The most crucial part of applying to overseas universities lies in essays. When applying to U.S. universities, students are required to submit a Personal Statement, and many schools also require Supplemental Essays to better understand an applicant’s motivations for choosing a particular school or major. Among these, the "Why School" and "Why Major" essays are key evaluation components. These essays should include personal experiences, academic interests, and motivations for applying to a specific school or program. While the two prompts may seem similar, they have distinct focuses:

• “Why School” essays emphasize how a student’s overall academic background influences their choice of university.

• “Why Major” essays highlight the student’s passion for a particular academic field.

To write an effective admissions essay, concise and clear language is essential. Below are some key writing strategies for the Why School and Why Major essays:

 

Principles for the Why School Essay

 

✔ Provide a Holistic Explanation – The "Why School" essay should focus on the reasons behind applying to a specific university. Students should describe their high school coursework, projects, extracurricular activities, internships, and passion for a particular academic field to demonstrate how these experiences have connected them with the school, leading them to apply.

 

✔ Do Your Research – Next, you should elaborate on why you want to apply to that particular university. A strong essay requires thorough research on the university. Before writing, students should explore the school's website to identify specific courses, clubs, research opportunities, internships, and extracurricular activities that interest them. When writing, they must clearly explain why these resources attract them and how they align with their academic and career goals.

 

✔ Connect to Future Aspirations – The conclusion should tie personal experiences, academic background, and knowledge of the university to the student’s future goals. Whether focusing on career ambitions or further academic pursuits, the essay should maintain a cohesive narrative that aligns with the introduction and body.

 

Common Mistakes

 

✘ Overly Generic or Exaggerated Descriptions – Using excessive adjectives can have the opposite effect, while vague experiences may weaken the credibility of the essay.

 

✘ List-Style Writing – Many students focus too much on listing achievements rather than describing the process and significance of their experiences. This makes the essay read like a list rather than a compelling narrative.

 

✘ Focusing on a Single Event – Here is a simple formula to keep in mind: Why School = Why You + Us.

A well-structured Why School essay should integrate personal experiences, academic interests, and knowledge of the school rather than only highlighting one of these aspects. Successful applicants not only promote themselves but also demonstrate a clear understanding of how their background aligns with the school’s mission, resources, and programs. Since no two universities are exactly the same, every Why School essay should be uniquely tailored.

 

Principles for the Why Major Essay

 

✔ Be Specific – Unlike the Why School essay, which covers overall academic performance, the Why Major essay focuses on the student’s passion for a specific field. The best approach is to start with a single defining experience (anecdote) that sparked interest in the subject, then expand on the learning process and how it influenced the decision to pursue this major.

 

✔ Keep It Concise – A common mistake is using overly complex or poetic language in an attempt to impress the reader. While creative writing may be more suitable for a Common App essay, the Why Major essay should be straightforward and to the point. Many Why Major prompts have lower word limits, so clarity and brevity are key.

 

✔ Mention the School and Future Aspirations – Although the main focus is on academic interests, students should also mention one or two specific courses or opportunities at the university that align with their goals. The conclusion should emphasize future career aspirations and academic pursuits. Unlike the Why School essay, which focuses on how a student can benefit from the school, the Why Major essay should focus on how the student will explore the major further through this program.

 

Common Mistakes 

 

✘ Lack of Focus – When writing the essay, don’t forget to review the content from time to time to ensure it aligns with the main topic. Students often try to include too many experiences, from elementary school to high school, making the essay directionless. Not only does this make it difficult for the reader to discern the student’s intent in choosing a major, but it also makes the overall structure resemble a Why School essay instead. 

 

✘ Overly Long Introductions – While a strong opening is essential, excessive buildup can be frustrating for readers. If the Why Major essay is under 100 words, limit the introduction to one or two sentences. If it is 300-500 words, keep the introduction within three to four sentences before transitioning into the main content.

 

✘ Cliché Statements – Overused phrases like "I’ve wanted to be a doctor since I was born" or "I felt deep despair when I saw disabled individuals on the street" weaken the essay’s authenticity. Honesty is the best policy—demonstrate your qualities through actions rather than simply stating them. Show, not tell.

 

✘ Lack of Evidence – This is particularly common in essays discussing volunteer work or extracurriculars. Students should go beyond just stating what they did and instead describe the process and personal impact of their experiences.

Example of a weak statement: "I joined the Love Net Volunteer Foundation to promote international education, but our progress was slow like a crawling snail. Therefore, I am determined to study international economics."

Why It’s Weak:

• It doesn’t specify the student's role in the foundation.

• It lacks details about the student's responsibilities, contributions, or personal growth.

• It jumps too quickly from the experience to the conclusion about majoring in economics.

 

Strong writing skills come from consistent reading and practice. Developing reading and writing habits now will not only help you with college applications but also prepare you for the challenges of university life!