when to write why X optional essays Forum

[walterwhite]

I was just wondering what the TLS conventional wisdom is for writing why X essays. I've read some posts that say you should write a why X essay only if you're a YP candidate. But others say you should also write one if you're around a school's median numbers. So I'm unsure if I should just write one for every school I apply to or not.

Also, I've looked around the forums and it seems that some schools like Michigan and Penn in particular like to see why x essays. Do any other schools have a reputation for why x essays?

[sesto elemento]

UVA is also YP heavy so if you wanna go there then write one I guess?

I didn't write a why x statement for schools that conducted interviews though. (Ex. GULC, Cornell, UChi, NU)

[Ti Malice]

MVP are far and away the most egregious yield protectors. If your numbers are likely to get you into higher-ranked schools, you'll be a strong YP candidate without the essay.

Don't write one for YHS (or CCN). They won't care.

[lurkerrr]

For starters, if you do have actual&compelling reasons (not "because X is a prestigious school blah blah), you should write any school you want, excluding YHS (don't write why YHS essay) an optional why essay.

According to my knowledge, UVA really loves to read that essay. Besides, it has a reputation of either admitting you via ED or WLing you. Writing them an optional why essay would probably give you some boost.

Why Penn is very much alike. There are available topics other than why Penn for optional essays, try to write some of them if you really cannot think of reasons why Penn.

Writing why Michigan essay is worth your time, trust me.

Northwestern... I'd say it won't give you tremendous boost, but it won't hurt to try.

Again, DO NOT write why HYS.

[malleus discentium]

I'm comfortable I would've been accepted to Duke had I written a Why Duke. So I would write one for MPVD if those are schools you're hoping to attend or use for CCN scholarship negotiations.

[Cradle6]

Again, DO NOT write why HYS.

Why is this?

[Shortterm12]

I would add B to schools that care about tailored/optional essays

[malleus discentium]

Again, DO NOT write why HYS.

Why is this?

Because it's not necessary. HYS know why you want to attend. It's not going to hurt it's just a waste of time on everyone's part.

[CFC1524]

For starters, if you do have actual&compelling reasons (not "because X is a prestigious school blah blah), you should write any school you want, excluding YHS (don't write why YHS essay) an optional why essay.

Curious as to what you (and other TLS'ers) consider to be actual and compelling reasons. Besides geography and employment outcomes (which I assume fall under the "non-compelling reasons"), is there anything that really distinguishes one Top14 from another? Regional ties come to mind, but I can't imagine spending more than a paragraph on how you want to live near your family.

Along the same lines, is it reasonable to assume that all of the "clinics" and "curriculum focuses" are simply marketing schemes designed by the school and that they didn't make any practice difference? If so, would that render these factors "non-compelling" as well? Or is it okay to feign interest in something you know won't influence your employment prospects?

[HRomanus]

In the "Why UNC" part of my UNC PS I cited Law School Transparency. Coincidentally, I got my lowest scholarship offer from UNC.

[walterwhite]

so we shouldn't write about employment prospects in our essay? what things are ok to write about? Should we just say we like the city/ region the school is in and we think x law school has great programs? on a lot of threads people have mentioned they've done research on the school's website for about an hour, is that a good way to get most of your talking points?

[Mack.Hambleton]

so we shouldn't write about employment prospects in our essay? what things are ok to write about? Should we just say we like the city/ region the school is in and we think x law school has great programs? on a lot of threads people have mentioned they've done research on the school's website for about an hour, is that a good way to get most of your talking points?

personal connections to the city/area, programs you find interesting, organizations you want to join, facts about the school that appeal to you (eg small class sizes etc). dont right about employment prospects, obviously if youre applying to columbia they know you really want muh prestige and placement.

id write ones for ones that are known to YP (eg MVP) and everywhere you're above both 75ths.

[KMart]

So we shouldn't write them for schools that we are around the median for, only above the 75ths? I figured writing a whyX would give a nice boost for anyone needing it. Am I wrong?

[JamMasterJ]

I think the Why X is a huge factor in getting the early turnaround admission at Duke. It definitely doesnt matter at HYSCCN. It didn't get me off any waitlists at the other schools, but as far as writing them goes, I would say "why not?" rather than "why?"

[walterwhite]

does anybody know how Georgetown or Cornell views these essays?

[Mack.Hambleton]

I think the Why X is a huge factor in getting the early turnaround admission at Duke. It definitely doesnt matter at HYSCCN. It didn't get me off any waitlists at the other schools, but as far as writing them goes, I would say "why not?" rather than "why?"

seconding duke

[boomah]

Again, DO NOT write why HYS.

What if there are actual reasons? I mean, suppose someone's going into academia and there's a professor at H or Y that one really wants to work with. I think that could be a genuine reason, right?

[Ti Malice]

Again, DO NOT write why HYS.

What if there are actual reasons? I mean, suppose someone's going into academia and there's a professor at H or Y that one really wants to work with. I think that could be a genuine reason, right?

They don't care. They know they're coveted by all for a wide variety of reasons; they're not looking for your assurances that you'll attend if admitted.

[lurkerrr]

Again, DO NOT write why HYS.

What if there are actual reasons? I mean, suppose someone's going into academia and there's a professor at H or Y that one really wants to work with. I think that could be a genuine reason, right?

They don't care. They know they're coveted by all for a wide variety of reasons; they're not looking for your assurances that you'll attend if admitted.

This


Plus it will make you look needy.

[walterwhite]

So we shouldn't write them for schools that we are around the median for, only above the 75ths? I figured writing a whyX would give a nice boost for anyone needing it. Am I wrong?

i was wondering the same thing. what if we're around a school's medians?

[sesto elemento]

So we shouldn't write them for schools that we are around the median for, only above the 75ths? I figured writing a whyX would give a nice boost for anyone needing it. Am I wrong?

i was wondering the same thing. what if we're around a school's medians?

If its not HYS or one of the schools interviews, then I'd do it. At best it helps you avoid the WL.

[walterwhite]

any advice for Georgetown's optional essays? They have a couple of interesting essay prompts, although I guess you could also do a Why Georgetown. Is there any reason to pick one over the others?

[sesto elemento]

any advice for Georgetown's optional essays? They have a couple of interesting essay prompts, although I guess you could also do a Why Georgetown. Is there any reason to pick one over the others?

I think GULC does interviews if you're borderline. But tbh i'd put the least amount of effort into the GULC app if i were blanketing the T-13 + strong regionals.

[appind]

Again, DO NOT write why HYS.

Why is this?

There is no Why X essay prompt in H application. Only essays H has are PS and DS. Not sure about YS.

[walterwhite]

how profound should our why x statements be? I mean I know I need something stronger than "I'm applying to your school bc its T14," but exactly how much stronger?

I've read some threads where people said they've basically just done research on the school's web site and wrote about things that interested them. Is that a good idea? It sounds like that could lead to a very bland essay...