main ways to write this kind of essay.
Option 1: The Solid, Well-Rounded Version
This is great for longer essays (400–650 words).
You’ll include a few different reasons you love the school — academic, social, and maybe personal — and connect each one back to yourself.
Example outline:
Intro – say what you want to study and why
Reason #1 (Academic) – connect 3–4 specific examples
Reason #2 (Campus/Activities) – connect 3–4 specific examples
Reason #3 (Community/Values) – connect 3–4 specific examples
Ending – how you’ll contribute or give back
Keep asking yourself: “Does this sentence show something about me?”
If not, cut it.
Option 2: The Unique Reasons Version
This one’s best for shorter essays (150–300 words) or for your top-choice school.
Find 3–5 things that only this school offers — classes, professors, labs, or programs you can’t find anywhere else — and connect each one to something about you.
Writing about fewer, more school-specific reasons gives you the chance to share more about yourself and your interests (i.e., the “why you” part). But granted, this option will be harder to write because it can be hard to find things that truly set a school apart from other schools.
Step 5: Keep the Balance
A good “Why Us” essay is usually:
50% about the school (specific resources and opportunities)
50% about you (your goals, values, experiences)
For shorter essays:
75% school / 25% you
If it sounds like a Wikipedia summary of the college, it’s too much about the school. If it sounds like your personal diary, it’s too much about you.
You want it to feel like a conversation between the two.
Quick test:
If you can replace the college’s name with another school and your essay still makes sense, you probably want to rewrite it.
A strong “Why Us?” essay doesn’t sound like a fan letter. It sounds like you’re saying:
“Here’s why this school and I make sense together.”
Show them that your curiosity, goals, and energy belong there, and that you’re ready to contribute something real in return.