Why "Why" Means Different Things

When a university asks “Why did you choose our university” on their essay, what are the differences if you are applying as an undergraduate versus if you’re applying for a masters to start a new career?

I was first asked a version of this question on the website Quora.com

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 I am going to use your case as an example of why it is difficult for me to answer questions like this. Before I get to the reasons why I need to clarify a few things first.

Schools that ask “Why” to undergraduates often expect a substantively different kind of answer than those schools that ask Why” for graduate programs. Undergrads often are applying to school within a university (arts and science for example) but are undecided about a major. Schools in the US, for the most part, encourage student to hold off on declaring a major and make it relatively easy to switch majors. Therefore, many of the way answers from undergraduates are focused on the school from a somewhat generalist perspective. They often focus on location, on range of programs, kinds of activities that are available. Students that do have an academic passion do often mention a major and even course, but this too tends to be general.

Here is an example of an undergrad why us essay. I use this because after I posted it on my blog, Sean Abbott, the dean at NYU wrote and asked if he could read this to their yield day—the day students who have been accepted to NYU visit the school and make up their minds if they wish to enroll. So clearly this is an essay the school loved.

NYU is global, urban, inspired, smart, connected and bold. What can NYU offer you, and what can you offer NYU?

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I’m done being a New Yorker born and raised in sheltered suburbia--I’m ready to get slapped in the face by the unforgiving hand of NYC and to become a true Noo Yawk-ah. While not an accurate representation of what all NYU students think, the NYU Secrets Facebook page constantly posts the thoughts of NYU students resenting the bittersweet independence of such a large, non-traditional school, but at the same time falling in love with the knowledgeable and nurturing faculty and classes.

I’m done dancing around on the outskirts of the arena--I’m ready to plop myself right into the frenzied mist of action. No walls insulate NYU from the sprawling labyrinth of NYC, which is ideal for a unique and exciting college experience. The bustling crowds of the city are reflected in the undergraduate body of over twenty-thousand students--the beauty of it all being NYU has smaller sized classes. This encourages the bundled mass of NYU students to interact and exchange knowledge, feelings, and ideas with faculty and fellow classmates.

I’m done adhering to the safe, structured expectations of a bland, rich school district--I’m ready to think the unthinkable and love the unlovable in a flavorful environment. Is there any better platform to share my writing and have my work criticized, sharpened, and enriched other than with the incredible professors and classes pooled from the twenty-plus-thousand inspired NYU students? NYU’s creative writing program offering workshops for writing and poetry allows me to pursue my passion for fiction, spoken word, and poetry writing in the midst of a rainbow of students.

I’m done carefully taking baby steps forward--I’m ready to dare, risk, and dream as I stumble through life. I’ll bring the naivety and optimism of a small town girl into the bubble-bursting clutches of the big city, and thousands of other students will be stumbling along with me as we evolve into strange creatures called “adults.” My compassion for others and love of socializing will aid me in establishing friendships and a sense of community with everyone I meet. At NYU, I would work to help struggling students transition to NYU at orientations, welcome meetings, clubs, wherever I’m allowed to participate in--I’d become a tour guide and hopefully inspire prospective students just how my tour guide inspired me.

I’m done admiring NYU from a distance--I’m ready to join the ranks of fellow toughened, hardened, enlightened, daring, worldly, and innovative NYU students.

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But this kind of why essay will not be of much help to you because you are applying to graduate school. The responses you are expected to give to these why essays vary dramatically depending on which kind of program you are applying for in terms of the level of selectivity and specificity of course of study. Someone applying to a Harvard MBA needs a very different focus on an essay than a person applying for a Master’s in education with a focus on teaching Biology.

I’ve employed the latter example because from your profile (the one who asked me to answer this question) you have a background in this field. Appling for teaching programs is not nearly as selective as applying for MBAs at selective schools. On the other hand, you may be applying for master’s in biology and if this is accurate then how you have done in your undergraduate student and GRE. Or you may be applying for something totally different. The main point is that each program will want to know why specifically you are applying to the program. The focus should be on academics and the specific offering they have and possible professors you might like to work with. You should do a lot of research on the program before you start to write. The more familiar you are with the program and can say why, specifically, it is for you, the more likely the essay will help you.

Let me add one other thing since this might affect you in particular. It appears that you have been out of school for a while and have been raising a family. If you are limited by geography or schedule in terms of going part time etc., you should address this at some point. If you say the school is close enough for you to take classes but still get home this should be a part of your why answer.

There are rarely general answers to what makes a piece of writing good when the questions demand specifics that the applicant knows but virtually no one else does. Nevertheless,, I hope this helped, at least a bit. Best of luck.