<p>To add - </p>
<p>Adcoms can sniff out fake and generic answers. I want to go to Rice because of the excellent academics and small size. yes, everyone does. That doesn’t mean it inst true, just so uber bland.</p>
<p>Talk about how, even though you cannot visit, you connected with campus maybe? Or something really caught your eye, research wise, or just something funky about Rice. Mention the generic stuff but zone in on something that attracted YOU. because if the generic stuff is all the attracted you - then there are many other places to go, and adcoms know that.</p>
<p>I wrote about my wacky love for air/space programs, Rice and NASA and about my rescue pet owl. Both (especially the latter) tailored for Rice, but still about me and what caught my eye about Rice. You could probably spend a good page on architecture if that was what really grabbed you.</p>
<p>cowking - what did you write, if you dont mind me asking? Thats an awesome story. Throws the stereotypes out the window</p>