<p>When answering the question of why do you want to go to this college, should you focus on one particular thing or give a variety of reasons?</p>
<p>Why do colleges want to know why I want to go to their college. I’m already taking the time to fill out their apps, write personal statements and pay their $50-$75 app fee. Isn’t that enough to convince them that I want to go to their school. You should just write, “I’ve done a lot of research and your school just seems right to me. That is why I want to attend [blank] college/Univ.”</p>
<p>Colleges ask because they want to know if you understand what you are getting yourself into. Do your best to convey the real reasons you are applying to the institution. You may not actually recognize why; it may require some introspection, but see if you can figure out why you think the school’s a good fit and convey that in your essay using how ever many reasons there are.</p>
<p>haha, agreed jsmall. You’d think that paying $70 for the app fee, $20 for sending ACT/SAT, and then another $1 or so for rec’s would convince them that you’re interested.</p>
<p>jas0nk1dd, in my answer, I gave 3 or 4 four reasons and briefly expounded on each one. Your answer shouldn’t be a laundry list, but I’d think that one reason would be a little risky (and don’t talk about the weather, the beautiful campus, or its reputation).</p>
<p>my college counselor said that most schools like for you to focus on one specific topic.</p>
<p>It’s always good to focus on one thing. It should be something you’re fond of. If you focus on more than one thing, it doesn’t show your true affectino toward a certain focus.</p>
<p>I’m not so sure about focusing on one thing about College X. </p>
<p>It may be that College X has, say, the best department of ________ studies. But with that department the student also gets the rest of the package. If the rest of the package has many disagreeable features, then the student isn’t likely to be happy and might well be willing to transfer to a college with a lower-ranked _________ studies department rather than deal with all the perceived negatives of college X. </p>
<p>Also, consider what you are saying about yourself if you focus on one thing. Are you not saying: “Only one thing is important to me in the selection of a college.” And how interesting of a classmate, roommate, hall mate, person does that make you? </p>
<p>The most persuasive “Why College X” essays that I have read demonstrated a knowledge of, and desire for, a number of things about College X.</p>