College list

Colleges with Why Us essays

A school-by-school list of colleges whose supplement asks applicants to explain fit, academic interest, or why that college belongs on their list.

  1. Barnard College

    New York, NY · 2 supplemental essays

    1 Why Us prompt
    300 listed words · 2026-2027

  2. Bates College

    Lewiston, ME · 1 supplemental essay

    1 Why Us prompt
    300 listed words · 2026-2027

  3. Boston University

    Boston, MA · 1 supplemental essay

    1 Why Us prompt
    300 listed words · 2026-2027

  4. California Institute of Technology

    Pasadena, CA · 3 supplemental essays

    1 Why Us prompt
    200 listed words · 2026-2027

  5. Carleton College

    Northfield, MN · 1 supplemental essay

    1 Why Us prompt
    300 listed words · 2026-2027

  6. Case Western Reserve University

    Cleveland, OH · 1 supplemental essay

    1 Why Us prompt
    300 listed words · 2026-2027

  7. Claremont McKenna College

    Claremont, CA · 1 supplemental essay

    1 Why Us prompt
    250 listed words · 2026-2027

  8. Davidson College

    Davidson, NC · 1 supplemental essay

    1 Why Us prompt
    250 listed words · 2026-2027

  9. Georgia Institute of Technology

    Atlanta, GA · 1 supplemental essay

    1 Why Us prompt
    300 listed words · 2026-2027

  10. Hamilton College

    Clinton, NY · 1 supplemental essay

    1 Why Us prompt
    300 listed words · 2026-2027

  11. Kenyon College

    Gambier, OH · 1 supplemental essay

    1 Why Us prompt
    300 listed words · 2026-2027

  12. Lehigh University

    Bethlehem, PA · 1 supplemental essay

    1 Why Us prompt
    300 listed words · 2026-2027

  13. Macalester College

    Saint Paul, MN · 1 supplemental essay

    1 Why Us prompt
    150 listed words · 2026-2027

  14. New York University

    New York, NY · 1 supplemental essay

    1 Why Us prompt
    400 listed words · 2026-2027

  15. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

    Troy, NY · 1 supplemental essay

    1 Why Us prompt
    300 listed words · 2026-2027

  16. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

    Terre Haute, IN · 1 supplemental essay

    1 Why Us prompt
    300 listed words · 2026-2027

  17. Tufts University

    Medford, MA · 2 supplemental essays

    1 Why Us prompt
    150 listed words · 2026-2027

  18. Tulane University

    New Orleans, LA · 1 supplemental essay

    1 Why Us prompt
    300 listed words · 2026-2027

  19. University of Florida

    Gainesville, FL · 1 supplemental essay

    1 Why Us prompt
    250 listed words · 2026-2027

  20. University of Michigan

    Ann Arbor, MI · 2 supplemental essays

    1 Why Us prompt
    550 listed words · 2026-2027

  21. University of Notre Dame

    Notre Dame, IN · 2 supplemental essays

    1 Why Us prompt
    200 listed words · 2026-2027

  22. University of Pennsylvania

    Philadelphia, PA · 2 supplemental essays

    1 Why Us prompt
    450 listed words · 2025-2026

  23. University of Texas at Austin

    Austin, TX · 4 supplemental essays

    3 Why Us prompts
    800 total listed words, up to 300 words · 2026-2027

  24. University of Virginia

    Charlottesville, VA · 2 supplemental essays

    1 Why Us prompt
    250 listed words · 2026-2027

  25. University of Wisconsin-Madison

    Madison, WI · 1 supplemental essay

    1 Why Us prompt
    650 listed words · 2026-2027

  26. Washington and Lee University

    Lexington, VA · 1 supplemental essay

    1 Why Us prompt
    300 listed words · 2026-2027

  27. Washington University in St. Louis

    St. Louis, MO · 1 supplemental essay

    1 Why Us prompt
    250 listed words · 2026-2027

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FAQ

What should a Why Us essay include?

A strong Why Us essay connects one real applicant trait or goal to specific academic, community, or campus evidence from the college.

What makes a Why Us essay sound generic?

Rankings, location praise, and brochure language are usually too thin. The essay should explain why the fit matters to your next step.