How to Write the Essay, “Why do you want to attend our school?”
Believe it or not, this essay is also about you. Rather than using it to “flatter” the college you are applying to, write something that shows how interested you are in the intellectual life of the school. If you are committed to, or just interested in, majoring in a particular subject, how is that major appealing at this university? Do you know about the publications or teaching style of certain professors; are you able to do research as an undergraduate; are the classes taught in seminar style as you get further into the major?
Even if you have a variety of interests, and could see yourself majoring in Chemistry, English, Economics, or Music, you can still look at a college in those terms. Find out whether you can pursue different interests, combine majors, change majors and take lots of interesting courses to help you decide what to do with your life. What kinds of courses are offered? Do they have a good advising program to help you formulate a plan?
If you are able to visit the school, try to talk to a professor or attend a couple of classes during your visit. Ask the tour guide about her experiences with professors, advisers, and what inspiring classes she has taken. Ask about freshman seminar classes, required general education curriculum, and senior thesis opportunities. You can also research these topics online. The answers you get can help you formulate your response to this question.
Of course, while colleges are primarily academic institutions, there are many other facets of college life: extracurricular activities, dorm life, sports, size and student makeup of the college, location. These are much less important to include in the answer to this question, mainly because these attributes will be so similar at so many colleges. If there is something that attracts you that really gets to the heart of who you are – a nationally-ranked equestrian program, a collection of medieval poetry, a film school that encourages you to intern with famous directors – then include that in your answer. But, citing a beautiful campus, welcoming people, nice dorms or a great football stadium doesn't really distinguish this college from hundreds of others, and doesn't say much for your skills in ferreting out what is much more important – how you will thrive there because of how and what they teach.
So remember: the admissions committee does not want to read obvious flattery, but they do want an answer that shows the student appreciates the college for what it is. Be sure to do your homework: pitfalls include confusing the schools and talking about a great major they don't offer, or a professor who teaches somewhere else. If you write a similar essay for several schools, don't forget to change the name of the school to the one you're writing about! And, make sure you don't say something really lame that doesn't speak to your interest in the school itself, such as:
“I want to go to Columbia because it would be really cool to live in New York City!”
“I want to go to Stanford because it's such a prestigious school, it will help me get a good job after graduation.”
“I want to attend UCSD because it's close to Tijuana and I can go party there on weekends!”
“I'm trying to get into an Ivy League school but I'm applying to your school as a back-up.”