Prompt: The Admission Committee would like to know why you want to call Villanova your new home and become part of our community. (200 words)
Essay:
The highlight of my 8th-grade summer was the debate program I did at Villanova. As a middle schooler, I vividly remember walking through Mendel Field on my way to class, inspired by the lively student activity.
Now a high school senior, I’m drawn to Villanova’s unique business education and opportunities to learn outside the classroom. While I’d eagerly enroll in courses like Buyer Behavior and Business Dynamics, I’m just as excited about VSB’s CoOp program. As a student, you’d best believe I’d rush to join Johnson & Johnson’s Brand Management CoOp during my junior year.
When it comes to continuing the sports marketing research I started in high school, I know I’ll find ample support from Villanova’s community, including from VSB’s one-of-a-kind alumni mentorship program. Whether it be aiding Professor Charles Taylor in his research of Super Bowl ads or joining the Professional Selling Society, the opportunities for me to explore my passions (and discover new ones) are seemingly endless.
Next year, around this time, I envision myself walking through campus again, going from my afternoon lecture to my Photography Club meeting in the Mendel Science Center. I can’t wait to hopefully be back—this time as an undergraduate student.
Tips for Writing:
While writing my essays, I found it helpful to prioritize colleges with commonly-used prompts; many colleges ask about diversity, your community, or your high school experience (e.g., your co-curricular activities). For example, UT Austin and the University of Michigan ask similar questions related to community. My advice would be to perfect versions of each of these common prompts so you can save time and re-use your writing. Additionally, when colleges ask why you would like to attend their school, ensure you’re very specific. Many people say you should find programs, clubs, and courses you’re interested in, and they’re right. However, it’s more important to discuss why you’re interested in these specific aspects; relate what you like about the college to how you could take advantage of the school’s resources and thrive on campus. Instead of just mentioning you would like to participate in the school’s many student organizations, maybe write about how you value learning opportunities outside of the classroom (evidenced perhaps by the variety of school clubs and teams you joined in high school).