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Choosing the right college and then meeting all of its requirements on paper alone could be a herculean task. There are many great colleges in the country and each one has its own set of rules and criteria. Each one determines the candidacy of the applicants based on academic excellence, proof of extracurricular activities, community, and social work. Other prized tools in their possession are the supplemental essays.
Northwestern University is a prestigious name in higher education. Since its inception in 1851, the college prides itself on having around a 9% acceptance rate for over 100 majors and minors in undergraduate studies. Northwestern only asks the applicants to write one supplemental essay for their admission. Still, this essay carried all the weight and worth for the applicants to get accepted.
This post will highlight the best practices and pitfalls of Northwestern supplemental essays. Also, the best practices will be highlighted through an example and its analysis.
The “Why Northwestern” Essay Prompt
The current Northwestern supplemental essay prompt is as follows:
While other parts of your application give us a sense of who you are, we are also excited to hear more about how you see yourself engaging with the larger Northwestern community. In 300 words or less, help us understand how you might engage specific resources, opportunities, and/or communities here. We are curious about what these specifics are, as well as how they may enrich your time at Northwestern and beyond.
In all its verbosity and clarity, this is a classic question that many universities ask of their prospective undergraduate students. The question is simple: Out of all the colleges in the country and beyond, why would you choose this college, Northwestern University, in this case, to pursue your higher education?
The word limit is also incorporated in the question statements so there is no doubt about it. Applicants who wish to study at Northwestern need to convince the admissions committee that they are indeed invested in the college and will become a better version of themselves by utilizing the faculties there.
That’s why aspirants need to keep a close eye on each aspect of that essay, not to mention learning how to write why Northwestern essay example to get one step closer to the dream.
Are you looking forward to pursuing your undergraduate studies at Northwestern? We can help you realize your dream? Our professional writers can provide you with excellent supplemental essays for guaranteed success. Connect today!
What Should Your “Why Northwestern” Essay Cover
In many cases, the supplemental essay question seems confusing to applicants. It could be the word count or the content of the essay that the admissions officers at the college are expecting from them.
In the case of Northwestern writing supplement essay, the question and the answer they expect are as clear as the day.
The prompt starts with the statement that they have some idea about who the candidate is and they want to learn more. Then, the “Why Northwestern” statement starts. They want to know how an applicant will interact with the community and employ the faculties at college to achieve his or her future goals.
To touch these bases, applicants undoubtedly need superior writing and proactive research skills. They will help them in creating a solid case for their admission.
The Possible Red Flags In Your “Why Northwestern” Essay
Writing is subjective and what someone could get out of a passage depends as much on the reader as it does on the writer. Luckily, in the case of writing a why Northwestern supplement essay to secure admission to the college, there are not many blind spots or gray areas.
Over the years, professionals have dissected the process of writing a supplemental essay for Northwestern. They have discussed what should be added or discussed in the essay and what should be left out.
Before exploring all the possible aspects or specifics of Northwestern in connection with undergraduate studies, the following are some of the red flags that aspirants must avoid in their essays:
- The expectations of admissions officers at Northwestern were made clear in the statement. They want to read how Northwestern will help aspirants in becoming what they long to become. They certainly don’t want to read about the college that is already in the public knowledge
- The prose quality of the Northwestern supplemental essay should not be less than stellar. While writing the essay, aspirants should look out for grammatical errors and structural inconsistencies. There is nothing more detrimental to Northwestern application that a poorly-crafted essay
- Plagiarism or copying ideas from Northwestern alumni or online sources. Certainly, applicants can borrow ideas and shape them to connect with their narratives. At the end of the day, the idea should reflect their thinking, journey, and plans – not that of someone else
- The Northwestern supplement essay is neither about the applicant alone nor about the college in isolation. In its definition, it is about how both the Northwestern and the applicant will move toward a better future
What You Should Discuss In “Why Northwestern” Essay
More than anything, the admissions officers at Northwestern want to read an original story that should be inspiring and moving. It should have all the emotional content but that should be balanced with strong logic and reasoning.
Taking a look at accepted why Northwestern essay samples reveal a reproducible pattern. In many cases, successful applicants apply one or multiple aspects of Northwestern with a personal spin on top. This way, the end product comes out to be an original piece that is inspiring and moving while checking all the boxes.
Here is the rundown of some of the things that applicants can discuss in their essays concerning personal goals and ambitions:
- They can discuss the experience of visiting the scenic Northwestern campus. Meeting with students as well as the larger Northwestern community makes them connect with the college. This led to choosing Northwestern over other options
- They can highlight the faculty at Northwestern and how their achievements have motivated them to study and learn from them. Aspirants should not shy away from naming specific individuals, their academic interests, and their contributions to their field of study
- Applicants can mention special activities at college such as clubs, societies, etc., that will prove instrumental in realizing their dreams in their Northwestern application essays. These could either be pursuing arts or getting in touch with the community to engage specific resources
- Aspirants can shed light on the career opportunities that Northwestern students and alumni enjoy. These include placement, internships, exchange programs, etc. They can also elaborate on how these opportunities will serve their growth
Expert Tips For Your “Why Northwestern” Essay
To further make aspirants understand how to compose a rewarding why Northwestern essay, the following are some expert tips:
- Specificity with Examples
- Point in Focus
- Review & Revise
Specificity with Examples
Since applicants do not have much space to get their point across, only 300 words, in this case, they need to be specific and deliberate. They cannot beat around the bush for a while before explaining their reasons. After that, they should be proactive in giving clear examples regarding the usage of specific resources of the college.
Point in Focus
Aspirants have a variety of reasons to be attracted to Northwestern. It could be academics, extracurricular activities, and so on. The point of writing why Northwestern essay is to highlight that reason.
Applicants who manage to write clearly with points in focus, such as their academic interests at Northwestern, ensure maximum chances of admission.
Review & Revise
There is no need to write the first draft of the why Northwestern essay and call it a day. First drafts are called so for a very clear reason. They have grammatical errors along with so many other flaws. Aspirants should go through multiple drafts with rigorous reviewing and revising before turning in their essays for evaluation. They can also use online tools and applications to speed up this step.
A “Why Northwestern” Essay Example & Why It Covers All The Bases
To give a clear idea to aspirants of what the admissions committee at Northwestern expects from them, here is an example:
I still remember the cold sheets of the hospital and IV tubes connected to my arms. I was covering my eyes with my free hand and looked out to the sky. It was blue and distant and still, I thought I could reach out. Minutes later, the doctor came in and showed me the cyst he found and got out of my belly. I wanted to be a surgeon so bad.
Years later in high school, I started to get invested in literature. I read Hemingway, Christie, Faulkner, and many more writers of the 20th century. The way they shaped their ideas in their writing impressed me a lot. Before then, I wanted to be a doctor but now I wanted to be a writer. Then I read about Anton Chekhov. He was a doctor and one of the best writers of his age!
Now standing at the entrance of Northwestern, I know I will be what I want to be at this college. The scenic location of the campus induces new and exciting ideas. I can see myself sitting at the shore of Lake Michigan and writing short stories. I will pursue Creative Writing at a major level with minor subjects including Comparative Literature. Then, my second major will be Biological Sciences with a special focus on Global Health Studies.
The larger Northwestern community with its vibrant and diverse members from around the world. I will be able to get new ideas from them and share mine with them. When I leave Northwestern after completing undergraduate studies, I will be able to make a be to make a positive change in the world, both as a doctor and as a writer. The world will see a new Anton Chekhov, hopefully!
Why It Covers All The Bases
Here are the reasons why this essay covers all the bases in the designated word count:
- There is a clear personal story and goal in choosing Literature and Medicine as major subjects
- The language is emotional and balanced with rational content
- The programs and departments at Northwestern are highlighted in the essay accordingly
- The prose is engaging and borrows artistic elements from the past to anchor the story
