Question: I am stumped how to answer the “ Why do you want to go to X college?” essay question. What do colleges want to hear?

Answer: This question is an opportunity for colleges to learn if you are serious about attending their school. Admissions want to know that there is a high likelihood that you will attend if they accept you. Colleges run a fine balance between wanting to be economically solvent by having enough students to fill the incoming class and not accepting more students than they can accommodate in the fall. The “why” essay is a great way for schools to learn if you have done your homework, as students are more likely to attend a school they have visited and researched.

Often, when I work with students, they are inclined to answer this question by reiterating what is written on the school’s website. I advise students not to address size, location or weather, unless there is something specific about those factors that cannot readily be found at another school. Instead, I suggest that students spend some time researching the mission statement of the university along with the specific academic major they might be interested in studying. I ask students to be very specific about addressing whether or not there are certain classes they are interested in as well as professors whose work they wish to be engaged with during their undergraduate years. This essay should mention specific faculty members they met or programs/classes observed during a campus visit.

In a similar vein, I ask that students address research opportunities, study abroad trips specific to their major and internship and/or job opportunities available either through college services or through proximity to the campus. It is only after students address the academic programs available, should they then focus on the extracurricular aspects of the school they find appealing such as Greek life, clubs or intramural sports.

It is very important that you ensure that this essay cannot easily be substituted for another college. If that is the case, then the material you’ve written is too broad and needs to be made far more specific. If you find after doing research, you cannot speak to why you want to attend this particular college, perhaps it may in fact be the wrong college for you. While students are often tempted to replicate their “why X college” for other schools, it is imperative that you take the time to give an individualized approach to this essay. Sometimes students believe that the supplemental questions are not as important as their main common app essay. In fact, these essays are often more important as it is their chance to demonstrate significant interest in attending that school.

Although the essay prompt often does not ask this specifically, it is important to include what you will bring to the college and how you will take advantage of the opportunities and resources they have on campus, since admissions officers want to see that you will be highly involved on campus.

oan Franklin is the owner of MI College Support, an independent college counseling practice. For more, go to www.micollegesupport.org.