🍦 Daily Digest Aug 27: Tackling a "Why Us?" Essay

Good morning folks! Here’s what we have today:

1. School of the Day: University of Illinois – Urbana Champagne (UIUC)

2. Admissions Blueprint: Tackling a “Why Us?” Supplemental

3. Hear From Your Peers: Devam’s Advice Part 2

SCHOOL OF THE DAY
University of Illinois – Urbana Champagne

Every day, we cover a different school, helping you learn something new about your favorite schools or find a new school that could end up being your dream school.

📍 Location: Urbana Champagne, Illinois
🎓 Undergraduates Enrolled: 32,358
📊 Acceptance Rate: 45% (67,398 applicants)
📝 Average SAT/ACT: 1415/32
💸 Tuition: $12,474 (in-state), $30,446 (out-of-state)
📅 Admission Options: Nov 1 (EA), Jan 5 (RD)
🏆 Top Ranking Programs: Undergraduate Engineering (#5), Computer Science (#5), Undergraduate Business (#17) (US News Rankings)
📈 Most Popular Majors: Engineering (18%), Business and Management (13%), Social Sciences (10%) (US News)

Some positives

🚀 Strong Engineering and Computer Science Programs: UIUC is renowned for its engineering and CS programs. Faculty members like Professor Tarek Abdelzaher in the Department of Computer Science and Professor Nancy Sottos in Materials Science and Engineering are pioneers in their fields. The Coordinated Science Laboratory (CSL) and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) are key research hubs driving innovation.

🔬 Research Opportunities: UIUC offers extensive research opportunities across various disciplines. For instance, the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology is known for interdisciplinary research in neuroscience, materials science, and AI. Students can engage in groundbreaking projects under the guidance of leading researchers like Professor Gene Robinson in the field of genomics and honeybee behavior.

🌍 Global Recognition: UIUC’s strong reputation, especially in STEM fields, translates to a highly valuable degree. Alumni are well-regarded globally, often securing positions in top companies like Google, Amazon, and Intel. The university’s connections with international research institutions and corporations enhance career prospects and networking opportunities for graduates.

🎨 Diverse Campus Life: With a wide range of student organizations, UIUC offers something for everyone. Notable clubs include the Illini Solar Car Team, where students design and build solar-powered cars for competitions, and Design for America, which allows students to work on social impact projects. The Cultural Houses on campus provide a space for celebrating and exploring various cultural heritages.

🤝 Strong Alumni Network: UIUC’s extensive alumni network is a significant asset, especially for students seeking mentorship, internships, and job opportunities. The Engineering Career Services regularly hosts events connecting students with successful alumni in various industries.

Some negatives

📚 Large Class Sizes: UIUC’s large student body can lead to large class sizes, particularly in introductory courses. The student-to-faculty ratio is around 19:1, which might result in less personalized attention from professors, especially in the earlier years of study.

❄️ Harsh Winters: The Midwest winters can be quite cold and snowy, which might be challenging for students who are not used to such climates.

🏙️ Limited Urban Environment: Urbana-Champaign is a college town, and while it has its charms, it lacks the hustle and bustle of a major city. Students looking for a vibrant urban lifestyle may find the town a bit too quiet.

🎓 Competitive Atmosphere: The strong programs, particularly in engineering and computer science, foster a competitive academic environment. This can be motivating for some, but it may also create stress for others who prefer a more collaborative atmosphere.

ADMISSIONS BLUEPRINT
Tackling a “Why Us?” supplemental essay

Writing a strong “Why Us?” essay is more than just listing a school’s appealing features—it’s about showing a deep connection between your goals and what the school has to offer. This essay is your chance to demonstrate genuine interest and prove that you’re the right fit for the campus community. Let’s break down how to tackle this important supplemental essay effectively.

🎯 Understand the Prompt
The “Why Us?” essay asks you to explain why you’re interested in attending a specific college. Admissions officers want to see that you’ve done your homework and that you’re genuinely interested in what the school offers. The key is to make your answer personal and specific.

🏫 Research the School Thoroughly
Start by diving deep into the school’s website, course catalogs, and any other resources you can find. Look for specific programs, clubs, or opportunities that align with your academic and extracurricular interests. Mentioning specific professors, unique traditions, or research opportunities will show that you’re serious about the school.

✨ Connect Your Goals with the School’s Offerings
This essay is a chance to connect what you want to achieve with what the school offers. If you’re passionate about a particular field, explain how the school’s resources will help you reach your goals. For example, if the school has a renowned program in your area of interest, explain why that program excites you and how it aligns with your aspirations.

💼 Highlight Campus Culture and Fit
Colleges care about how you’ll fit into their community. Mention aspects of the campus culture that resonate with you, such as the collaborative environment, commitment to service, or vibrant student life. Be sure to link these qualities back to your own experiences and values.

✍️ Avoid Generic Responses
A common pitfall is writing generic responses that could apply to any school. Avoid phrases like “I love the campus” or “The school has a great reputation.” Instead, be specific about what you like and how it connects to your goals and personality. The more tailored your response, the better.

🔄 Revise and Personalize
After drafting your essay, go back and ensure it reads as a cohesive narrative that’s unique to you and the school. It’s essential that the admissions committee can tell you’ve put in the effort to make your essay personal and thoughtful.

✅ Key Takeaways

• Be Specific: Mention particular courses, professors, or resources.

• Show Fit: Explain how the school’s culture aligns with your values.

• Connect to Your Goals: Link the school’s offerings to your future aspirations.

• Avoid Clichés: Steer clear of generic statements that could apply to any college.

HEAR FROM YOUR PEERS
Devam’s Advice Part 2

Today, we’re continuing yesterdays conversation with Devam, a high schooler from the Bay Area. To read yesterday’s interview questions about things he doesn’t regret and how he decided on his major, check out our website.

What are some strategies you use to balance school, extracurriculars, and college applications?

Devam believes that the key to balancing school, extracurriculars, and college applications is to plain and simple get things done. He emphasizes that time management is critical—especially when juggling multiple responsibilities. One of his strategies is to use summers wisely. By getting a head start on tasks during the summer, Devam was able to ease the pressure during the school year. He also points out that it’s important to prioritize and not be afraid to cut things out of your life if they aren’t adding value. For Devam, using tools like to-do lists on Notion was a game-changer. It kept him organized, allowed him to track his progress, and ultimately made him more productive.

Our motto is why gatekeep, and as part of that, we try to share our strategies for tackling applications. Do you have a specific strategy or approach to your essay writing? What about college research?

Devam’s approach to tackling college applications is methodical and structured. He started by creating an activity list. This was his first step because it gave him a clear overview of his achievements and experiences, which formed the backbone of his application. After that, he focused on writing his UC essays, frequently referring back to the activity list to ensure his essays reflected his most significant accomplishments and growth. Devam also found it invaluable to get multiple reviews of his essays. He involved a diverse group of people, including siblings, family friends, and mentors, to provide different perspectives and help refine his writing. When it came to college research, Devam didn’t just focus on academics. He took a holistic approach, looking at the social aspects of colleges as well. He believes it’s essential to remember that college isn’t just about academics—it’s four years of your life, and finding a place where you can thrive socially is just as important.

Any final thoughts?

Devam encourages everyone to subscribe to Scholar Scoops for daily insights on college admissions. He finds it a valuable resource for staying informed and making well-rounded decisions during the application process.

LINK LOUNGE
Key Resources & Scholarships

In the Link Lounge section, you can find links to great resources such as scholarships during the college application process. These links can be really helpful and will be updated every Wednesday, so be sure to check back frequently!

1600.io: A comprehensive resource offering practice tests, video explanations, and personalized study plans designed to help you achieve a perfect SAT score. Ideal for focused, self-paced study.
USC Find Your Counselor: USC website that makes it really easy to find out your point of contact for USC applications
Common App Ready: A series of resources and videos from the Common App team that walk you through each section of the application. Perfect for first-time applicants.

DAILY DEADLINE UPDATES
Important testing dates are coming up!

In the Daily Deadlines section, we will keep you updated on upcoming deadlines in the college admissions world. Remember to not procrastinate and stay ahead of these deadlines!

September ACT: Saturday, September 14
University of Texas/UNC Chapel Hill Early Action Deadline: October 15
Most ED, REA & EA Deadlines: November 1

THE ARCHIVE
Looking for past mailings?

You can view all our previous posts at our website at https://scholarscoops.beehiiv.com

IDEAS COME FROM EVERYWHERE
Have an idea for the newsletter?

Is there a question you’ve been dying to have answered related to college admissions? Or, is there something just nagging you about Scholar Scoops that you want to see fixed soon? We want to hear from you. You can submit feedback at https://forms.gle/7Rj2eBCiauEc5oNV8. Thank you so much!