When to write a "Why X" Essay Forum

[Deuce]

For which schools should you write a "Why X" essay? Should it be every school you are reaching to, say above/below each median? At what point do you not need to write a "Why X" essay, above both medians/above both 75s?

Thanks!

[Bildungsroman]

When you're above a school's 75th percentile in both GPA and LSAT it is a good idea to write a Why X essay (if they accept them) to avoid that school waitlisting you to protect their yield (offers eaccepted/offers extended). Actually you should write a Why X essay for any school to which you're applying that accepts them.

[Deuce]

So every single school... that wouldn't come across as disingenuous at all?

[WestOfTheRest]

I wouldn't to any of the top 6. If you're waitlisted somewhere else that you should be in, write a LOCI later in the cycle. If they ask for one write one.

[Bildungsroman]

So every single school... that wouldn't come across as disingenuous at all?

Why? I assume that every school you're applying to has something about it motivating you to apply there. Putting that down in writing to show you have a genuine interest in the school (i.e. they're not just a last-resort safety or a "why the hell not?" application) in order to boost your chances and avoid yield protection isn't dishonest unless you say something to the effect of "if accepted I will definitely 100% attend no matter what" to multiple schools.

Also, schools won't see who else got a Why X essay from you, so as long as it's well-written and not a form letter or clearly a product of five minutes of googling, it'll just come off as a Why X essay to them.

Also, I only recommend writing a Why X essay with your app if they have that option on their app or are UVA.

[capitalacq]

For which schools should you write a "Why X" essay? Should it be every school you are reaching to, say above/below each median? At what point do you not need to write a "Why X" essay, above both medians/above both 75s?

Thanks!

when either A) you have a really compelling reason to attend a specific law school or B) you enjoy wasting your time writing useless essays so that you could waste paper when law schools print copies of your applications

[billyez]

when...you have a really compelling reason to attend a specific law school

This is the response that I think is most helpful. The only "Why" essays that I wrote which I thought were actually decent were for schools that I actually liked and actually wanted to attend. If you write one and don't have a true discernable reason for attending, it'll show.

[Deuce]

when...you have a really compelling reason to attend a specific law school

This is the response that I think is most helpful. The only "Why" essays that I wrote which I thought were actually decent were for schools that I actually liked and actually wanted to attend. If you write one and don't have a true discernable reason for attending, it'll show.

So if my numbers are ~median for a school or a little above, I'd be better off with no essay?

[ARTfulDodger]

I would personally write one only if it was one of my top schools. Or, in the event that I was waitlisted. It can't hurt to write an essay, regardless your numbers.

[billyez]

when...you have a really compelling reason to attend a specific law school

This is the response that I think is most helpful. The only "Why" essays that I wrote which I thought were actually decent were for schools that I actually liked and actually wanted to attend. If you write one and don't have a true discernable reason for attending, it'll show.

So if my numbers are ~median for a school or a little above, I'd be better off with no essay?

If you really want to attend the school and think you can write about it in a way that doesn't sound canned, then go for it.

[gbr12]

If I'm above both 75th percentiles, should I mention financial aid as a reason? (I.e. "I am truly interested in your school, because I would like to get a fat scholarship and not have any debt.") Is that too slimy?

[Deuce]

If I'm above both 75th percentiles, should I mention financial aid as a reason? (I.e. "I am truly interested in your school, because I would like to get a fat scholarship and not have any debt.") Is that too slimy?

Very curious about that as well. I believe my decision is going to come down to sticker T14 vs. $$$$ at 20-40.

[ARTfulDodger]

If I'm above both 75th percentiles, should I mention financial aid as a reason? (I.e. "I am truly interested in your school, because I would like to get a fat scholarship and not have any debt.") Is that too slimy?

That's extremely unprofessional. Don't do it.

[billyez]

I wouldn't do that either. If they want you, they'll offer the scholarship money.

[ARTfulDodger]

^^
Agreed