Judy Said:

Help! I need tips on how to write an essay.?

We Answered:

You need to talk about how you would do well at the school. The people in the admissions office know about their own school--they work there, so don't focus your essay on how great their school is. They know it's great. What they don't know is how great YOU are.

Tell them why you would do well in that particular school as opposed to another school. For example, if they have a good journalism department or student newspaper and you want to be a journalism major or work on the newspaper, tell them that. Talk about the city where the school is located and how you identify with the culture (e.g. if the school is in a small town, tell them you like small towns because people are friendlier and there's a better sense of community).

Look up some of the student organizations and pick one or two you might be interested in joining and mention that. Talk about a possible major, if you think you know already (it's totally fine if you don't). Talk about some personal goals you want to achieve and explain how you think that school can help you achieve them.

You're basically coming up with reasons why it would be a good idea for you to spend four or more years at this school and not somewhere else. If the school is prestigious and diverse, that's great and you can mention it, but focus on yourself, your goals, and what you would bring to add to that prestige and diversity.

Good luck.