“Why This College” essays range from 100 to 650 words depending on the school. Dartmouth asks for just 100 words, Yale allows 125, Duke requires 250, NYU gives you 400, and Cornell provides a full 650 words. The key to success is tailoring your response to each school’s specific limit while demonstrating genuine fit through research-backed details.

This guide covers word limits by school, the proven 70/30 content formula, research strategies, and examples to help you write compelling “Why Us” essays that admissions officers remember.

Quick Reference: Word Limits by School

These limits change yearly. Always verify current requirements on each school’s admissions website before writing.

What Makes “Why This College” Essays Different

Unlike the Common App personal statement, “Why This College” essays assess mutual fit. Admissions officers want to see two things: that you understand what makes their institution unique and that you’ve thought carefully about how you’d contribute to their community.

These essays answer three implicit questions:

1. Have you done your research?
2. Would you actually attend if accepted?
3. Can you articulate your goals clearly?

Schools use these essays to gauge demonstrated interest. A generic response suggests you’re treating their school as a backup. A specific, researched answer shows intentionality.

The 70/30 Content Formula

The most effective “Why Us” essays follow a proven content balance: 70% academic reasons and 30% social or cultural fit.

Academic Content (70%)

Programs and departments:

• Specific majors, minors, or interdisciplinary programs
• Research centers or institutes
• Unique curricular features (open curriculum, core requirements)
• Academic flexibility or cross-registration opportunities

Courses:

• Specific classes you want to take (use actual course names and numbers)
• Professors whose work interests you
• Unique pedagogical approaches
• Capstone or thesis opportunities

Research opportunities:

• Labs accepting undergraduates
• Faculty research that aligns with your interests
• Summer research programs
• Senior thesis requirements

Social and Cultural Fit (30%)

Campus culture:

• Specific clubs or organizations
• Traditions that resonate with you
• Campus layout or location benefits
• Student body characteristics

Experiential learning:

• Study abroad programs
• Internship connections
• Community partnerships
• Career services specific to your field

Community:

• Residential college systems
• Affinity groups relevant to your identity
• Collaborative versus competitive culture
• Class sizes and student-faculty ratios

Research Strategies for Each School

Effective “Why Us” essays require going beyond the admissions website. Here’s how to find specific details that make your essay stand out.

Browse the Course Catalog

Every college publishes its course catalog online. Spend 30 minutes finding courses that genuinely excite you. Note:

• Course numbers and exact titles
• Unique courses not available elsewhere
• Prerequisites that show logical planning
• Professors who teach courses you want

Example phrasing: “I’m eager to take ANTH 231: Economic Anthropology with Professor Chen, whose research on informal economies in Southeast Asia directly connects to my interest in sustainable development.”

Research Faculty

Find 2-3 professors whose work aligns with your interests:

• Read their faculty bio pages
• Check their recent publications on Google Scholar
• Look for undergraduate research opportunities they mention
• Find interviews or podcasts featuring them

Avoid: Don’t just name-drop famous professors. Show you understand their specific work.

Explore Student Organizations

Check the student activities website for clubs related to your interests:

• Note specific club names (not just “I’d join clubs”)
• Mention events or projects they’ve done
• Connect clubs to your existing experience

Use Virtual Resources

Campus tours: Take virtual tours and note specific buildings, spaces, or facilities.

Student newspapers: Read the campus paper for current events, debates, and culture.

YouTube and podcasts: Search for student vlogs or admissions interviews.

LinkedIn: Find current students or recent graduates in your intended major.

Attend Information Sessions

Questions from other attendees and answers from admissions officers reveal details not on the website. Take notes on:

• Statistics they emphasize
• Stories they tell
• Language they use to describe their culture

Talk to Current Students and Alumni

Reach out through your network for firsthand perspectives:

Current students can share:

• What surprised them about the school
• Which professors are most engaging
• How the reality compares to the brochure
• Unwritten aspects of campus culture

Alumni can explain:

• How their degree prepared them for careers
• Which opportunities proved most valuable
• What they wish they’d known before attending
• How the school’s network helps after graduation

Use these conversations to find details you won’t discover through official channels. A student might mention a weekly discussion group hosted by a professor, or an alumni might describe a research opportunity that changed their trajectory.

What to Include: Section by Section

Opening (1-2 sentences)

Lead with your most specific, compelling reason. Don’t waste words on throat-clearing like “Ever since I was young” or “I’ve always wanted to attend.”

Weak: “I am excited to apply to Cornell because it is a prestigious university with many opportunities.”

Strong: “Cornell’s combined major in Information Science and Economics would let me study algorithmic bias in financial systems—research I started after watching automated loan denials in my community.”

Academic Section (60% of essay)

Connect your past experiences to specific future opportunities. Show a logical trajectory:

1. State your academic interest
2. Reference a relevant past experience
3. Name specific programs, courses, or professors
4. Explain what you’d contribute

Social Section (30% of essay)

Demonstrate you’ll engage beyond academics:

1. Name specific clubs or activities
2. Connect to your current involvement
3. Show what you’d bring to the community

Closing (1-2 sentences)

End with forward-looking energy. Avoid restating what you already said.

Weak: “In conclusion, I believe Cornell would be a great fit for me.”

Strong: “Combining classroom learning with hands-on work in the Public Service Center, I’d graduate ready to address economic inequality with both analytical skills and lived experience.”

What to Avoid

Generic Statements

These apply to any school:

• “World-renowned faculty”
• “Beautiful campus”
• “Diverse student body”
• “Excellent reputation”
• “Amazing opportunities”

Surface-Level Research

Avoid mentioning only:

• Rankings or prestige
• Famous alumni
• Location alone
• Sports teams

Copying from the Website

Don’t quote mission statements or repeat admissions brochure language. Admissions officers wrote that content—they know it.

Mentioning the Wrong School

Triple-check every essay for copy-paste errors. Mentioning Harvard in your Yale essay is an automatic rejection signal.

Being Too General About “Fit”

Weak: “I would fit in well at Brown because I value intellectual curiosity.”

Strong: “Brown’s pass/fail option for non-major courses would let me explore Sanskrit alongside my economics major—continuing the language study I started during my gap semester in India.”

Example Outlines by Word Count

100 Words (Dartmouth)

• Opening with specific academic interest (25 words)
• One course or professor with brief explanation (40 words)
• One extracurricular connection (25 words)
• Closing phrase (10 words)

Sample: “Dartmouth’s Native American Studies program uniquely combines anthropology with community engagement. I want to study with Professor Bauer, whose work on tribal sovereignty litigation connects directly to my research on reservation economic development. Outside class, I’d contribute to the Native Americans at Dartmouth organization, bringing leadership experience from founding my high school’s Indigenous culture club.”

250 Words (Duke, USC)

• Opening hook with specific interest (30 words)
• Academic program details with 1-2 specifics (80 words)
• Course or faculty connection (60 words)
• Extracurricular fit (50 words)
• Forward-looking close (30 words)

Sample structure for Duke (250 words):

“Duke’s Bass Connections program would let me pursue interdisciplinary research on climate policy before I even declare a major. As someone who’s organized three environmental justice campaigns in high school, I’m drawn to Duke’s emphasis on connecting academic work to real-world impact.

I’m particularly excited about Professor Mark’s Environmental Economics course, which examines market-based solutions to climate change—an approach I first encountered while interning at my state’s environmental agency last summer. His research on carbon pricing in developing economies directly relates to the policy brief I wrote for my school’s Model UN team.

Beyond the classroom, I’d join the Duke Climate Coalition to continue organizing, bringing my experience coordinating with local legislators and building coalitions across political divides. The group’s annual Climate Reality summit would give me a platform to share strategies I’ve developed for engaging skeptical audiences.

At Duke, I’d combine rigorous analysis with community action to become a more effective environmental advocate.”

400-500 Words (NYU, Michigan)

• Engaging opening (40 words)
• Academic interest and background (100 words)
• Specific programs and courses (100 words)
• Faculty connection (60 words)
• Social and cultural fit (80 words)
• What you’d contribute (60 words)
• Closing (40 words)

At this length, you have room to develop your narrative. Start with a specific anecdote connecting your interest to the school. Include 3-4 specific details and balance depth on one or two main points rather than listing many surface-level details.

650 Words (Cornell)

• Narrative opening (60 words)
• Academic background and interests (120 words)
• Specific programs and opportunities (150 words)
• Faculty research connection (80 words)
• Extracurricular involvement (100 words)
• Community contribution (80 words)
• Forward-looking conclusion (60 words)

With 650 words, you can tell a fuller story. Use the extra space for:

• A more developed opening that hooks the reader
• Deeper exploration of how specific programs connect to your goals
• Multiple faculty or course references with context
• A substantive discussion of community involvement
• A memorable conclusion that leaves an impression

Avoid using the extra words for filler. 650 words of focused content beats 650 words padded with generic statements. Every sentence should either provide new information or advance your argument for why you belong at that school.

Tailoring Your Approach to Different Prompts

Not all “Why This College” prompts are identical. Pay attention to exactly what each school asks.

“Why are you interested in [School]?” Focus on what attracts you to the school. Lead with academics, but include some cultural fit elements.

“Why do you want to study [Major] at [School]?” Emphasize the specific program, courses, and faculty. Your essay should clearly address why this school’s version of the major suits you better than alternatives.

“How would you contribute to [School]?” Flip the typical structure: lead with what you bring, then explain how the school’s resources would help you develop those contributions further.

“Tell us about your interest in [School] and [College within School].” These dual prompts require research on both the university-wide and college-specific opportunities. Don’t neglect either part.

Read each prompt carefully and answer exactly what’s asked. A brilliant essay that doesn’t address the prompt will still hurt your application.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Mistake: Writing One Essay and Swapping Names

Problem: Generic essays lack the specific details that demonstrate genuine interest.

Fix: Write each essay from scratch using school-specific research. Only reuse sentences that name unique features.

Mistake: Focusing Only on What You’ll Gain

Problem: “I want to learn from your professors” centers yourself, not the community.

Fix: Balance what you’ll gain with what you’ll contribute. Show how your presence adds value.

Mistake: Listing Without Connecting

Problem: “I want to take ECON 101, ECON 201, and ECON 301” is just a list.

Fix: Explain why each specific thing matters to your goals. Show the through-line.

Mistake: Being Too Vague About Major

Problem: “I want to study business” doesn’t differentiate you.

Fix: Name specific concentrations, interdisciplinary paths, or research questions within your field.

Mistake: Ignoring the Word Limit

Problem: Going under shows lack of effort; going over shows inability to follow directions.

Fix: Write to within 10% of the maximum. For a 250-word essay, aim for 225-250 words.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I mention rankings or prestige?

No. Admissions officers know their school’s reputation. Mentioning rankings suggests you haven’t found more substantive reasons to attend.

How specific should my major be?

Specific enough to show you’ve researched, but not so narrow that you seem inflexible. Mentioning 2-3 related interests shows intellectual breadth.

Can I write about location?

Only if you connect it to specific opportunities. “I love New York” is generic. “NYU’s location gives me access to the UN headquarters, where I’d intern through the Global Leadership Program” shows research.

What if I’m undecided about my major?

Focus on the academic environment rather than specific programs. Mention the advising system, distribution requirements, or exploratory programs that appeal to you.

Should I mention the person who interviewed me?

Only if you can reference something specific from your conversation that adds to your essay. A simple “I enjoyed meeting Sarah” wastes words.

Is it okay to be funny?

Light humor works if it’s natural and doesn’t undermine your seriousness. Forced jokes backfire. When in doubt, stay earnest.

Key Takeaways

• Word limits vary dramatically: Dartmouth wants 100 words, Cornell allows 650—tailor your approach to each
• Follow the 70/30 formula: 70% academic specifics, 30% social and cultural fit
• Name specifics: actual courses, professors, clubs, and programs—not generic praise
• Research deeply: course catalogs, faculty pages, and student newspapers reveal details others miss
• Show what you’ll contribute, not just what you’ll gain from the experience
• Verify each essay for copy-paste errors before submitting—wrong school names are automatic red flags

Conclusion

The “Why This College” essay is your chance to prove you’ve done your homework and imagined yourself thriving on campus. Schools want to admit students who genuinely want to attend, and specific, researched details demonstrate that commitment far better than generic praise. Whether you have 100 words or 650, focus on the intersection of your interests and the school’s unique offerings. Try our free letter counter → to ensure your essays hit the exact word limits each school requires.